Keeping up with employment law changes is a constant challenge for employers, especially as states continue to expand and refine workplace requirements. Virginia is no exception, and under its new governor, the state legislature has passed a host of changes that impact employers. We’ll break down the new requirements and offer practical takeaways to help you get ready.

1. Recap of Expanded Paid Sick Leave Law (HB 5 & SB 199)

Prior to this legislative session, Virginia’s paid sick leave covered only narrowly defined home health workers. In keeping with other legislative changes to paid sick leave laws across the country in recent years, the state has now expanded this mandate to cover all eligible employees, regardless of company size.

Application and Eligibility

Virginia’s paid sick leave law covers all private employers in the state, but with staggered effective dates based on total employer size:

• July 1, 2027: 50+ employees
• January 1, 2028: 25+ employees
• January 1, 2029: one or more employees

All Virginia-based employees will be eligible for sick leave under the new law, without regard to full or part-time status or exempt/non-exempt status.

Amount of Sick Leave and Usage

• Under the expanded law, all employees will receive one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours accrued per year. Employers may frontload 40 hours of sick leave each year to meet these requirements.
• Unused accrued leave carries over year to year.
• Employers...

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