Recent changes to the City of Pittsburgh’s Paid Sick Days Act (“PSDA”) that require employers to provide more paid sick time to employees will soon take effect on January 1, 2026. The PSDA applies to most employers who employ at least one individual within the City limits and covers any employee who works at least 30 hours in the City annually.
The PSDA was amended to increase the paid sick time for employees who work in the City of Pittsburgh. Under the amendment, employees will earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked within the City’s limits. Employers with 15 or more employees may cap the paid sick time at 72 hours per year and employers with fewer than 15 employees may cap the paid sick time at 48 hours per year. Previously, employees earned one hour of paid sick time for every 35 hours worked in the City of Pittsburgh and employers could cap paid sick time at 40 and 24 hours, respectively.
If an employer has an existing paid time off policy which provides paid time off benefits that are equivalent to or greater than the PSDA’s requirements, the employer is not required to provide additional sick time to comply with the PSDA.
Employers are required to notify employees of their rights under the PSDA. A form notice that can be used by employers is posted on the City of Pittsburgh’s website.
Employers should review their existing paid time off policies to make sure that they comply with the PSDA, as amended.
If you have any questions about the amendments to the PSDA or would like assistance reviewing or updating your policies, please contact Suzanne DeWalt and Rachel Felton of our Employment Services Group or your SGK attorney contact.