Pittsburgh Paid Sick Leave: What Workers Should Know
If you work in Pittsburgh, your sick leave rights may have changed
Let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked until someone really needs it: sick leave.
If you work in Pittsburgh, the city’s Paid Sick Days Act was updated, and those changes are already in effect. That means some workers are entitled to more sick time, faster accrual, or both — even if their employer hasn’t said anything about it yet.
This post is meant to walk you through what changed, what it means for you as a worker, and why this kind of local protection matters so much for people dealing with illness, disability, pregnancy, or caregiving.
First: a quick grounding note
You don’t need to be “sick enough.”
You don’t need to prove you’re deserving.
And you don’t need to be in crisis to want to understand your rights.
Sick leave laws exist so that people can take care of their health before things get worse — and so that needing time off doesn’t automatically put your job at risk.
What changed under Pittsburgh’s Paid Sick Days Act
The city updated its law to increase how quickly sick leave is earned and how much can be used in a year.
Here’s the core update:
You now earn 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
This applies to employees who work in Pittsburgh, including part‑time workers, once you meet the minimum hours threshold.
Annual sick leave caps
How much you can use in a year depends on the size of your employer:
Up to 72 hours per year if your employer has 15 or more employees
Up to 48 hours per year if your employer has fewer than 15 employees
These caps matter because many policies quietly limit sick time below these numbers — especially for part‑time or hourly workers.
“But Pennsylvania doesn’t require sick leave…”
That’s true.
Pennsylvania does not have a statewide paid sick leave law.
But local laws can (and do) provide protections that go beyond state requirements. When that happens, the local law controls for work performed in that city.
In other words:
Even if your handbook says something different, Pittsburgh’s law still applies if you work there.
This is one of the reasons local worker protections are so easy to miss — people assume state law is the whole picture, and it often isn’t.
Why this matters in real life
Most people don’t use sick leave because they want to.
They use it because they:
have a chronic illness flare
are recovering from surgery or a medical procedure
are pregnant or dealing with complications
need to care for a child, partner, or family member
are navigating exhaustion, burnout, or worsening symptoms
In those moments, energy is limited. Advocating for yourself can feel overwhelming. Knowing ahead of time what you’re entitled to can make a meaningful difference.
Sick leave is often the first layer of job protection people have — especially before things rise to the level of ADA accommodations, FMLA, or disability benefits.
A gentle word about employer policies
If your employer hasn’t updated their policy, that doesn’t automatically mean they’re acting in bad faith.
Local laws change quietly. Payroll systems and handbooks don’t always keep up.
What does matter is that your rights don’t disappear just because a policy hasn’t been updated yet.
You are allowed to:
read your policy closely
ask questions
seek clarification
understand what the law says before you need to use it
None of that makes you difficult.
How this fits into the bigger picture
I talk a lot about Medicaid, disability, and benefits systems — but workplace protections like sick leave are part of the same ecosystem.
They are meant to:
reduce harm
prevent people from being pushed out of work prematurely
create breathing room when health or life becomes complicated
Local sick leave laws are one of the few tools that protect people early, before everything escalates.
If you’re unsure whether this applies to you
A few gentle guideposts:
If you work in Pittsburgh, even part‑time, the law may apply
Accrual is based on hours worked, not job title
Local law can override what a handbook says
If you’re feeling unsure, confused, or just want to understand how this fits into your broader situation, you’re not alone. These systems are complex by design — and you’re allowed to take your time learning them.
Closing thoughts
Sick leave isn’t just a perk.
It’s a form of protection.
And knowing what you’re entitled to — before you’re exhausted, ill, or overwhelmed — is one small way to take care of yourself in a system that often asks people to push past their limits.
If you work in Pittsburgh, I hope this helps you feel a little more grounded and informed.
You deserve time to rest.
