Can an employer force you to use sick time?

An employer cannot technically force you to use sick time, but they may recommend it or encourage you to do so, especially if you are not in a condition to work. Employers cannot force you to do anything specific with your paid time off, but they can give recommendations to you regarding it, especially if it affects their business.

There also are positions in which you can be sent home from work if you are feeling unwell, particularly if you work in a field that has policies regarding things such as temperature requirements for entering the workplace, which has been standard in healthcare since March 2020. In these cases, you may be sent home, and you can use sick time for those missed hours.