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Massachusetts Labor Laws 2025

Massachusetts has comprehensive labor protections including a $15 minimum wage, mandatory meal breaks, earned sick time, unique Sunday premium pay for retail employees, and strict child labor restrictions.

Important: Massachusetts requires 30-minute meal breaks for shifts over 6 hours, Sunday premium pay of 1.5x for retail employees, and final wages paid on the last day of work for discharged employees.

Minimum Wage

Massachusetts has a state minimum wage that exceeds federal law.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $15.00 per hour (as of January 1, 2023)
  • Tipped employees: $6.75/hour minimum cash wage
  • Service rate: $20 or more per month in tips qualifies for tipped minimum
  • Applies to all employers regardless of size
  • No tip credit for certain occupations (wait staff in counter service only establishments)

Additional Resources

Overtime

Massachusetts follows federal overtime requirements with additional Sunday and holiday premium pay.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • Sunday premium: Retail employees receive 1.5x for Sunday work (if not overtime)
  • Holiday premium: Premium pay for certain holidays
  • Blue laws: Certain restrictions on Sunday work for retail
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)

Additional Resources

Meal Breaks

Massachusetts requires meal breaks for employees working longer shifts.

Key Requirements

  • Meal break: 30-minute break for shifts over 6 hours
  • Break must be provided during work time, not at beginning or end of shift
  • Employees must be completely relieved of duties during unpaid meal breaks
  • No state law requiring rest breaks (short paid breaks)
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided, short breaks must be paid

Additional Resources

Earned Sick Time

Massachusetts requires earned sick time for employees working for employers with 11+ employees.

Key Requirements

  • Employers with 11+ employees: Must provide paid sick time
  • Employers with 10 or fewer: Must provide unpaid sick time
  • Accrual: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
  • Maximum accrual: 40 hours per year
  • Can be used for illness, preventive care, or care for family members

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Massachusetts has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Most employees: Must be paid weekly or bi-weekly
  • Exempt employees: May be paid semi-monthly or monthly
  • Final wages: Must be paid on last day of work if employee is discharged
  • If employee quits: Must be paid by next regular payday
  • Direct deposit allowed with employee written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Massachusetts has comprehensive restrictions on youth employment.

Key Requirements

  • Work permits required for minors under 18
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: Limited to 9 hours per day, 48 hours per week
  • Minors under 18 cannot work before 6am or after 10pm on school nights (midnight non-school nights)

Additional Resources

Sunday Premium Pay (Blue Laws)

Massachusetts has unique Sunday premium pay requirements:

  • Retail employees receive 1.5x regular rate for Sunday work
  • Some businesses are prohibited from operating on Sundays unless they have a special permit
  • Employees can refuse Sunday work without penalty in certain circumstances
  • Premium does not apply if Sunday hours are already overtime

Final Wage Payment Requirements

Massachusetts has strict requirements for paying final wages:

Employee Discharged

Final wages must be paid on the employee's last day of work

Employee Quits

Final wages must be paid by the next regular payday

Earned Sick Time by Employer Size

Massachusetts sick time requirements vary by employer size:

11+ Employees

Paid Sick Time

Up to 40 hours per year

10 or Fewer Employees

Unpaid Sick Time

Up to 40 hours per year

Navigate Massachusetts' Complex Requirements

Rightwork automatically calculates Sunday premium pay, enforces meal break requirements, tracks earned sick time accruals, and ensures timely final wage payments.

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