Massachusetts Paid Sick Leave Explained

MA Paid Sick Leave Explained

The Massachusetts Earned Sick Time law provides up to 40 hours of paid sick time per year to employees working in the state. This is in addition to the state’s Family and Medical Leave Act, which gives employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year.

Employees can use sick leave to care for their child, spouse, parent, or a relative with a physical or mental illness or injury that requires professional medical care, home care or preventive medical care. They may also use sick leave to address issues related to domestic violence.

How Much Sick Time Can I Earn?

Sick time can be earned by accumulating 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours in a calendar year. Personal Alarms However, an employee must not use any earned sick time until the 90th calendar day following commencement of employment with a covered employer.

When Can I Use Sick Time?

In the majority of cases, employees can legally use their earned sick time to attend a medical appointment or care for a family member who is ill. In some cases, a family member might need to be hospitalized or undergo surgery.

What Are the Qualifying Reasons for Sick Time?

In Massachusetts, a qualifying reason for sick time is to care for your child, spouse, parent or spouse’s parent who is suffering from a physical or mental illness, injury, or condition that requires home care, professional medical diagnosis or treatment, or preventive medical care. In some cases, a family member who is a victim of domestic violence might need to be hospitalized or undergo surgery.