Arizona Earned Paid Sick Time

All employers must let employees accrue at least one hour of paid sick time per 30 hours worked(A.R.S. § 23-372). Accrual begins at hire, though an employer may require a 90-day waiting period before use, or front-load the time instead of tracking accrual.

Employees may use up to 40 hours/year at employers with 15+ employees, and up to 24 hours/year at employers with fewer than 15. Unused time carries over, but it does nothave to be paid out at separation (§ 23-372(F)); if the employee is rehired within nine months, accrued time is reinstated.

Earned paid sick time can be used for the employee's or a family member's illness, injury, or preventive care, a public-health closure, and absences related to domestic violence, sexual violence, abuse, or stalking (A.R.S. § 23-373). Arizona defines "family member" broadly.

This is the trap: any adverse action taken within 90 daysof an employee's protected sick-time activity is presumed retaliatory(A.R.S. § 23-374), and the employer must rebut it with clear and convincing evidence. Document legitimate reasons carefully before disciplining anyone who recently used or requested sick time.

Provide the required earned-paid-sick-time notice at hire and post it, track accrual and balances (the balance can be shown on the pay stub), don't require a doctor's note for absences of three days or fewer, and treat the 90-day window as a heightened-care zone for any discipline.