On Nov. 7 San Francisco approved a requirement that employers provide paid sick leave to workers.

Starting February 2007, certain employers in San Francisco are required to provide workers with one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. New employees have to wait three months before beginning to earn sick leave. The provisions are minimums and employers may provide more generous policies.

Paid sick leave is available for physical or mental illness, injury, medical conditions, and medical diagnosis or treatment. Workers can use the leave for themselves or to aid or care for the employee's child, parent, legal guardian or ward, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, spouse, or registered domestic partner. If the employee has no spouse or registered domestic partner, the employee may designate another person.

The legislation caps leave at nine days or 72 hours a year for employers with more than 10 workers and five days or 40 hours a year for businesses with fewer than 10 workers. The measure does not include employers covered by collective bargaining agreements.