In 2024, several states are set to broaden their paid sick leave mandates, coinciding with the surge of seasonal viruses such as Covid-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
According to HR Brew’s previous report, although the US lacks federally mandated paid sick leave, an increasing number of states and private employers have begun offering this type of leave in response to the pandemic.
According to Paycor’s tracking, around 18 states and the District of Columbia have implemented paid sick leave policies. New paid sick leave policies have been implemented in several states, including California, Illinois, and Minnesota, starting from January 1, 2024.
California Expands Paid Sick Leave
Starting January 1, California employers are now required to provide workers with five days, or forty hours, of paid sick leave annually. This amendment was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October and is now in effect. The state’s minimum requirement has been increased to more than three days.
In a recent development, the amended law has brought about changes to the limits and caps that employers can impose on paid sick leave. Businesses have recently made changes to their sick leave policies. Employees can now be limited to 40 hours of sick leave, an increase from the previous limit of 24 hours. Additionally, the amount of leave that employees can accrue has been capped at 80 hours, or 10 days, up from the previous cap of 48 hours or six days per year.
Employers have the option to provide paid sick leave to workers either by frontloading it at the start of the year or by accruing one hour of leave for every 30 hours worked.
A new law has been implemented in California that extends paid sick leave to businesses with at least one employee who has worked for at least 30 days within a year. Certain employees, such as those covered by specific collective-bargaining agreements, are excluded.
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Illinois Law Allows Paid Leave
Starting from January 1, Illinois implemented the amended Paid Leave for All Workers Act, granting almost all employees in the state the right to 40 hours, or five days, of paid leave annually, regardless of the reason. According to the policy, employees are entitled to earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked.
In an earlier iteration of the law, employees in Illinois were provided with paid sick leave for specific reasons. In accordance with the revised legislation, employers are now prohibited from mandating that their employees provide a justification for their request for paid time off. Additionally, employers are no longer permitted to require employees to find a substitute worker. Illinois has become the third state in the United States to grant paid leave for any reason, joining the ranks of Maine and Nevada.
Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan stated that Paid Leave for All Workers in Illinois will provide increased protection and flexibility for workers, according to a recent statement. A new law has been enacted that grants workers the freedom to attend to personal matters without the fear of financial repercussions or job loss.
Starting March 31, 2024, workers will be able to utilize their accumulated PTO, or 90 days after commencing employment. Certain workers are exempted from the law, including short-term college or university employees and those covered by collective bargaining agreements in the construction industry.
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