What is SB 616 California?

Asked by: Brenda Hilpert  |  Last update: September 26, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (75 votes)

New California Law (SB 616) Increases Paid Sick Leave from 3 to 5 Days.

What is the new law in California in 2024 for sick days?

California's new paid sick leave law, effective the beginning of 2024, introduced changes to previous regulations. Under the new law, employees are entitled to at least 40 hours (five full work days) of paid sick leave per 12-month period—an increase from the previous 24 hours.

What is the SB 616 exemption?

SB 616, Wieckowski. Enforcement of money judgments: exemptions. (1) Existing law authorizes a judgment creditor to levy upon the property of a judgment debtor to satisfy a judgment, and authorizes the judgment debtor to claim that certain property is exempt from the levy by following a specified procedure.

What happens to unused sick leave in California?

Workers are entitled to carry forward unused paid sick time, but employers aren't required to allow use of more than 40 hours (or five days) of paid sick time per year. Carry forward is not required if the full amount of paid sick time (40 hours, or five days) is provided at the beginning of each year.

Are you required to pay out sick time?

California. In California, employers need to provide most employees with at least 24 hours of paid sick leave per year, either divided out over time or as a lump sum.

Legal Update: SB-616

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Do California employers have to pay sick time?

The employer must provide at least 40 hours or five days of paid sick leave per year and the full amount of this leave must be available for the employee's use from the beginning of each year of employment, calendar year, or 12-month period.

Do sick days get paid out when you resign?

One Minute Takeaway: Some states require companies to pay employees for unused PTO upon termination. In many states, PTO payout is required unless the employer contract or PTO policy states otherwise. California, Colorado, Montana, and Nebraska prohibit employers from implementing a use-it-or-lose-it policy.

Can I cash out my sick hours in California?

If an employee accrued time over a working period of 60 days leaves the organization but returns within the same calendar year, a business must credit the worker for their previously accrued time. The only exception is for workers who cashed out their paid sick leave at the end of their initial employment period.

Can you get fired for calling in sick without sick time?

No, it is generally not legal to be fired solely for calling in sick, especially if the absence is covered under California's paid sick leave laws or if the illness qualifies as a disability under FEHA.

How to calculate sick pay in California?

Providing sick pay: California

Use the regular, non-overtime rate for the nonexempt employee. Calculate this rate by dividing the total non-overtime wages by the total of non-overtime hours worked.

Who does SB 616 apply to?

(a) (1) An employee who, on or after July 1, 2015, works in California for the same employer for 30 or more days within a year from the commencement of employment is entitled to paid sick days as specified in this section.

What is the law under SB 616?

SB 616 amends Labor Code sections 245.5, 246, and 246.5, and increases the minimum required amount of PSL for California employers to 40 hours or 5 days, whichever is more (e.g., if an employee works 10‑hour days, the employee will be entitled to 5 days, or 50 hours of PSL).

How many days can you call in sick without a doctor's note in California?

Notably, under this law, all California employers must provide 5 days or 40 hours of sick leave to all employees annually. That means that the person is entitled to at least that amount of time off, and most of the time, an employer will not need nor ask for a doctor's appointment for that time.

Can a California employer fire you for being sick?

It is illegal for a California employer to terminate your employment if you use sick leave that you have accrued and are entitled to use. If you are fired for using your sick leave, you might be able to file a lawsuit for wrongful termination.

What to say to a doctor to get stress leave in California?

Below are some key points to remember when talking to your doctor about stress leave:
  1. Be open about your symptoms.
  2. Be upfront about your feelings. Don't leave out any details.
  3. Listen to your doctor's advice.
  4. If needed, book follow-up appointments.
  5. Explain your situation clearly and what you feel triggers your predicament.

How to calculate sick leave?

It's also known as personal/carer's leave. The yearly entitlement is based on an employee's ordinary hours of work and is 10 days for full-time employees, and pro-rata for part-time employees. This can be calculated as 1/26 of an employee's ordinary hours of work in a year.

What your boss can't legally ask when you call in sick?

Questions like if an employee is able to work or when they expect they will be healthy enough to return back to work are perfectly acceptable. However, the employer is not able to ask direct questions about the specifics of the medical condition.

Is it okay to call in sick 3 days in a row?

How many days can you call in sick? This policy can also include when or if a doctor's note is required. Many companies use the three-day guideline for sick days, but be sure you don't run afoul of any mandatory sick leave law that your company may be subject to. We'll discuss more about that below.

Can I terminate an employee who is always sick?

Employers must explore possible accommodations and interact with the employee before considering termination. Still, if an employee's illness consistently prevents them from performing the essential functions of their position, even with reasonable accommodations, the employer might have grounds for termination.

What happens to unused sick leave California?

Employees, including part-time and temporary employees, earn at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Sick time is paid at the employee's current rate of pay. Unused, accrued paid sick leave must be carried over to the following year and may be capped at 48 hours, based on the employer's policy.

Can an employer require a doctor's note in California in 2024?

Yes. If you request a reasonable accommodation because of your disability, your employer can demand a doctor's letter. This letter is used to help your employer make accommodations that help you work without being an undue hardship on your employer.

How many sick days can you take in a row in California?

For permanent paid sick leave (48 hours), your employer can require a doctor's note if you take three sick days in a row. For COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave (80 hours), your employer cannot require a doctor's note.

What is the new law for sick days in California?

Effective January 1, 2024, California law requires employers to provide employees at least forty (40) hours or five (5) days of Paid Sick Leave (PSL) per year, up from 24 hours/3 days in previous years.

How many vacation days are there in California?

There is no legal requirement in California that an employer provide its employees with either paid or unpaid vacation time.

Should I use my sick days before quitting?

Requesting to take PTO or sick days during the resignation period is oftentimes frowned upon by employers, and may be viewed as unprofessional. It is generally expected that the employee will give proper notice and work out the entire 2-week period, to minimize operational disruptions.