Austin, Texas, Earned Sick Time Ordinance on Hold

Author: Melissa Gonzalez Boyce, XpertHR Legal Editor

The City of Austin's Earned Sick Time Ordinance was set to become effective on October 1, 2018 (October 1, 2020, for employers with five or fewer employees).  However, on August 17, 2018, a Texas Court of Appeals entered an order (No. 03-18-00445-CV) in Texas Association of Business et al. and The State of Texas, Intervenor v. City of Austin, Texas et al., in which it temporarily postponed the effective date for the Ordinance.

In response to the temporary postponement, XpertHR has removed the two Austin handbook statements (Paid Sick and Safe Time Handbook Statement [16+ Employees]: Austin, Texas and Paid Sick and Safe Time Handbook Statement [6-15 Employees]: Austin, Texas) from the Coming Soon page and the Texas Handbook Table of Contents, pending final resolution of the matter. 

The Employment Law Manual remains up to date and we will continue to monitor and report on any further developments.