Paid Leave Preemption: Phoenix vs Surprise
How do paid leave preemption rules compare between Phoenix, AZ and Surprise, AZ?
Phoenix and Surprise have similar restriction levels.
Phoenix, AZ
Maricopa County
Unlike most preemption-state cities, Phoenix workers DO get state-mandated paid sick time under Arizona's Prop 206 (Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 23-371 et seq.). All Arizona employers must provide 1 hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, with annual caps of 24 hours (small employers <15) or 40 hours (large employers 15+). Phoenix has no separate local mandate.
View full Phoenix rules →Surprise, AZ
Maricopa County
Proposition 206 also requires Arizona employers to provide earned paid sick time. Workers accrue 1 hour per 30 hours worked, capped at 40 hours per year (24 hours for employers under 15). State law preempts Maricopa County local rules.
View full Surprise rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Phoenix | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| State Paid Sick Leave | Yes — Prop 206 / ARS § 23-371 | - |
| Accrual Rate | 1 hr per 30 worked | - |
| Cap (small employer <15) | 24 hours/year | - |
| Cap (large employer 15+) | 40 hours/year | - |
| Federal Floor | FMLA — 12 wks unpaid (50+ employer) | - |
| Accrual rate | - | 1 hr per 30 worked |
| Annual cap (15+) | - | 40 hours |
| Annual cap (small) | - | 24 hours |
| Local override | - | Preempted |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Phoenix FAQ
Do Phoenix workers get paid sick leave?
Yes — but under Arizona state law (Prop 206), not city ordinance. All Arizona employers must provide 1 hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, capped at 24 (small) or 40 (large) hours per year.
Can Phoenix require more generous paid sick leave?
No. Arizona's Prop 206 framework preempts local paid-sick-leave ordinances. The state cap (24 or 40 hours/year) is the maximum mandate.
Does Arizona have paid family leave?
No — Arizona has paid sick leave (Prop 206) but no statewide paid family or medical leave program. Federal FMLA's 12 weeks of unpaid leave applies at firms with 50+ employees.
Surprise FAQ
Does my Maricopa employer have to give paid sick time?
Yes, every Arizona employer regardless of size. Accrual is 1 hour per 30 worked, with annual use capped at 40 hours (24 for employers under 15).
Can a city require additional paid leave?
No. Arizona preempts local paid-leave mandates on private employers. Only Prop 206 statewide standards apply across Maricopa County jurisdictions.
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