New Rights for Washington Workers in 2025

Employees and gig workers in Washington State benefit from new and updated legal rights and protections that take effect in 2025. These changes aim to adjust wages in line with living costs, clarify pay structures, and enhance workplace protections. Below is a summary:

• Minimum Wage Updates:

• The state minimum wage increases to $16.66 per hour, while Seattle’s rate rises to $20.76 per hour.

• Adjustments are based on annual cost-of-living and inflation metrics.

• Workers aged 14 and 15 may be paid 85% of the minimum wage.

• Salary Worker Pay Increase:

• A new threshold wage law ensures a minimum annual salary for employees exempt from overtime.

• For employers with 50 or fewer employees, the minimum salary is $69,305.60.

• For employers with 51 or more employees, the minimum salary is $77,968.80.

• Guaranteed Pay for Rideshare Drivers:

• Drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft will earn a guaranteed wage based on both time and mileage.

• Within Seattle: 68 cents per minute (while carrying passengers) and $1.59 per mile, with a minimum of $5.95 per trip.

• Outside Seattle: 39 cents per minute and $1.34 per mile, with a minimum of $3.45 per trip.

• Note: These provisions do not apply to food delivery drivers.

• Additional protections have been introduced regarding the deactivation of app-based workers.

• Hospital Overtime Protections:

• Hospital employees involved in direct patient care cannot be required to work overtime, except under specific conditions such as emergencies or pre-scheduled on-call duties.

• The rule applies to standard employees, excluding contracted or travel staff.

• Expanded Paid Sick Leave:

• Employees can now use paid sick leave to care for anyone living with them or for any dependent with whom they share a close relationship.

• Workers may also take sick leave if their child’s school or daycare closes due to an emergency.

These updates provide clearer guidelines and additional benefits, aiming to create a more predictable and supportive work environment for Washington State employees and gig workers starting in 2025.