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Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act in Effect

November 14, 2008
The Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act (ASSLA) became effective November 13, 2008. The act requires all employers to provide paid sick leave to eligible employees working in the District for absences related to physical or mental illness, preventive medical care or family care, and for absences associated with domestic violence or sexual abuse.

Employers must provide the following sick days to their full-time employees:
  • 7 days of paid leave a year from an employer with 100 or more employees
  • 5 days of paid leave a year from an employer with 25 to 99 employees
  • 3 days of paid leave a year from an employer with 24 or fewer employees
  • Part-time employees accrue paid leave on a proportionate basis
The following groups are not considered "employees" under the ASSLA, and therefore, are not entitled to paid leave under the ASSLA:
  • (i) independent contractors;
  • (ii) students (as defined under the ASSLA);
  • (iii) health care workers who choose to participate in a premium pay program which provides for extra pay in lieu of benefits; and
  • (iv) restaurant wait staff and bartenders who work for a combination of wages and tips
Click to view the DC wage/sick hours poster.
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Jurisdiction:
Washington DC