Paid Sick Leave in District of Columbia
District of Columbia (DC) · Paid sick leave · Last reviewed June 2026
State mandate
Yes
Typical accrual
1 hr per 30 worked
Does District of Columbia require paid sick leave?
District of Columbia has a statewide paid sick leave requirement. A common standard is that employees accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, often with an annual cap, though the exact accrual rate, caps, and carryover rules vary. Check the official rules for current details.
How accrual usually works
Where sick leave is required, employers typically choose between accrual (employees earn time as they work, e.g., 1 hour per 30 worked) and front-loading (granting a lump sum at the start of the year). A time and attendance system makes either method easy by tracking hours worked and balances automatically.
Recordkeeping
Track accrued and used sick time per employee, show balances on pay stubs where required, and keep the records for the retention period your state specifies.
Official sources
More District of Columbia guides
Paid sick leave in other states
District of Columbia paid sick leave: frequently asked questions
Is paid sick leave required in District of Columbia?
Yes — District of Columbia has a statewide paid sick leave law, commonly accruing one hour for every 30 hours worked, often with an annual cap.
How much sick leave do employees earn?
Where required, a common standard is one hour of paid sick time per 30 hours worked, subject to caps and carryover rules that vary — check the current rules.
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