Index
Employment & LaborMassachusetts, USA

Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law

Summary

Massachusetts requires employers to provide their workers with earned sick time. If a company has 11 or more employees, this sick time MUST be paid.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    You earn 1 hour of sick time for every 30 hours you work.
  • 02.
    You can earn and use up to 40 hours of sick time per calendar year.
  • 03.
    If your employer has 11 or more employees, your sick time is PAID at your regular hourly rate.
  • 04.
    If your employer has 10 or fewer employees, your sick time is UNPAID, but your job is protected and you cannot be fired for taking it.
  • 05.
    You can use this time to care for your own illness, a family member's illness, or to address the psychological, physical, or legal effects of domestic violence (Safe Time).

Penalties

  • 01.
    Employers who refuse to provide sick time, or who punish/fire employees for using it, can be sued by the Attorney General for triple damages (treble damages) and attorney's fees.

Verified Citations

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, Section 148C

Source
"Employees shall be entitled to earn and use up to 40 hours of earned sick time from an employer... Employers of 11 or more employees shall provide paid earned sick time. Employers of fewer than 11 employees shall provide earned sick time, but need not provide paid earned sick time."