What can I use paid sick leave for?

Paid sick leave can be used for preventative care such as regularly scheduled doctor or dentist appointments, as well as unforeseen circumstances such as the flu, a migraine, or other illness. It can be used for mental health care as well as physical. It can also be used for appointments needed in case of domestic or sexual violence.

Examples of valid uses for paid sick leave:

• Doctor’s appointments and preventative care visits
• Dental appointments
• Mental health appointments
• Staying home when you have a contagious illness
• Caring for a family member who is ill
• Appointments related to domestic violence or sexual assault
• Medical emergencies
• Recovery from surgery or medical procedures

More

RSMO290.606 (1) “Earned paid sick time shall be provided to an employee by an employer for:

(1) An employee’s mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; an employee’s need for medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; an employee’s need for preventative medical care;

(2) Care of a family member with a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; care of a family member who needs medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; care of a family member who needs preventative medical care;

(3) Closure of the employee’s place of business by order of a public official due to a public health emergency, or an employee’s need to care for a child whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency, or care for oneself or a family member when it has been determined by the health authorities having jurisdiction or by a health care provider that the employee’s or family member’s presence in the community may jeopardize the health of others because of his or her exposure to a communicable disease, whether or not the employee or family member has actually contracted the communicable disease; or

(4) Absence necessary due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, provided the leave is to allow the employee to obtain for the employee or the employee’s family member:

(a) Medical attention needed to recover from physical or psychological injury or disability caused by domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;

(b) Services from a victim services organization;

(c) Psychological or other counseling;

(d) Relocation or taking steps to secure an existing home due to the domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; or

(e) Legal services, including preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or resulting from the domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.”