How this sick leave accrual calculator works
Balance = current + (rate × periods left), clamped to your carryover cap when set. Days convert at your workday length (8 hours default; hospitals/retail often use 12 or 7.5). The 'annual accrual' output is the negotiation number: 4.6 hrs × 26 = 60 hrs ≈ 7.5 days/year — average for US private employers in 2026 (BLS: 7 days median for 1+ yr service).
Frequently asked questions
How is sick leave usually accrued?
Most US plans grant 1 hour per 30 worked hours (1.33 days per month), or a flat amount per pay period. Federal contractors get the EO 13706 minimum of 1 hour per 30 worked since 2024. Check your handbook against which one — this calculator handles flat accrual directly and rate-based via hours per period.
Do unused sick days carry over?
Depends: ~half of employers cap accrual (common caps: 40–80 hours). The cap field stops your projected balance at it — set 0 for no cap. Some plans instead pay out a fraction at termination; those caps still govern what you can 'bank'.
Can my employer deny approved sick time?
Under paid-sick-leave laws (now in 20+ states including CA, NY, WA, IL), qualifying use cannot be denied or used against you in attendance policies. Federal 'sick day' proposals for 2027 target Medicare documentation rules — not private accrual.