Massachusetts Emergency Paid Sick Leave (MEPSL)
On May 28, 2021, Governor Baker signed into law “An Act Providing for Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave” which provides in part:
- The equivalent of 5 days of paid time off to full-time employees (capped at a total of $850.00) for certain COVID-related absences from work;
- Notice requirements for employees seeking to use Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (MEPSL); and
- Documentation requirements for employers seeking reimbursement of amounts paid under MEPSL.
On September 29, 2021, the Governor signed into law an extension of this program until April 1, 2022.
The duration of MEPSL is dependent on the availability of reimbursement funding available to employers, or April 1, 2022, whichever comes first.
This memo explains the MEPSL program and provides payroll instructions for how Commonwealth payroll staff are to enter pay for eligible employees into the payroll system.