Massachusetts Paid Sick Leave (PSL)

All Massachusetts employers with 11 or more employees to provide paid sick leave, and employers with fewer than 11 employees must provide unpaid earned sick time. Employees accrue paid sick leave at a rate of one hour per 30 hours worked. The maximum number of hours an employee can accrue per year is 40 hours. As soon as an employee starts working for an employer, they begin accruing sick leave. However, they must wait until the 90th calendar day after they start working at a business to use it.

Employees can use up to 40 hours or unpaid sick time per year, and carry over 40 hours of unused earned sick time from year to year. However, employers do not have to let employees carry over time if they provide paid sick leave in a lump sum at the beginning of the year. Employees can use paid or unpaid sick leave for themselves or a child, spouse, parent, or parent of a spouse. Paid and unpaid sick leave covers:

• Care for a physical or mental illness, injury, or medical condition
• Professional medical diagnosis or care
• Preventative medical care or routine appointments
• Services after domestic violence (e.g., counseling or legal action)
• Travel to and from a qualifying appointment