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Massachusetts · OFFICIAL SOURCES & THRESHOLDS

Massachusetts
Paid sick leave.

Check official requirements, employee thresholds, effective dates, and employer responsibilities for paid sick leave.

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Paid sick leave · MassachusettsChanged recently

Massachusetts earned sick time

1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year; paid at employers with 11+ employees

Massachusetts earned sick time (MGL c.149, section 148C) accrues at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year, and can be used after 90 days. Employers with 11 or more employees must provide it as paid time; smaller employers provide it unpaid.

Employee threshold: 0+ employees in Massachusetts · All industries
Effective
Jul 1, 2015

Local notes & what to do

Massachusetts' minimum wage has stayed at $15.00 since January 1, 2023, with no further increase scheduled. The Wage Act is strict on pay timing: a discharged employee must be paid in full on the day of discharge, and late wages bring mandatory treble damages. Pay range disclosure in job postings began October 29, 2025 for employers with 25 or more employees, and PFML contributions stayed at 0.88% of eligible wages for 2026 while the maximum weekly benefit rose to $1,230.39.

Official source: Mass.gov - Massachusetts Law About Sick Leave Last checked Nov 1, 2026
No expert reviewer assigned to this entry. General information, not legal advice.

Thresholds, dates & upcoming changes

Jurisdiction / rule Requirement Employees / industry Effective / status Official source / last checked
Massachusetts
Massachusetts earned sick time
1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year; paid at employers with 11+ employees 0–any employees
All industries
Jul 1, 2015
Current
Mass.gov - Massachusetts Law About Sick Leave
Checked Nov 1, 2026
THE DATED RECORD

What changed in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts · Paid sick leave

Rule name changed from not previously published to Massachusetts earned sick time. Summary changed from not previously published to Massachusetts earned sick time (MGL c.149, section 148C) accrues at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year, and can be used after 90 days. Employers with 11 or more employees must provide it as paid time; smaller employers provide it unpaid.. Requirement changed from not previously published to 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year; paid at employers with 11+ employees. Numeric amount changed from not previously published to 40. Minimum employer size changed from not previously published to 0 employees. Effective date changed from not previously published to Jul 1, 2015. Publication status changed from not previously published to active. Local guidance changed from not previously published to Massachusetts' minimum wage has stayed at $15.00 since January 1, 2023, with no further increase scheduled. The Wage Act is strict on pay timing: a discharged employee must be paid in full on the day of discharge, and late wages bring mandatory treble damages. Pay range disclosure in job postings began October 29, 2025 for employers with 25 or more employees, and PFML contributions stayed at 0.88% of eligible wages for 2026 while the maximum weekly benefit rose to $1,230.39.. Industry coverage changed from not previously published to not published.

Source: Mass.gov - Massachusetts Law About Sick Leave · Effective Jul 1, 2015 · Last checked Nov 1, 2026 · View current requirement →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions employers ask about Paid sick leave in Massachusetts

What is the Massachusetts paid sick leave requirement for 0+ employees?

1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year; paid at employers with 11+ employees. Massachusetts earned sick time (MGL c.149, section 148C) accrues at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year, and can be used after 90 days. Employers with 11 or more employees must provide it as paid time; smaller employers provide it unpaid.

When did Massachusetts earned sick time take effect?

Effective July 1, 2015. Source: Mass.gov - Massachusetts Law About Sick Leave. Last checked November 1, 2026.

Who must follow Massachusetts earned sick time?

Employers with 0 or more employees in Massachusetts across all industries.

What is the penalty for violating Massachusetts earned sick time?

No penalty information has been published in this entry. Consult the official source.

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