Small Employer Planning: Staying Compliant Below
Below a state threshold you often escape the paid mandate but may still owe unpaid leave (e.g., Massachusetts, Maryland for smaller employers). Local ordinances (SF, NYC, Chicago) frequently have no threshold at all.
Steps: confirm your headcount rule, check every work location for local ordinances, and consider a voluntary PTO policy that meets/exceeds minimums to simplify administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have 8 employees — am I exempt everywhere?
Not everywhere. Some local ordinances (e.g., San Francisco, New York City) have no threshold; check each work location.