Arizona Labor Laws

Arizona Sick Leave Law: Accrual, Caps and Who Is Covered — Best Proven Guide (2026)

By Oleg Kachko · Updated October 8, 2026
✓ Verified October 2026

The Arizona sick leave law gives you 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, capped at 40 hours a year at employers with 15 or more employees, 24 hours at smaller ones, for all employers. This guide gives the exact arizona sick leave law rule with the date we verified it, the statute, and what to do next.

Rules verified against Industrial Commission of Arizona, Labor Department on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Industrial Commission of Arizona, Labor Department or an attorney before you rely on it.

Arizona Sick Leave Law at a Glance

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Law Yes — paid sick leave
Accrual 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
Annual cap 40 hours a year at employers with 15 or more employees, 24 hours at smaller ones
Who is covered All employers
Statute A.R.S. 23-371 to 23-381 (Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act)
In effect since July 1, 2017

Arizona Sick Leave Law: The Rule

1 hour for every 30 hours worked. 40 hours a year at employers with 15 or more employees, 24 hours at smaller ones. Covered: all employers. The statute is A.R.S. 23-371 to 23-381 (Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act), in effect since July 1, 2017.

⚠ Arizona sick leave law: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked; 40 hours a year at employers with 15 or more employees, 24 hours at smaller ones. In effect since July 1, 2017.

What Arizona Sick Leave Law Lets You Use Leave For

Under Arizona’s Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, earned paid sick time can be used for a worker’s own physical or mental illness, injury, health condition, diagnosis, treatment or preventive care. It also covers caring for a family member who needs the same kind of care, and closures of a workplace or a child’s school or care facility ordered by a public official during a public health emergency.

It also covers “safe time”: absences linked to domestic violence, sexual violence, abuse or stalking, such as medical care, counseling, relocation or legal proceedings.

Arizona Sick Leave Law at a Glance

Rules verified against Industrial Commission of Arizona, Labor Department on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Industrial Commission of Arizona, Labor Department 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 at employers with 15 or more employees, 24 hours at smaller ones
Who is covered All employers
Statute A.R.S. 23-371 to 23-381 (Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act)
In effect since July 1, 2017

Accrual, Caps and Carryover Under Arizona Sick Leave Law

1 hour for every 30 hours worked; 40 hours a year at employers with 15 or more employees, 24 hours at smaller ones. A worker generally asks for the time orally, in writing or electronically, and gives advance notice when the need is foreseeable. An employer may require reasonable documentation only after an absence of several consecutive workdays, and may not require details about the illness or the violence-related situation.

The leave is paid at your regular rate for the covered employers above; smaller employers in some states must give the time unpaid.

Arizona Sick Leave Law and Retaliation

Arizona law bars employers and others from retaliating against or interfering with a worker for using or requesting sick time, filing a complaint, or helping with an investigation. Taking adverse action against a worker soon after protected activity creates a legal presumption of retaliation, and retaliation claims use a separate Industrial Commission complaint form.

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Local Rules and Arizona Sick Leave Law

Some cities add their own paid-leave ordinance on top of state law; the more generous rule applies.

Other Arizona Sick Leave Law Rules to Know

The law covers nearly all private employers in Arizona, including very small ones, but the accrual cap is lower for smaller employers. Employers are not required to pay out unused sick time when a job ends. Rehired workers may get previously accrued time back if they return within a set period, so confirm the details with the Industrial Commission.

Denied the leave you earned? The labor department enforces the sick-leave law for free.

Contact Industrial Commission of Arizona, Labor Department

Arizona — the bottom line

  • The arizona sick leave law gives 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
  • Under the arizona sick leave law the cap is 40 hours a year at employers with 15 or more employees, 24 hours at smaller ones.
  • The arizona sick leave law protects you from retaliation for using the leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is paid sick leave required in Arizona?

Yes. 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

How much sick leave do I get under Arizona sick leave law?

40 hours a year at employers with 15 or more employees, 24 hours at smaller ones.

Which employers are covered by the Arizona sick leave law?

All employers.

Can I be fired for using sick leave in Arizona?

Arizona law bars employers and others from retaliating against or interfering with a worker for using or requesting sick time, filing a complaint, or helping with an investigation.

When did the Arizona sick leave law take effect?

July 1, 2017.

Official Arizona Sources & Resources

This arizona sick leave law guide was last verified against official Arizona sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.

More Arizona Workplace Rights Guides

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.

Hurt at work before you lost the job? See whether workers comp or unemployment applies at Workers Comp Explained. Denied unemployment because you cannot work? Social Security disability may be the right program - start at Disability Claim Info. Lost income and worried about rent? Know your rights before an eviction notice arrives at Tenant Rights Info.