What This Law Does
AB 1522 (the Healthy Workplaces Healthy Families Act) requires all California employers — including IHSS recipients who employ providers — to provide paid sick leave.
How You Earn Sick Leave
- Accrual rate: 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked
- Maximum: 40 hours (5 days) per year (as of 2024 expansion)
- Waiting period: You must work for the same employer for 90 days before you can use sick leave
What You Can Use It For
- Your own illness, injury, or medical appointment
- Caring for a child, parent, spouse, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or domestic partner
- Preventive care
- Reasons related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
Your Protections
- Your employer cannot fire, discipline, or retaliate against you for using sick leave
- You are not required to find a replacement worker
- You do not need to provide a doctor’s note for short absences in most cases
If your employer denies your sick leave or retaliates: Call the CA Labor Commissioner at 1-844-522-6734.