Sick Leave Pay refers to the wages paid to an employee when they are absent from work due to illness, injury, or medical appointments. It allows employees to recover without financial loss and promotes public health by discouraging sick workers from attending the workplace. Sick leave can be mandated by law, offered voluntarily by employers, or both, and may accrue over time or be granted in a lump sum.
Some jurisdictions also require that employees be allowed to use sick leave to care for ill family members.
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Key Facts
- Accrual Versus Lump Sum: Employers may allow employees to accrue sick leave over time (for example, 1 hour for every 30 worked) or give a full balance at the start of the year.
- Legal Requirements: Many states, cities, or provinces have laws mandating minimum paid sick leave policies for eligible employees.
- Covered Uses: Typically includes illness, injury, medical appointments, and sometimes caring for sick family members or recovering from domestic violence situations.
- Documentation: Employers may require medical documentation for extended absences, though local laws may limit these requirements.
- Carryover and Caps: Some policies allow unused sick leave to carry over year-to-year, while others cap usage or reset annually.
1. Is sick leave pay required by law?
It depends on the jurisdiction. Some U.S. states (like California, New York) and cities require paid sick leave, while others do not. In Canada, sick leave laws vary by province.
2. How do employees earn sick leave?
Most commonly through accrual systems, such as earning a certain amount per hours worked, though some employers offer a fixed amount annually.
3. Can sick leave be used for family illness?
Yes, many policies - and local laws - allow employees to use sick leave to care for family members who are ill or attending medical appointments.
4. What happens to unused sick leave?
Some employers allow it to roll over to the next year; others may cap the amount that carries over or forfeit it entirely, depending on policy and law.
5. Can an employer deny sick leave use?
Generally no, if the request complies with company policy or applicable sick leave laws. However, employers may ask for notice or documentation in certain cases.
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