San Francisco Officials Clarify Paid Sick Leave Law
San Francisco officials on Monday released guidelines to clarify a law requiring all businesses to offer paid sick leave for all employees, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
The law took effect in February, but details remained unclear at the time.
The Office of Labor Standards Enforcement throughout the spring held a series of hearings and discussions to clarify the law.
Under the law, employees will accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees can limit accrual to 40 hours per employee, and businesses with 10 or more employees have an accrual limit of 72 hours per employee.
Workers can use the leave for their own illness or medical appointments, or to care for a sick family member. Employees with no spouse or registered domestic partner can use the sick leave to care for a neighbor, friend or other designated person.
The new guidelines of the law state that:
- Employers only can require a physician's note if a worker misses more than three consecutive days, takes time off for a medical appointment or is abusing the sick leave law;
- Employees begin accruing sick leave hours after 90 days of employment; and
- Employees who occasionally work in San Francisco are eligible for sick leave if they work in the city at least 56 hours annually (DeBare, San Francisco Chronicle, 6/5).