Managing Sick Leave Under California Law

by Practical Law Labor & Employment

A Practice Note that describes the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees under California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014, also known as the California Paid Sick Leave Law (PSLL). It addresses key employer obligations, including methods for granting leave, such as accrual and front-loading, as well as posting, notice, and recordkeeping requirements under the Wage Theft Prevention Act. This Practice Note explores permitted uses of paid sick leave, eligibility criteria for different employee types, and proper calculation of sick leave pay for both exempt and nonexempt employees. It also examines the complex interaction between the PSLL and other related leave laws, including California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDLL), the state's Kin Care Leave law, and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits program, as well as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This Note addresses certain relevant law in key local jurisdictions and discusses potential penalties for non-compliance. Other local laws may impose additional or different requirements. For information on the scope of local law coverage, see Local Law Coverage in Labor & Employment Resources.