Paid Sick Leave Policy (CA)

by Practical Law Labor & Employment

A Standard Document that provides a sample paid sick leave policy for private employers in California, which can be used as a stand-alone policy or integrated into an employee handbook. This resource is drafted to help employers comply with California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act, also known as the California Paid Sick Leave Law (PSLL). Further customization of this policy is needed when an employer is subject to applicable local paid sick leave laws. It offers employers flexible options, including a choice between providing paid sick leave on an accrual basis or front-loading a lump sum at the beginning of the year. This Standard Document addresses critical compliance topics, including eligibility requirements, qualifying reasons for leave, and rules governing annual use caps and total accrual caps. It also covers the expanded definition of family members to include a designated person, procedures for employee notification, methods for calculating sick leave pay for exempt and nonexempt employees, and rules for reinstatement upon rehire. This Standard Document has integrated notes with important explanations and drafting tips.