Medical and Sick Leave

Am I Entitled to Medical or Sick Leave in Massachusetts?

Possibly! In Massachusetts, there are a few different laws that might give you the right to take medical or sick leave — depending on your situation. These include:

Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Massachusetts Discrimination Law
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Each law has its own requirements, but all of them are designed to help workers get the time they need to care for themselves or loved ones. Let's break it down.

Do I Get Sick Time Under the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law?

Most likely, yes. Almost every employee in Massachusetts earns sick time — at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year.

You can use this time to take care of yourself or a family member.

If your employer has fewer than 11 employees, the time is unpaid.
If they have 11 or more, the time is paid.

Click here to learn more about Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law

Can I Take Paid Leave Through PFML?

You might be able to! Under the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law, most W-2 employees and some 1099 workers are eligible for paid time off for:

Up to 20 weeks to treat your own serious health condition
Up to 12 weeks to care for a family member with a serious health condition
Up to 12 weeks to bond with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster care)
Up to 26 weeks to care for a family member in the military
Up to 12 weeks for issues related to a loved one’s military deployment

Click here to learn more about PFML

Do I Qualify for Leave Under the FMLA?

Maybe. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you may be entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave if:

Your employer has 50+ employees
You’ve worked there for at least 1 year and logged 1,250+ hours
You or a close family member has a serious health condition

Click here to learn more about FMLA

Can the ADA or Massachusetts Discrimination Law Help Me Take Leave?

Yes — if you have a physical or mental health condition that significantly limits a major life activity (like walking, concentrating, or working), these laws may entitle you to unpaid medical leave as a reasonable accommodation.

That said, what's considered “reasonable” can vary, depending on your job and your employer's ability to function while you're out.

Click here to learn more about ADA protections

Not Sure Which Leave You Qualify For?

That’s where we come in. At Mahanaim Law, we help employees across Massachusetts understand their rights when it comes to medical and sick leave — and we fight back when that leave is wrongfully denied.

Next Steps

If you think you’ve been unfairly denied leave — or just need help figuring out what your rights are — Contact us for a free consultation. We’re here to help you get the time and support you need.