This resource covers how dentist employers must pay staff during a COVID-related illness, exposure or quarantine, time off to receive the vaccine or recover from complications of the COVID-19 vaccine (or booster), or to seek a diagnosis.

Is the COVID exposure (with symptoms) or illness work related?  Note: Employees who experience close contact exposure can remain at work as long as they are asymptomatic and wear a mask.

1. If no, employer and employee may use these in the listed order:
   1. Available unused state or local-mandated sick leave for eligible employees (at employee request)
   2. Employer-provided leave benefit (i.e. vacation or PTO)
   3. An employee may be eligible for State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits depending on the circumstances.
2. If yes:
   1. If this is an illness, an employer must use these in the listed order: 
      1. Workers’ compensation wage replacement or State Disability Insurance (SDI) benefits
3. Is the employee requesting time off to receive the vaccine (or booster) or to recover from complications of the COVID-19 vaccine (or booster)?
1. Available unused state or local-mandated sick leave for eligible employees (at employee request)
   2. Employer-provided leave benefit (i.e. vacation or PTO)