October 29, 2019
On December 1, 2019, San Antonio’s paid sick leave ordinance goes into effect. The ordinance is being challenged in court, and, although Austin’s paid sick leave ordinance was struck down on appeal, San Antonio’s ordinance may be different enough from Austin’s ordinance to avoid that fate.
The San Antonio ordinance covers employees who work within the city limits and those who work more than 240 hours within the city limits in a year. The size of the employer does not matter. Those covered employees accrue one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 56 hours a year. Employers can restrict use of the paid sick leave for the first 90 days of employment, although the accrual begins on the first day. Employers can also use reasonable verification procedures in the ordinance for employees who use paid sick leave for more than three consecutive days of work. The ordinance does not require employers to reinstate any paid out sick leave if employers rehire an employee within six months of separation. Employees have one year to file complaints with San Antonio regarding violations of the ordinance.
Since the ordinance is the subject of a lawsuit, it may be overturned at the district level or on appeal. However, employers with employees subject to the new ordinance may wish to review their leave policies in order to make sure they comply.
San Antonio Paid Sick Leave Ordinance »