New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Accrual Calculator

Estimate earned sick leave accrual under New Jersey law (P.L.2018, c.10, N.J.S.A. 34:11D-1 et seq.): one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year. Applies to all employers regardless of size.

New Jersey's Earned Sick Leave Law (P.L.2018, c.10, effective October 29, 2018) requires employers of all sizes to provide at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year. — New Jersey Department of Labor — Earned Sick Leave for Workers

Scope: This calculator models the statewide minimum under N.J.S.A. 34:11D-1. Frontloading arrangements, year-end payout options, and benefit-year variations are outside this tool's scope.

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New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law (N.J.S.A. 34:11D-1)

Under N.J.S.A. 34:11D-1 et seq. (P.L.2018, c.10), covered employees accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Accrual begins on the first day of employment and continues throughout the year.

Basic formula

raw accrual = hours worked / 30 accrual counted = min(raw accrual, annual cap) estimated balance = prior balance + accrual counted - leave used

Annual accrual cap

The annual cap on accrual is 40 hours per year for all covered employers. A more generous employer policy, contract, or local ordinance may allow a higher balance.

When can leave be used?

Accrued leave may first be taken on the 120th calendar day after the employer established the benefit year, or on the employee's 120th day of employment — whichever is later. Hours continue accruing during the waiting period; the balance shown here may not yet be legally available.

Carryover and year-end balance

Up to 40 hours of unused earned sick leave may carry forward to the next benefit year. Employers may also pay out unused leave at the end of the benefit year at the employee's option, satisfying the carryover obligation.

Leave payout at separation

New Jersey law gives employers the option to pay out unused sick leave at the end of the benefit year (at the regular rate) in lieu of carryover. This is the employer's option, not the employee's right. Unused leave is not automatically paid out at termination.

What this calculator does not determine

Whether a particular employer or employee is covered by N.J.S.A. 34:11D-1 et seq.
Whether an employer uses a compliant frontloading arrangement instead of per-hour accrual.
Whether the benefit year runs on a calendar or non-calendar schedule.
Whether a specific absence qualifies as an authorized use of earned sick leave.
How fractional hours are tracked or rounded on payroll records.

Worked examples

Example 1: standard two-week pay period (80 hours worked)

hours worked = 80 raw accrual = 80 / 30 = 2.667 hours annual cap = 40 hours counted accrual = 2.667 hours

Example 2: full year of full-time work (2,080 hours), cap applies

hours worked = 2,080 raw accrual = 2,080 / 30 = 69.333 hours annual cap = 40 hours counted accrual = 40.0 hours

Sources and verification

The accrual ratio, 40-hour annual cap, carryover, and payout option are sourced from N.J.S.A. 34:11D-1 et seq. and the New Jersey DOL Earned Sick Leave for Workers page, verified August 2026. See the site's methodology for how rules become tested calculator logic.

Common questions

Does New Jersey earned sick leave apply to all employers?

Yes. The New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law applies to all employers regardless of size. There is no minimum employee count required to trigger coverage.

When can a new New Jersey employee use earned sick leave?

New employees may begin accruing immediately, but the law allows a waiting period of up to 120 days before use is permitted. After that period, leave may be taken as it accrues.

Does New Jersey sick leave carry over?

Yes. Up to 40 hours of unused earned sick leave carries forward to the next benefit year. Employers may alternatively pay out unused leave at year-end at the employee's regular rate.

Is New Jersey sick leave paid out at termination?

The law does not require automatic payout at termination. However, employers have the option to pay out unused leave at year-end; if they did not do so, there is generally no termination payout obligation under the statewide minimum.

What can New Jersey earned sick leave be used for?

Leave covers the employee's own or a family member's illness, diagnosis, or preventive care; absences related to domestic or sexual violence; school-related meetings or emergencies; and certain public health emergencies. This calculator estimates hours accrued — it does not determine whether a specific absence qualifies.