State Paid Sick Leave Laws: Your Comprehensive Guide

Updated November 5, 2024

Sickness is part of the human condition, and various illnesses can impact people differently. We’ve all worked with people who have come to work sick (and maybe even been that person in the workplace) but doing so can increase the risk of spreading illness among coworkers. Additionally, sick employees tend to be less productive.

Federal Paid Sick Leave Paid Sick Leave Legislation

In the past, offering paid sick leave was up to each private employer’s discretion. Long-term unpaid sick leave is available under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), but this legislation doesn’t really apply to taking a day or two off to recover from a cold. It also doesn’t require that eligible employees receive pay for the time taken off to get better.

During the 2020 pandemic, legislators recognized the importance of staying home when sick, as well as the implications of doing so among those without access to paid sick leave. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) included requirements for eligible employers to provide expanded family and medical leave, as well as paid sick leave, for reasons that related to COVID-19.

But the legislation has since expired, leaving the onus back on the states to determine whether applicable employers must require paid sick leave.

State-Specific Paid Sick Laws

Our HR Laws and Regulations center has a detailed breakdown of any paid sick leave laws in place in each of the 50 states. Review your state to find out what’s required.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming
• Washington, DC

Manage Compliance Requirements with WorkforceHub

It’s easy to see how managing accrued paid sick time can get overwhelming, particularly for smaller business owners who already have a lot of tasks on their to-do lists.

Find out how WorkforceHub can help your business manage accruals and maintain compliance with local laws. Whether your accruals needs are simple or complex, we’ve got you covered.