The Santa Monica City Council recently adopted new sick pay leave provisions under the City’s Minimum Wage law. This ordinance both raises the city’s minimum wage and provides additional paid sick leave benefits to employees (in addition to the 24 hours of paid sick leave required under California state law).
Effective Jan. 1, 2017, the city ordinance requires employers to provide employees with one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Small employers with 25 or less employees are required to provide employees with at least 32 hours of leave, and large employers with 26 or more employees must provide at least 40 hours of leave. As of Jan. 1, 2018, accrual limits will increase to 40 hours for small employers and to 72 hours for large employers.
Employees can roll over any sick time earned up to the employer’s accrual limits (i.e., 32, 40, or 72 hours). New employees can use accrued sick leave after the first 90 days of employment. However, employers may be more generous by allowing earlier sick time usage, or may front load sick leave hours at the beginning of the calendar, fiscal or anniversary year. Additionally, if an employee terminates, employers are not required to pay the individual for any unused sick leave hours.
Certain employer posters are required. Employers must comply with the new law starting on July 1, 2017.
City of Santa Monica Press Release »
Santa Monica City Ordinance »
City of Santa Monica Fact Sheet »
City of Santa Monica Required Posters »