California’s 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Expired on September 30, 2021

California’s 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (2021 SPSL) law expired on September 30, 2021.

It is important to note that workers taking 2021 SPSL as of September 30, 2021 could have continued to take the leave they were on even if the entitlement extended past September 30, 2021. For example, an employee who exhibited symptoms and was recommended to isolate on September 28, 2021 could have continued to utilize the 2021 SPSL they would be entitled to even if that isolation was required to extend into October 2021, and be paid for the time according to the requirements of the 2021 SPSL law. 

After September 30, workers who were not paid the SPSL they were entitled to when they were unable to work in 2021 due to COVID-19 can still request pay from their employer or file a claim with the Labor Commissioner.

Use the Labor Commissioner’s eligibility navigator to determine if you took unpaid SPSL in 2021 when you could not work due to COVID-19.

Any violations of the law during the period the law covered (January 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021) will continue to be enforced by the Labor Commissioner’s Office. This means if you had a claim for a violation of the law that occurred prior to September 30, 2021, your claim will be processed. It is best to file it as soon as possible so that it does not face a challenge based on you filing it late. Generally, the period to file a claim based on a statute like paid sick leave is up to three years after the violation occurred. 

Paid sick leave through the California Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 may provide leave to workers for preventive care, diagnosis, care, or treatment of an existing health condition, among other purposes, for themselves or family members.  

Read more about 2021 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave in the Labor Commissioner’s Frequently Asked Questions.

October 2021