Seattle's PSL accrues at 1 hour per 30 for the largest employers.
Seattle's Paid Sick & Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance, in effect since 2012, layers on top of Washington state PSL. The structure depends on employer size: Tier 3 (250+ FTEs nationwide) accrues at 1 hour per 30 worked — more generous than the state's 1 per 40. Tier 2 (49-249 FTEs) accrues at 1 hour per 40. Tier 1 (1-49 FTEs) also at 1 per 40. Higher tiers also have higher carryover caps. Workers physically performing work within Seattle city limits get the Seattle PSST regardless of where the employer is headquartered. The more generous of state or city applies for each accrual period.
Seattle PSST Tier-Based Configuration
Determines employer tier (1/2/3) by FTE count, applies the corresponding accrual rate to Seattle workers, integrates with state PSL so workers always get the more generous outcome.
What those rules do for Seattle workers.
The hero card configuration: Flag on tier visibility, Critical on accrual selection, Block on under-accrual.
Multi-state employers see their Seattle tier classification (1, 2, or 3) prominently in admin settings. The tier is determined by full-time-equivalent count nationwide and updates automatically as FTE counts change.
For Seattle workers at Tier 3 employers, accrual runs at 1 per 30 (Seattle rate) — higher than state's 1 per 40. Teambridge automatically applies the more generous accrual without requiring config.
When a payroll admin attempts to configure a Seattle worker's accrual rate below what the applicable Seattle tier requires, the configuration save fails.
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Three tiers, two accrual rates, one rule: more generous wins.
Seattle's PSST Ordinance was the first PSL ordinance in Washington (predating the 2018 state law). When state PSL was enacted, Seattle's pre-existing tiered structure was preserved. Workers in Seattle get the more generous of state or city benefits.
Three-tier employer classification
Tier 1: 1-49 FTEs nationwide. Tier 2: 50-249 FTEs. Tier 3: 250+ FTEs. The count is full-time equivalent across all locations, not just Seattle. A small Seattle restaurant owned by a national chain follows Tier 3 rules because of the parent company's size. Tier classification updates as FTE counts cross thresholds.
Accrual rates
Tier 3 (250+) accrues at 1 hour per 30 worked — more generous than state's 1 per 40. Tier 1 and Tier 2 accrue at the state rate (1 per 40). Carryover caps also vary: Tier 1 at 40 hours, Tier 2 at 56 hours, Tier 3 at 72 hours. Higher tiers must allow more carryover, even though state minimum is 40.
Teambridge handles tier classification and dual-jurisdiction accrual.
Seattle PSST is operationally distinct from state PSL not just because of the higher accrual rate but because of the geographic and tier-based eligibility. Per-shift, per-location accrual is the only correct approach.
Auto-determined and updated.
Teambridge tracks total FTE count across all locations. As the count crosses 50 or 250, the employer tier automatically updates and triggers re-configuration of all Seattle workers' accrual rates.
Seattle hours separated.
When a worker's shift is in Seattle, the hours flag accordingly. Seattle hours accrue under Seattle PSST rate; non-Seattle hours accrue under state PSL rate. Worker's balance reflects the combined accrual.
Tier-specific caps.
At year-end, each worker's PSL/PSST carryover is calculated using the higher of state minimum (40) or Seattle tier cap (40/56/72). The unused balance up to the cap rolls forward; excess forfeits.
Seattle tier disclosed.
For Seattle workers, the monthly balance notice includes the Seattle tier classification and the more generous accrual being applied. Operators see clear documentation of why the rate is what it is.
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