By the end of the first quarter of 2015, six more municipalities will require employers to provide mandatory paid sick leave to their workforce.  East Orange, Irvington, Montclair, Passaic, Paterson and Trenton’s new ordinances will largely resemble Newark and Jersey City’s ordinances that went into effect last year.

Employers with 10 or more employees are obligated to provide employees who work for at least 80 hours per year with 40 hours of paid sick leave per calendar year.  For those employers with fewer than 10 employees, they are required to provide 24 hours of paid sick leave to qualifying employees.  An employer’s size is based on all full time, part-time and temporary employees.

And, of course, there is a notice requirement.  Employers must provide all new and current employees with written notice of the new paid sick leave policy and must also display a poster detailing the policy.  Employers should check with their municipalities for the notices and posters.   Am employer’s failure to comply with the paid sick leave ordinances can result in fines.