The Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act was approved by voters on November 5, 2024. Workers in Nebraska will be able to earn and use paid sick time under the law beginning on October 1, 2025.
1. What will the Nebraska 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;
- To attend a meeting necessitated by a child’s mental/physical illness, injury, or health condition at a school or place where the child receives 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 child whose school or childcare provider has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; or
- When the worker needs to self-isolate or care for a family member because a public health official or health care provider has determined that the worker’s or family member’s presence in the community would jeopardize the health of others because of exposure to a communicable illness (whether diagnosed or not).
2. Will I be covered?
If you work as an employee in Nebraska for 80 hours or more in a calendar year, you will probably be covered, whether you are a full-time, part-time, or temporary worker. However, the law will not cover federal employees, Nebraska state employees, local government employees, and certain railroad workers subject to federal law.
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 your employer has 20 or more employees, you will be able to earn and use up to 56 hours of paid sick time per year. If your employer has fewer than 20 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 be able to use your paid sick time if your place of business is closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency or to care for a child 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 will be able to take paid sick time to care for yourself, a child, a spouse, a parent, guardian, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of yourself or your spouse, or any individual related by blood or whose close relationship to you 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 as paid sick time for the same purposes and under the same conditions as paid sick time under this Nebraska 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 October 1, 2025, whichever is later. You can 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 or your family member did not get care from a health care provider or if you cannot get a note in a reasonable time or without additional expense, you will be able to provide your own written statement indicating that you took paid sick time for a covered purpose.
The Nebraska Department of Labor 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 at 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.
