Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    Paid Leave Benefits

    Work Life Balance

    Enjoy time off to relax, spend it with loved ones, or recover from illness or injury. In your first year, you'll receive up to 34 days of paid leave, which includes holidays, vacation, and sick days. Many positions also offer telework options and flexible schedules to support work-life balance.

     

    Please note: Certain management, non-represented employees, and law enforcement positions may have different leave accrual rates. Contact us with any questions. 

    Email us

    Additional Paid Leave Benefits

    You can take paid leave for:

    • Voting.
    • Donating blood.
    • Taking physical exams for U.S. Armed Forces entry or state civil service exams.
    • Jury duty.
    • Certain types of emergency volunteer work.

    If you're considering a temporary or seasonal position, your leave benefits may differ.

    Vacation Days

    Vacation days (annual leave) are earned based on your years of service. Most employees earn annual leave as follows:

    Years of ServiceDays Earned Per Year
    0-311 days
    3-1519 days
    Over 1524 days

    Sick Leave

    Most employees earn 11 days of sick leave each year. Sick leave can be used for:

    • Personal medical needs.
    • Caring for qualifying family members.
    • Bereavement after the loss of a loved one.

    Paid Holidays

    Employees receive the following 12 paid holidays:

      Hear from our employees

      "The Commonwealth’s flexible schedule gives me the time I need to be with my family, while still allowing me to thrive in my career."

      - Angelina

      • New Year’s Day
      • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
      • Presidents Day
      • Memorial Day
      • Juneteenth
      • Independence Day

      • Labor Day
      • Indigenous Peoples’ Day
      • Veterans Day
      • Thanksgiving Day
      • Day After Thanksgiving
      • Christmas Day

       

      If you work on a holiday, you generally earn overtime pay and additional paid time off.

      Paid Parental Leave

      Eligible permanent employees can receive up to eight weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of service and 1,250 hour worked.

      Compensatory Leave

      Some positions offer the option to earn compensatory leave (comp time) instead of overtime pay. This allows you to accumulate more paid time off.

      Military Leave

      Active duty military personnel are eligible for up to 30 days of paid leave. Additionally, you may receive a one-time 15-day paid leave for active duty and stipends up to $520/month while on unpaid leave. PA National Guard members activated by the Governor receive unlimited paid leave.

      Additional Paid Leave Benefits

      Paid leave is also available for the following, based on the applicable collective bargaining agreement:

      • Voting
      • Donating blood
      • Initial physical exam for entrance to the U.S. Armed Forces
      • State Civil Service Commission exams
      • Jury duty
      • Certain types of emergency volunteer work

      If you're considering a temporary or seasonal position, your leave benefits may differ.