What is Earned Sick Leave?

If you are a worker in New Jersey, then it is smart to make sure you understand the employment laws in the state. Every state is different, so you may find out something that you had no idea about because it is unique to the state. One such law in this state is earned sick leave. This is not something that you will find in all other states, so it is worth noting. 

According to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, earned sick leave is a new concept in the state as lawmakers put this policy into place in 2018. This law allows you to earn sick leave despite your company’s internal policies. Basically, this means the law says you earn sick leave so your employer must honor it. 

You earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours you work. Earned time adds up over a benefit year, which is a 12-month period. You may carry over up to 40 hours of sick leave from one benefit year to the next. Your employer may also cap sick leave at 40 hours a benefit year. 

Do note that your employer may use paid time off in place of sick leave time. However, you must accrue this paid time off faster or at the same pace as the earned sick leave time. For example, if you earn a paid day off of eight hours for every two days you work 16 hours, you would earn more by taking the employers paid day off than under the law, so your employer could substitute this in. 

• Category: Employment Law