Is there a federal paid sick leave law in the US?
No. There is no general federal paid sick leave law for private employers. Paid sick leave is governed by state and city laws — over a dozen states (including California, New York, Washington, and Massachusetts) and many cities mandate it. Federal contractors have limited paid sick leave under Executive Order 13706.
How does sick leave accrue?
Most state and local sick-leave laws use an accrual model of one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, often capped at 40 hours (about 5 days) per year. Some employers front-load the full annual amount at the start of the year instead of accruing it.
What is the difference between sick leave and FMLA?
Paid sick leave (state/city laws) provides paid time off for short illnesses. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of UNPAID, job-protected leave per year for serious health conditions, covered employers (50+ employees), and eligible employees (1,250 hours in 12 months).
Can I be fired for using sick leave?
State and local sick-leave laws prohibit retaliation for using legally protected sick time. FMLA also protects against retaliation and requires reinstatement to the same or equivalent job. However, absences beyond your protected leave may not be shielded, so track your accrued balance and eligibility.