Q: How long are these additional paid sick leave hours available?

These benefits last until September 30, 2021, and may be used retroactively through January 1, 2021 to cover time off that was not already paid for by your employer.

Q: What makes workers eligible for these additional paid sick leave benefits?

• The employee is subject to a quarantine or isolation period related to COVID-19 as defined by CDPH, CDC, or a local health officer.
• The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.
• The employee is attending an appointment to receive a vaccine for protection against contracting COVID-19.
• The employee is experiencing symptoms related to a COVID-19 vaccine that prevent the employee from being able to work or telework.
• The employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking a medical diagnosis.
• The employee is caring for a family member who is experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or subject to quarantine.
• The employee is caring for a child, whose school or place of care is closed or otherwise unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19 on the premises.

Q: What workers are covered by this new law?

Healthcare workers, first responders, and all other workers at employers with more than 25 employees.

Q: How much additional paid sick leave do eligible workers receive?

• Full-time workers are eligible for 80 additional hours of paid sick leave.
• Part-time workers are eligible for the equivalent of two weeks of their normal schedule.
• Short-hour or per diem workers are eligible for 14 times their average daily hours over the past 6 months.

Workers are to receive their regular rate of pay for these additional hours of paid sick leave with a daily maximum of $511 and an overall maximum of $5,110 for the entire benefit.

Q: Do workers have to use their own sick leave, vacation, or PTO before they can use this supplemental sick leave?

No. Your employer cannot require you to use any other paid or unpaid leave before you use this new supplemental paid sick leave.

Q: How do workers apply for these additional paid sick leave benefits?

You apply for this benefit through your employer.

Q: How do workers apply for retroactive paid sick leave?

You apply for this benefit through your employer’s HR office.

Q:  I work at Kaiser and we have COVID leave. What does this mean to me?

The Kaiser policy was set to expire on March 31, 2021. Now they will have to extend it through September. In addition, Kaiser’s policy did not cover missed work due vaccination appointments or side effects of the vaccine. If you missed days between January 1, 2021 and today for those reasons, you should be able to retroactively use COVID leave.

Q: What should workers do if their employer refuses to follow this law?

If you are eligible and apply for these additional paid sick leave benefits but your employer refuses to provide them, please do the following:

• Notify your SEIU-UHW steward or representative right away.
• File a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.

Click here to view more information on this law from the State of California.