PTO Laws in Missouri (2026): What Workers and Employers Need to Know
Missouri’s paid time off laws changed a lot in 2024 and 2025. If you work or run a business in Missouri, you need to know what the law says today. This article explains your rights and responsibilities clearly.
What Is PTO?
PTO stands for “paid time off.” It is paid leave that lets workers take time away from work without losing income. PTO can cover vacations, personal days, or sick time. Some employers combine all leave into one PTO bank.
Missouri does not require employers to offer PTO or vacation time. But there are rules employers must follow if they choose to offer it.
Does Missouri Require Employers to Give PTO?
No. Missouri has no law that forces employers to give workers paid vacation or general PTO. This is true as of 2026.
However, there was a brief period when Missouri did require paid sick leave. Voters approved it in November 2024. But the state legislature repealed it in 2025.
The Rise and Fall of Missouri’s Paid Sick Leave Law
What Voters Approved in November 2024
Missouri voters passed Proposition A on November 5, 2024. This law had two main parts. It raised the state minimum wage. It also required most employers to give workers earned paid sick time.
The paid sick leave part of Proposition A took effect on May 1, 2025. Employers had to start letting workers earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
How Much Sick Leave Was Required?
The law split employers into two groups based on size.
Employers with 15 or more workers had to allow up to 56 hours of paid sick leave per year. Employers with fewer than 15 workers had to allow up to 40 hours per year.
Workers could start using leave as soon as they earned it. There was no waiting period.
Why the Law Was Repealed
Missouri’s legislature passed House Bill 567 (HB-567) on May 14, 2025. Governor Mike Kehoe signed it into law on July 10, 2025. The repeal took effect on August 28, 2025.
This means Missouri’s paid sick leave law was only active for about 17 weeks — from May 1 to August 27, 2025.
What This Means Today
As of 2026, Missouri has no statewide paid sick leave requirement. Employers are not legally required to offer any paid leave unless they have chosen to do so in a contract or written policy.
Current Missouri PTO Rules (2026)
No Requirement to Offer Vacation or PTO
Missouri law does not require employers to provide paid vacation, personal days, or general PTO. Employers can choose to offer these benefits or not.
If an employer does choose to offer PTO, they must follow their own written policies. Courts will hold employers to the rules they set in their own employee handbooks.
Use-It-or-Lose-It Policies Are Allowed
Missouri law allows employers to set expiration dates on unused PTO. This is called a “use-it-or-lose-it” policy. For example, an employer can say all unused vacation must be used by December 31 each year.
This type of policy is legal in Missouri. However, the deadline must be reasonable.
PTO Payout at Termination Is NOT Required
Missouri law does not require employers to pay out unused PTO when a worker leaves. There is no state law that treats accrued vacation as wages that must be paid.
However, there is an exception. If the employer has a written policy or signed contract that promises PTO payout, they must honor it. Always check your employee handbook or employment agreement.
Federal Leave Laws That Still Apply in Missouri
Even though Missouri has no state paid leave law, federal law still protects Missouri workers in important ways.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The FMLA is a federal law that applies in all 50 states. It allows eligible workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year. The leave is job-protected, meaning you cannot be fired for taking it.
To qualify, you must meet three conditions. You must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months. You must have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year. Your employer must have at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius.
FMLA leave can be used for a new child, a serious health condition, or care for a sick family member.
FMLA Does Not Require Paid Leave
FMLA leave is unpaid unless your employer requires you to use PTO at the same time. Some employers do require this. Check your company’s policy.
What Employers Must Do
If You Don’t Offer Any PTO
You have no current legal obligation under Missouri state law to offer paid vacation or sick time. However, you are still bound by federal laws like FMLA.
If You Do Offer PTO
You must follow your own written policy. You cannot take away earned PTO without proper notice. You cannot punish workers for using PTO they have lawfully earned under your own policies.
Keep Good Records
Even though Missouri’s paid sick leave law was repealed, good recordkeeping is still smart practice. The FMLA requires employers to keep records of employee leave for three years.
What Workers Should Know
Check Your Employee Handbook
Your employer is not required by Missouri law to offer PTO. But if they do offer it, they must follow their own rules. Read your employee handbook carefully.
Understand Your FMLA Rights
If you work for a company with 50 or more employees and you have been there at least a year, you likely qualify for FMLA leave. This gives you up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave.
Ask About Your Payout Policy Before You Quit
Missouri does not require employers to pay out unused PTO when you leave. But some companies do pay it out by choice or by contract. Find out your employer’s policy before you resign.
Minimum Wage in Missouri (2025–2026)
Proposition A also raised Missouri’s minimum wage. Even though the paid sick leave portion was repealed, the minimum wage changes stayed in place.
The minimum wage rose to $13.75 per hour on January 1, 2025. It will rise again to $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2026. The inflation-based increases that were originally scheduled after 2026 were removed by HB-567.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Missouri require employers to give paid vacation?
No. Missouri has no law requiring employers to offer paid vacation or PTO to workers.
Did Missouri have a paid sick leave law?
Yes, briefly. Missouri’s paid sick leave law was active from May 1 to August 27, 2025. It was then repealed by the state legislature.
Can my employer take away my earned PTO?
If your employer has a written policy promising you PTO, they generally must honor it. However, Missouri does not require PTO payout at termination unless the employer has a policy or contract saying they will pay it.
Can Missouri employers have use-it-or-lose-it PTO policies?
Yes. Missouri law allows employers to require workers to use their PTO by a set date or lose it. The deadline must be reasonable.
Does FMLA apply in Missouri?
Yes. The federal FMLA applies to all states, including Missouri. Eligible workers can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year.
What is Missouri’s minimum wage in 2026?
Missouri’s minimum wage is $15.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026.
Can my employer fire me for taking FMLA leave?
No. FMLA leave is job-protected. Firing someone for taking lawful FMLA leave is illegal under federal law.
Final Thoughts
Missouri gives employers a lot of freedom when it comes to PTO. The state does not require paid vacation or sick time as of 2026. The paid sick leave law passed by voters in 2024 was repealed after less than four months.
If you work in Missouri, your best protection is your own employment contract or company policy. Read it carefully. Know your FMLA rights. And if you have questions about your specific situation, consider consulting a Missouri employment attorney.
If you are an employer, make sure your written PTO policies are clear, fair, and consistent. Even without a state mandate, following good practices helps avoid disputes and keeps your team motivated.
References
- Missouri RSMo § 290.502 – Minimum Wage Law — https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.502
- Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations — https://labor.mo.gov
- Proposition A (Missouri 2024 Ballot Measure) — Missouri Secretary of State: https://www.sos.mo.gov
- HB-567 (Repeal of Paid Sick Leave) — Missouri Legislature: https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB567&year=2025&code=R
- U.S. Department of Labor – FMLA Overview — https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
- Littler Mendelson – Missouri Paid Sick Leave Repeal Analysis — https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/missouri-governor-signs-bill-repealing-paid-sick-leave-law-and-revising-minimum
