There are generally two types of sick leave, and in most cases, both are administered through the Union trust fund in either the Northern or Southern California region where a member works (contact info and website links below), or their employer if a worker’s medical benefits are through a company plan.
California Paid Sick Leave – In general terms, the CA law requires employers to provide and allow employees to use at least 40 hours or five days of paid sick leave per year. How employers provide this leave may depend on what kind of plan the employer offers in order to comply with the paid sick leave law. An employer may not deny an employee paid sick leave based solely on a lack of certification from a doctor or health care provider. An employee is entitled to take paid sick leave immediately upon the covered employee’s verbal or written request. No “doctor’s note” or medical certification is required.
Union-negotiated sick leave typically requires some additional paperwork but can often provide for much more time off, depending on how many hours a member may have earned and saved in their sick leave bank each year. Some members may save hundreds of hours which can be used in coordination with state disability benefits and the extended medical leaves of absence language negotiated in their Union contract.
UFCW 8-Golden State members who are unsure about which plan they are covered by can also contact their regional Union Office or District Union Representative.
6425 Katella Avenue
