New Hampshire Paid Sick Leave Laws
New Hampshire does not have laws requiring private employers to provide paid or unpaid sick leave, but offers a voluntary Granite State Paid Family and Medical Leave Plan that provides 60% wage replacement for up to six weeks of leave annually, while federal mandates like the FFCRA for paid sick leave expired in 2020.
Various states, cities, and municipalities have enacted legislation requiring employers to provide paid time off (PTO) for employees to use when they are sick. Learn more about this type of leave, called paid sick leave, and what’s required in the state of New Hampshire.
What is Paid Sick Leave?
Paid sick leave is a benefit that allows employees to take time off from work due to illness, injury, or other health-related issues without foregoing pay. The purpose of paid sick leave is to ensure that employees can recover from illness without the financial pressure of losing income. It also helps prevent the spread of contagious diseases in the workplace by encouraging sick employees to stay home.
There are no federal laws in place that mandate the provision of paid sick leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows qualified employees to take unpaid leave for certain health conditions.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) enacted temporary requirements for certain employers, granting up to two weeks of paid sick leave to employees who couldn’t work due to COVID-19 (diagnosis, symptoms, required quarantine, etc.) However, this legislation expired at the end of 2020.
Does New Hampshire Have Paid Sick Leave Laws That Differ from Federal Paid Sick Leave Laws?
There is no law in place in New Hampshire that requires private employers to provide paid or unpaid sick leave to employees.
A voluntary program allows employees to pay in for coverage for certain leaves, including to tend to an employee’s own serious health condition. This option is under the Granite State Paid Family and Medical Leave Plan and offers 60% wage replacement for leaves of up to 6 weeks per year.
Are There Requirements to be Eligible for Paid Sick Leave in New Hampshire?
Since there is no law mandating the provision of paid sick leave, any eligibility requirements would be based on employer discretion.
Is There a Minimum Amount of Paid Sick Time Required in New Hampshire?
Since no law mandates that employers must provide paid sick leave, no minimum amount is in effect.
What Can PSL be Used for in New Hampshire?
If an employer offers paid sick leave to employees, company policy would dictate how it may be used.
Is Paid Sick Leave Required to be Carried Over Each Year in New Hampshire?
There is no law regarding the provision of paid sick leave (or carryover) in the state of New Hampshire.
Is Paid Sick Leave (PSL) Different from Paid Time Off (PTO) in New Hampshire?
Employers may choose to provide paid sick leave as a separate benefit from paid time off, but neither is required by state law.
Common New Hampshire Paid Sick Leave Laws FAQs
How much paid sick leave am I entitled to take and be paid for in New Hampshire?
Employees are not required to receive any amount of paid sick leave.
Does paid sick leave apply to all employees who work in New Hampshire?
No, there is no law in effect requiring New Hampshire employers to provide paid sick leave.
Which employees are exempt or partially exempt from the paid sick leave law in New Hampshire?
No exemptions are applicable as the state defers to federal law regarding the provision of paid sick leave.
Do I have to notify my employer before taking sick leave in New Hampshire?
The requirement to notify an employer before taking sick leave is based on company policy.
Can I be disciplined for taking a sick day or using paid sick leave in New Hampshire?
If your employer provides paid sick leave, you must comply with your company’s policy around notifying the employer and providing required documentation. Employees found to be misusing paid sick leave or violating company rules may face discipline.
Related
North Carolina Paid Sick Leave Laws
North Carolina does not have state laws requiring private employers to provide paid sick leave, meaning any such benefits are at the employer's discretion, and while federal laws like the FMLA allow unpaid leave for certain medical reasons, no minimum paid sick leave is mandated in the state.
Iowa Paid Sick Leave Laws
Iowa does not have any state laws requiring private employers to provide paid sick leave, meaning there are no mandated eligibility criteria, minimum amounts, usage rules, or carryover requirements, leaving such policies entirely to employer discretion.
Arkansas Paid Sick Leave Laws
Arkansas does not have any state laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, meaning there are no mandated eligibility criteria, minimum amounts, usage rules, or carryover requirements, leaving such policies entirely to employer discretion.
Wyoming Paid Sick Leave Laws
Wyoming does not have state laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, leaving any such benefits and eligibility criteria up to individual employers, while workers may only access unpaid leave under federal FMLA provisions.
South Dakota Paid Sick Leave Laws
South Dakota does not have any state laws requiring private employers to provide paid or unpaid sick leave, leaving eligibility, usage, and amounts entirely to employer discretion, with no minimum mandates, unlike some other states or temporary federal provisions such as the now-expired FFCRA.
Wisconsin Paid Sick Leave Laws
Wisconsin does not have a state law requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, but under the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Law, employees at businesses with over 50 permanent workers who have been employed for at least 52 weeks and worked 1,000 hours are eligible for unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons, while federal laws like FMLA and the expired FFCRA provide limited unpaid or temporary paid leave protections.