As a consequence of the coronavirus crisis, the federal government, as well as various states and municipalities, are adopting emergency legal steps, including enacting new legislation. Although a new federal law requires eligible companies to provide emergency paid sick leave from April 1 to December 31, 2020, numerous states have had their own policies in place for years. We’ve compiled a list of states that have passed similar legislation.
Since the news is changing so quickly, it is essential to consult with a lawyer for the most up-to-date counsel tailored to your individual circumstances.
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Which states presently have paid sick leave legislation in place?
California, Maryland, and Washington state have statewide and municipal legislation requiring paid sick leave as of March 20, 2020. Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont are the only states that have statewide statutes. In response to the coronavirus epidemic, the state of New York has implemented a sick leave policy for anyone infected with the virus. Pennsylvania, Illinois, Minnesota, and Texas only have sick leave programs in some localities, while Washington, D.C. has its own paid sick leave legislation.
What laws apply in each state?
Arizona
Employees are entitled to one hour of paid time off for every thirty hours worked.
Workers begin collecting sick time on the day of hire or on July 1, 2017, whichever comes first.
Businesses with 15 or less workers are required to give 24 hours of paid sick leave each year, whereas companies with more than 15 employees are required to provide 40 hours per year.
California
Paid sick leave is mandatory for workers who work 30 or more days in the first year of employment.
All employees, including part-time and temporary workers, are entitled to one hour of paid time off for every 30 hours worked. Employers of all sizes are subject to the law.
Certain California towns, such as San Francisco, have their own sick leave policies.
Employers must generally obey whichever legislation is most favorable to employees.
Connecticut
Companies with more than 50 workers are required to offer one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked by an hourly, nonexempt employee, up to a total of 40 hours per year.
The Connecticut sick leave statute extends to part-time employees but not to temporary employees.
Illinois
While Illinois does not have a statewide sick leave policy, several towns and counties in the state do.
Employees in Chicago who work 80 hours in a 120-day period are protected by the municipal legislation.
One hour of paid sick leave is earned for every 40 hours worked.
Salaried workers who are exempt from overtime restrictions accumulate one hour of work every week.
Maine
Maine currently has no paid sick leave rules in place until the “Act Authorizing Earned Employee Leave” goes into effect in 2021.
Employers will be required under the Act to enable workers to take time off for any reason, not only sick leave.
Maryland
Companies with 15 or more workers may provide one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked, or 40 hours at the beginning of the year.
Businesses with fewer than 14 workers are required to give unpaid sick leave.
This legislation does not apply to employees who work less than 12 hours per week, work in agriculture, or are classified as independent contractors.
Various counties have their own regulations regarding sick leave.
Massachusetts
Companies with more than ten workers are required to give one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours.
Businesses with less than ten workers must provide unpaid sick leave.
This time may be utilized in either case if workers are sick, wounded, or need time to respond to a problem for themselves or a close family member, including a parent.
Michigan
Workers are entitled to one hour of sick leave for every 35 hours worked, up to a total of 40 hours per year.
To prevent carry-over, employers might supply all 40 hours at the start of the year.
Nevada
Businesses with less than 50 workers are exempt from providing sick leave.
Businesses with more than 50 workers are expected to give 40 hours of sick leave each year; however, this is not compulsory during the first two years of operation.
The state of New Jersey
Workers, both full- and part-time, get one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours.
Companies have the option of making all 40 hours accessible at the start of the benefit year.
The state’s sick leave statute supersedes any local regulations on the subject.
New York City
Employees in the public and commercial sectors who are put into obligatory or precautionary quarantine owing to coronavirus must take two weeks of paid sick leave.
In the city of New York:
Employees in the private sector who work for a company with 5 or more workers are entitled to up to 40 hours of paid sick leave each year.
Employees in the private sector at smaller businesses should be entitled to up to 40 hours of unpaid sick leave per year under the law.
Workers begin accruing sick time as soon as they are employed, but they must work for 120 days before they may utilize it.
Oregon
Companies with ten or more workers are required to offer one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a total of 40 hours.
Companies with fewer than ten workers are required to give up to 40 hours of unpaid sick leave each year.
The state of Rhode Island
Companies with more than 18 employees must provide paid sick leave to all employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary).
One hour of leave is accumulated for every 35 hours worked.
Businesses with less than 18 workers must give the same amount of unpaid leave.
Vermont
Workers are entitled to one hour of paid sick leave for every 52 hours worked, with a maximum accumulation of 40 hours.
Federal employees, independent contractors, and temporary workers who work for less than 20 weeks are all exempt.
Washington
For every 40 hours worked, employees are entitled to one hour of paid sick leave.
Part-time and seasonal workers are included.
Employers must carry over balances less than 40 hours if workers do not utilize all of their accumulated hours.
The capital is Washington, D.C.
Paid sick leave time in Washington, D.C. is determined by the size of the business. Nonetheless, the legislation applies to both full-time and part-time workers.
Companies with more than 100 workers must give one hour of sick leave for every 37 hours worked, up to a maximum of seven days per year.
Companies with 25-99 workers must give one hour of paid leave for every 43 hours worked, with a maximum of 5 days per year.
Small firms with less than 25 workers must offer one hour for every 87 hours worked, with a maximum of three days per year.