Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance

News! The City’s COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ended on February 28, 2023, in alignment with the end of California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency (source: DPH and S.F. Labor and Employment Code 13.4). Therefore, Covid-19 is no longer a qualifying reason for the use of PHEL hours.

Overview

San Francisco voters passed Proposition G, a new Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance (PHELO) which will be operative starting October 1, 2022. 

The leave is available only during a Public Health Emergency, as defined by the law. Effective October 1, 2022, businesses with 100 or more employees worldwide must provide up to 80 hours of paid Public Health Emergency Leave to each employee who performs work in San Francisco. The paid leave is in addition to any paid time off, including paid sick leave under the San Francisco Paid Sick Leave Ordinance. 

Employees may use this leave when they are unable to work (or telework) due to the following:

(1) The recommendations or requirements of an individual or general federal, state, or local health order (including an order issued by the local jurisdiction in which an Employee or a Family Member the Employee is caring for resides) related to the Public Health Emergency.

(2) The Employee, or a Family Member the Employee is caring for, has been advised by a Healthcare Provider to isolate or quarantine.

(3) The Employee, or a Family Member the Employee is caring for, is experiencing symptoms of and seeking a medical diagnosis, or has received a positive medical diagnosis, for a possible infectious, contagious, or communicable disease associated with the Public Health Emergency.

(4) The Employee is caring for a Family Member if the school or place of care of the Family Member has been closed, or the care provider of such Family Member is unavailable, due to the Public Health Emergency.

(5) An Air Quality Emergency, if the Employee is a member of a Vulnerable Population and primarily works outdoors.

Poster

•  PHELO Poster - Covered employers must post where employees can read easily. 
  Print 2-page, 8"x11", double sided paper

Legal Authority

• Legal Text- Proposition G
• Legal Text - Public Health Emergency Leave, San Francisco L.E.C. Article 13
• PHELO Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

• Public Health Emergency Declarations - Check the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) for current public health declarations.
• Spare the Air - Check for Air Quality Emergencies.

Video resources

• Videos about San Francisco labor laws

Contact Us

If you have questions about the San Francisco Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance or wish to report a violation of the law, call 415-554-6271 or email psl@sfgov.org.