Free Calculator · 2026
Paid Sick Leave Calculator
Find out how much paid sick leave you've accrued, and check if your state requires it to be paid out when you quit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get paid for unused sick leave when I quit?
In almost all US states, no. Unlike accrued vacation pay (which California, Colorado, and several other states treat as earned wages), sick leave is almost universally NOT required to be paid out at termination. The major exception: if your employer bundles sick leave and vacation into a single "PTO" bank, the entire balance may be subject to your state's PTO payout rules.
What is the difference between accrual and frontloaded sick leave?
Accrual means you earn sick leave gradually as you work — typically 1 hour for every 30 or 40 hours worked. Frontloading means your employer gives you the full year's sick leave balance at the start of the year. Frontloaded leave generally does NOT carry over to the next year. Accrued leave typically does carry over, up to the state's carryover cap.
Which states require employers to provide paid sick leave?
As of 2026, over 15 states plus Washington DC require employers to provide paid sick leave, including California, New York, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, Rhode Island, Arizona, and New Mexico. Many major cities (NYC, Chicago, Seattle) have additional local ordinances on top of state law.
Can my employer deny my sick leave request?
Generally no — if you are eligible and have accrued hours, your employer cannot deny sick leave for covered reasons (illness, medical appointments, caring for a family member). However, employers can require reasonable notice for foreseeable absences and may request documentation for absences over 3 consecutive days in most states. Retaliation for using sick leave is illegal in all states with mandatory sick leave laws.