Direct answer: Philadelphia (Philadelphia County) requires paid sick leave for 1 employee. Accrual 1 hour per 40 hours, max Up to 80 hours (50+ emp, eff May 2025), paid. This is stricter than Pennsylvania state law.Source: https://www.phila.gov/; retrieved 2026-09-21.
This page summarizes a local ordinance for general guidance only. It is not legal advice. The controlling language is the official municipal code at the source link below.
Local ordinance vs Pennsylvania state law
Provision
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania State
Employer threshold
1 employee
N/A
Accrual rate
1 hour per 40 hours
N/A
Max accrual
Up to 80 hours (50+ emp, eff May 2025)
N/A
Paid / unpaid
paid
n/a
Local insight
Philadelphia PHL Sick Leave: mandatory for all employers.
Compliance go / no-go
Determine if your workforce meets the local threshold (1 employee).
Accrue at 1 hour per 40 hours (or use a more generous PTO policy that meets/exceeds the local minimum).
Cap accrual at Up to 80 hours (50+ emp, eff May 2025); honor carryover per local rule.
Post the required notice and keep a written policy citing the local ordinance.
Philadelphia may have private right of action / penalties for non-compliance — retain records.
What are the paid sick leave rules in Philadelphia for 2026?
Philadelphia requires paid sick leave for 1 employee. Accrual: 1 hour per 40 hours. Max: Up to 80 hours (50+ emp, eff May 2025). Philadelphia PHL Sick Leave: mandatory for all employers.
How does Philadelphia sick leave differ from Pennsylvania state law?
Lower (or no) employer threshold: 1 employee vs state N/A. This makes the local ordinance stricter than the Pennsylvania statewide standard.
Where can I find the official Philadelphia sick leave ordinance?
The official text is published by the local agency: https://www.phila.gov/.