Nebraska Paid Sick Leave Initiative 436 and Local Authority

Initiative 436 (2024) became the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, requiring private employers to provide paid sick time accruing at one hour per 30 hours worked. Employers with 20 or more employees must allow up to 56 hours per year; smaller employers must allow up to 40 hours. Permitted uses include the employee's illness, family care, public health emergencies, and domestic violence absences. The Nebraska Department of Labor administers compliance under chapter 48. The Act does not contain an express preemption clause, so cities may adopt more generous paid leave rules. Employers must post notice and keep accrual records for three years. Existing PTO plans meeting accrual thresholds satisfy the statute.

Employers who deny accrual, retaliate against users of leave, or fail to post notices face Department of Labor enforcement, civil penalties, and may be liable to affected employees for back pay, restoration of leave, and attorney's fees.