Chicago Business Litigation Lawyer Blog
Sick leave is the leave of absence granted in cases of illness. Current changes are being made in this realm of the paid absence of duty and coming fast. Federal requirements have not been in place for paid sick leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) does not require unpaid sick leave. In cases of where an employee has worked for their employer for at least 12 months, and have worked for at least 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months, and work at a location where at least 50 employees are employed by the employer within 75 miles, they are eligible. America is the only country amongst a lineup of 22 developed nations that doesn’t guarantee pay if an employee, or a close member of the employee’s family, gets an illness and needs to take a sick day.
Starting July 1, a new law will take effect and requires any business with 18 or more employees to give workers paid “sick and safe” days. This allows for time off to deal with illness, family issues, domestic violence, and other similar circumstances. The new law provides up to three days of sick and safe leave in 2018, four in 2019 and five in 2020 and beyond. The Department of Labor and Training will post information on its website, www.dlt.ri.gov, within a couple of weeks to guide employers. Those who have questions should call the department at (401) 462-8000. Continue reading ›