Who can apply for paid sick leave during the coronavirus disease pandemic in Massachusetts?
Who can apply for paid sick leave during the coronavirus disease pandemic in Massachusetts?
Most employees in Massachusetts have the right to earn and use up to 40 hours of job-protected sick leave per year to take care of themselves and certain family members. Employees must earn at least one hour of earned sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Read the AG’s Office overview of Earned Sick Time in Massachusetts.
What should I do if I don’t provide paid sick leave to my employees during the COVID-19 pandemic?
See full answerEmployers that do not currently offer sick leave to some or all of their employees may want to draft non-punitive “emergency sick leave” policies. Ensure that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of and understand these policies.The Families First Coronavirus Response Actexternal icon (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. Employers with fewer than 500 employees are eligible for 100% tax credits for Families First Coronavirus Response Act COVID-19 paid leave provided through December 31, 2020, up to certain limits.
Who is a covered employer that must provide paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the FFCRA?
See full answerGenerally, if you employ fewer than 500 employees you are a covered employer that must provide paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. For additional information on the 500 employee threshold, see Question 2. Certain employers with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt from the Act’s requirements to provide certain paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave. For additional information regarding this small business exemption, see Question 4 and Questions 58 and 59 below.Certain public employers are also covered under the Act and must provide paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave.
Am I eligible for PUA benefits if I quit my job because of COVID-19?
There are multiple qualifying circumstances related to COVID-19 that can make an individual eligible for PUA, including if the individual quits his or her job as a direct result of COVID-19. Quitting to access unemployment benefits is not one of them.
What are essential workers or jobs during the coronavirus disease pandemic in Massachusetts?
See full answerWorkers who support the inspection and maintenance of aids to navigation, and other government provided services that ensure continued maritime commerce. Licensed site clean-up professionals and other workers addressing hazardous spills, waste sites, and remediation. Workers who support the operation, maintenance and public safety of parks, forests, reservations, conservation restrictions, wildlife management areas, water supply protection lands, and other critical natural resources and open space for passive recreation. Workers who support storm clean-up operations (e.g., foresters).
What should I do if I don’t provide paid sick leave to my employees?
Employers that do not currently offer sick leave to some or all of their employees may want to draft non-punitive “emergency sick leave” policies. Ensure that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of and understand these policies.
What is the maximum unemployment benefits for Massachusetts?
Maximum Length of Time. As of 2011, Massachusetts offers unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks. Since the maximum benefit amount you can get is $625 per week, you cannot get more than $16,250 total in unemployment benefits. This amount does not include the dependency allowance for children.
What are the unemployment requirements in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts unemployment laws require you to: Have legal authorization to work in the U.S. Be unemployed or working significantly reduces hours through no fault of your own. Actively be looking for work every week. Be willing and able to accept suitable work should it be offered to you.
How do you file for unemployment in Massachusetts?
In the state of Massachusetts, you can file for unemployment online through the UI Online portal, in person at 19 Staniford St. Boston, MA 02114, or by calling 877-626-6800. To apply for unemployment benefits check your eligibility, prepare your documents, submit your claim, and understand your allotted benefits.
How do you apply for unemployment benefits in Massachusetts?
You can apply for benefits in person, or on the phone. To apply in person, you can go to one of the 15 Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) walk-in offices in Massachusetts. Unemployment Insurance Walk-In Centers.
