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member, or for the birth or adoption of a child. It is also unlawful to retaliate

against an employee for taking FMLA leave.

The Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law

This is a relatively new development under Massachusetts law, which took

effect July 1, 2015. Under the law, employers are required to provide earned sick

time for their employees, including part time and temporary employees. Unlike

many other employment laws, including the FMLA, this really means all

employers- big or small- and all employees-part time, full time or temporary.

All employees must be given one hour of sick time for every 30 hours

worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours. Only employers with 11 or more

employees must pay for the sick time, but all employers must allow the time to be

taken, and can be sued for retaliating against employees for using that time. Sick

time now includes time needed to attend routine medical appointments, take a child

or immediate family member to routine medical appointments, or take care of a

sick child or immediate family member.

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