By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Virginia workers will begin receiving required paid sick leave under legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, with the first phase of the law set to take effect next year.
The new law requires employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, with employees able to earn up to 40 hours each year.
The requirement applies to all covered employees regardless of hours worked.
The law will roll out in phases based on employer size. Businesses with at least 50 employees must comply starting July 1, 2027. Employers with at least 25 workers must comply by Jan. 1, 2028, and all employers will be covered by Jan. 1, 2029.
Spanberger had proposed amendments that would have exempted airline pilots and flight attendants, but lawmakers rejected those changes before she signed the original version passed by the General Assembly.
According to the governor’s office, about 1.2 million private-sector workers in Virginia currently do not have access to paid sick leave.
“Virginia is making clear that a fair day’s work comes with the dignity of being able to stay home when you are sick or need to care for a sick family member,” Spanberger said in a statement.
Workers can use the leave for illness, mental health needs, caring for a family member, medical appointments, or situations involving domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
A state fiscal impact statement estimated the Department of Labor and Industry could receive about 10,000 inquiries and 3,500 complaints each year tied to the new requirements, resulting in funding for 14 additional enforcement and compliance positions.
The law also allows Virginia’s labor commissioner to issue civil penalties of up to $150 for a first violation, $300 for a second violation and $500 for subsequent violations.
The Virginia Retail Federation warned earlier this year the policy could increase payroll and administrative costs for employers already dealing with higher wages, insurance costs and other labor requirements.
The group estimated the policy could increase payroll-related costs by roughly 3.3% to 3.7%, depending on the employer.
Polling released earlier this year by Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center found 80% of Virginia voters supported requiring employers to provide paid sick leave.
