California Employers: As a reminder, on January 1 some changes take effect to California law relating to covered reasons for sick time, and violence leave/accommodations.
In general, employees may now use sick time for certain reasons relating a family member who is the victim of certain violent acts including domestic violent, sexual assault or stalking, as well as for certain reasons relating to their, or a family member’s physical injury or threats to them of bodily harm.
In addition, California employees who are, or whose family member is, a victim of certain violence will be permitted to use sick leave to enroll their children in a new school, seek civil or criminal services, prepare for or participate in legal proceedings or provide care to a child or care-dependent-adult as needed to ensure their safety.
California employers should contact their employment counsel to ensure that their paid sick leave, and other employment policies, are updated to reflect changes in the law.