Is sick leave a requirement for full time employees?

Question

I work for a government contract company. We are about to switch to a new company who already has employees in our building. Word on the street is that they do not offer sick leave as a benefit. The people who work here are professionals. This is administrative and clerical work here. Is it legal for them to not offer sick leave? vacation is allowed, but kept at a minimum. Come on, this is not fast food. People need time off, especially when you have kids. By the way, I know laws may differ, so FYI, I work in Oklahoma.

Answer 1

Vacation and sick leave are not a right or entitlement. They are a benefit that companies offer as incentive and it costs the company money. How do they benefit by paying you when you are not at work?  

Answer 2

Unfortunately, all the benefits you get are up to the employer.  The department of Labor doesn't require any company or place of employment to give employees sick leave, vacation or holiday pay.  They don't even have to pay you for a 15 minute break or lunch. To me, that really sucks.  This is why some places have a hard time keeping people.  People are going to go where there are Perks.  THe only think your company has to guarantee you is overtime, and and the usual workman's comp, FMLA.  Here is the website for the DOL.

Answer 3

It is strictly up to the company.  Sick leave is not mandatory.

Answer 4

nope, not mandatory.

that's why they're called benefits