Missouri employers should note the minimum wage increase that went into effect on January 1, 2025, bringing the state’s rate to $13.75 per hour. An updated minimum wage poster must be displayed in a conspicuous and accessible location. Proposition A, passed by Missouri voters on November 4, 2024, not only increased the minimum wage for 2025 but also included an increase to $15 an hour in January of 2026 and established paid sick leave accrual.
Beginning May 1, 2025, private employers in the state must provide employees with at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Current employees must receive written notice of the new paid sick leave law by April 15, 2025, and new employees must receive notice within 14 days of their employment. Employers with at least 15 employees can opt to limit employees’ annual usage of the paid sick time to 56 hours. Employers with less than 15 employees may limit annual usage to 40 hours. Time can be provided as it’s accrued, or employers may front-load the paid sick time that an employee is expected to accrue.
Employees may use paid sick leave for personal mental or physical illness, including preventive medical care, to care for a family member’s mental or physical illness, and more.
The new paid sick leave requirement comes with a multitude of questions and complexities. Employers looking for further guidance can join Rachel Gast, Director, HR Consulting, for an information-packed webinar on February 12 at 9 a.m. Register now for “Understanding Missouri’s paid sick leave requirements”.