Nebraska voters approved a ballot initiative in November of 2024 that requires employers to provide paid sick 
leave to employees. According to the law passed by voters, employers with 20 or fewer employees must allow their employees to earn 40 hours annually and employers with more than 20 employees must allow for 56 hours.
LB 415 introduced by State Senator Beau Ballard of Lincoln clarifies the new law with the following:
- Exempt from the law individual owner-operators, independent contractors, and individuals who work fewer than 80 hours per year.
- Employers with paid sick leave policies or paid time off policies that are equal to or are in excess of the law’s requirements are not required to provide any additional paid sick leave.
- Employers are not required to pay out unused paid sick leave to employees that leave employment. Employees that are re-hired within 12 months will have their paid sick leave reinstated.
- Amended into the bill was exemptions for temporary and seasonal agricultural workers, workers under age 16, and businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
The changes to the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act will take effect on October 1, 2025.
