Connecticut has significantly expanded its Paid Sick Leave Law. These changes will be phased in over the next few years.
Key changes and effective dates:
- Expanded coverage: The law will gradually cover more employers.
- Beginning January 1, 2025: Applies to employers with 25 or more employees in the state.
- Beginning January 1, 2026: Applies to employers with 11 or more employees in the state.
- Beginning January 1, 2027: Applies to all employers with at least 1 employee in the state.
- Increased accrual rate: Starting January 1, 2025, employees will accrue sick time faster, one hour for every 30 actual hours worked, instead of the current one hour for every 40 actual hours worked.
- Other changes: Additional changes to the law, such as expanded qualifying reasons for leave and changes to the definition of family member, will also take effect on January 1, 2025.
If the need to use paid sick leave is foreseeable, an employer may require advance notice of not more than seven (7) days. For paid sick leave of three (3) or more consecutive work days, an employer may require reasonable documentation to support the need for leave.
Employers should review the new law carefully and update their policies and procedures accordingly. Failure to comply with the expanded law could result in penalties.