As we approach the ten-year anniversary of the Commonwealth’s Earned Sick Time Law, Massachusetts employers covered by the law should be aware that the Massachusetts legislature recently expanded the reasons for which an employee can use statutory earned sick time.
Currently, employees may use earned sick time under the law for the following reasons:
- to care for the employee’s child, spouse, parent, or parent of a spouse, who is suffering from a physical or mental illness, injury, or medical condition that requires home care, professional medical diagnosis or care, or preventative medical care;
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to care for the employee’s own physical or mental illness, injury, or medical condition that requires home care, professional medical diagnosis or care, or preventative medical care;
- to attend a routine medical appointment or a routine medical appointment for the employee’s child, spouse, parent, or parent of spouse;
- to address the psychological, physical, or legal effects of domestic violence; and
- to travel to and from an appointment, a pharmacy, or other location related to the purpose for which the time was taken.
Beginning on November 21, 2024, employees also may use earned sick time to “address the employee’s own physical and mental health needs, and those of their spouse, if the employee or the employee’s spouse experiences pregnancy loss or a failed assisted reproduction, adoption or surrogacy.”
Before the November 21st effective date, employers should update their policies and procedures to ensure that employees have the right to use earned sick time for this new purpose.
Please contact any member of Mirick’s Labor, Employment, and Employee Benefits team for assistance or if you have any questions.
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