Yesterday the Missouri Supreme Court upheld the voter-approved law, known as Proposition A, requiring private employers to abide by new minimum wage and paid sick leave requirements. The case was brought before the court by various business groups and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce who opposed the law, stating the requirements would be an economic burden on Missouri small businesses.
Under the law, beginning tomorrow, May 1, employers with business receipts greater than $500,000 a year must provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers with fewer than 15 workers must allow workers to earn at least 40 hours of paid sick per year, with larger employers mandated to allow at least 56 hours. The law also gradually increases the minimum wage.
Proposition A was passed by 57% of Missouri voters on November 4, 2024. In January 2025, most employers were required to increase the minimum wage from $12.30 to $13.75 an hour. The Missouri minimum wage will rise again January 1, 2026, to $15 an hour. The paid sick leave element within Proposition A takes effect May 1, 2025. Employers were required to provide employee notification about the paid sick leave law and display a related poster by April 15.
Since passage of Proposition A, Bukaty Companies has provided a variety of materials to support clients with implementation of the law. Click here to listen to our February 2025 webinar on the topic. As a follow-up to the webinar, an FAQ was released.
Responses to yesterday’s ruling indicate some Missouri state legislators will continue efforts to weaken the law until the legislative session adjourns in mid-May.
