We all get sick. But not everyone can stay home when they are contagious. In cities and states without paid sick days standards, 2 of every 5 workers don’t earn a single day of paid sick leave, including many on the front lines of public health and food safety – in restaurants, retail stores, and even health care. EOI was instrumental in formulating the policy for statewide paid sick leave, which was passed with Initiative 1433. Now, all workers are guaranteed one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, starting in 2018.
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Every Job a Path to Opportunity
Washington state has gained jobs at a faster rate than most other states since the Great Recession, but the majority of working families are not benefitting from the economic boom. While high tech companies are attractin…
Research and Publications

Testimony by Marilyn Watkins opposing SB 6578 and SSB 6087, limiting paid sick days and minimum wage ordinances
Testimony of Marilyn Watkins, Economic Opportunity Institute, in opposition to SB 6578 and…

Why Washington Needs Paid Sick Leave
1. Everyone gets sick – but 1 million Washington workers don’t get a single day of paid si…
Latest Blog Posts

It’s February 28. You can now get the flu and not miss a paycheck.
Washingtonians who’ve worked full time since January 1 have earned a full day of sick leav…

Finland Doesn’t Leave Survival to the Free Market – We Shouldn’t Either
Our state had an important visitor last week. Not a movie mogul, not a billionaire, not a…