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Paid-Sick Leave US Cities

Chicago Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

When goes the ordinance into effect?

July 1, 2017

How much sick time am I eligible for?

You can earn up to one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked. 

If you are exempt from overtime requirements under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act you will be assumed to work 40 hours in each work week for purposes of earned sick time accrual unless your normal work week is less than 40 hours, in which case your earned sick time accrues based upon that normal work week.

Accrual and usage of paid sick leave is capped at 40 hours for each 12-month period, unless your employer sets a higher limit.

Am I covered?

You are entitled to benefits under the Ordinance if you perform at least two hours of work for a covered employer while physically present within the geographic boundaries of the City in any two-week period - compensated time spent travelling, such as making deliveries or sales calls (but not commuting time), is considered work within Chicago’s boundaries.

If you are covered you become eligible for paid sick leave by working 80 hours in any 120 day period.

Covered employers, who are they?

Covered employers include individuals and companies that maintain a business facility within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago or who are subject to one or more of the City’s licensing requirements. The Ordinance applies to all employers, regardless of the number of employees.

Are domestic workers covered?

Yes, the Ordinance applies to domestic workers, even those who are employed by employers with fewer than four employees.

My company has already a paid leave policy, what now?

Employers with a paid leave policy that makes available to employees an amount of paid leave that may be used for the same purposes as earned sick time and that is sufficient to meet the requirements for accrued earned sick time of the Ordinance, the employer is not required to provide additional paid leave.

I am covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, what now?

The paid sick leave provisions do not apply to you if you work in the construction industry covered by a collective bargaining agreement. For other unionized employees, the Ordinance will not change or otherwise affect the validity of a collective bargaining agreement in force on the date the Ordinance goes into effect. Beyond that date, employees may waive the Ordinance’s requirements in a collective bargaining agreement as long as the waiver is explicit, and in clear and unambiguous terms.

When do I start accruing sick leave?

You begin to accrue paid sick leave on the first calendar day after the start of your employment or  on July 1, 2017, whichever is later.

When can I use paid sick leave?

You can begin using accrued paid sick leave no later than the 180th day after starting your job. 

Can I carry over sick leave?

You are permitted to carry over half of your unused paid sick leave (up to 20 hours) to the next 12-month period. Additionally, if an employer is subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act, your are entitled to carry over up to 40 hours of accrued, unused paid sick leave (in addition to the standard carryover) to use exclusively for FMLA-eligible purposes.

How can I use the sick leave?

The sick leave can be used for own illness or medical treatment, as well as for that of a family member (spouse, (grand, foster, step) children, (grand)parents), siblings;
or when you or your family member is the victim of domestic violence or sexual violence;
or when your place of business is closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; or when you need to care for your child whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency.

What notice must be provided by employees who need to use paid sick leave?

Your employer may ask you to give not less than 7 days notice before the start of the sick leave if it is foreseeable.

For an absence of more than three consecutive work days, you employer may require certification that the use of your sick time was authorised.

Does my employer have to pay out unused paid leave after termination? 

Your employer is not required to provide you financial or other reimbursement upon your termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation.

Source: City of Chicago, Ordinance

Updated: June 29, 2016

Los Angeles Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

When goes the ordinance into effect?

July 1, 2016

How much sick time am I eligible for?

You can earn up to one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked - you may take up to 48 hours of sick leave each year of employment, calendar year or 12-month period, based on the hours worked. 

For example, if you work part-time two 8-hour days a week, you would accrue approximately 24 hours of sick leave in a year. 

However, if your employer chooses to front-load the sick leave at the beginning of a 12 month period, your employer must provide you with the entire 48 hours of paid sick leave.

Am I covered?

You are entitled to benefits under the Ordinance if you:

- perform at least two hours of work in a particular week within Los Angeles if you qualify as an employee entitled to the payment of the minimum wage under Californian law. - it does not apply when you are an exempt employee (because “employee” is defined  to mean those workers entitled to payment of a minimum wage under California law);

- work for the same employer in Los Angeles for 30 days or more within a year from de start of your employment.

Does not apply to exempt employees (because “employee” is defined  to mean those workers entitled to payment of a minimum wage under California law)

My company has already a paid leave policy, what now?

Employers with a paid leave policy that makes available to employees an amount of paid leave that may be used for the same purposes as earned sick time and that is sufficient to meet the requirements for accrued earned sick time of the Ordinance, the employer is not required to provide additional paid leave.

I am covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, what now?

The ordinance does not provide an exception for employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

When do I start accruing sick leave?

You begin to accrue paid sick leave on the first calendar day after the start of your employment or  on July 1, 2016, whichever is later.

When can I use paid sick leave?

You can begin using accrued paid sick leave no later than the 90th day after starting your job, or on July 1, 2016, whichever is later.

Can I carry over sick leave?

Accrued unused leave carries over to the following year of employment. Your employer may impose an accrual cap of 72 hours or more.

How can I use the sick leave?

The sick leave can be used for own illness or medical treatment, as well as for that of a family member, including those set forth in the state statute and any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship. (The Los Angeles law does not define “close association” and “equivalent of a family relationship.”)

What notice must be provided by employees who need to use paid sick leave?

The city ordinance does not address the need for advance notice for sick time. It would permit you to require “reasonable documentation” of an absence from work for which paid sick leave is used, the state’s paid sick leave law has no provision that would allow an employer to condition the paid sick leave on a doctor’s note.

Does my employer have to pay out unused paid leave after termination? 

Your employer is not required to provide you financial or other reimbursement upon your termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation.

If you separate from you employer but rehired within one year, previously accrued and unused paid sick time must be reinstated

Source: Los Angeles Minimum Wage Ordinance

Updated: June 29, 2016

Milwaukee: Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

- workers - including temporary and part-time employees - earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 9 days (72 hours) per year,
- workers of small businesses with fewer than 10 employees earn up to five days per year (40 hours), unless the employer selects a higher limit,
- workers can use their paid sick leave to recover from illness, care for sick family members, seek medical care, obtain assistance related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking,
- workers shall begin to accrue paid leave starting a job, but access to paid leave starts after 90 working days
- unused paid leave carries over from year to year
- unused paid leave is not reimbursed upon the termination or resignation of the worker

Exempt/no coverage for:
1) federal government
2) state Wisconsin including the legislative, judiciary, county or local government

Source: Milwaukee: Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

Minneapolis Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

When goes the ordinance into effect?

July 1, 2017

How much sick time am I eligible for?

If you work for an employer with six or more employees you are entitled to one hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours per year.

To determine the threshold 'six or more employers' , it is applicable to all individuals performing work for the employer on a full-time, part-time or temporary basis, whether or not such individuals work in the city of Minneapolis. 

Certain new employers do not have to provide paid sick leave within the first 12 months of hiring the employer’s first employee, even if they have six or more employees. This delayed implementation will stop after 5 years.

If you work for an employer with five or fewer employees, the law provides for up to 48 hours of  unpaid sick and safe time leave

Am I covered?

You are entitled to benefits under the Ordinance if you work at least 80 hours a year within the geographic boundaries of Minneapolis. The sick and safe time leave is paid if you work for an employer that has six or more employees

If you are a health care provider you may only use sick and safe time when you are “scheduled to work.” 

The law does not cover independent contractors. 

My company has already a paid leave policy, what now?

Employers with a paid leave policy that makes available to employees an amount of paid leave that may be used for the same purposes as earned sick time and that is sufficient to meet the requirements for accrued earned sick time of the Ordinance, the employer is not required to provide additional paid leave.

The ordinance is different than many employers’ existing paid time off (PTO) or sick leave policies in that it applies to both part-time and full-time employees, so long as the employees work at least 80 hours per year in Minneapolis.

When do I start accruing sick leave?

You begin to accrue paid sick leave on the first calendar day after the start of your employment or  on July 1, 2017, whichever is later.

When can I use paid sick leave?

You can begin using accrued paid sick leave no later than the 90th day after starting your job. 

Can I carry over sick leave?

You are permitted to carry over unused sick and safe leave, up to a maximum of 80 hours. There are certain exceptions that apply to healthcare providers and construction workers..

How can I use the sick leave?

The sick leave can be used for own illness or medical treatment, as well as for that of a family member (spouse, (grand, foster, step) children, (grand)parents), siblings;
or when you or your family member is the victim of domestic violence or sexual violence;
or when your place of business is closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; or when you need to care for your child whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency.

What notice must be provided by employees who need to use paid sick leave?

Your employer may ask you to give up to seven days advance notice before the start of the sick leave if it is foreseeable.

For an absence of more than three consecutive work days, you employer may require certification that the use of your sick time was authorised.

Does my employer have to pay out unused paid leave after termination? 

Your employer is not required to provide you financial or other reimbursement upon your termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation.

Source:GovDocs; Lexology

Updated: June 30, 2016

New York City's Paid Sick Leave

In effect: 1 April 2014 for employees of businesses with 5 or more workers ;

Who is covered?

  1. All employees, part- and full-time, transitional jobs program employees, undocumented employees, family members but not owners of the business, employees who live outside NYC.
  2. All covered employees above under bullet 1 must work more than 80 hours per calendar year in NYC.

Who is not covered? 

  • employees who work 80 hours or less per calendar in NYC,
  • students in a federal work study program,
  • employees of government agencies,
  • physical and occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, audiologists licensed by the New York State Department of Education,
  • independent contractors
  • participants in Work Experience Programs (WEP)
  • certain employees subject to collective bargaining agreements

How much sick leave?

  • Sick time will be accumulated at the rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, provided the employee works more than eighty hours in a calendar year, up to a maximum of forty hours ( 5 work days) of paid sick time in a calendar year.
  • Accrual begins at the first day of employment and is available 120 days after the first day of employment.
  • Paid sick leave is accrued when you work for an employer with 5 or more employees.
  • Unpaid sick leave is accrued when you work for an employer with 1-4 employees.
  • Domestic workers: in addition to the three days of paid rest to which you are entitled under New York State law, you accrue 2 days of paid sick leave per calendar year after you have been one year on the job.

When to use sick leave?

  • You have a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; you need to get a medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of your mental or physical illness, injury, or condition; you need to get preventive medical care.
  • You must care for a family member (spouse, (grand, foster, adopted, legal ward) child, domestic partner, (grand) parent, (half, step, adopted) sibling) who needs medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition, or who needs preventive medical care.
  • Your employer’s business closes due to a public health emergency or you need to care for a child whose school or child care provider closed due to a public health emergency.

Advance notice?

If the leave is foreseeable your employer can require up to seven days advance notice, if it is unforeseeable your employer may ask to you to give notice as soon as reasonable. The notice may be required to be written. 

Unused sick leave? 

You can carry over up to 40 hours of unused sick leave to the next calendar year. However, your employer is only required to let you use up to 40 hours of sick leave per calendar year. 

Complaints?

You may file a complaint with DCA. To get the complaint form, go online tonyc.gov/PaidSickLeave or contact 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside NYC).

Oakland, Ca Ordinance

- into effect on March 2, 2015

- workers, including temporary and part-time employees - earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, 
- workers in businesses with 10 or fewer employees earn up to five days per year (40 hours), 
- workers in larger companies earn nine days per year (72 hours),
- workers accrued paid sick leave carries over from year to year,
-  workers can use their paid sick leave to recover from illness, to see a doctor or care for a sick child, partner or designated person

Paid Sick Leave in U.S. Cities in Alphabetical Order:

Scroll down for the paid sick leave requirements of:

Chicago, IL - Los Angeles, CA -  Milwaukee, WI - Minneapolis, MN -New Jersey Cities (Bloomfield, East Orange, Elizabeth, Irvington, Jersey City, Montclair, Morristown, Newark, New Brunswick, Passaic, Paterson, Plainfield, Trenton), NJ - New York City, NY - Oakland, CA - Philadelphia, PA - Portland, OR - Saint Paul, MN - San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Monica, CA - Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, WA - Washington D.C - and more to come...

New Jersey Cities Paid Sick Leave

The enacted paid sick laws in New Jersey cities -  East Orange, Irvington, Jersey City, Newark, Passaic, Paterson, Trenton and Montclair - are nearly identical.

How much sick time am I eligible for?

Jersey City - Employees  in businesses with 10 or more employees can earn up one hour of paid sick leave for each 30 hours worked, with a maximum to five paid sick days a year.

Employees of smaller businesses will be able to earn up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time until a revision will become effective in 2016, which requires employers with fewer than 10 employees to provide up to 24 hours of paid sick leave time and 16 hours of unpaid sick time, allowing waiver of the law’s requirements under a collective bargaining agreement. Employers cannot require their employees who have accrued both paid and unpaid sick leave time to exhaust unpaid sick leave time prior to being entitled to use paid sick leave time.

Employers who already provide leave on term at least as generous a those required by law do not have to provide additional leave. The ordinance doesn't apply to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements, until such agreements expire.

Bloomfield, East Orange, Elizabeth, Irvington, Montclair, Morristown, Newark, New Brunswick, Passaic, Paterson, Plainfield and Trenton - Employees in businesses with 10 or more employees can earn up one hour of paid sick leave for each 30 hours worked, with a maximum to five paid sick days (forty hours) per calendar year. Employees of smaller businesses can earn up to three paid sick days (24 hours) per calendar year, except for employees who are child care workers, home health care workers and food service workers, they earn up to five paid sick days (40 hours).

Note: New Brunswick has no coverage if you work in a business with less than five full time employees.

The below sick leave rulings apply to all NJ cities:

Who is eligible?

Eligible are employees in all cities working full-time, part-time or temporary for at least 80 hours per city per calendar year. It doesn't apply to workers employed by governmental entities.

What if my boss provides paid sick leave?

Employers who already provide leave on terms at least as generous a those required by law do not have to provide additional leave. 

When do I start accruing sick leave?

Employees begin accruing sick leave when start working, but an employer isn't obligated to give sick leave until the employee is working on the 90th day of the job.

Exception:  If you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that is in effect, you begin to accrue paid sick time under the local law beginning on the date that the agreement ends. 

Can I carry over sick leave?

Employees can carry over unused sick leave, but an employer isn't forced to give more than five days annually. 

Employers are not required to reimburse employees for unused sick leave. 

How can I use the sick leave?

The sick leave can be used for own illness or medical treatment, as well as for that of a family member (spouse, (grand)children, (grand)parents).

When goes/went the ordinance into effect?

Bloomfield: July 1, 2015

East Orange: January 6, 2015

Elizabeth: March 2, 2016

Irvington: January 7, 2015

Jersey City: January 24, 2014

Montclair: March 4, 2015

Morristown: October 4, 2016

Newark: May 29, 2014

New Brunswick: January 6, 2016

Passaic January 1, 2015

Paterson: January 7, 2015

Plainfield: July 15, 2016

Trenton: March 4, 2015

Read more in the original ordinances:

East Orange Paid Sick Time for Private Employees

Jersey City Earned Sick Leave Ordinance 

Montclair Earned Sick Leave Ordinance

Newark Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

Ordinance of Passaic Earned Sick Leave Ordinance 

Philadelphia Paid Sick Leave

In effect May 13, 2015

The bill applies to businesses with 10 or more employees. Employees will accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, approximately five days a year. Employers can cap the amount of accrued sick time at 40 hours per calendar year.

Those at smaller businesses will be able to accrue five days of unpaid leave.

Employees may begin to use accrued sick time on the 90th calendar day after beginning employment

Workers will be able to use accrued sick time for their own illnesses or those of family members, or to seek support in dealing with domestic violence or sexual assault, or stalking.

Employers must give written notice to employee who are entitled to sick time or post a sign in a place where all employees will be able to see it.

Employees not covered include independent contractors, seasonal workers or those hired for fewer than six months, adjunct professors, interns, government employees, and workers covered by collective-bargaining agreements.

Businesses with existing leave policies that meet the minimum paid sick leave accrual standards and other requirements within the legislation will not have to change their policies or provide for additional leave time.

Portland Sick Leave Law

Portland has become just the fourth U.S. city to require that employers provide sick leave.  The Portland ordinance went into effect January 1, 2014. The ordinance covers any employee who works more than 240 hours per year in Portland. 

Employers with five or fewer employees will be required to provide one hour of unpaid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

Employers with six or more employees will be required to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

Employees can accrue 40 hours of paid sick leave per year.  An employee may carry over the paid sick leave, but the total cannot exceed 40 hours in a calendar year.

Accrued but unused paid sick leave does not need to be paid out upon termination of employment. 

Read the whole Portland Sick Leave Ruling.

Saint Paul, Earned Sick and Safe Time Ordinance

When goes the ordinance into effect?

July 1, 2017

How much sick time am I eligible for?

You are entitled to one hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 80 hours per year. The maximum number of earned sick and safe time hours you can earn in each calendar or fiscal year shall not exceed 48 hours.

Am I covered?

The ordinance is applicable to all individuals performing work for an employer within the geographic boundaries of Saint Paul, on a full-time, part-time or temporary basis, whether or not such individuals live in Saint Paul. 

The law does not cover independent contractors, people who work for the US government, the State of Minnesota, any county or local government except the City of Saint Paul.

My company has already a paid leave policy, what now?

Employers with a paid leave policy that makes available to employees an amount of paid leave that may be used for the same purposes as earned sick time and that is sufficient to meet the requirements for accrued earned sick time of the Ordinance, the employer is not required to provide additional paid leave.

When do I start accruing sick leave?

You begin to accrue paid sick leave after you have worked 80 hours for the employer. If you were employed and worked for 80 hours for the employer on the date the ordinance takes effect, accrual shall begin on July 1, 2017.

When can I use paid sick leave?

You can begin using accrued paid sick leave no later than the 90th day after starting your job. 

Can I carry over sick leave?

You are permitted to carry over unused sick and safe leave, up to a maximum of 80 hours. 

How can I use the sick leave?

The sick leave can be used for own illness or medical treatment, as well as for that of a family member (spouse, (grand, foster, step) children, (grand)parents), siblings;
or when you or your family member is the victim of domestic violence or sexual violence;
or when your place of business is closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; or when you need to care for your child whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency.

What notice must be provided if I need to use paid sick leave?

Your employer may ask you to give advance notice before the start of the sick leave if it is foreseeable.

For an absence of more than three consecutive work days, you employer may require certification that the use of your sick time was authorised.

Does my employer have to pay out unused paid leave after termination? 

Your employer is not required to provide you financial or other reimbursement upon your termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation.

Source: StPaul.gov

Updated: Sept 22, 2016

San Diego, Ca Earned Sick Leave

When goes the ordinance into effect?

July 11, 2016

How much paid sick time am I eligible for?

You can earn up to one hour of paid sick leave for each 30 hours worked within the geographical boundaries of the City of San Diego.

Employers can cap your total accrual of earned sick leave at 80 hours.

The usage of paid sick leave may be capped at 40 hours for each 12-month period, unless your employer sets a higher limit. Your employer may also set a reasonable increment for the use of the paid sick leave - in less than on-hour increments for a fraction of an hour worked.

If you do not qualify for overtime (generally exempt employees), you are assumed to work 40 hours in a workweek, unless your regular workweek is less than 40 hours. Under such circumstances, accrual reflects the employee’s actual regular workweek.

Am I covered?

You are covered if you are an exempt or non-exempt employee who performs at least two hours of work within the geographical boundaries of the City of San Diego during a calendar week of the applicable year.

The following individuals are not considered “employees” under the Ordinance: independent contractors, people with special state licenses to be employed at less than minimum wage, certain youth employees in publicly subsidized summer or short-term employment programs, and certain counselors at organized outdoor camp.

If your employer provides more paid sick leave, through a contract, CBA, benefit plan or other agreement, it should be in compliance with the law.

My employer has a paid leave policy?
If your employer has a paid leave policy, like a Paid Time Off (PTO) or vacation policy, that makes available the same amount of paid leave that meets the requirements of this Ordinance and used for the same purposes, then your employer does not have to give additional paid sick leave.

When do I start accruing paid sick leave?

You cannot use accrued paid sick leave until the 90th day of employment or July 11, 2016, whichever is later.

Frontloading?
Your employer may satisfy accrual and carryover provisions by providing no less than 40 hours of paid sick leave at the beginning of each benefit year.

Can I carry over accrued paid sick leave?

You can carry over unused sick leave, if no less than 40 hours of earned sick leave are awarded to you at the beginning of each benefit year.

Pay out unused accrued paid sick leave by termination?

Upon an employee's separation from employment, employers do not have to pay out unused leave, but they must reinstate accrued sick leave if the employee returns within six months.

How can I use the accrued paid sick leave?

The sick leave can be used for own illness or medical treatment, as well as for that of a family member (spouse, (grand, foster, step) children, (grand)parents), siblings;
or when you or your family member is the victim of domestic violence or sexual violence;
or when your place of business is closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; or when you need to care for your child whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency. 

Read the FAQ on San Diego's Earned Sick Leave

San Francisco Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

- workers, including temporary and part-time employees - earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked,
- employers may frontload a lump sum of paid sick leave at the beginning of each year of employment, calendar year or 12 month period,
- workers in businesses with 10 or fewer employees earn up to five days per year (40 hours),
- workers in larger companies earn nine days per year (72 hours),
- workers accrued paid sick leave carries over from year to year,
- accrual begint 90 days after the commencement of employment, but starting Jan. 1 2017 accrual starts on commencement of employement.
-  workers can use their paid sick leave to recover from illness, to see a doctor or care for a sick child, partner or designated person. In addition you may use paid sick leave when you are victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or use the paid sick leave when you or your family/designated person donate(s) bone marrow or an organ.
- if your employer has a paid leave policy with the same amount of paid leave that may be used for the same purposes  as the SFPSL Ordinance, than your employer is not required to provide additional paid sick leave.
- your employer may require reasonable notificiation of the absence of work for which paid sick leave is taken,
- your employer is not required to provide financial or other reimbursement for accrued paid sick leave, upon your termination, resignation, retirement or other separation from your employment. But if you are rehired within a year by the same employer your previously accrued paid sick leave must be reinstalled. 

Read here the amended SF Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
For additional information: Office Labor Standards Enforcement, t. (415) 554-6271, e. PSL@sfgov.org.

Source: San Francisco: Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

Santa Monica Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

When goes the ordinance into effect?

January 1, 2017

How much sick time am I eligible for?

You can earn up to one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with a phased in annual accrual cap:

- January 1, 2017: The accrual cap will be 32 hours for businesses with 25 or fewer employees, or 40 hours for larger businesses.

- January 1, 2018: The cap will be 40 hours for small businesses or 72 hours for larger businesses.

 The ordinance allows for front-loading, as long as the front-loading method provides leave consistent with the required accrual amounts. 

Am I covered?

You are entitled to benefits under the Ordinance if you perform at least two hours of work at least two hours within the city’s geographic boundaries in any particular week.  

Similar to paid sick leave ordinances in San Francisco, Oakland and Emeryville, the Santa Monica ordinance covers to employees based outside of Santa Monica, but who work in the city on a temporary or occasional basis (e.g., delivery persons, installers, film and television production crews).

My company has already a paid leave policy, what now?

Employers with a paid leave policy that makes available to employees an amount of paid leave that may be used for the same purposes as earned sick time and that is sufficient to meet the requirements for accrued earned sick time of the Ordinance, the employer is not required to provide additional paid leave.

I am covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, what now?

The paid sick leave provisions may be waived in a bona fide collective bargaining agreement, but only if the waiver is explicitly set forth in such agreement in clear and unambiguous terms. 

When do I start accruing sick leave?

If you are employed as of January 1, 2017 you begin to accrue paid sick leave from that day, if you are hired after July 1, 2017 you will begint to accrue the same rate of paid sick leave after 90 days of employment. 

When can I use paid sick leave?

An employer may preclude you from using accrued sick leave during your first ninety (90) days of employment. 

The Santa Monica law does not permit an employer to restrict the amount of accrued sick leave that may be used. 

Can I carry over sick leave?

You are permitted to carry over your unused paid sick leave up to the accrual cap of 72 hours, unless your employer's policy is more generous.

How can I use the sick leave?

The sick leave can be used for own illness or medical treatment, as well as for that of a family member (spouse, registered domestic partner (grand, foster, step) children, (grand)parents), siblings;
or when you or your family member is the victim of domestic violence or sexual violence;
or preventive care, such as annual flu shots or physicals;
or when your place of business is closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; or when you need to care for your child whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency.

What notice must be provided by employees who need to use paid sick leave?

 The Santa Monica ordinance does not expressly permit an employer to require reasonable notice before an employee uses paid sick leave.

Does my employer have to pay out unused paid leave after termination? 

Your employer is not required to provide you financial or other reimbursement upon your termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation.

Source: Ordinance Santa Monica

Updated: June 30, 2016

Seattle Paid Sick Leave

As of September 1, 2012, employees in the City of Seattle accrue paid sick and paid safe time (PSST) for use when an employee or family member needs to take time off from work due to illness or a critical safety issue. The ordinance applies to all employers with more than four full-time equivalent employees. All employees are eligible for the new benefit, including full time, part-time and temporary workers.

Spokane, WA : Earned Sick and Safe Leave

    • In effect January 1, 2017.
    • The law applies to all employers “in the City of Spokane who employ employees who physically perform more than two hundred forty (240) hours of work within the City of Spokane".
    • Businesses with fewer than 10 workers must provide three days of sick leave, and businesses with 10 or more must provide five days. Businesses would have to provide employees one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours they work until they reach 24 hours or 40 hours, depending on the size of the business.
    • An Employee may use accrued earned sick and safe leave for: diagnosis, care, or treatment of the employee’s or employee's family member mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition.
    • An Employee may carry over into the next year up to twenty-four (24) hours of earned sick and safe leave which were not used in the prior year.

The law does not apply to work‑study students, seasonal workers, temporary workers, independent contractors, domestic workers or employees engaged in certain construction work.
Read:  ORDINANCE NO. C-35300

Tacoma (WA) Paid Sick Leave

  • In effect in February 1, 2016 
  • an employee can earn one hour of sick time for every 40 hours of work, this would guarantee a minimum of at least three paid sick days each year - the law would allow workers to use five days of sick leave in the second year of employment.
  • The sick leave can be used for own illness or medical treatment, as well as for that of a family member (spouse, (grand)children, (grand)parents). The law also allows workers to take time off to pursue legal protection against stalkers and domestic abusers.
  • Eligible: all workers, including workers who have a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  • Carryover of accrued leave from one year to another was not in the initial proposal, update on this issue will soon follow.

Update: 01-28-2015

Sources: Healthytacoma.net  and Bellingtonherald.com

Washington D.C. Paid Sick Leave

Accrued Sick And Safe Leave Act of 2008 (ASSLA)

All employers in the District of Columbia must provide paid sick leave to each employee, including employees of restaurants and bars and temporary and parttime employees.

Paid leave accrues at the beginning of employment, provided that the accrual need not commence prior to November 13, 2008 and provided that an employer need not allow accrual of paid leave for tipped restaurant or bar employees prior to February 22, 2014. 

Numbers of hours accrued:
- workers in businesses with 100 or more workers earn 1 hour paid leave for every 37 hours worked, not to exceed 7 days per year,

- workers in companies with 25-99 workers earn 1 hour paid leave for every 43 hours worked, not to exceed 5 days per year,

- workers in businesses with 24 or fewer employees earn 3 days

- workers can use their paid sick leave to recover from illness, care for sick family members, seek medical care, obtain assistance related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking,

- workers shall begin to accrue paid leave starting a job, but access to paid leave starts after 90 working days,

- unused paid leave carries over from year to year

- unused paid leave is not reimbursed upon the termination or resignation of the worker

- Tipped workers need only to be paid the regular District minimum wage while on leave, without taking into consideration the amount of tips that they might have received if working.

- The DC Department of Employment Services, Office of Wage and Hour can investigate possible violations, access employer records, enforce the paid sick leave requirements, order reinstatement of employees who are terminated, as a result of asserting rights to paid sick leave, order payment of paid sick leave unlawfully withheld, and impose penalties. An employer who wilfully violates the requirements of the Act shall be assessed a civil penalty of $1,000 for the first offense, $1,500 for the second offense, and $2,000 for the third and any subsequent offenses.  

Source: Washington D.C: Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act

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