Repayment of vacation wages

If I understand what you are saying, when you started employment, paid vacation was listed among the benefits provided, but there was no specific information about the particulars of the how and when the benefit would be paid. It also sounds like there was no mention of the company’s specific vacation policy and no mention in the company policy or handbook, but the policy was communicated to you once you applied for vacation — and they are now saying you will need to pay the vacation wages back if you leave before you have completed two months of employment. To answer your question, paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave and severance pay are considered voluntary benefits that a business may choose to offer workers. Washington State law does not require a business to provide these benefits. Even though there is no state law requiring a business to pay these benefits upon termination, if the business promises workers these benefits and does not follow through, workers can contact an attorney or file in small claims court for their unpaid benefits. However, in your situations, it sounds like no specific promises were made to you about how and when you will be permitted paid vacation. Also, unless you are in a labor union or have a written contract governing the terms and conditions of employment, the employer may legally change the conditions of employment unilaterally. You can accept the changes by remaining employed, or reject the changes and go elsewhere. That being said, there are limitations on the deductions your employer would be permitted to take from your final paycheck. See the link below. This situation could fall under the “employee loan” category in Section 2(b), although this regulation is ambiguous as to whether paying back vacation pay would fit into this category. In any event, assuming the deduction is permitted, any deduction would need to be agreed upon in writing or the employer would not be permitted to take it from your final pay. Hope this helps -Don