Changes to Connecticut Paid Sick Leave

Currently in Connecticut, employers with 50 or more employees in specific sectors are required to have paid sick leave. Effective January 1, 2025, employers with at least 25 employees will be required to offer paid sick leave.

The threshold for coverage will continue to be lowered over the next three years. Effective January 1, 2026, employers with at least 11 employees will be required to offer paid sick leave and effective January 1, 2027, those employers with at least one employee will be required to offer paid sick leave. There are some exceptions, including seasonal workers and specific construction trades.

Sick Leave Accrual

Employees will earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours per year. This is an increase from the current regulation, which requires one hour for every 40 hours worked. Employees can continue to carry over up to 40 hours of unused sick leave into the next year.

Use of Sick Leave

Employees will be able to use sick leave benefits on their 120th day of employment.

Individuals currently employed by a covered employer or newly covered employer on January 1, 2025, who meet the definition of employee under the law, will not be required to meet the 120-calendar day requirement in order to use paid sick leave if those employees have been employed with the employer longer than that time period. These employees will begin to accrue paid sick leave but will not have to wait an additional 120 calendar days to use the time.

Any current or new employee who has not worked 120 calendar days by January 1, 2025, will not be able to use the paid sick leave until they have worked the 120 calendar days with the employer.

Employees can now use paid sick leave for mental health days and to care for a wider range of family members, or during public health emergencies when workplaces or schools are closed.