Montgomery County Employers Will Be Required to Provide Paid Sick Leave Beginning October 1, 2016

    Montgomery County is one of the few jurisdictions that require all employers provide paid sick leave.  That is the law under the Earned Sick and Safe Leave Act passed by the Montgomery County Council.

    All employees will be entitled to accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked. Employers with five or more employees must provide up to 56 hours per year of paid sick leave to employees. Employers with less than five employees are required to provide up to 32 hours of paid sick leave and twenty-four hours of unpaid sick and safe leave per year.

 The permissible uses of sick leave are broad.  They include:

• Treating the employee’s own illness; 
• Attending preventative medical appointments; and
• Caring for a covered individual with an illness.

The Act contains and anti-retaliation provision and a complaint procedure.   As noted, the Act becomes effective October 1, 2016.