California Approves COVID-19 Sick Pay for Employees

Posted on

AB 84/SB 114 – COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL)

California lawmakers passed legislation to reinstate COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, providing most California employees with up to two weeks of sick pay if an employee or family member tests positive for COVID-19.

“As the Omicron surge intensified, workers screamed from the rooftops about the desperate need to reinstate COVID paid sick leave,” California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski said in a statement. “The governor and Legislature heard frontline workers loud and clear, and we appreciate them acting with urgency to get this done. Once again, California shows it’s a national leader on worker protections and COVID mitigation.”

Here is what employers need to know:

  • Applies to employers with 26 or more employees.
  • Retroactive to January 1, 2022 and will and will expire on September 30, 2022.
  • Requires employers to provide up to two weeks of SPSL to recover from COVID-19 or care for a family member.
  • Employees are entitled to 40 hours of SPSL for the following reasons:
  1. The covered employee is subject to a quarantine or isolation period related to COVID-19 as defined by an order or guidance of the State Department of Public Health, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or a local public health officer who has jurisdiction over the workplace.
  2. The covered employee has been advised by a health care provider to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.
  3. The covered employee is attending an appointment for themselves or a family member to receive a vaccine or a vaccine booster for protection against COVID-19, limited to three days or 24 hours.
  4. The covered employee is experiencing symptoms or caring for a family member experiencing symptoms, related to a COVID-19 vaccine or vaccine booster that prevents the employee from being able to work or telework.
  5. The covered employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking a medical diagnosis.
  6. The covered employee is caring for a family member who is subject to an order or guidance or who has been advised to isolate or quarantine.
  7. The covered employee is caring for a child, whose school or place of care is closed or otherwise unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19 on the premises.
  8. An additional 40 hours for an employee or family member tests positive.
  9. Maximum of 80 hours of leave. Part time employees receive a pro-rated amount of time.

Governor Gavin Newsome is expected to sign legislation this week, enacting the new law. If you have questions about COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave or other new laws affecting your business, contact our employment law experts at Schneiders and Associates, L.L.P. at (805) 764-6370 or visit our website at www.rstlegal.com

The text of the bills can be found at:

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB84

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB114

By: Theodore Schneider, Esq.

Theodore Schneider assists his clients in Ventura County and surrounding areas, with respect to all aspects of personnel matters, including employee discipline, wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, hostile work environment, sexual harassment, leaves of absence, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Employment and Housing Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and the California Labor Code. Ted also drafts and reviews employee handbooks and employment policies for his clients. Email Ted at tschneider@rstlegal.com.