Sick leave is paid time off taken due to illness, injury, or medical procedure that prevents an employee from working. Most jurisdictions mandate a minimum statutory entitlement; many employers offer more.
Sick leave is the leave category most likely to be abused at the margin and most important to protect at the core. Employers that gate sick leave too tightly create cultures where people come to work sick (lowering everyone's productivity and infecting colleagues); employers that gate too loosely create cultures where Friday "headaches" become a pattern. The right answer is usually a generous but documented policy with a doctor's-note threshold (typically 3-5 days).
Common structures
Separate sick-leave bucket: distinct from vacation, used only for illness
Bundled into PTO: one combined balance used for any purpose
Unlimited sick leave: no cap, but requires documentation for extended absences
Statutory: matches local labor-law minimum, no enhancement
Doctor's notes and documentation
Most policies require a medical note for absences over a certain threshold (3-5 days is typical). Below that, self-certification by the employee is standard. Requiring notes for shorter absences feels distrustful and creates unnecessary doctor's appointments.
Frequently asked questions
How many sick days are employees entitled to in Georgia?
The Labor Code sets no quota of paid sick days. Temporary incapacity suspends the employment relationship for up to 40 consecutive calendar days or 60 calendar days in total within 6 months (Article 46(2)(i)), and the employee is not paid for that time unless legislation or the employment contract provides otherwise (Article 46(4)). Many employers pay sick days under the contract or a written policy.
Is sick leave the same as PTO?
Not necessarily. Some employers maintain separate sick-leave and vacation buckets; others bundle them into a single PTO balance. Both models are common.
Can sick leave be denied?
Genuine illness cannot be denied. Excessive or pattern-based absences (e.g., always Fridays) can trigger investigation but cannot be denied without cause.