In June 2025, the Pittsburgh City Council approved an ordinance that amends the Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act (“PSDA”) to significantly increase the number of hours of paid sick leave employers must provide to eligible employees annually and increase the rate at which paid sick leave is accrued. The PSDA applies to most employers who employ at least one individual within Pittsburgh’s city limits and covers any employee who works within the City of Pittsburgh (“City”) or who performs at least 35 hours of work in the City annually. These changes to the PSDA will take effect on January 1, 2026.
What’s Changing on January 1, 2026?
Under the current version of the PSDA, covered employers with 15+ employees must give employees at least 40 hours of paid sick leave per year, and employers with fewer than 15 employees must provide 24 hours of paid sick leave per year. Currently, employees earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 35 hours worked in the City. The amendments to the PSDA increase the number of paid sick leave hours employers must provide to eligible employees. Effective January 1, 2026, employers with 15+ employees will be required to provide 72 hours of paid sick leave per year, and employers with fewer than 15 employees will have to provide 48 hours of paid sick leave per year.
Additionally, the amendments will allow employees to accrue paid sick leave at a faster rate. Starting January 1, 2026, employees will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
What Does this Mean for Employers?
While the amendments provide for significant increases in the amount of paid sick leave a covered employer must provide to employees, employers have 6 months to prepare for these changes. Additionally, under the PSDA, existing paid time off policies may comply if they allow employees to accrue and use leave on terms that are at least equivalent to what is provided in the ordinance. Employers should review their existing policies and make any necessary changes to ensure compliance with these amendments.
