California put in place its extended COVID-19 paid sick leave in March of 2021, months after the federal program expired at the end of 2020. Employers with more than 25 employees were tapped with providing the leave. The state tied the end of the program to the September 30, 2021 elimination of the federal tax credits for offering the leave. The legislature did not extend the sunset on the leave and it expired on September 30th.
Please note that employees who take COVID-19 paid sick leave on or before September 30, 2021 are allowed to take the paid leave past that date.
Also, even though the state requirement has sunset, some cities and counties that enacted their own COVID-19 paid sick leave ordinances that have expiration dates extending beyond this time. Contractors operating in these cities and counties need to be aware of these obligations.
Below is a list of the ongoing local COVID-19 paid sick leave ordinances that we are currently aware of.
| Locality | Expires |
| Emeryville (City) | Upon City Council repeal. Clarifies that the city’s paid sick leave ordnance applies to COVID-19 related needs. |
| Long Beach (City) | Based upon City Council determination. |
| Los Angeles (City) | Until 2 calendar weeks after the expiration of the COVID-19 local emergency period. |
| Los Angeles (County) | Shall be in effect until two calendar weeks after the expiration of the COVID-19 local emergency, as ratified and declared by the Board of Supervisors. |
| Oakland (City) | Shall expire after the expiration of Oakland’s Declaration of COVID-19 Emergency. |
| San Diego (City) | Upon City Council repeal. Clarifies that the city’s paid sick leave ordnance applies to COVID-19 related needs. |
| San Francisco (City & County) | Upon City Council repeal. Clarifies that the city’s paid sick leave ordnance applies to COVID-19 related needs. |
This content was provided by WPCCA professional counsel and is for general informational purposes only. Readers should contact their own professional counsel for company specific matters in the relevant jurisdiction.