California Expands Paid Sick Leave in Sweeping New Legislation

On October 4th, 2023, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 616 into law, enacting significant expansions to California’s Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act (HWHFA) paid sick leave requirements. The changes, which became effective January 1, 2024, deliver major increases in paid leave access for the state’s workers. Employees should become familiar with the new requirements so they can fully exercise their rights under the law.

Key Changes Under SB 616:

• Employees qualify for 5 days/40 hours of job-protected paid sick leave per year, increased from 3 days/24 hours.
• For accrual methods, employees must accrue at least 3 days/24 hours by 120 days of employment and the full 5 days/40 hours by 200 days.
• Total paid sick leave accrual caps rise to 10 days/80 hours, from 6 days/40 hours.
• Maximum annual carry over increases to 5 days/40 hours, from 3 days/24 hours.
• Under paid time off plans satisfying HWHFA rules, employees must now qualify for 5 days/40 hours within 6 months of employment, faster than the old 9-month standard.

The legislation also affirms HWHFA’s supremacy, preempting local ordinances with less generous paid sick leave requirements.

With sweeping expansion of access and eligibility, employers who fail to reevaluate existing HWHFA paid sick leave policies, accrual systems, and processes face potential liability. Contact Gruzen Moussly Law to discuss these issues and others related to disability leave or retaliation you’ve suffered for taking time off. For a free consultation with our employment law attorneys, call (818) 492 – 7480 today. You can also complete our online