Five Things Californians Should Know About Paid Sick Leave

En español - AARP strongly supports California’s Paid Sick Leave program, because working Californians shouldn’t have to go to work sick, and because family caregivers who work shouldn’t have to choose between caring for a loved one and making a living.

Here are five things you should know about California’s Paid Sick Leave program:

1) What is Paid Sick Leave?

Under state law, working Californians can take days of paid time off for the flu or other illnesses and preventative care, and if they need time off to deal with domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Effective January 1, 2024, California will expand the availability of paid sick leave for most California workers from three to five days.

2) How long has this program been around?

California enacted Paid Sick Days in 2015. 

3) Am I eligible?

You are eligible to take standard Paid Sick Days (up to 5 days) if:

• You’ve worked for the same employer for at least 90 days;
• You need time off for the diagnosis, care or treatment of an existing health condition, preventive care, or need time off to deal with domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking;
• You need time off for the diagnosis, care or treatment of an existing health condition, or preventive care for a parent, child, spouse, registered domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild or sibling.

4) For whom can I care while taking paid sick leave?

Paid Sick Leave is available for:

• Diagnosis, care, or treatment of an existing health condition of, or preventive care for a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner.

5) Where can I get more information about Paid Family Leave and caregiving?

• Always begin by talking to your HR department or your union.
• The State of California provides information about the Paid Sick Leave program at https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/paid_sick_leave.htm
• If you have questions about the Paid Sick Leave program, you may reach out to Legal Aid at Work at 800-880-8047 and EDD at 1-877-238-4373.
• Prepare to Care: A Resource Guide for Families was developed by AARP to help make caregiving more manageable. It includes information on how to have difficult but vital conversations with older family members, organize important documents, assess your loved one’s needs, and locate important resources.