Alaska’s paid sick leave law was approved by voters on November 5, 2024. Workers in Alaska will be able to earn and use paid sick time under the law beginning on July 1, 2025.
1. What will the Alaska Paid Sick Time law do?
It will give workers paid sick time which can be used:
- To recover from physical/mental illness, injury, or health conditions;
- To seek medical diagnosis, treatment, or preventative care;
- To care for a family member recovering from a physical/mental illness, injury, or health condition or in need of medical diagnosis, treatment, or preventative care; or
- To address certain needs that may arise if the worker or the worker’s family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
2. Will I be covered?
Many workers employed in Alaska are covered, whether full-time, part-time, or temporary. The law does not cover the following individuals: certain agricultural, fishing, and shrimping industry workers; certain domestic workers; newspaper delivery workers; certain workers employed in the search for placer or hard rock minerals; workers under 18 years old who are employed part-time (30 or fewer hours a week); certain licensed guide-outfitters; certain taxicab drivers; certain seasonal caretakers/watchmen; certain residential camp workers; certain motor vehicle dealer employees; certain students, learners, and apprentices; certain railroad employees subject to federal law; federal employees; employees of the State of Alaska, or local government employees.
3. How much paid sick time will I be able to earn?
You will earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. If you work for an employer with 15 or more employees, you will be able to earn and use up to 56 hours of paid sick time per year. If you work for an employer with fewer than 15 employees, you will be able to earn and use up to 40 hours of paid sick time per year.
4. What if my work or my child’s school or daycare is closed for a health emergency?
You will not be able to use your paid sick time under Alaska’s paid sick time law because your work or your child’s school or day care is closed unless you would otherwise be able to use your paid sick time (for example, if you are sick or caring for a sick family member).
5. Which of my family members are covered by the law?
Under the law, you will be able to take paid sick time to care for yourself, a child, a spouse, a domestic partner, a parent or guardian, a sibling, a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, a parent or sibling of a spouse, a significant other who lives with the employee, or any individual related by blood or whose close relationship to the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship.
6. What if I already have paid leave or paid time off?
If you already get any paid leave (vacation, paid time off, etc.) that you can use for the same purposes and under the same conditions as paid sick time under this Alaska law and it’s at least the same amount you would earn under this law, the law will not give you any additional paid time off.
7. When can I begin using my paid sick time?
You will start earning paid sick time at the start of employment or July 1, 2025, whichever is later. You will be able to use your paid sick time as you earn it.
8. Will I need a doctor’s note for paid sick time under the law?
Your employer will only be able to require reasonable documentation–such as a doctor’s note–for paid sick leave of more than 3 consecutive workdays (and the note does not have to specify your or your family member’s illness).
If you are using paid sick time for more than 3 consecutive workdays for “safe time” purposes, related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, you may be required to provide one of the following types of documentation of your choice: a police report; a statement from a witness advocate confirming that you received services from a victim’s aid organization; a court document showing legal action related to the “safe time” purpose; or your own written statement saying that your sick leave was for a qualifying purpose.
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development will be in charge of enforcing this law.
All covered workers will be protected against being fired or punished for using or requesting sick or safe time under this law. If you have a problem—or want more information—contact A Better Balance’s free legal helpline here or by calling 1-833-NEED-ABB.
Please note that this fact sheet does not represent an exhaustive overview of the paid sick time law described, and it does not constitute legal advice. It is possible that additional provisions not described in this fact sheet may apply to a worker’s specific circumstances or category of employment.
For the full list of state and local paid sick time laws, visit here.
