A Connecticut paid sick leave revision expands the eligible reasons for use, including allowing for a mental health day for covered employees.
The governor in late June 2023 signed the legislation, with the new reasons for use going into effect Oct. 1, 2023
Previously, Connecticut’s paid sick leave law went into effect in 2012 and applied to employers with 50 or more employees, but only service workers. However, that term is broadly defined.
The new law adds two new reasons service workers can use leave.
The first is a “mental health wellness day.” Employees will be able to tend to their “emotional and psychological well-being in lieu of attending a regularly scheduled shift.”
Secondly, employees will be able to use leave if they:
- Are the parent or guardian of a victim of family violence or sexual assault (as long as they are not the alleged perpetrator)
- Need to seek medical care or psychological or other counseling for physical or psychological injury or disability
- Need to obtain services from a victim-services organization
- Are relocating due to family violence or sexual assault
- Need to participate in civil or criminal proceedings related to or resulting from family violence or sexual assault
What Is a Service Worker?
Connecticut’s law only applies to service workers who work at least 10 hours per week for the employer in the most recent complete quarter.
However, the definition of “service worker” covers a broad array of workers. A partial list is provided below. Some examples include: Medical and health services managers
- Librarians
- Dental hygienists
- Cooks
- Childcare workers
- Restaurant hosts
- Secretaries and administrative assistants
The link below will provide the full details of the legislation with a full list of covered workers.
