How do I apply for and use California's paid sick leave for myself or a family member?

To use California's paid sick leave, you must first accrue the leave by working and then verbally or in writing notify your employer of your need to use it. Here’s how to apply for and use paid sick leave for yourself or a family member: Step 1: Check Your Eligibility and Accrued Hours Confirm you have worked for your employer in California for at least 30 days. You begin accruing sick leave on your first day and can start using it after 90 days of employment. Check your most recent pay stub or a separate wage statement, as your employer is required to list your available paid sick leave balance. Most employees earn at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Step 2: Identify a Qualifying Reason You can use paid sick leave for the diagnosis, care, or treatment of an existing health condition, or for preventive care, for yourself or a family member. A "family member" includes a child, parent, spouse, registered domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or a designated person. You can also use it if you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Step 3: Notify Your Employer If your need for leave is foreseeable, like a scheduled doctor's appointment, provide your employer with reasonable advance notice. If the need is unforeseeable, like a sudden illness, notify your employer as soon as practicable. This notice can be given verbally or in writing, unless your employer has a specific written policy for reporting absences. Step 4: Take Your Leave and Get Paid Take the necessary time off. Your employer must pay you for your used sick leave on the next regular payday. The pay rate will be your regular hourly wage. Your employer cannot require you to find a replacement worker to cover your absence. Important details and nuances: Your employer cannot require you to provide a doctor's note to use paid sick leave. They can, however, limit your use of paid sick leave to 40 hours or five days per year, whichever is greater. Keep your own records of hours used and compare them with your pay stubs to ensure accuracy. Warnings and limitations: It is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for using or inquiring about paid sick leave. This includes firing, demoting, or reducing your hours. Unused paid sick leave is not required to be paid out when you leave your job, unless it is part of a broader Paid Time Off (PTO) policy. This is general information and does not constitute legal advice. For complex situations, such as a denial of leave or retaliation by your employer, you should consult with a qualified California attorney.