Updated Paid Sick Leave Poster
Under California’s Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014, employees are either granted a lump sum amount or accrue and use paid sick leave for their own health needs or those of covered family members.
In recently passed legislation, Assembly Bills 406 and 2499, the Paid Sick Leave law has been modified to expand and clarify the circumstances under which employees may use paid sick leave. AB 406 and AB 2499 confirm that paid sick leave may also be used for the following reasons:
- To serve on a jury;
- To appear in court to comply with a subpoena or other court order as a witness in a judicial proceeding;
- If the employee is a victim of a qualifying act of violence and needs to obtain relief to ensure their health, safety, or welfare, or that of their child;
- If the employee or their family member is a victim of certain types of violent or serious crimes, they need to attend judicial proceedings related to the crime or any proceeding where their rights are an issue;
- To obtain specific victim-related treatment and services (if the employee works for an employer with 25 or more employees).
To reflect these changes, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office has published updated paid sick leave posters and guidance materials in multiple languages. Employers are required to display this poster in a conspicuous location at the workplace where employees can easily see it. For employees who work remotely, the updated poster must be distributed electronically in a manner the employer normally uses to communicate employment-related information. The new version of the poster is dated January 2026.
In addition to the posters, the Labor Commissioner’s Office has published updated Paid Sick Leave FAQs that explain accrual, permitted uses, documentation requirements, anti-retaliation protections, and how the new clarified uses apply in practice. Employers should review these FAQs to ensure their policies and practices align with current law.
The Poster and the FAQ’s can be found here:
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/paid_sick_leave.htm
https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/publications/paid_sick_days_poster_template_(11_2014).pdf
There are also updated posters in Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, Chinese and Vietnamese which can also be found on the DLSE website.
What Should I Do Now:
- Replace any outdated paid sick leave posters in all workplaces.
- For remote employees, ensure electronic distribution in the language normally used for employment communications.
- Review existing paid sick leave policies, handbooks, and payroll practices to confirm they accommodate the expanded uses under AB 406 and AB 2499, including jury duty and witness appearances.
- Train supervisors and HR staff so they understand that paid sick leave may not be denied for these clarified purposes and that any adverse action related to paid sick leave use may constitute retaliation under the Labor Code.
Failing to post the most current mandatory workplace notices or improperly denying paid sick leave can expose employers to enforcement actions and civil penalties by the Labor Commissioner. It can also increase exposure to individual wage-and-hour claims or retaliation claims under California law.
This Newsletter is intended as a brief summary of employment law. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, it is not intended to serve as “legal advice,” or to establish an attorney-client relationship. If additional information is needed on any of the topics contained herein, please contact our office. All rights reserved. ©2026