Austin, Texas Mandates Paid Sick Leave

Executive Summary: The city of Austin, Texas has become the first Southern city to require virtually all private employers to offer paid sick leave to employees working within Austin's city limits. This new ordinance goes into effect October 1, 2018, for employers with more than five employees. It goes into effect for employers five or fewer employees (not including family members) on October 1, 2020.

A few highlights from the ordinance:

• Employees accrue paid sick leave at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked in the city of Austin, which an employee can begin using as soon as it is accrued.
• Sick leave may be used for the employee's own illness or preventative care as well as the care of a family member. Certain domestic violence situations are also covered.