Connecticut’s laws on paid sick leave recently changed. Currently, the state allows many workers to earn up to 40 hours of sick leave per year, with employees accruing one hour of sick leave for each 30 hours they work.
The state plans additional refinements to the sick leave system in the next few years. You can learn more about these laws with a Hartford labor and employment lawyer. An attorney can ensure you understand your rights, allowing you to feel confident about using your sick time.
What the Paid Sick Leave Laws are in Connecticut
Connecticut’s paid sick leave law underwent significant changes in 2025, with further updates planned through 2027. According to these new laws, qualifying employees will earn one hour of paid sick leave for each 30 hours they work.
Additionally, employees can earn and use up to 40 hours of sick leave every year. Connecticut’s laws also state that employers must either allow their employees to roll over 40 hours of unused sick leave to the following year or frontload the employee’s sick leave, so the employee can use the entire annual amount from the beginning of the year.
You can learn more about the paid sick leave laws in Connecticut with a skilled legal professional.
For a free legal consultation, call (860) 999-9394
Acceptable Uses of Paid Sick Leave
Qualifying employees in Connecticut can use sick leave for themselves or to help family members. Employees may use their leave to:
- Seek preventative medical care for physical or mental health
- Get care and treatment for illnesses, injuries, and health conditions
- Take a mental health wellness day
Additionally, workers can use sick leave if:
- Their place of business, the school, or the place of care of a family member closes because of a public health emergency
- The employee (or a member of the employee’s family) represents a risk to the health of others
- The employee (or a family member) needs leave after experiencing family violence or sexual assault
An attorney can provide you with more information about acceptable uses of sick leave.
How Does Connecticut Define a Family Member?
The following individuals qualify as family members for an employee in Connecticut:
- Spouses
- Siblings
- Children
- Grandchildren
- Parents
- Grandparents
Connecticut allows employees to take sick leave to help members of their biological, adoptive, and foster families. Additionally, family members can include other individuals with relationships equivalent to those listed above.
Do Employees Have to Provide Proof They Were Sick?
Connecticut’s updated laws state that employers cannot ask for documentation to show that employees used sick leave for a qualifying reason.
Additionally, employers cannot require an employee to find someone to replace them on the job before allowing sick leave.
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Employers Required to Follow Paid Sick Leave Laws
Employers with at least 25 employees must follow Connecticut’s sick leave laws in 2025. Connecticut expects all qualifying employers to adhere to these laws by 2027, regardless of how many employees they have.
Some employers are exempt from paid sick leave laws. For example, these laws do not apply to employers participating in some types of multi-employer health plans. Additionally, the laws do not apply to self-employed individuals, and the laws should not override some collective bargaining agreements.
Additionally, the law may not cover some construction workers or seasonal employees. Any employee who works under 121 days in a year qualifies as a seasonal employee.
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Can Employees Immediately Use Sick Leave?
New employees can only use paid sick leave after the 120th calendar day from their start of employment. Employees who need to take sick time before this date may have the option to use unpaid time, depending on the company’s regulations.
Some companies may provide paid sick leave before the 120-day mark, but they do not have to provide this leave under state laws.
Does Sick Leave Transfer Between Departments at Work?
Employees who move to a different division or location operated by the same employer can maintain their sick leave balance. Additionally, employees maintain their accrued paid sick leave if another employer replaces or succeeds their original employer.
Talk to Us About Paid Sick Leave in Connecticut
So, what are the paid sick leave laws in Connecticut? These laws are currently going through a period of adjustment until 2027. At the end of this period, most employers must allow employees to earn and use up to 40 hours of sick leave a year, with employees earning at least one hour of leave for each 30 hours they work.
Our team at Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard can give you more information about sick leave and other employment laws. We even provide workers with a Connecticut labor and employment law guide.
In addition to providing information about labor laws, we can step in to help if your employer violates these laws and your rights. We’re here to help if an employer refuses to offer proper sick leave or retaliates when you use the leave you earned. Contact us now to learn more.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form