Missourians have voted to pass a new paid sick leave law and increase the state’s minimum wage, effective May 1, 2025.
Missouri’s minimum wage will increase on January 1, 2025 from $12.30 an hour to $13.75. It will reach $15 an hour on January 1, 2026 and be adjusted annually thereafter for inflation.
Regarding paid sick leave, employers will be required to provide such as leave as follows:
- Employers with 15 or more employees must allow employees to accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, and may use up to 56 hours per year.
- Employers with fewer than 15 employees must allow employees to accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, and may use up to 40 hours per year.
Under the law, employees will be able to use sick leave for the following reasons:
- The employee’s own mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; need for medical diagnosis, care, or treatment; or need for preventative medical care;
- Care of a family member who has a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition; who needs medical diagnosis; or who needs preventative medical care;
- Closure of the employee’s place of business by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; need to care for a child whose school or place of care has been closed by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; or need to care for oneself or a family member when it has been determined by health authorities that the presence of the individual in the community may jeopardize the health of others due to exposure to a communicable disease; and
- Absence necessary due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking if the leave is to permit for medical attention (physical or psychological injury); services from a victim services organization; counseling; relocation; or legal services for the employee or the employee’s family member.
To access the full text of the law, click here.
