What Is a Reasonable Cap on Vacation Accrual in California?

By Robert Palmer

If you are an employee in California, you may be wondering what the reasonable cap on vacation accrual is. Vacation time is an important benefit that allows employees to take time off work and recharge their batteries.

However, employers also need to ensure that vacation accrual does not become a liability. In this article, we will explore what a reasonable cap on vacation accrual in California is and why it is important.

What Is Vacation Accrual?

Vacation accrual refers to the amount of paid time off that an employee earns over a period of time. In California, most employers are required to provide their employees with paid vacation time. The amount of vacation time that an employee can earn typically depends on how long they have been with the company.

Why Is a Cap on Vacation Accrual Important?

While vacation time is an important benefit for employees, it can also become a liability for employers if it accumulates over time. This is because employers are required to pay out any unused vacation time when an employee leaves the company. If employees accumulate too much vacation time, this can result in a large liability for the employer.

What Is a Reasonable Cap on Vacation Accrual?

In California, there is no specific law that sets a cap on vacation accrual. However, employers are allowed to set their own caps as long as they are reasonable. A reasonable cap on vacation accrual typically ranges from 1.5 to 2 times the amount of annual vacation time that an employee earns.

Example:

If an employee earns two weeks (10 days) of paid vacation per year, a reasonable cap would be 15-20 days (3-4 weeks) of accrued vacation time.

What Happens When an Employee Reaches the Cap?

When an employee reaches the vacation accrual cap, they will no longer accrue any additional vacation time until they use some of their accrued time. This helps to prevent employees from accumulating too much vacation time.

What Happens to Accrued Vacation Time When an Employee Leaves the Company?

When an employee leaves the company, the employer is required to pay out any unused vacation time that has been accrued. This includes any vacation time that has been earned but not yet taken, up to the cap set by the employer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a reasonable cap on vacation accrual in California is typically 1. Employers need to ensure that they set a reasonable cap on vacation accrual to prevent it from becoming a liability. By doing so, employers can provide their employees with paid vacation time while also protecting their bottom line.