What does the California paid sick leave law do? Our California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law recently the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014, which mandates paid sick leave for California employees. According to the governor’s office, nearly 6.5 million people – 40% of California’s workforce – had no paid sick leave benefits prior to the passage of this law.
California Paid Sick Leave Law
The Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014, which takes effect in July 2015, mandates the following in California:
- part-time and full-time employees can receive up to 3 paid sick days per year; employers may allow more paid time off at their discretion
- workers accrue 1 hour of paid sick time off for every 30 hours worked
- workers may use accrued time after 90 days of employment
- sick days may be used to care for an ill family member
The law does not apply to certain employees who are part of collective bargaining agreements, airline flight crews or in-home healthcare workers. Employers will be required to post signs in the workplace informing employees of paid sick leave laws. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who request paid sick leave and face fines of up to $4,000 a day for refusing to allow employees to take paid sick time as allowed under the new law.
Paid Sick Leave Trending
San Francisco County has had mandatory paid sick leave in place since 2006. California is now the second state in the nation to pass paid sick leave laws. Connecticut enacted a paid sick leave law in 2011. Various localities such as the District of Columbia and New York City have also enacted laws mandating paid sick leave for certain employees. Approximately twenty other states have proposed legislation involving paid sick leave. There is no federal law guaranteeing paid sick leave for employees.
Not Without Controversy
While Governor Brown said of California’s new paid sick leave law, “Whether you’re a dishwasher in San Diego or a store clerk in Oakland, this bill frees you of having to choose between your family’s health and your job”, the law is not without its critics.
Business owners, especially small business owners, have expressed their concern over the additional costs that their businesses will have to bear once the new law goes into effect. California also recently increased the state’s minimum wage. Another increase in minimum wage is scheduled to take effect in January 2016.
Employers will also incur the administrative costs involved with keeping track of accrued paid sick leave, as well as the productivity costs involved with having workers call in sick.
Experienced Employment Attorneys
In light of the passage of the paid sick leave law in California, employers may consider updating their handbooks, trainings and other policies. Beck Law P.C. has years of experience advising employers on how to remain compliant with various laws, including wage and hour laws, paid time off and other issues. Please contact us to discuss your business’s needs.