Today, voters across Nebraska passed Initiative 436, a citizen-led ballot initiative that will give all workers the ability to earn and use paid sick leave. The initiative passed with over 70% of the vote.
We had the opportunity to vote for this initiative today thanks to our Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans coalition partners, hundreds of volunteer hours, bold voices of directly-impacted workers, the 138,000+ Nebraskans who signed the petition — and the advocacy of supporters like you.
Initiative 436 goes into effect beginning on October 1, 2025 and will set a minimum requirement for paid sick leave in Nebraska, with employees earning at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. For employers with fewer than 20 employees, workers may earn up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. For employers with 20 or more employees, workers may earn up to 56 hours.
This victory is another step forward in ensuring that every Nebraskan can meet their needs and take care of themselves and their families. Right now, 250,000 working Nebraskans don’t have access to paid sick days. But soon, thanks to voters like you, working families in Nebraska won’t have to face the impossible choice of taking care of their health or missing a paycheck.
Thank you for your advocacy and for voting for 436! This a HUGE step forward in support of hardworking Nebraskans, families, and communities in our state.