Paid Sick Leave in Massachusetts
Massachusetts (MA) · Paid sick leave · Last reviewed July 2026
State mandate
Yes
Typical accrual
1 hr per 30 worked
Does Massachusetts Require Paid Sick Leave?
Massachusetts has a statewide paid sick leave requirement. A common standard is that employees accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, often with an annual cap, though the exact accrual rate, caps, and carryover rules vary. Check the official rules for current details.
How Accrual Usually Works
Where sick leave is required, employers typically choose between accrual (employees earn time as they work, e.g., 1 hour per 30 worked) and front-loading (granting a lump sum at the start of the year). A time and attendance system makes either method easy by tracking hours worked and balances automatically.
Recordkeeping
Track accrued and used sick time per employee, show balances on pay stubs where required, and keep the records for the retention period your state specifies.
Massachusetts Labor-Law Snapshot
Massachusetts mandates paid sick leave (typically ~1 hour earned per 30 worked). Separately, the Massachusetts minimum wage is $15.00/hour (about $7.75 above the federal $7.25), overtime is about $22.50/hour, and a final paycheck is due immediately, on the day of discharge on discharge.
For Massachusetts employers these rules interact with timekeeping: accurate, audit-logged hours drive overtime, sick-leave accrual, final pay, and break records. Massachusetts requires meal breaks on longer shifts and does not mandate paid rest breaks; a final paycheck is due by the next regular payday (or the following Saturday if there is no scheduled payday) when an employee resigns. Confirm current Massachusetts figures with the state labor office before relying on any single number.
Official Sources
More Massachusetts Guides
Paid Sick Leave in Other States
Massachusetts Paid Sick Leave: Frequently Asked Questions
Is paid sick leave required in Massachusetts?
Yes — Massachusetts has a statewide paid sick leave law, commonly accruing one hour for every 30 hours worked, often with an annual cap.
How much sick leave do employees earn?
Where required, a common standard is one hour of paid sick time per 30 hours worked, subject to caps and carryover rules that vary — check the current rules.
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