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Are Texas Employees Entitled to Any Paid Time Off?

Posted by Chris Peterson | Aug 28, 2013 | 0 Comments

Are Texas Employees Entitled to Any Paid Time Off?

DoctorThere is no state law in Texas requiring employers to give employees paid time off. Employers and employees may have an agreement otherwise as a condition or benefit of employment, but it is not required.

There are employee situations when an employer is required to allow the employee to take time off without pay. Federal laws such as the Family Medical Leave Act give employees the right to take unpaid leave to attend to family medical matters.

Employers in other states and some municipalities, on the other hand, are required by state and local laws to pay hourly employees for time off due to illness.

In 2006, San Francisco became the first city to mandate paid sick leave and in 2008, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C. joined the movement. In 2011, Connecticut became the first state to adopt statewide paid sick leave legislation in 2011.

At least 20 other jurisdictions are currently considering laws which would require employers to pay sick time. Proposed laws vary and generally contain exceptions for certain small businesses and industries.

Some states, such as Michigan and Florida are pushing back against cities' efforts to legislate in this area by considering statewide legislation to preempt any local measures.

Business owners in Texas who wish to reserve the right to decide whether to offer paid sick leave to employees as a benefit of employment should contact their legislators and city council members to make their preferences known. Otherwise, another benefit will become an entitlement and Texas businesses will no longer have a choice in the matter.

For legal assistance regarding business matters, consult an experienced business law attorney at Peterson Law Group. We advise business clients regarding existing laws and regulations and help you reach your business goals. To schedule a consultation, call us today at 979-703-7014.

About the Author

Chris Peterson

Chris Peterson is the owner of Peterson Law Group. He practices primarily in the areas of wills, trusts and estate planning; probate and trust administration; elder law; and business law. Chris is also the owner of Brazos 1031 Exchange Company.

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