{"id":357737,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/paid-family-and-sick-leave-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-02-28T15:55:38","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T20:55:38","slug":"paid-family-and-sick-leave-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/paid-family-and-sick-leave-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Paid Family and Sick Leave Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Paid Family and Sick Leave Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Sarah Williams, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Susan Mills Richmond, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Taking time off to care for your health or that of a family member can be a trying experience for any worker. Adding to the costs and concerns of wellness is the possibility that any time you take off from work may go unpaid.<\/p>\r\n

Some employers offer paid sick leave for employees. But for many workers in the U.S., paid sick leave is not a benefit offered by their employer. This is particularly so for low-income workers and those working for small businesses.<\/p>\r\n

States Without Laws for Family and Medical Leave<\/h2>\r\n

Most states do not have their own family and medical leave laws. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993<\/a> (FMLA) became law to allow eligible employees to take unpaid sick leave in certain circumstances.<\/p>\r\n

FMLA applies to public agencies<\/a> (including local, state, and federal government employees) and private employers with 50 or more employees. FMLA allows workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave over 12 months for the following reasons:<\/p>\r\n