The Earned Sick Time Law, a new law providing one million more workers in Massachusetts with access to sick leave for the first time, goes into effect on July 1, 2015.

The law requires that companies allow employees to earn and use sick time - either paid or unpaid - based on company size:

• Employees working for companies with 11 or more workers will be able to earn and use up to 40 hours of paid sick time per calendar year

• Employees working for smaller companies will be able to earn and use up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time per calendar year

The new law comes with an extension for companies that (as of May 1, 2015) already provide paid time off or paid sick leave. These employers will be deemed in compliance with the new law until January 1, 2016, provided they comply with certain safe harbor stipulations.

As companies attempt to decipher the complex and lengthy new law, which was published in its final form on June 19th, there will likely be confusion over its requirements - especially around the details of qualification, implementation and record-keeping. 

We invite you to contact us at (781) 321-6065 with your questions as you work to determine how the new Earned Sick Time law applies to your specific circumstances.