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Every employer has faced it: an employee needs to take the day off due to a child’s fever, a sudden illness or a medical appointment. And whether you're running a small business or managing HR for a multi-state organization, a common question arises: Are we required to offer paid sick leave?
The answer depends on multiple factors—including your location, company size and internal policies. With a growing number of paid sick leave laws at the state and local levels, keeping up with compliance is more important than ever.
This guide will walk you through the current landscape of paid sick leave laws, highlighting where mandates exist, what the federal government requires, and how to approach paid sick leave policies in 2025.
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As of 2025, there is no federal law requiring private employers to provide paid sick leave to employees.
However, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) does require certain employers to provide unpaid, job-protected leave in specific circumstances:
FMLA applies to private-sector employers with 50 or more employees for at least 20 workweeks in the current or prior calendar year. While FMLA is generally unpaid, employers may require or permit employees to use accrued paid leave during their FMLA absence.
⚠️ Note: Some federal contractors are subject to Executive Order 13706, which mandates paid sick leave under specific contract types.
As of May 2025, 20 states and Washington, D.C. have paid sick leave laws:
Each law varies in employer coverage, employee eligibility, accrual rates, permitted uses and carryover rules.
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Across jurisdictions, common permissible uses include:
Some states also allow use for mental health care or to seek legal help in response to domestic violence.
In addition to state laws, more than 30 municipalities have local paid sick leave ordinances—including:
Local laws may have stricter accrual rules, broader family definitions or unique documentation requirements. Some states preempt local regulation, so it’s essential to check applicable laws based on your locations.
Even if paid sick leave is not required, some states still regulate how sick leave can be used:
Missouri’s new law requires:
Employers must provide written notice and post a workplace flyer outlining employee rights.
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To reduce risk and manage leave effectively:
Managing compliance with overlapping paid sick leave laws can be complex—especially for small businesses with lean HR teams.
Axcet HR Solutions, a Kansas City-based certified Professional Employer Organization (PEO), helps:
Let us simplify your leave management and support your workforce.
Explore Axcet’s HR Support Services »
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