Philadelphia Passes Paid Sick Leave Law: Employment Law Manual, Chart Updated

Author: XpertHR Editorial Team

Philadelphia enacted the Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces ordinance, which takes effect on May 13, 2015. Under the ordinance, employers with 10 or more employees must provide paid sick leave to employees who work 40 or more hours per year in Philadelphia. Employers with fewer than 10 employees must provide unpaid sick leave.

Employees will be able to accrue one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours of sick leave a year. Accrued sick time may be used beginning on the 90th calendar day after employment begins for the employee's or a family member's:

  • Illness or injury;
  • Need for preventive care; or
  • Reason related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

Employers must satisfy specified notice and recordkeeping requirements and are prohibited from discriminating or retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the ordinance.

In light of this development, the following Pennsylvania sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated:

The Paid Sick Leave by State and Municipality chart has also been updated, and a Legal Timetable entry has been added.