How paid sick leave works

Last updated: August 27, 2026

Applies to: US W-2 employees. Paid sick leave is an employee entitlement, so 1099 independent contractors do not accrue it. Canada T4 employees follow provincial rules — see Vacation pay and statutory holidays in Canada. If you work outside the US and Canada, see Time off, public holidays, and sick leave (international employees).

Summary: There is not a federal rule which governs Paid Sick Leave — whether you get it, how much you earn, and what you can use it for depend on the state and sometimes the city where you work. This article explains how sick leave generally works, how to find the rule that applies to you, and where to check your own balance.

Paid sick leave allows eligible workers to receive pay when taking time off for their own health needs, to care for a family member, or for certain legally protected safety-related reasons. The important thing to understand is that there is no single U.S.-wide sick leave law. Your entitlement comes from the state — and sometimes the locality — where you actually perform your work.

Whether you get paid sick leave depends on where you work

Some states require employers to provide paid sick leave. Many do not. On top of that, a few cities (for example, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh) have their own local sick leave rules that can differ from the surrounding state.

Because of this, two people employed through Ascen can have completely different sick leave depending on their work location. If sick leave is required where you work, it will be made available to you. If it is not required in your location, it may not be offered on your assignment.

The simplest way to see what applies to you is to open the Time Off Requests page in your portal. If you have a Sick Leave Information card there, that is the leave you have earned. If you try to request sick time and see a message that sick time is not available in your location, that means your work location does not currently provide it.

What paid sick leave can usually be used for

The exact list of allowed reasons is set by your state or city law, but in states that require paid sick leave the reasons commonly include:

  • Your own illness, injury, or health condition, including preventive care and mental health care.

  • Caring for a family member who is ill, injured, or needs medical or preventive care.

  • Certain safety-related needs — for example, if you or a family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and you need medical care, counseling, legal help, or to relocate.

  • In some states, time off when a public health emergency closes your workplace or your child's school.

A few states let you use this time for any reason, without having to explain why. Where a reason is required, employers generally cannot demand the private medical details of your condition.

Do you need a doctor's note?

Usually not for a short absence. In most states that require paid sick leave, an employer can only ask for reasonable documentation (such as a doctor's note) when you are out for more than a few consecutive days — commonly three or more, though the exact threshold varies by state. For shorter absences, you typically do not need to provide any documentation.

If supporting documentation is required for your request, you can upload it directly through the Ascen portal. After submitting the request, you will see a “Missing supporting documents” status with an option to attach the required files. Submitting this supporting documentation is optional unless expressly required by Ascen.

How to find the exact rule for your location

Because the details differ by state and city, the most reliable source is your own state or city labor agency. To find it:

  1. Search for your state's labor or workforce agency website (for example, your state Department of Labor).

  2. Look for its page on "paid sick leave", "earned sick and safe time", or "earned paid leave."

  3. If you work in a large city, also check whether that city has its own sick leave ordinance.

These government sites explain the accrual rate, annual limits, and documentation rules that apply to you.

Requesting sick time

When you are ready to actually enter sick time, follow the steps in How do I enter sick time? and How to request time off. If you have questions about whether sick leave applies to your assignment, contact Ascen support at support@ascen.com.

  • How do I enter sick time?

  • How to request time off

  • How PTO accrual and balances work