How much paid sick leave must California employers provide?
At least 40 hours, or five days, per year — whichever is more for that employee. SB 616 raised the floor from 24 hours effective January 1, 2024. It covers nearly every employee who works 30 or more days for the same employer within a year, including part-time and temporary staff.
Employers may satisfy the requirement either by accrual (at least one hour per 30 hours worked) or by front-loading the full entitlement at the start of the year. Accrual carries over, subject to a cap of 80 hours or ten days.
Local ordinances in several California cities set higher floors. Where a city requires more, the city rule applies.
Available sick-leave balance must be shown on the itemized wage statement or an equivalent written notice each pay period.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-08-07. Informational only — not legal advice. California rules change; confirm against the current source before acting.
Related questions
WeERM computes these rules as your team clocks in — daily overtime, double-time, the seventh-day premium, and meal-break flags, applied before payday rather than reconstructed after it.
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