Paid Sick Leave

  • WHAT IS PAID SICK LEAVE?
    • Paid sick leave is paid time off work due to your need to care for your illness or to care for someone that you have a caregiving relationship with, such as a parent, sibling or child. Paid sick leave provides that you don’t miss out on regularly scheduled paid hours in case of an illness. It is designed to provide you economic security and to support you in not having to make a choice between caring for yourself or loved one and a necessary paycheck. (see more)
  • WHAT CAN I USE PAID SICK LEAVE FOR?
    • Paid sick leave can be used for preventative care such as regularly scheduled doctor or dentist appointments, as well as unforeseen circumstances such as the flu, a migraine, or other illness. It can be used for mental health care as well as physical. It can also be used for appointments needed in case of domestic or sexual violence. (see more)
  • WHO CAN I TAKE SICK LEAVE FOR?
    • You can use sick time to care for yourself, a family member such as a child, spouse or domestic partner, sibling, parent, grandparent and grandchild, or someone you have an established caregiving relationship with. (see more)
  • WHAT MUST I TELL MY EMPLOYER? 
    • You should request paid sick leave as far in advance as you can. You can use paid sick leave in whatever increments of time your employer counts, such as full days, hours or possibly 15 minute intervals. You do not need to provide a doctor’s note unless requested by your employer for an absence of three or more days. (see more)
  • CAN MY EMPLOYER DENY MY REQUEST?
    • Provided you have paid sick time available, your employer cannot deny your request. You are not responsible for ensuring proper staffing coverage or for someone to fill in for you. (see more)
  • CAN MY EMPLOYER DISCIPLINE ME FOR USING PAID SICK TIME?
    • Your employer may not discipline you, including giving you an occurrence or other negative action, for properly using paid sick time. (see more)
  • HOW MUCH SICK TIME DO I GET PER YEAR?
    • Every worker earns 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. Employers may provide you all your paid sick time at the start of the year if they wish, but are not required to.
  • CAN EMPLOYERS LIMIT HOW MUCH SICK TIME I USE?
    • Yes. Employers of under 15 employees can limit each employee’s usage of paid sick time to 40 hours per year. Employers of 15 or more employees can limit each employee’s usage of paid sick time to 56 hours per year.
  • DO ALL WORKERS GET PAID SICK LEAVE?
    • Nearly all private sector employees are guaranteed paid sick leave as part of Proposition A passed by Missouri voters in November of 2024. There are minor exemptions (see more). Government employees often have paid sick leave but were not impacted by Proposition A.