Our Payroll Department often gets asked about Sick Time Rules so we’ve recapped below:
In short, the MA Sick Law allows ALL employees (part-time, full-time, temps etc) to accrue Sick Time starting the first day of work at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked up to a max of 40 hours of Sick Time per year. Staff can also rollover up to 40 hours each year. If your company has 11 or more employees, then the Sick Time must be paid.
As long as your PTO policy allows employees to use at least the same amount of time, for the same reasons, and with the same job-protections as under the law, then your practice is covered and does not need to provide PTO designated specifically as sick time.
More information about this mandatory employee benefit is available from MASS.gov at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/earned-sick-time.