FREE Calculate Separate PTO Balances for USA Employees | Sick Time Accrual & FMLA Calculator
Vacation vs Sick Leave Calculator 2026: Calculate Separate PTO Balances & Accrual Rates
đĨ Separate Leave Tracking: Our FREE vacation vs sick leave calculator 2026 helps American employees track separate balances for vacation and sick time. Calculate PTO split allocations, sick time accrual rates, and FMLA eligibility according to US employment laws and state mandates.
đ VACATION vs SICK LEAVE CALCULATOR 2026 - USA SEPARATE BALANCES
đī¸ Vacation
đĨ Sick Leave
đī¸ Vacation TimeđĨ Sick Leaveâī¸ State Laws
Track vacation and sick time separately for better planning
How This Vacation vs Sick Leave Calculator 2026 Works for USA Employees
US companies use different systems for tracking vacation and sick leave. Our vacation vs sick leave calculator 2026 helps you understand separate PTO balances, different accrual rates, and state-mandated sick leave according to 2026 employment standards and laws.
đī¸ Vacation Leave (Discretionary Time)
Purpose: Planned time off for rest, travel, personal reasons
Typical Allocation: 80-200 hours/year based on tenure
Accrual: Usually per pay period or monthly
Carryover: Often limited (40-80 hours max)
Payout: Usually paid upon termination (state dependent)
Advance Usage: May use future accruals with approval
Scheduling: Requires advance notice (2+ weeks)
Blackout Dates: May have restricted periods
đĨ Sick Leave (Protected Time)
Purpose: Illness, medical appointments, family care
Typical Allocation: 40-80 hours/year
Accrual: Often slower than vacation (1 hour/week)
Carryover: Usually unlimited or high limits
Payout: Rarely paid upon termination
Documentation: May require doctor's note
Protected: FMLA and ADA protections apply
State Mandates: Required in 14+ states
đ Leave Split Calculation Examples (2026 USA Standards)
Example 1 - Traditional Split: 120 total hours = 80 hours vacation (67%) + 40 hours sick (33%)
Example 2 - PTO Bank: 160 hours combined = Use for any purpose (100% flexible)
Example 3 - State Mandated: CA = 80 hours vacation + 24 hours sick (state required)
Example 4 - Unlimited PTO: No accruals = Unlimited vacation + Separate sick bank
Example 5 - Front-loaded:80 hours vacation Jan 1 + 1 hour sick/week accrual
All calculations follow 2026 US employment standards and state laws
State-by-State Sick Leave Laws 2026 - USA Mandates
14 states + DC mandate paid sick leave in 2026. Our calculator includes these requirements:
â States with Mandated Sick Leave (2026)
California: 24 hours/year (3 days) for all employers
Washington: 1 hour/40 hours worked (no annual cap)
Oregon: 1 hour/30 hours worked (40 hour annual cap)
Colorado: 1 hour/30 hours worked (48 hour annual cap)
Connecticut: 40 hours/year for service workers
Arizona: 1 hour/30 hours worked (40 hour annual cap)
Maryland: 1 hour/30 hours worked (40 hour annual cap)
New Jersey: 40 hours/year (1 hour/30 hours worked)
Rhode Island: 1 hour/35 hours worked (40 hour annual cap)
Vermont: 1 hour/52 hours worked (40 hour annual cap)
Maine: 1 hour/40 hours worked (40 hour annual cap)
Nevada: 0.01923 hours/hour worked (40 hour annual cap)
đ Common Sick Leave Accrual Methods
Per Hour Worked: 1 hour sick per 30-40 hours worked
Annual Front-load: Full amount available January 1st
Monthly Accrual: 3.33 hours/month (40 hours/year)
Bi-weekly: 1.54 hours/paycheck (40 hours/year)
Weekly: 0.77 hours/week (40 hours/year)
Unlimited Accrual: No cap on carryover
Use-It-Or-Lose-It: Must use within year
Combined PTO: Sick + vacation in one bank
Vacation vs Sick Split Comparison 2026
đĸ Traditional Companies
Split: 70% Vacation / 30% Sick
Example: 120 total hours = 84V + 36S
Accrual: Separate rates for each
Carryover: Vacation limited, sick unlimited
Payout: Vacation paid, sick not paid
Usage: Strict separation required
Common in: Manufacturing, government, education
đģ Tech Companies
Split: PTO Bank (100% flexible)
Example: 160 hours combined
Accrual: Single accrual rate
Carryover: Often limited or use-it-or-lose-it
Payout: Entire bank paid upon termination
Usage: Complete flexibility
Common in: Tech, startups, consulting
đĨ Healthcare
Split: 60% Vacation / 40% Sick
Example: 200 total hours = 120V + 80S
Accrual: Based on hours/shifts worked
Carryover: High limits for both
Payout: Vacation only
Usage: Sick leave heavily used
Common in: Hospitals, clinics, nursing
âī¸ State Government
Split: 80% Vacation / 20% Sick
Example: 240 total hours = 192V + 48S
Accrual: Based on years of service
Carryover: Very high (200+ hours)
Payout: Both may be paid
Usage: Generous allocations
Common in: Federal/state/local government
FMLA & Protected Leave 2026 - USA Standards
âī¸ Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 2026
Eligibility: 12 months employment, 1250 hours worked in past year, 50+ employees within 75 miles
Entitlement: Up to 12 weeks unpaid leave per year for:
Birth/adoption of a child
Serious health condition of employee
Care for spouse/child/parent with serious health condition
Military family leave
Job Protection: Return to same or equivalent position
Health Benefits: Continued during leave
Sick Leave Usage: Employers can require use of paid sick leave during FMLA
State Family Leave: CA, NY, NJ, RI, WA, MA, CT, OR, CO have paid family leave programs
â Vacation vs Sick Leave FAQ 2026
What's better: Separate balances or combined PTO bank?
Separate Balances: Protects sick time for actual illness, prevents abuse, but less flexible. PTO Bank: Complete flexibility, but people may come to work sick to save vacation time. Our calculator helps you understand your current system and plan usage accordingly.
Can I use sick leave for vacation if I have separate balances?
Generally No: Using sick leave for vacation is considered fraud and can lead to termination. Sick leave is for illness, medical appointments, and family care. Some companies allow limited personal sick days. Always check your employee handbook - misuse can have serious consequences.
How does state-mandated sick leave work with my existing sick time?
If your employer already provides equal or better sick leave, they don't need to add more. If their policy is less generous, they must comply with state law. Example: If CA requires 24 hours and your company gives 40 hours, you're already covered. If they give 16 hours, they must increase to 24 hours.
What happens to unused sick leave when I quit or retire?
Typically Forfeited: Unlike vacation time, sick leave is rarely paid out upon termination. Exceptions: Some government jobs pay out sick leave at retirement. Some states (like CA) require payout if employer combines sick/vacation into PTO bank. Always check your specific policy and state laws.
How do I track and manage separate leave balances effectively?
1. Use Our Calculator quarterly to track both balances. 2. Check Pay Stubs - balances are usually listed. 3. HR System - most companies have online portals. 4. Plan Vacation Early - use vacation time for planned absences. 5. Save Sick Time - maintain reserve for emergencies. 6. Know Expiration Dates - use expiring time first.
Optimize Your Leave Strategy for 2026!
Master separate vacation and sick leave balances for maximum benefit
â ī¸ HR & Legal Disclaimer (Updated January 2026)
Educational Tool Only: This vacation vs sick leave calculator 2026 is for educational and informational purposes based on typical US HR policies and Department of Labor guidelines.
State Law Variations: Sick leave requirements vary significantly by state. 14 states + DC have mandated sick leave laws as of 2026. Always check your state's current regulations.
Company Policy Controls: Your specific leave allocations, accrual rates, and usage rules are determined by your employer's policies, which may differ from general calculations.
FMLA Eligibility: Not all employees qualify for FMLA. Specific rules apply based on employer size, tenure, and hours worked.
Official Sources: For exact balances and policies, consult your employee handbook, HR department, or payroll system.
Last Update: January 1, 2026 | Next Review: July 1, 2026