The New Jersey sick leave law gives you 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, capped at 40 hours a year, with carryover, for all employers. This guide gives the exact new jersey sick leave law rule with the date we verified it, the statute, and what to do next.
Rules verified against New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance or an attorney before you rely on it.
New Jersey Sick Leave Law at a Glance
| Law | Yes — paid sick leave |
| Accrual | 1 hour for every 30 hours worked |
| Annual cap | 40 hours a year, with carryover |
| Who is covered | All employers |
| Statute | N.J. Stat. 34:11D-1 to 34:11D-11 (Earned Sick Leave Law) |
| In effect since | October 29, 2018 |
In This New Jersey Sick Leave Law Guide:
New Jersey Sick Leave Law: The Rule
1 hour for every 30 hours worked. 40 hours a year, with carryover. Covered: all employers. The statute is N.J. Stat. 34:11D-1 to 34:11D-11 (Earned Sick Leave Law), in effect since October 29, 2018.
What New Jersey Sick Leave Law Lets You Use Leave For
Under the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law, most workers can use earned sick leave for their own illness, injury, or preventive care, or to care for a family member.
Workers can also use it for “safe leave” if they or a family member are victims of domestic or sexual violence (for example, to get medical care, counseling, legal help, or go to court), when a public health emergency closes their workplace or a child’s school or child care, and for a child’s school-related meetings.
New Jersey Sick Leave Law at a Glance
Rules verified against New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance or an attorney before you rely on it. The statute row is where to check it yourself.
| Law | Yes — paid sick leave |
| Accrual | 1 hour for every 30 hours worked |
| Annual cap | 40 hours a year, with carryover |
| Who is covered | All employers |
| Statute | N.J. Stat. 34:11D-1 to 34:11D-11 (Earned Sick Leave Law) |
| In effect since | October 29, 2018 |
Accrual, Caps and Carryover Under New Jersey Sick Leave Law
1 hour for every 30 hours worked; 40 hours a year, with carryover. If the need is foreseeable, an employer may require advance notice. If it isn’t, the worker generally gives notice as soon as practical.
An employer may ask for reasonable documentation only in the situations the statute allows, such as leave taken on consecutive workdays or on certain dates the employer has named in advance; otherwise, a leave request is generally treated as valid.
Paid or Unpaid Under New Jersey Sick Leave Law
The leave is paid at your regular rate for the covered employers above; smaller employers in some states must give the time unpaid.
New Jersey Sick Leave Law and Retaliation
An employer may not retaliate against a worker for asking for or using earned sick leave, filing a complaint with the state, talking about a possible violation, taking part in an investigation, or telling others about their rights. If an adverse action happens soon after protected activity, the law presumes retaliation, though the employer can try to rebut that. Confirm the details with the state agency.
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Local Rules and New Jersey Sick Leave Law
NONE. The state law preempts all county and municipal paid sick leave ordinances, so earlier city ordinances (such as those in Newark and Jersey City) no longer apply separately.
Other New Jersey Sick Leave Law Rules to Know
An employer that fails to provide earned sick leave owed to a worker is violating the New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law, so workers have the same enforcement and remedy options as for unpaid wages. Safe-leave uses cover supporting a family member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, as well as the worker’s own situation.
Denied the leave you earned? The labor department enforces the sick-leave law for free.
New Jersey — the bottom line
- The new jersey sick leave law gives 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
- Under the new jersey sick leave law the cap is 40 hours a year, with carryover.
- The new jersey sick leave law protects you from retaliation for using the leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is paid sick leave required in New Jersey?
Yes. 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
How much sick leave do I get under New Jersey sick leave law?
40 hours a year, with carryover.
Which employers are covered by the New Jersey sick leave law?
All employers.
Can I be fired for using sick leave in New Jersey?
An employer may not retaliate against a worker for asking for or using earned sick leave, filing a complaint with the state, talking about a possible violation, taking part in an investigation, or…
When did the New Jersey sick leave law take effect?
October 29, 2018.
Official New Jersey Sources & Resources
- New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance: https://www.nj.gov/labor/wageandhour/
- New Jersey statute (N.J. Stat. 34:11D-1 to 34:11D-11 (Earned Sick Leave Law)): https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/2018/PL18/10_.HTM
- Verified source: https://marketingpreview.mercer.com/content/dam/mercer-dotcom/migrated-assets/blogs/law-and-policy/2025/07/pdf-2025-roundup-state-accrued-paid-leave-mandates.pdf
- Verified source: https://www.ep.com/legal-and-compliance/sick-and-paid-leave-laws-update/
- Verified source: https://www.hubinternational.com/en-us/hub-resources/absence-management-bulletins/2025/11/2025-2026-state-leave-law-updates/
- Verified source: https://www.postercompliance.com/blog/paid-sick-leave-laws-by-state/
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division — state payday requirements: dol.gov
This new jersey sick leave law guide was last verified against official New Jersey sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
More New Jersey Workplace Rights Guides
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- New Jersey Labor Laws: Every Rule in One Place
- New Jersey Unemployment Eligibility: Who Qualifies
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Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. My Unemployment Rights is an independent educational resource, not a government agency and not a law firm. Final-paycheck deadlines, penalties and non compete rules change — every figure here carries the date we verified it. Confirm the current rule with your state labor department or a licensed attorney before you act.