• The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act provides that certain workers in Massachusetts may receive paid leave for family leave, an employee's health condition or service member-related events. The Department administers the paid leave through a Family and Employment Security Trust Fund. Employers and employees contribute to the Fund, and the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave administers payments to the employee.

• There are three types of paid leave:
  • to care for a family member who has a serious health condition or to bond with an employee's child following birth or placement for adoption or foster care;
  • to care for the employee's own serious health condition (including a substance abuse disorder; however that does not prevent an employer from taking action against the employee if the employer has an established policy, applies it in a nondiscriminatory manner and has communicated the policy to all employees); and
  • to address any qualifying exigency arising from a family member who is on active duty and who has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty, or to care for a family member who is a covered service member. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(a) & (b))
    
    
• The law provides for 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a family member or to bond with a child, 20 weeks for the employee's own health condition, and 26 weeks for service member-related events. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(c))
  
  
  • The leave is capped at 26 weeks in the aggregate per benefit year.(M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(c))
    
    
  • The benefit year is the period of 52 consecutive weeks beginning on the Sunday immediately preceding the first day that job-protected leave under this statute commences for the covered individual. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 1)
    
    
  • An employee's PFML allotment is based on the number of hours or days the employee typically works. For example, if an employee works a part-time schedule of variable hours, the amount of PFML that a covered individual is entitled to is determined on a pro rata basis. If an employee's schedule varies from week to week, pay is calculated based on a weekly average of the employee's scheduled hours over the 12 months prior to taking leave under the PFML. (458 CMR 2.08(f))

• Covered individuals:
  
  
  • All full-time, part-time, permanent and seasonal employees who perform work in Massachusetts (even if they do not live in Massachusetts) are "covered individuals" under the PFML, provided that they are also eligible for coverage under the Massachusetts unemployment compensation law. To meet the PFML laws financial eligibility requirement, an employee must have earned at least 30 times the weekly benefit amount the individual would be eligible to collect and at least $5,700 over the past 4 calendar quarters.
    
    
  • A former employee is also "covered individual" if his employment ended within 26 weeks of the start of the PFML, and the former employee also meets the financial eligibility requirement.
    
    
  • A self-employed individual who resides in Massachusetts may also qualify as a "covered individual" eligible for PFML if he has earned $5,700 during the last 4 completed calendar quarters and at least 30 times more than how much he would be eligible to get each week in benefits and has paid the full contribution amount.
    
    
  • A worker who is properly classified as an independent contractor is not a covered individual. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 1)
    
    
• Types of employment excluded from PFML coverage:
  • work-study students, student nurses and interns of work trainee programs administered by nonprofit or public institutions;
    
  • real estate brokers/salespeople and insurance agents/solicitors in commission-only jobs;
    
  • employees of churches and certain religious organizations;
    
  • employees in the railroad industry;
    
  • services performed by inmates of penal institutions;
    
  • services performed for a son, daughter or spouse;
    
  • if under 18, services performed for one's father or mother; and
    
  • newspaper sales and delivery by persons under 18. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 1) (M.G.L.c. 151A, s. 6)
    
    
• For individuals eligible for benefits, an application for benefits can be made through the MA Department of Family and Medical Leave's website. The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave has interpreted 458 CMR 2.08(4)(h) to require the application for benefits to be made no later than 90 calendar days after the start of the leave.
  
  
• Employers must take action by registering a "leave administrator" and thereby creating an Employer Account in order to receive DFML notices showing when employees have started and submitted applications for leave under the PFML Act and when their applications have received determinations.
  
  
• An employer should create an employer account with the DFML by going to this website.
  
  
• A municipality, district, political subdivision or authority may adopt this statute upon a majority vote of the local legislative body or the governing body. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 10)
  
  
• Two employees who both work for the same employer and parent the same child are each entitled to 12 weeks of PFML to bond with the child.
  
  
• On January 1, 2021, paid leave first became available for an individual's own serious health condition, bonding with a new child and service member-related events. On July 1, 2021, paid leave became available for a family member's serious health condition. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(a) & (b))
  
  
• The weekly benefit amount is calculated based on a percentage of the individual's earnings, and for 2024 it is capped at $1,144.90. Employers must calculate an individual's benefit amount at the time the employee applies for benefits. The amount is calculated at 80 percent of the individual's weekly earnings that is equal to or less than 50 percent of the state average weekly wage, and 50 percent of the individual's weekly earnings that is more than 50 percent of the state average weekly wage. For 2024 the state average weekly wage is $1,796.72. The Department will reevaluate the maximum weekly benefit annually. In addition to unemployment compensation benefits, worker's compensation, sick time, any state or federal disability benefits or social security income, the weekly benefit amount will also be reduced by benefits received from an employer through an approved, exempted private plan or any wages received from another employer or covered business entity or through self-employment. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 3(b))
  
  
  • As of November 1, 2023, employees are allowed to top off PFML benefits by using accrued paid leave, such as vacation leave or other paid time off, to receive 100% of wage replacement. Employers and employees do not need to (and should not) report any topping-off of benefits to the DFML. Employers should tell their employees that they have the option to use their accrued PTO to supplement their PFML benefits during any leaves up to their individual average weekly wage. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 3(a)) This use of accrued paid leave is subject to the accrual and use rules of the employer's PTO policies and provided that the policy does not discriminate against an employee for exercising a right under the PFML program. (FAQs for Employees sbout Topping Off PFML Benefits)
    
    
• The weekly benefit amount will be reduced by the amount of wages or wage replacement that a covered individual receives for that period under any: (i) government program or law, including but not limited to workers' compensation, other than for permanent partial disability incurred prior to the family or medical leave claim, or under other state or federal temporary or permanent disability benefits law, or (ii) a permanent disability policy or program of an employer. The weekly benefit amount will not be reduced by the amount of wage replacement that an employee receives under any of the following conditions, unless the aggregate amount an employee would receive would exceed the employee's average weekly wage: (i) a temporary disability policy or program of an employer; or (ii) a paid family, or medical leave policy of an employer. If an employer makes payments to an employee during any period of family or medical leave that are equal to or more than the amount required under this statute, the employer will be reimbursed. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 3(c))
  
  
• There is an initial 7-day waiting period for each application for benefits, with the exception of medical leave during pregnancy or recovery from childbirth if supported by a healthcare provider that this medical leave follows immediately after the family leave. There is not, however, a 7-day waiting period for taking a job protected leave. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(c)(1))
  
  
• Intermittent or reduced schedule leave: in certain circumstances, a covered individual may take intermittent or reduced schedule leave for the individual's own serious health condition or to care for a family member's serious health condition or due to a qualifying exigency arising out of a family member's active military duty or impending call to active military duty. However, an individual may not take intermittent or reduced schedule leave for child bonding unless the employer and covered individual specifically agree. Employees may use intermittent leave in 15-minute increments consistent with the employer's policies, provided, however, that payment of benefits by the Department will not be made in requests of less than 8 hours unless more than 30 calendar days have elapsed since the initial taking of such leave. A covered individual who takes intermittent or reduced schedule leave will receive a pro-rated weekly benefit. The Department has issued an updated guide on intermittent leaves. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(c)(2))
  
  
• PFML interaction with other leave plans:
  
  
  • PFML will run concurrently with any other leave taken under the Family and Medical Leave Act, Massachusetts Parental Leave Act and the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law, provided the leave is for a qualified reason under those laws. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(i)
    
    
  • An employer may not compel an employee to exhaust rights to any sick, vacation or other PTO prior to taking PFML leave. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(h)(1))
    
    
  • Employers with unlimited PTO policies may specify in their policies that unlimited PTO cannot be used for a leave of absence. The unlimited PTO plan would therefore not impact PFML leave. Additionally, under PFML, the first seven days of leave are considered an initial waiting period, and benefits are not paid by the Department. If an employer wants to compensate its employees for this seven-day waiting period, it may include that in its PFML policy, but employers should refer to that payment as "wage-replacement benefits" or "supplemental benefits" rather than designate such payment as use of unlimited PTO.
    
    
  • An employer may require that PFML leave benefits run concurrently with benefits or leave allowed under the terms of an employer's temporary disability or family/parental leave policy. Any PFML policy should explicitly state this.
    
    
  • Covered individuals who use accrued paid leave or leave through an extended illness leave bank program provided by their employer rather than receive a paid benefit under M.G.L. c. 175M will not receive any paid leave benefits pursuant to M.G.L. c. 175M for the period of time for which they received accrued paid time or leave. (M.G.L.c. 175M,s. 3(c))
    
    
• A new mother may take a PFML medical leave during pregnancy or recovery from childbirth that is immediately followed by PFML family leave (without another 7 day waiting period). However, the medical leave request must be supported by documentation from a health care provider. A covered individual cannot take more than 26 weeks in a benefit year. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(c)(1))
  
  
• Notice to the employer of PFML Leave: An employee must provide notice of the anticipated start date of the leave, the anticipated length of the leave, the type of leave and the expected return date via a benefits application at least 30 days in advance of the anticipated leave start date or as soon as practicable, but no more than 60 days in advance. The employer must notify employees of this requirement, such as through a written PFML workplace policy. Employers may submit an application for benefits on behalf of a covered individual. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 4(b))
  
  
• During PFML an employee must continue to receive health insurance benefits and accrue other employment benefits typically provided by the employer, including vacation time, sick leave, bonuses, advancement, seniority and length of service credit. The employee portion of the employee's health insurance benefits should be remitted by the employee in accordance with the employer's uniformly-applied policies or practices. However, covered individuals will not receive benefits from the Department for any period in which they choose to use "accrued paid leave" or an extended illness program of an employer. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(f)) (458 CMR 2.16(2))
  
  
• An employee returning from PFML is entitled to his/her same position or an equivalent position with the same pay, employment benefits, seniority and length of service. An employer is not required to restore the employee to his or her position "if other employees of equal length of service credit and status in the same or equivalent positions have been laid off due to economic conditions or other changes in operating conditions affecting employment during the period of leave" provided that the employee who took leave "shall retain any preferential consideration for another position to which the employee was entitled as of the date of leave." (M.G.L.c. 175M, 2(e))
  
  
  • An employer is not required to restore an employee who was hired for a specific term or only to perform work on a discrete project if the employment term or project is over and the employer would not otherwise have continued to employ the employee. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 2(e))
    
    
• An employer may equire an individual returning from PFML to present a certification from their health care provider that the employee is able to resume work if the employer has a uniformly applied policy or practice that requires all similarly situated employees or covered contract workers to do the same. An employer may also require a fitness-for-duty certification that specifically addresses the employee's or contract worker's ability to perform the essential functions of the job if the employer provides the employee with a list of the essential functions of his job within ten business days of the notice to the employer of the approval of leave by the Department and also indicates that the certification must address the employee's or contract worker's ability to perform those essential functions. (458 CMR 2.11)
  
  
• An employer is prohibited from interfering with an employee's rights under the law or retaliating against an employee for exercising the employee's rights. This law creates a presumption of retaliation if there is any negative change to an employee's status or adverse action against the employee during the leave or within six months of the leave or within six months of an employee participating in proceedings or inquiries pursuant to statute. The employer must rebut the presumption with "clear and convincing evidence" that the action was not retaliation and that the employer had "sufficient independent justification" for taking that action and "would have taken such action in the same manner and at the same time the action was taken." (M.G.L.c. 175M, ss. 9(a)-(c))
  
  
  • This statute is to be liberally construed as remedial law to further its purpose of providing job-protected family and medical leave and family and medical leave benefits. All presumptions are to be made in favor of the availability of leave and the payment of family and medical leave benefits under this statute. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 8(h))
    
    
  • An individual may bring a civil action in Superior Court for an alleged violation of the anti-retaliation, job restoration and continuation of benefits (e.g., the right to accrue vacation and other benefits, and the continuation of healthcare benefits) provisions. The action must be brought within three years of the alleged violation. Unlike claims under Chapter 151B or the Massachusetts Wage Act, there is no administrative filing requirement. A prevailing plaintiff may be awarded various remedies, including all common law remedies, three times the employee's lost wages and benefits, and reasonable attorney's fees and costs. In addition, the court may issue a temporary restraining order or injunction and order reinstatement. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 9(d))
    
    
• The employer must provide written information to an employee within 30 days of the employee's start date. The written information must be in the employee's primary language and it must explain the employee's rights under the PFML. This notice may be distributed by email. The employer must obtain from each employee a written acknowledgment of receipt of the information, or the employer must maintain a statement indicating the employee's refusal to sign. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 4(a))
  
  
  • Additionally, there are four main notices that must be provided to workers, as applicable, based on the number of covered individuals in an employer's workforce, including the following:
    • Employer notice to employees (workforce of 25 or more covered individuals)
    • Employer notice to employees (workforce of fewer than 25 covered individuals)
    • Employer notice to self-employed individuals (self-employed individuals from employers with 25 or more covered individuals)
    • Employer notice to self-employed individuals (self-employed individuals from employers with fewer than 25 covered individuals)
      
      
  • Employers must display the poster in an area where other workplace posters are displayed, in English and each language that is the primary language of five or more members of the workforce. Employers may access the workplace poster published by the Department, "Notice of Benefits Available Under M.G.L. Chapter 175M Paid Family and Medical Leave," in English and translated in other languages. It may be downloaded here from the DPFML website. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 4(a))
    
    
• Employer contributions:
  • An employer with less than 25 employees is required to contribute to the Fund on behalf of their employees but does not need to make an employer contribution. The deduction may be made from the employee's pay.
    
  • An employer with 25 or more employees must contribute to the Fund on behalf of its employees and must also make an employer contribution. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 6)
    
    
• Payroll tax contributions:
  • For employers with 25 or more employees, the payroll tax in 2024 is 0.88 percent of the employee's wages paid. The Department has determined that 0.70 percent will be allocated to the medical leave portion of the Fund and 0.18 percent will be allocated the family leave portion of the Fund. The law permits employers with 25 or more employees to require the employee to pay up to 40 percent of the medical leave allocation and to require the employee to pay up to 100 percent of the family leave allocation. An employer may deduct different percentages from the wages of different groups of covered individuals so long as it does not require any individual to pay more than 40 percent of the medical leave allocation or 100 percent of the family leave allocation. (Rate sheets for employers)
    
    
  • For employers with less than 25 employees, the payroll tax in 2024 is 0.46 percent of the employee's wages paid. The Department has determined that 0.26 percent will be allocated to the medical leave portion of the Fund and 0.18 percent will be allocated to the family leave portion of the Fund. Employees are responsible for 100 percent of the medical leave and family leave allocations unless the employer elects to cover a portion of employee's contribution. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 6) (Rate sheets for employers)
    
    
• Employers can be reimbursed for qualifying paid leave plans. The PFML law authorizes employers that make payments to employees that are equal to or greater than the amount required by the PFML law under a paid temporary disability, family or medical leave policy that is self-insured or from an extended illness leave bank to be reimbursed from the benefits the employees would have been paid by the Department. The Department has issued an updated guide on reimbursements for qualifying paid leave plans. (458 CMR 2.12(9))
  
  
• With approval by the Department an employer may elect to adopt a private plan in lieu of contributing to the Fund, provided the private plan confers all of the same benefits as PFML, does not cost employees more than they would be charged under the state plan, includes equivalent or better job and benefit protections and is approved by the Department. Furthermore, the private plan must cover all employees, must have an internal appeals process, must provide notice to covered employees of their rights and the weekly benefit amount must be based on the wages earned with the employer at the time of an application for benefits. (M.G.L.c. 175M, s. 11)