President Signs Paid Sick Leave Executive Order: Employment Law Manual Updated, Legal Timetable Entry Added

Author: XpertHR Editorial Team

President Obama signed an Executive Order requiring federal contractors to provide paid sick leave to their employees. Beginning January 1, 2017, new contracts must provide for employees to earn at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours (seven days) per year.

An employee will be able to use paid sick time for:

  • The employee's or a family member's physical or mental illness;
  • The employee's or a family member's injury or medical condition;
  • The employee's or a family member's need for diagnosis, care or preventive care from a health care provider; and
  • Absences resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

The US Department of Labor (DOL) will issue implementing regulations by September 30, 2016.

Federal contractors should also be aware that, under separate Executive Orders, the minimum wage will rise to $10.15 per hour on January 1, 2016, and a mandatory supplement to the current Equal Employment Opportunity Is the Law poster has been added by the DOL.

In light of these developments, the Equal Employment Opportunity Is the Law poster and the following federal sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated:

Plus, a Legal Timetable entry has been added regarding paid sick leave.