Associated Staffing’s Guide to the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplace Act
At Associated Staffing, we’re committed to keeping our associates and clients informed about important employment law updates. A major change is coming to Nebraska workplaces: the Nebraska Sick Leave Law 2025, officially known as the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplace Act.
Effective October 1, 2025, this new law introduces mandatory paid sick leave for many employees across the state. Whether you’re an employer, employee or staffing client, it’s crucial to understand how this law impacts you and how we’re preparing for a smooth transition.
Key Dates & Compliance Deadlines
- Effective Date: October 1, 2025
- Employee Notification Deadline: September 15, 2025
(The Nebraska Department of Labor will release the official notice language.)
Who Must Provide Paid Sick Leave?
The law applies to most Nebraska employers, based on company size:
- 1–10 employees: Exempt
- 11–19 employees: Must provide 40 hours/year
- 20+ employees: Must provide 56 hours/year
Sick Leave Accrual Details
- Accrual Rate: 1 hour of sick leave per 30 hours worked
- Eligibility Begins: After 80 hours of work
- Rollover: Unused sick leave carries over each year with no cap
Who Is Excluded?
The law does not apply to:
- Independent contractors
- Owner-operators
- Employees working less than 80 hours/year
- Seasonal or temporary agricultural workers
- Employees under age 16
How Sick Leave Can Be Used
- Paid at the employee’s regular hourly rate
- May be used in hourly or smaller increments, depending on payroll system
- Not paid out when an employee leaves the company
Important for employers: Attendance systems cannot penalize employees for using protected sick time until they’ve used their full annual entitlement.
What Can Sick Leave Be Used For?
Eligible employees can use their paid sick leave for:
- Personal illness, injury, or preventive care
- Caring for a sick or injured family member
- Responding to public health emergencies that close a business or school
Who Qualifies as a “Family Member”?
The law defines “family member” broadly to include:
- Biological, adopted, foster and step-relatives
- Grandparents, siblings and legal wards
- Anyone the employee considers to be family
Notice & Documentation
Employers may:
- Require advance notice (e.g., 2 hours) if it’s part of a written policy
- Not require shift coverage by the employee
- Request documentation for absences over 3 days (self-certified or from a healthcare provider)
What This Means for Associated Staffing Associates
All eligible associates placed through Associated Staffing will begin accruing paid sick leave starting October 1, 2025.
Important Note:
Sick leave does not transfer between client job sites. When an associate begins a new assignment, a new qualification period begins.
We’re updating our systems and training our internal teams to ensure full compliance and seamless tracking of leave across client placements.
How Associated Staffing Is Preparing
At Associated Staffing, we’re actively preparing for the rollout of the Nebraska Sick Leave Law by:
- Updating our internal processes and systems
- Providing ongoing education to associates and clients
- Tracking Department of Labor guidance and updates
We’re here to ensure our partners stay compliant and our workforce stays supported.
Questions About the Nebraska Sick Leave Law 2025?
Whether you’re an employer with compliance concerns or an employee wondering how the new law impacts you, Associated Staffing is ready to help.
Contact your local branch here with any questions.