Legal Advice

We asked about non-COVID sick leave. John Shunk, an employment attorney with Denver’s Messner Reeves LLP, answered.

Man's food and shin in green cast in focus in foreground with metal crutch and upper body in out of focus
COVID isn't the only thing you need to provide sick leave for. / Copyright: archnoi1

Q: Are we required to pay non-COVID related sick leave to hourly employees?

A: The short answer is yes. “It’s called the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and although it has a COVID-related component, it is by no means limited to COVID situations. In 2021, employers are required to provide paid sick leave to all employees if they employ 16 or more employees in Colorado. Starting in 2022, they must provide paid sick leave no matter how many employees they have. There are numerous requirements and compliance details, and the requirement has been live since January 1.”



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