Note: Connecticut’s paid sick time law initially went into effect on January 1, 2012, and only covered hourly workers in certain “service” occupations who worked for a business with 50 or more workers. A significantly expanded version of the law, which is reflected here, went into effect on January 1, 2025. For more information, see here.
1) What does the Connecticut Paid Sick Time law do?
It gives workers up to 40 hours of sick time a year, which can be used:
- To recover from a physical/mental illness, injury, or health condition;
- 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;
- When the worker’s place of business is closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency or to care for a family member whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency;
- When the worker needs to self-isolate or care for a family member because a public health official, health care provider, or employer has determined that the worker or family member poses a risk to the health of others because of exposure to a communicable illness (whether diagnosed or not); or
- To address needs that may arise if the worker or the worker’s family member is a victim of family violence or sexual assault
2) Am I covered?
If you work as an employee in Connecticut, you are covered by the State’s expanded paid sick time law beginning on: January 1, 2025, if your employer has 25 or more workers in the State; January 1, 2026, if your employer has 11 or more workers in the State; or January 1, 2027, if your employer has 1 or more workers in the State. However, the law does not cover seasonal employees who work 120 days or less in a year or certain workers in construction-related unions (who are members of employee organizations that are part of a multiemployer health plan pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement).
3) How much paid sick time can I earn?
You earn 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours per year.
All covered employees are protected against being fired or punished for using or requesting their sick time (including threats, discipline, demotion, reduction in hours, termination, etc.).
4) What if my work or my child’s school or daycare is closed for a health emergency?
You will be able to use your paid sick time if your place of business has been closed by a public official due to a public health emergency or to care for a family whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency.
5) Which of my family members are covered by the law?
Under the law, you can take sick time to care for yourself, a child, spouse, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, parent, or an individual related to you by blood or affinity whose close association you show to be equivalent to these family relationships.
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 as sick time and it’s at least the same amount you would earn under this law, the law does not give you any additional paid time off.
7) When can I begin using my sick time?
You start earning sick time at the start of employment or once you are covered by the expanded paid sick time law, whichever is later (January 1, 2025 for employers with 25 or more workers; January 1, 2026 for employers with 11 or more workers; or January 1, 2027 for employers with 1 or more workers). But you cannot use your paid sick time until 120 calendar days after your date of hire.
8) Do I need a doctor’s note?
No, an employer cannot require an employee to provide any documentation for paid sick leave covered by the State’s law, including a doctor’s note.
All covered workers are protected against being fired or punishedfor using or requesting sick or safe time. If you have a problem—or want more information—call A Better Balance’s free legal clinic at 1-833-NEED-ABB.
The Connecticut Department of Labor is in charge of enforcing this law.
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.
