Table of Contents
• What Changes With Virginia’s New Paid Sick Leave Law?
• How Much Paid Sick Leave Can I Earn?
• Who Is Covered by the New Law?
• What Can I Use Paid Sick Leave For?
• What If My Employer Doesn’t Comply?
• Contact an Employment Lawyer
Virginia has taken a significant step to expand access to paid sick leave for workers across the Commonwealth. A pair of bills, House Bill 5 and Senate Bill 199, have passed the General Assembly and are expected to be signed into law, broadening both the pool of covered employees and the reasons for which leave can be used.
For the estimated 1.2 million Virginia workers who previously lacked access to any form of paid sick time, this legislation is a critical lifeline.
What Changes With Virginia’s New Paid Sick Leave Law?
The new law establishes a statewide standard for paid sick leave, moving beyond the previous, more limited law that primarily covered home health care workers. The expansion aims to ensure that more employees in Virginia have the ability to take paid time off to care for themselves or a family member without risking their paycheck or their job.
How Much Paid Sick Leave Can I Earn?
The new law creates a clear accrual standard for all covered employees:
You will earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours you work, up to a maximum of 40 hours (or five days) per year.
This standard applies to both full-time and part-time workers. Your paid sick leave will begin to accrue from your first day of employment.
Who Is Covered by the New Law?
The legislation significantly expands the number of workers eligible for paid sick leave in Virginia. While there are some exceptions for certain types of employers, the law now covers a much broader range of private-sector employees than before. If you work for a small or large business in Virginia, it is highly likely that you will now be covered by these new protections.
What Can I Use Paid Sick Leave For?
The law allows you to use your accrued paid sick leave for a variety of reasons related to your health or the health of a family member. This includes:
•Your own mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition.
•The need for a medical diagnosis, care, or treatment.
•Preventive medical care.
•Care for a family member with a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition.
What If My Employer Doesn’t Comply?
Once the law is in effect, your employer must adhere to the new accrual and usage requirements. If your employer refuses to allow you to use your accrued sick leave, fails to pay you for your time off, or retaliates against you for taking leave, they may be in violation of the law.
Retaliation can include being fired, demoted, having your hours cut, or any other negative action taken against you for exercising your rights under the new law.
Contact an Employment Lawyer
Paid sick leave is a fundamental protection that allows workers to prioritize their health and the health of their families. If your employer is not complying with Virginia’s new paid sick leave law, you should speak with an employment lawyer to understand your options.
Contact us today to tell us about your case.
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