Bostonians are earning their sick days, and companies are learning to take the new medicine. Renee Inomata of Burns & Levinson notes the final regulations of Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law were issued last month, making it a good time to take the temperature on how well the state’s employers are doing at implementing the new law.
Here are some key points that Inomata says all companies should be focusing on:
- It’s Not Just for Being Sick: Employees is Massachusetts can accrue sick time not just for dealing with the flu, but also to attend routine medical appointments or those of their children, spouse or parents. They also can use it to help care for an ailing relative.
- Communicate the New Rules: “Employers are required to post the Attorney General’s new Earned Sick Time Law and regulations notice,” says Inomata. They also need to tell employees at the start of employment what constitutes a “calendar year” for the purposes of the law and include any policies about paying out earned sick time.
- Train Managers: “Discriminating or retaliating against employees for taking earned sick time or for complaining about the employer’s possible failure to comply with the law is prohibited,” explains Inomata. Make sure managers know this and aren’t taking out any frustrations on sick employees.
