NJ Sick Season Ramps Up: What To Know

NEW JERSEY— New Jersey ranked No. 41 in a national analysis of Google searches for “call in sick.”

But when workers do take sick leave, the rules governing that time off can get complicated: a state comptroller review found 95 percent of 60 New Jersey municipalities had policies that failed to fully comply with sick and vacation leave laws.

What Paid Sick Leave Can NJ Workers Use?

A recent state law, which took effect July 17, expands job protection for workers who take leave for their own health or to care for family members.

Workers receiving Temporary Disability Insurance or Family Leave Insurance benefits can now receive job protection even if they do not qualify for protection under the New Jersey Family Leave Act or federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

New Jersey’s Earned Sick Leave Law generally gives employees one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year.

The law covers more than an employee’s own illness.

Workers can use earned sick time for preventive medical care, diagnosis or treatment, caring for a sick family member, certain circumstances involving domestic or sexual violence, public health emergencies and some school-related meetings involving a child.

Employers can use a paid time off policy instead of a separate sick leave bank, but the policy must provide leave for all purposes covered by the law.

What Should NJ Workers Do Before Calling Out?

Check how employer’s current leave policy defines sick leave or paid time off, how much time remains available and whether the employer requires notice or documentation.

Workers also should keep their own records of leave requests, approvals and available balances.

Neal Shipley, medical director of Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care, said people should watch how symptoms develop.

A cold typically develops gradually with congestion and sneezing. Flu symptoms often arrive suddenly with fever, chills and body aches.

Allergies can cause clear nasal drainage and itchy eyes, but generally do not cause fever. COVID-19 can resemble any of them, he said.

"It's also worth knowing you can have more than one of these at the same time, like allergies on top of a virus, which makes it even trickier to sort out on your own," Shipley said.

The BRAT diet — bananas, rice, applesauce and toast — has long been the go-to advice for people recovering from vomiting or diarrhea, but doctors no longer recommend sticking to it.

A 2019 clinical trial involving 95 children found no difference in recovery time or bowel movements between children following the BRAT diet and those eating a normal diet.

Shipley said he recommends balanced meals, hydration and sleep to help the body recover.

"Stay home when you're sick, since even mild symptoms can spread quickly," Shipley said.

People with sudden fever, chills and body aches should consider testing for influenza or COVID-19 early, particularly if they face a higher risk of severe illness, Shipley said.

People over 65, children under 4, pregnant women and those with conditions such as asthma or heart disease face greater risks from respiratory illnesses.

Mild symptoms can often be managed at home with rest, fluids and over-the-counter medicine, he said.

Difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe weakness, confusion, a sudden change in mental status or severe dehydration requires emergency care.

How Can Workers Prevent Sickness?

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of severe illness, complications and hospitalization, Shipley said.

Zinc and vitamin C may help slightly once a cold starts, but neither offers a reliable way to prevent one.

A 2024 Cochrane review found oral zinc may shorten a cold by about two days, although the evidence remains uncertain and side effects such as nausea and stomach upset are more common.

Regular vitamin C use does not prevent colds for most people, but may modestly shorten them.

Shipley recommends keeping basic illness supplies at home, including a thermometer, saline spray, cough drops and fever-reducing medication.

"Beyond that, make sure everyone in the family washes their hands frequently, and wipe down surfaces and shared electronics like phones and remotes with a disinfectant wipe," he said.