Sick Leave Requirements by State
Look up the statutory paid sick leave minimum for your state.
California
Statutory minimum paid sick leave. Local ordinances may require more.
| Accrual rate | 1 hour per 30 hours worked |
| Annual entitlement | 40 hours / 5 days |
| Can be used from | 90 days |
| Carryover | Required, accrual cap of 80 hours allowed |
| Payout required at separation | No |
The thing people get wrong in California
Sick leave need not be paid out — but vacation is wages and must be. Never merge the two.
A summary of the statutory floor in the states we have written a full guide for, not legal advice. City and county ordinances frequently require more — Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis and others all exceed their state minimum — and the rules change most years. Confirm with your state labor department or an employment attorney before setting policy.
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