The following administrative policies are the current opinions of the Department of Labor & Industries about how the major labor laws under its jurisdiction should be applied. These policies do not replace the laws and regulations, but are intended only as a guide and interpretation of the laws and regulations. These policies remain in effect as of the date noted in each, until such time as they are modified, removed, or new policies added.
Minimum Wage, Overtime, Exemptions
| Policy # |
Title |
Statute/Code |
| ES.A.1 |
Minimum Wage Act Applicability. (Updated December 29, 2020.) |
RCW 49.46 WAC 296-128 |
| ES.A.2 |
Definition of Wage. (Updated July 15, 2014.) |
RCW 49.46.010(7) |
| ES.A.3 |
Minimum Hourly Wage. (Updated April 6, 2023.) |
RCW 49.46.020 WAC 296-126 WAC 296-125 WAC 296-131 |
| ES.A.4 |
Special Education Student Exemption from Minimum Wage. |
RCW 49.46.060 WAC 296-128 |
| ES.A.5 |
Waiving of Rights Under Minimum Wage Act Prohibited and More Favorable Laws Allowed. (Updated April 6, 2023.) |
RCW 49.46.090 RCW 49.46.120 |
| ES.A.6 |
Collective Bargaining Agreements, Employment Agreements, and Policies. (Updated April 6, 2023.) |
RCW 49.46.110 RCW 49.12.187 |
| ES.A.7 |
Contents of former policy ES.A.7 can be found in ES.A.5 as of April 6, 2023. |
|
| ES.A.8.1 |
Overtime. (Updated April 6, 2023.) |
RCW 49.46.130 WAC 296-126 WAC 296-128 |
| ES.A.8.2 |
"How to Calculate Overtime". (Updated June 26, 2020.)
En español: "Como Calcular las Horas Extras". (Actualizada el 26 de Junio de 2020) |
RCW 49.46.130 |
| ES.A.9.1 |
Questions and Answers about Salary Basis. (Updated June 26, 2020.)
En español: Preguntas y Respuestas Acerca de la Base del Salario. (Actualizada el 26 de Junio de 2020) |
RCW 46.49.010(5)(c)
RCW 49.46.130(2)(a)
WAC 296-128-500 through 545 |
| ES.A.9.2 |
General Information Applicable to Exemptions from Minimum Wage Act for White Collar Workers. (Updated June 26, 2020.)
En español: Información General Aplicable a las Exenciones de la Ley del Salario Mínimo para Trabajadores de Cuello Blanco. (Actualizada el 26 de Junio de 2020) |
RCW 49.46.010(3)(c)
RCW 49.46.130(2)(a)
WAC 296-128-500 through 545 |
| ES.A.9.3 |
Exemption from Minimum Wage Act requirements for Executive Employees. (Updated June 26, 2020.)
En español: Exención de los Requisitos de la Ley del Salario Mínimo Para Empleados Ejecutivos. (Actualizada en Junio 26 de 2020) |
RWC 49.46.010(3)(c)
RCW 49.46.130(2)(a)
WAC 296-128-510 |
| ES.A.9.4 |
Exemption from Minimum Wage Act requirements for Administrative Employees. (Updated June 26, 2020.)
En español: Exención de los Requisitos de la Ley del Salario Mínimo para Empleados Administrativos. (Actualizada el 26 de Junio de 2020) |
RWC 49.46.010(3)(c)
RCW 49.46.130(2)(a)
WAC 296-128-520 |
| ES.A.9.5 |
Exemption from Minimum Wage Act requirements for Professional Employees. (Updated June 26, 2020.)
En español: Exención de los Requisitos de la Ley del Salario Mínimo para Empleados Profesionales. (Actualizada el 26 de Junio de 2020) |
RCW 49.46.010(3)(c)
RCW 49.46.130(2)(a)
WAC 296-128-530 |
| ES.A.9.6 |
Exemption from Minimum Wage Act requirements for Computer Professional Employees. (updated June 26, 2020.)
En español: Exención de los Requisitos de la Ley del Salario Mínimo Para los Empleados Profesionales de Informática. (Actualizada el 26 de Junio de 2020) |
RWC 49.46.010(3)(c)
RCW 49.46.130(2)(a)
WAC 296-128-535 |
| ES.A.9.7 |
Exemption from Minimum Wage Act requirements for Outside Salespersons. (Updated June 26, 2020.)
En español: Exención de los Requisitos de la Ley del Salario Mínimo para Vendedores Externos. (Actualizada el 26 Junio de 2020) |
RCW 49.46.010(3)(c)
RCW 49.46.130(2)(a)
WAC 296-128-540 |
| ES.A.9.8 |
Definition of Fee Basis in Administrative, Professional, and Outside Sales Positions. (Updated June 26, 2020.)
En español: Definición de los Honorarios en Puestos Administrativos, Profesionales y de Ventas Externas. (Actualizada el 26 de Junio de 2020) |
RCW 49.46.010(3)(c)
RCW 49.46.130(2)(a)
WAC 296-128 |
| ES.A.9.9 |
Salary Thresholds for Exemption from Minimum Wage Act for White Collar Workers.
En español: Umbrales Salariales para Exención de la Ley del Salario Mínimo Para Trabajadores de Cuello Blanco. (Actualizada el 26 de Junio de 2020) |
RCW 49.46.010(3)(c)
WAC 296-128-535
WAC 296-128-545 |
| ES.A.10.1 |
Retail or Service Establishment Commission Overtime Exception. (Updated July 15, 2014.) |
RCW 49.46.130(3) |
| ES.A.10.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Retail/Service Establishment Sales Exception. |
RCW 49.46.130(3) |
| ES.A.10.3 |
Examples of Retail Sales and Service Establishments. |
RCW 49.46.130(3) |
| ES.A.11 |
Law Restricting Mandatory Overtime for Nurses. (Updated December 21, 2016.) |
RCW 49.28.130, 140, 150 |
| ES.A.12 |
Tips, Gratuities and Service Charges. |
RCW 49.46.020(3)(c) |
| ES.A.13 |
Minimum Wage Act - Washington-Based Employee. |
RCW 49.46 WAC 296-128 |
| ES.A.14 |
Minimum Wage Act - Employment Relationships. |
RCW 49.46 WAC 296-128 |
Paid Sick Leave
Industrial Welfare and Related Acts
| Policy # |
Title |
Statute/Code |
| ES.C.1 |
Industrial Welfare Act: Applications, Exemptions, and Interpretations. (Updated April 6, 2023.) |
RCW 49.12
WAC 296-126
WAC 296-125
WAC 296-131 |
| ES.C.2 |
Hours Worked. (Updated July 19, 2021.) |
RCW 49.12
WAC 296-126 |
| ES.C.3 |
Commissions, Piecework and Minimum Wage Requirements. |
WAC 296-126-021 |
| ES.C.4.1 |
School Week and Work Week for Minors (under revision). |
RCW 49.12
RCW 49.30
RCW 13.64.010
WAC 296-125-027
WAC 296-131-120 |
| ES.C.4.2 |
Minors and Bloodborne Pathogens in Non-Medical settings. |
RCW 49.12
RCW 49.17
WAC 296-125-030
WAC 296-823 |
| ES.C.4.3 |
Driving by Minors in Non-Agricultural Jobs. |
RCW 49.12
WAC 296-125-030 |
| ES.C.5 |
Payment Interval. (Repealed May 16, 2007. See links to the right.) |
WAC 296-126-023,
WAC 296-131-010, and WAC 296-128-035 |
| ES.C.6.1 |
Meal and Rest Periods for Non-agricultural Workers Age 18 and over. (Updated December 1, 2017.) |
RCW 49.12
WAC 296-126-092 |
| ES.C.6.2 |
Agricultural Labor Standards - Meal Periods, Rest Periods, and Rates of Pay. (Updated December 28, 2021.)
En español: Normas de Empleo Agrícolas – Periodos de Comida, Periodos de Descanso y Tarifas de Pago (Actualizada el 28 de diciembre de 2021) |
RCW 49.30
WAC 296-131-020 |
| ES.C.7 |
Employee Access to Personnel Files. |
RCW 49.12.240, .250, .260 |
| ES.C.8.1 |
Employee Wearing Apparel and Uniforms. |
RCW 49.12.450 |
| ES.C.8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Employee Wearing Apparel. |
RCW 49.12.450 |
| ES.C.9 |
Variances from Industrial Welfare Act. |
RCW 49.12 |
| ES.C.10 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Family Care Act. (Updated August 6, 2014.) |
RCW 49.12.265, .270, .275, .280, .285, .290 and .295
WAC 296-130 |
| ES.C.11 |
Student Learner Exemption for Worksite Learning and Apprenticeships in certain hazardous work. (Updated December 29, 2020) |
RCW 49.12
WAC 296-125-030
WAC 296-131-125 |
Record Keeping Requirements
Equal Pay and Opportunities Act
Visit the Employment Standards engagement site to view the program’s current policy development efforts and provide feedback on draft administrative policies.