A Guide for Multi-State Employers
Michigan is not alone with its paid sick time law. As you wrestle to prepare a new policy to meet Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA), take heart that currently there are16 other states as well as the District of Columbia that require employers to provide some form of paid sick leave to their employees.
Just recently the states of Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska voted in paid sick leave laws. Though many of the states listed below provide just 40 hours of paid sick time; Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska state laws provide up to 56 hours of sick time. Michigan leads the pack by providing up to 72 hours of paid sick time per year – currently the most paid time off of any state across the country. Only the municipalities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood beat Michigan by providing up to 96 hours of paid time off per year.
Like Michigan – Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska all have accrual formulas that provide for one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of actual work.
In addition to the above states, Arizona, California (of course), Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington require paid sick leave.
Federally, government contractors and subcontractors may also be provided sick time pursuant to Executive Order 13706.
Oh, and don’t forget the various Municipalities within certain states that have passed their own paid sick time off laws. Those are:
- California: Berkley, Emeryville, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Monica, West Hollywood
- Illinois: Chicago
- Maryland: Montgomery County
- Minnesota: Bloomington, Minneapolis, St. Paul
- New York: New York City
- Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania does not have a state paid sick time off law, but Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia do have one.
- Washington: SeaTac, Seattle, and Tacoma
If you are a multi-state operation and have employees or work sites in any of the above locations, check what those laws require. The above information only covers laws and ordinances that are specific to paid sick leave. Some states and municipalities have laws extending benefits beyond paid sick leave.
Many of these laws do provide for paid time off when the need arises from domestic violence, sexual assault (as does Michigan), and stalking.
ASE will continue to monitor and provide information about Michigan and other state’s employment and labor laws as they develop.
By Michael Burns, courtesy of SBAM-approved partner, ASE. Source: Brightmine. HR & Compliance Center. Paid Sick Leave By State and Municipality (Data as of 12/9/2024)
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