KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Starting Thursday, May 1, Missouri workers will have more flexibility if they get sick. Proposition A’s earned sick leave provision is taking effect, after surviving repeated challenges in the courts and the statehouse.

Most Missouri workers will be able to earn paid sick time under the new law, which also raises the minimum wage. Missouri is the 16th state in the nation to institute a statewide policy.

Richard von Glahn was the campaign manager for Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages, which introduced the petition. In November, he said he had heard from Missouri parents who have to choose between caring for a sick child and paying the bills.

“That’s not a choice that anyone should have to make,” he said.

Under Proposition A, Missouri’s cashiers, restaurant hosts, dishwashers and fast food workers are some of the most likely to receive raises, up to $15 an hour in 2026. At least three-fourths of these Missouri workers were paid less than $15 an hour in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Here is what employees should know about paid sick leave under Missouri’s Proposition A.

When will I start earning sick time?

Most Missouri workers will start earning paid sick leave May 1, 2025, at the rate of one hour of paid sick time per 30 hours worked.

Employers had more time to draw up sick time policies than they did to give pay raises to their minimum wage workers.

The Missouri minimum wage rose from $12.30 per hour to $13.75 on Jan. 1.

What are my rights under the new sick time policy?

According to Proposition A, employers must have a sick leave policy that follows these requirements, among others:

•Allow employees to earn one hour of paid sick time per 30 hours worked.

•Let workers take sick time for themselves or to care for family members.

•Not require employees to find someone to cover for their shift.

•Not require advance notice to take sick time.

Which companies are exempt from Proposition A?

Some employers do not have to follow the earned sick leave policy, according to the state law.

The earned sick leave provision would not apply to government workers, retail or service employees who work for a business that makes less than $500,000 a year, in addition to people who are incarcerated, golf caddies and babysitters, among others.

While employees at businesses with 15 or more employees can use up to 56 hours of paid sick time a year, those at smaller companies are capped at using 40 hours a year, unless the business sets a higher limit.

The minimum wage increases applied to more employers, including businesses of all sizes. Only governments, school districts and educational institutions were exempt. This is consistent with the previous minimum wage laws on the books in Missouri.

Was Proposition A overruled?

Proposition A is still in effect as of late April, though it has faced opposition in the statehouse and the courts since the bill passed in November with the support of approximately 1.6 million Missourians, or 57.6% of the votes. Both Republican lawmakers and business groups have tried to block or weaken paid sick leave and minimum wage increases.

On April 29, just two days before the sick leave policy was set to take effect, the state Supreme court upheld Proposition A in a six to one decision. The unsuccessful challenge was filed on behalf of business groups, who argued the ballot question should have only included one issue.

With a 10-hour filibuster, Senate Democrats temporarily blocked a bill which aims to weaken Proposition A. But the legislation is expected to come up again before the end of the session in May.

What if my employer already has a sick time policy?

Von Glahn said that only some HR policies might have to change.

“If employers have an existing sick time policy, as long as it meets the provisions of Proposition A, that doesn’t necessarily change their policy,” von Glahn said.

Von Glahn said that if your company has more restrictions on sick time than what Proposition A allows, your employer “would have to provide more time that could be used in compliance with Proposition A.”

What should I do if my employer doesn’t follow the new policies under Proposition A?

If you are not getting your benefits or correct pay, contact the Missouri Department of Labor’s Division of Labor Standards at 573-751-3403 or laborstandards@labor.mo.gov. For those not getting paid enough, you can also contact minimumwage@labor.mo.gov or fill out the department’s minimum wage complaint form.

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