Both state and federal laws protect workers’ rights when it comes to taking time off. These rules explain when time off must be paid and when it does not have to be. They also give workers certain protections when they need to be away from their jobs.
Under Arizona law, your employer does not have to give you paid vacation time or paid holidays. But if your employer does offer vacation time, they must follow their own written policies or agreements.
Employers can have a “use it or lose it” rule. This means you might lose unused vacation time if you do not use it by a certain date. If you leave your job, your employer does not have to pay you for any unused vacation time, unless their policy or your contract says they will.
Under Arizona law, your employer does not have to give you break time or lunch periods.
However, if your employer gives you a break that is 20 minutes or less, federal law says they must pay you for that time. If you take a lunch break that is 30 minutes or longer, federal law does not require your employer to pay you.
Arizona law does not require your employer to pay you for time spent at jury duty.
Your employer may not fire you for going to jury duty. Your employer also cannot require you to use vacation or sick time while serving as a juror. There are costs you can recover for jury duty not from your employer.
In 2016, Arizona passed the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, which requires all employers to pay you for earned sick time.
Your sick time builds up at a rate of one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. If your employer has 15 or more employees, you can earn up to 40 hours of paid sick time per year. If your employer has fewer than 15 employees, you can earn up to 24 hours of paid sick time per year. Employers can choose to allow their employees to earn and use more sick time than these limits.
The laws about earned sick time do not apply if you work for a parent or sibling; as a babysitter in someone’s home on a casual basis; or for the state or federal government.
You can use your sick time for reasons like:
You can request sick time in any way your employer allows—by phone, email, or in person. If your employer wants you to give notice before using sick time, they must have a written policy. If they don’t, they cannot deny your request.
Your employer also cannot require you to search for or find a replacement worker to cover the hours you are out.
If you take paid sick time of three or more work days in a row, your employer might require some documentation, such as a doctor’s note or other proof. If you or a loved one have an injury or illness that requires a longer leave time from your employment than standard sick time will allow, please visit the Medical and Disability Leave section of AZLawHelp.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave from work for specific reasons, including childbirth, adoption, foster care placement, or serious health conditions affecting themselves or immediate family members.
While FMLA leave is unpaid, employers may require or employees may request to use available paid time off during FMLA leave.
For a more detailed explanation of your rights under the FMLA, please visit the Medical and Disability Leave section of AZLawHelp.
This topic can be complicated. You may want to talk to a legal professional for help.
This website shares general legal information. Some content may be simplified or may not reflect recent changes in law. If you need advice for your specific situation, you should talk to a legal professional.
