What is the Difference Between Earned Sick Time and Paid Family Medical Leave?

The Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law was passed several years before the Paid Family Medical Leave Act ("PFMLA"). The two laws serve very different purposes.

Earned sick time is meant for short term needs- either the employee's own illness, or a need to attend routine medical appointments or care for family members who are sick or need to go to medical appointments. The maximum an employer is required to provide for sick time is five days, or 40 hours.

In contrast, PFML is intended for absences from 12 weeks up to as much as 26 weeks, depending on the reason for leave.

An employee may access both as part of the same health event, taking sick time for immediate care then applying for PFML if it appears they need more time.

Learn more here about the Massachusetts earned sick time law.