Source: Bill Text – SB-114 Employment: COVID-19: supplemental paid sick leave. (ca.gov)
Who is covered under the new Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) law, and how much time off can we use?
Full-time workers at companies and municipalities with 26 or more workers are eligible for 40 hours of paid sick leave for COVID related illness, COVID quarantine, OR caring for a child sick with COVID. The triggering quarantine can come from a multitude of sources, including the employer.
Workers may also be eligible for up to another 40 hours of paid sick leave for an additional COVID illness, quarantine OR caring for a child with COVID. That additional 40 hours can be a continuation of existing COVID illness or child illness so long as the person tests positive after 5 days of illness. The employer can require the employee to provide proof of positive test.
When can we use SPSL? Is it retroactive?
The law is in effect retroactive to January 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022.
If I already used my vacation or sick time for COVID reasons this year, will I get that time back?
Yes. Upon the oral or written request, your employer should credit you for any leave hours used for COVID-specific leave purposes, and the employer should subsequently be credited for providing those hours as COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave. Members at PG&E who already used sick or vacation time for a covered absence in 2022 should update their own prior time entries utilizing time code for Emergency Paid Leave (EPL-2048); no approval from the HR Help Line needed.
Can I use SPSL before I use of my own sick or vacation time?
Yes. Your employer shall not require a covered employee to use any other paid or unpaid leave, paid time off, or vacation time before the covered employee uses COVID-19 SPSL or in lieu of COVID-19 SPSL.
Can I use SPSL if I need to quarantine or isolate?
If you are subject to a quarantine or isolation period related to COVID-19 (as defined by an order or guidance of the State Department of Public Health, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or a local public health officer who has jurisdiction over the workplace), you shall be permitted to use COVID-19 SPSL for the minimum quarantine or isolation period under the order (or guidance that provides for the longest such minimum period).
Can I use SPSL for myself or a family member even if I work from home?
Yes, SPSL applies if you are caring for yourself or for a family member experiencing symptoms due to certain reasons related to COVID-19 and are unable to work OR telework.