This article explores all the laws about paid sick leave laws by state in 2024. The U.S.’s complex sick leave landscape for 2024 is outlined in this article, whether you’re an employee or an employer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- State and Local Paid Sick Leave Laws
- Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave
- Paid Sick Leave Law By Industry
- Paid-Sick-Leave Laws By State [2024]
- Paid-Sick-Leave FAQ
- Time Off Management System ✅
Paid Sick Leave Laws by State 2024
Reviewing paid sick leave law by state can be a little complicated because laws are widely. Generally, employees earn one hour of paid time off for each 30-50 hours workers. Accrual caps vary by state, but accrual is usually capped at around 40 hours, or five 8-hour days of paid time off. Many states allow employees to begin accruing hours as soon as they start working, but employees may not be able to use these hours until they have worked a certain amount of time.
For example, paid sick leave law California says employees can begin to use accrued hours after 90 days of employment. In some states, accrual may roll over from year to the next.
Depending on the state, employees may be able to use paid sick leave to care for sick family members or to take care of domestic disputes. Meanwhile, others may only allow the time off for personal illness or for specific family members. Like FLMA, some state paid sick leave laws may only apply to businesses of a particular size.
Many cities also have their own paid sick leave laws, which is why it’s best to consult your employment lawyer to find out the correct regulations.
Eligibility for Paid Sick Leave Laws by State in 2024
Depending on state and local legislation, workers may not be covered by paid sick leave laws for any number of reasons. For example, independent contractors, work-study students, real estate agents, and agricultural workers may not be eligible for paid leave benefits in certain states. Employees and employers should check local and state guidelines.
In order to receive paid sick leave according to paid sick leave law in California, employees must work 30 days within a year for the same employer and satisfy the 90-day employment period. Other states may have similar obligations that employees must meet before they can take advantage of paid sick leave benefits. Employees should check their eligibility for paid sick leave.
Paid Sick Leave Law By Industry 2024
Employers may provide employees with paid sick leave plans more generous than those required by state or local law. In certain industries, employers use leave plans to attract talented workers and keep their workplace healthy. Unfortunately, this coverage is usually limited to higher wage-earners. A survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows while 92% of top earners have access to sick leave, among the lowest earners, only 31% have sick leave.
Sick leave is more common in the public sector than in private business, although it varies widely by profession. Teachers (96%), business workers (94%), and nurses (90%) are among the most likely to have paid sick leave. Production (68%), sales (64%) and agricultural workers (59%) are among the least likely. Access to sick leave also varied based on the size of the business, as well as its geographical location.
On average, private sector workers receive 7 days of sick leave per year. Meanwhile, just about a quarter of American workers receive less than 5 days a year. While industry currently plays an important role in determining access to paid sick leave, legislation may shore up the gap between industries.
Paid-Sick-Leave Laws By State in 2024
Alabama
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Alaska
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Arizona
All employers in Arizona have to provide paid sick leave, except casual babysitters and employees of the state or federal government, or parents and siblings.
Arkansas
State law does not regulate sick leave.
California
A Californian who works 30 hours a year is entitled to one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. They can take 24 hours or three days a year.
Colorado
Starting Jan. 1, 2021, Colorado employers with at least 16 employees have to offer p. sick leave to their employees, and everyone else has to start Jan. 1, 2022.
Connecticut
There are some exceptions in Connecticut, but employers with more than 50 employees have to offer p. sick leave.
Delaware
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Florida
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Georgia
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Hawaii
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Idaho
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Illinois
Chicago businesses must give their employees p. sick leave.
Employers in Cook County have to give their employees p. sick leave, but there are exceptions for federal, state and local government employees and construction workers with collective bargaining agreements. There might be some municipalities out of the mandate in Cook County.
Indiana
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Iowa
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Kansas
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Kentucky
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Louisiana
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Maine
If you have at least 10 employees in Maine, you have to offer paid time off you can use for any reason, including emergencies, illnesses, and vacations.
Maryland
A Maryland employer with 15 employees or more is required to offer p. sick leave, and a Maryland employer with 14 employees or fewer must offer unpaid sick leave.
Massachusetts
It’s mandatory for most employers in Massachusetts to provide p. sick leave. Federal employees, Massachusetts cities and towns, and some educational institutions don’t have to provide it.
Michigan
In Michigan, most private employers with at least 50 employees have to offer p. sick leave to their nonexempt workers.
Minnesota
Any business or person with one or more employees can accrue up to 48 hours of ESSL annually starting Jan. 1, 2024. Part-timers and temp workers get one hour of ESSL for every 30 hours worked.
Mississippi
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Missouri
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Montana
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Nebraska
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Nevada
The majority of private employers in Nevada must provide paid leave accruals at the rate of 0.01923 hour for each hour of work performed. Leave can be used for any reason, including vacations.
New Hampshire
State law does not regulate sick leave.
New Jersey
Workers in New Jersey are usually guaranteed paid sick leave, but there are exceptions for construction workers covered by a collective bargaining agreement and per-diem health care workers.
New Mexico
New Mexico employees will get up to 64 hours of leave a year starting July 1, 2022.
New York
If you have five or more employees or a net income over $1 million, you have to give sick leave to employees in New York. If you have four or fewer employees, you have to give sick leave without pay.
North Carolina
State law does not regulate sick leave.
North Dakota
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Ohio
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Oklahoma
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Oregon
In Oregon, employers with 10 or more employees must provide p. sick leave to their workers. Employers with six or more employees must provide unpaid sick leave if they have operations in Portland.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia employers with at least ten employees have to provide p. sick leave. Smaller companies have to provide unpaid leave.
A paid-sick-leave ordinance took effect in Allegheny County on Dec. 15, 2021. However, fines might not be imposed until one year after the effective date, i.e., Dec. 15, 2022.
Pittsburgh requires private employers to provide sick leave to their workers. Accruals are capped at different rates depending on the size of the company.
Rhode Island
Workers in Rhode Island have the right to p. sick leave from employers with 18 or more employees. Smaller businesses don’t have the right.
South Carolina
State law does not regulate sick leave.
South Dakota
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Tennessee
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Texas
The Local Laws are Blocked by Courts Here.
Utah
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Vermont
In Vermont, employees who work 18 hours or more a week or more over the course of the year are entitled to p. sick leave.
Virginia
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Washington
For every 40 hours worked, Washington employees get one hour of p. sick leave.
Washington, D.C.
Employers in Washington, D.C., are required to offer p. sick leave, although there are some exceptions for federal employees. Accruals vary depending on the size of the employer.
West Virginia
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Wisconsin
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Wyoming
State law does not regulate sick leave.
Paid-Sick-Leave FAQ
What is the sick leave?
A sick leave is the time off that an employee is legally entitled to when he or she is absent from work due to an illness that is suffering from.
How many sick days leave?
Are sick days and PTO the same?
