Boston Compliance Reminder: MA Earned Sick Time Law

Panko Compliance · June 4, 2026

## What it is Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law (M.G.L. c. 149, §148C) — passed by ballot initiative in 2014, effective 2015 — entitles all Massachusetts employees to earn sick time. It applies in addition to the federal FMLA (for larger employers) and MA Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). ## What compliance looks like 1. Accrual. 1 hour for every 30 worked, starting day 1. Up to 40 hours per benefit year. 2. Usage. Can be used after the 90th day of employment. In increments down to 1 hour (some flexibility for shorter increments per employer policy). 3. Carryover. Up to 40 hours of accrued unused time carries over. Total balance cannot exceed 40 at any time. 4. Acceptable uses. Employee's or family member's medical or mental health condition; preventive care; addressing impacts of domestic violence; or to attend medical appointments. 5. Family members. Defined broadly: child, spouse, parent, sibling, parent-in-law, grandchild, grandparent. 6. Notice. Employer can require up to 7 days advance for foreseeable; reasonable notice 'as soon as practicable' for unforeseen. 7. Posting. Post the official MA Earned Sick Time notice in the workplace and provide to each new hire in writing. 8. Records. Maintain accrual + usage for 3 years. ## Penalties for non-compliance Denial of accrued sick time: back wages + treble damages (mandatory) + attorney fees. Retaliation: same plus reinstatement + emotional distress damages. Failure to provide notice or post poster: penalties under MA AG Wage and Hour Division discretion. Failure to keep records: presumption shifts to the employee in any dispute (i.e., the employee's records are presumed correct). Like §152A, MA AG enforces aggressively. The treble-damages structure makes these cases lucrative to litigate. --- Full guide with sources: https://alerts.getpanko.app/compliance/boston/earned-sick-time

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