Some Employers Are Now Required to Allow “Sick Leave” for Family Care Under Georgia Law

On May 9, 2017, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed the Family Care Act (SB 201) into law, adding a new requirement that some employers provide paid leave to allow employees to care for family members. The new regulation does not apply to organizations with less than 25 employees. The Family Care Act requires covered employers to allow employees with available, paid sick leave to use up to five days per calendar year of that sick leave to care for “immediate family members.” Immediate family members are defined as the employee’s child, spouse, grandchild, grandparent, parent, or any person identified as a dependent on the employee’s most recent tax return. To be considered eligible for family sick leave under the new bill, employees must work at least 30 hours per week. Employers not currently offering paid sick leave are under no obligation to begin doing so under this law. If you have any questions about the Family Care Act, please contact your PBPA attorney.