Senate Bill 616 Would Increase Paid Sick Days for California Employees

Taking a sick day allows employees to address health concerns outside of work. Paid sick leave is a basic protection that employees need and deserve. In California, employers allow employees an allotted amount of paid sick days per year. According to current law, employees can take three days or twenty-four hours of paid sick leave per year. However, a bill recently introduced in the California Legislature seeks to change that and increase the number of paid sick days California employees can take annually. The bill would also change how paid sick leave must be accrued. Read on to learn more about this bill.

Increased Paid Sick Days

Senate Bill 616, sponsored by Senator Lena Gonzalez, seeks to more than double mandatory paid sick days for California employees starting next year. According to current law, California employees are entitled to three days or twenty-four hours of paid sick leave per year. If Senate Bill 616 is passed, the number of paid sick days will rise from three to seven per year.

Changes to How the Leave Must Be Accrued

If Senate Bill 616 is passed, it would also change how paid sick leave must be accrued. According to current law, California employers must allow the accrual of paid sick leave to reach six days or 48 hours per year. Senate Bill 616 would increase the threshold to 14 days or 112 hours of paid sick leave per year. For unused sick time, employees would be allowed to roll over 56 hours or seven days to the next year.

No accrual is required if an employee receives their full leave days at the start of every calendar year or 12-month period. And upon retirement, termination, or resignation, an employer is not required to compensate an employee for their accrued, unused sick days.

Who Would Senate Bill 616 Apply To?

Senate Bill 616 would apply to employees who work in the state for the same employer for at least 30 days within a year from the start of employment. And qualified employees should be allowed to use their accrued paid sick days starting their 90th day of employment.

Notices

According to SHRM, California employers should consider whether their existing leave policies and communication methods require revision. This bill requires that employers give employees written notices about how many paid sick days are available. And if the need to take paid leave is predictable, employees are required to provide their employers with notice in advance or as soon as is practical.

Employees may need to be provided with new policies. It is also crucial to note that the new accrual amounts will need to be accurately reflected on pay stubs.

If Senate Bill 616 is passed, it will take effect at the beginning of 2024. In regards to whether the bill has a high or low chance of being passed, it is early to tell. But, while it is not possible to predict whether Senate Bill 616 will pass, the fact is that there is a strong push to increase sick leave benefits. California employers and employees should pay close attention to the progress of Senate Bill 616.

Contact a California Employment Lawyer

Contact a California employment lawyer if you need more information on Senate Bill 616 or help with an employment law-related matter.