The recent changes in overtime rules created a bit of a discrepancy in paid sick-leave requirements, leaving many ag employers confused about what is expected from them. AgSafe President and CEO Amy Wolfe had previously told AgNet West the new overtime requirements that apply at 9.5 hours created a lot of questions from employers as to how that would affect the standard 30-hour, or three-day paid sick leave that’s given to employees. There has since been some clarification on whether employers will need to provide 28.5 or 30 hours of paid sick leave.
“You are safe to bring that reduction into that 9.5; or 28.5 total hours of paid sick leave. There are a couple of very important caveats to that,” said Wolfe. “That only applies if you have 26 or more employees as of January 1, 2019. If you have 25 or fewer employees as of January 1, 2019, you’re still good to work ten and 60 [hours]. That then means you’re providing ten hours of paid sick leave for three days, so 30 hours.”