Workplace Protections

Washington, D.C.’s paid leave law protects you by requiring your employer to provide you with paid leave. Although many places of employment already give their employees paid leave, such as vacation days, sick leave, or personal time, some do not. This law requires all employers to provide, at a minimum, the following amount of paid leave. However, employers may choose to provide more. The law requires that:

• If the place where you work has 100 or more employees, your employer must give you at least one hour of paid leave for every 37 hours worked, but not more than seven days per calendar year.
• If your workplace has between 25 and 99 employees, your employer must give you at least one hour of paid leave for every 43 hours worked, but not more than five days per calendar year.
• If your workplace has less than 25 employees, your employer must give you at least one hour of paid leave for every 87 hours worked, but not more than three days per calendar year.¹

If you are not allowed to receive overtime payments, your employer only has to give you paid leave for a 40-hour work week even if you work more than forty hours.¹

If you or your family member are a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual abuse, the law also protects you by allowing you to use this paid leave for certain abuse-related appointments (and other obligations).²

¹ D.C. Code § 32–531.02(a)
² D.C. Code § 32–531.02(b)