Office of Labor Standards Enforcement

The San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) advances the welfare of San Francisco’s workers through the enforcement of labor laws, proactive public education, and high-quality public service.  OLSE is an office of the General Services Agency, an executive branch department under Mayor London N. Breed. 
 

Coronavirus COVID-19 Guidance and Resources

Emergency Ordinances

NEW! COVID-Related Hazard Pay Ordinance - Requires grocery stores and drug stores with 500 or more employees worldwide, including at least 20 employees in San Francisco, and janitorial and security contractors at these stores, to pay employees an additional five dollars per hour (up to $35 per hour) during the public health emergency related to COVID-19.  This ordinance became operative on Monday, March 22. 

PDF icon COVID-Related Hazard Pay Ordinance 
PDF icon COVID-Related Hazard Pay Ordinance Official Notice - must be posted at each work site / provided to all employees
PDF icon COVID-Related Hazard Pay Ordinance Frequently Asked Questions updated April 7, 2021 - updated FAQs noted as such

Health Plan Requirements for Specified COVID-19 Essential Services Contracts  With limited exceptions, City contractors that enter into a COVID-19 essential services contract for food service, delivery of food, janitorial services, or cleaning services must offer their covered employees and covered employees’ dependents health plan benefits that meet the PDF icon minimum standards prepared by the Health Director.  Covered employees are employees that work for 2 hours or more per week on the essential services contract within San Francisco.

These requirements apply to COVID-19 essential services contracts first advertised, selected, or initiated after May 13, 2020.

To read the full Mayoral Directive, click PDF icon here.  For more information, call (415) 554-7903 or email HCAO@sfgov.org.
 

Public Health Emergency Leave   The Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance has expired.  San Francisco employers with 25 or more employees may be covered by California's 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave.  See "Access to Additional Paid Sick Leave Hours / Financial Assistance" below.

If you have questions about the San Francisco Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance, call OLSE at (415) 554-6271 or email PSL@sfgov.org.
 

Access to Additional Paid Sick Leave Hours / Financial Assistance

  • New! California 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave - covered employees in the public or private sectors who work for employers with more than 25 employees are entitled to up to 80 hours of COVID-19 related sick leave from January 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.  For more information, please go to the Calfifornia Labor Commissioner's website.
     
  • San Francisco's Right to Recover Program provides $1,285 to reimburse or pay reasonable and necessary personal, family, or living expenses to any worker who lives in San Francisco who tests positive for COVID-19, and anticipates experiencing financial hardship during their two-week quarantine or isolation. There is no application process and the City will not ask or record any citizenship or immigration questions. Immigration status does not affect eligibility. For questions, email workforce.connection@sfgov.org or call 415-701-4817.
     

OLSE Guidance


Worker Resources
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) can assist workers in the following situations:

  • You have been laid off or your hours have been reduced - file an Unemployment Insurance claim
  • You are unable to work because your child’s school is closed, and you have to miss work to be there for them - you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits
  • You are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 - file a Disability Insurance claim
  • You are unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 - file a Paid Family Leave claim

For more information, go to EDD's coronavirus assistance webpage and Frequently Asked Questions.
 

Employer Resources
The San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD) is providing guidance and business assistance for employers affected by the current Coronavirus outbreak.

For more information, go to OEWD's coronavirus assistance webpage.
 

 

 

I. San Francisco Labor Laws - City Wide

  

II. San Francisco Labor Laws - City Contractors

All Employers 
 
Employers with 5 or more employees (Total, Across All Locations) 
 
Employers with 20 or more employees (Total, Across All Locations) 
 
Formula Retail Establishments