Sick Pay Definition

Sick pay is a payment that an employer gives to an employee in the event of an absence due to illness, injury, or disability.

Sick Pay Extended Definition
Many employers in the U.S. offer sick pay as a benefit to employees, but there is no federal law requiring it. Sick pay is offered at the employer’s discretion, except in several states where it is required.

Sick pay usually is equivalent to a full day’s pay for each full day of work that is missed, and the amount of sick pay offered varies by employer.

Employers may be required to give employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for serious health conditions under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This law applies to employers with 50 or more employees.

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Last Updated By

Rachel Blakely-Gray | May 01, 2023