Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Ordinance aka the Philadelphia Sick Leave Law requires an employer located within the city of Philadelphia to provide eligible nonbargaining employees with up to 40 hours or five (5) days of sick leave time during the year. The leaves can be used by the employee for self-care or for the care of a family member. Although Philadelphia sick leave may be taken in conjunction with FMLA, other university leaves and the Philadelphia domestic abuse leave, the combined duration of any such leaves including FMLA, university leaves of absence, Philadelphia domestic abuse leave, vacation time, personal days and sick time may not exceed one year.
Philadelphia sick leave only applies to nonbargaining unit employees.
Provisions
The Philadelphia Sick Leave Law provides eligible employees with the following.
- For every 40 hours worked during the year, you can earn up to one hour of sick leave time.
- Sick leave maximum of up to 40 hours or five days for the year
- Grants employment protection against retaliation
- Can be used to care for self, or to care for a family member
- Temple University requires employees to use all unused sick days (if appropriate and in accordance with the university's sick leave policy), vacation and personal holidays while on leave. If an employee has exhausted all paid leave time and is not receiving disability benefits through Temple University, the balance of the leave is unpaid.
Eligibility
The leave only applies to nonbargaining unit employees who are either full time, regular part time, or temporary (hired to work for more than six months).
Exceptions
For the purpose of the law as it applies to Temple University, the ordinance does not cover the following employment types.
- Collective bargaining employees
- Independent contractors
- Seasonal employees
- Temporary staff hired to work less than six months
- Adjunct professors
- Interns
- Healthcare professional pool employees
Included Family Members
For the purpose of the law as it applies to Temple University, the ordinance defines family members as
- the employee's spouse,
- the employee's parent,
- the employee's spouse's parent,
- the employee's grandparent,
- the employee's grandchildren,
- the employee's sibling,
- the employee's certified domestic partner, and
- the employee's natural or adopted child or dependent stepchild.
Qualifying Events/Allowable Uses
For the purpose of this policy, the ordinance defines that eligible employees use this leave for
- medical diagnosis, care or treatment for a physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition;
- preventative care;
- seeking medical attention to recover from physical or psychological injury and disability caused by domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking;
- obtaining services from a victim’s services organization;
- obtaining physiological or other counseling;
- relocation due to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; or
- seeking legal services including preparing for and participating in legal or civil proceedings related to or resulting from the domestic violence or sexual violence.
Apply for Philadelphia Sick Leave
Upon submitting your request, as practical, we will contact you within 48 hours as to the decision of the request. Additional documentation, as applicable, may be required for the application.
- To apply, log in and navigate to TUportal > Staff Tools tab > Employee Dashboard channel. Scroll down to Additional Links and select Leave of Absence Request.
- Or, call our office at 215 926-2282.
All personal and medical information provided to Absence Management is held in strict confidence.
Advance Notice, Documentation and Return to Work
It is highly recommended that an employee on Philadelphia sick leave make reasonable effort to schedule time away so as not to disrupt your department’s operation. Under the law, Temple University may require additional documentation, as applicable, upon an employee's return to work.
Employees Covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements/Unions
Employees covered by a union and, therefore, a collective bargaining agreement or contract should consult the agreement for additional information. In cases in which university policy and an agreement are in conflict, the provisions of the agreement will supersede.
Contact Us
For questions regarding the Philadelphia sick leave, call 215-926-2282 or email [click-for-email].