There is no federal law requiring employers to provide employees paid sick leave--a short-term salary-continuation program for employees absent because of a non-job-related illness or injury--but most employers do provide it as an important employee benefit. Employers establishing or amending a sick leave policy should consider other disability income policies, how unused sick leave should be addressed, liability for sick leave, and general discrimination issues. When adopting a policy, employers must be sure that it fully complies with federal or state family/medical leave laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act , and any other applicable laws. There are many alternatives to standard sick leave policies, including flexible leave policies, no-fault attendance policies, leave donation programs and paid-time-off banks.