Free guide · PDF

US Leave Laws Cheat Sheet (2026)

Leave laws vary wildly by state and change every year — and AI tools routinely get the specifics wrong. This is a clear, current, cited reference you can actually rely on: paid sick leave, PTO payout, and use-it-or-lose-it rules at a glance, plus a compliance checklist.

What's inside

• Which states have a statewide paid-sick-leave mandate (plus D.C.)
• Where accrued PTO is commonly treated as earned wages and must be paid out
• Where 'use-it-or-lose-it' is restricted or prohibited
• A 5-point compliance checklist you can action today
• Plain-English, current as of early 2026 — with a clear 'verify your state' note