What it can be used for
Own or family member's illness, injury or preventive care; domestic or sexual violence needs; public closures of work, school or childcare; and school meetings about a child. Source: pub.njleg.state.nj.us↗ (opens in a new tab)
Notice and documentation
You may require up to 7 days' notice for foreseeable leave, and notice as soon as practical otherwise. You may ask for reasonable documentation for 3 or more consecutive days. Source: pub.njleg.state.nj.us↗ (opens in a new tab)
City and county laws
Local governments cannot pass their own earned sick leave rules; the state law replaced earlier city ordinances. Source: pub.njleg.state.nj.us↗ (opens in a new tab)
Who is not covered
Construction workers under a union contract, certain per diem health care workers, and public employees who already get full-pay sick leave. Source: pub.njleg.state.nj.us↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
Violations are treated as Wage and Hour Law violations. Employees can sue for damages plus an equal amount in liquidated damages. Missing records create a presumption of violation. Source: pub.njleg.state.nj.us↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: N.J.S.A. 34:11D-1 et seq. (P.L.2018, c.10) (opens in a new tab)
The agency: New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
No federal law requires private employers to give paid sick leave. Federal contractors must give up to 7 days a year under Executive Order 13706. Source: U.S. Department of Labor↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: U.S. DOL — EO 13706↗ (opens in a new tab)
Paid sick leave checklist for New Jersey employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Check whether your business size is covered by the rule above.
- Set up accrual in your payroll or HR system (or front-load the yearly amount).
- Write a sick leave policy covering accrual, the cap, carryover, notice and documentation.
- Show each employee's balance where your state requires it.
- Check for city or county sick leave laws where your staff work.
- Keep records of time earned and used.
More New Jersey employment law guides
- All New Jersey employment laws
- New Jersey final paycheck law
- New Jersey meal and rest break laws
- New Jersey overtime law
- New Jersey pay frequency law
- New Jersey vacation and PTO payout law
- New Jersey new hire reporting
- New Jersey at-will exceptions
Paid sick leave laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.