Sick Leave

Paid sick leave benefits aren't required by law. Unpaid sick leave may be legally required only if you're subject to state or federal family or medical leave laws. However, sick leave, like other time-off benefits, is very valuable to employees. In many employment settings, you won't be able to hire employees if you don't provide sick leave.

You have several options when it comes to sick leave benefits. Many plans limit the total number of days that may be taken with pay. Decide how you'll treat time off when it's a member of the employee's family who is ill. Some employers sidestep this issue by providing employees with a bank of paid days off that can be taken as desired or required for vacation, sick leave or other personal matters. Whatever type of sick leave benefit you provide, consider issues such as whether (and how many) unused days may be carried from year to year.

If you offer sick leave benefits, incorporate your policy in a document that you can give to employees explaining how your sick leave benefit works. Include instructions regarding whom to notify when an employee can't make it to work.

Here are some sample leave or time off policies, including a sick leave policy.