The Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance has announced that employers require to provide COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave will end March 15, 2022. The leave requirement is expiring on that date because the COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Fund, which reimburses employers for providing the leave, is nearing its limit for disbursements. Otherwise, the requirement would have remained in effect until April 1, 2022.
The details:
Employers must continue to offer COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave to eligible employees through March 15, 2022. Employers may continue to seek reimbursement for qualifying leave costs taken between May 28, 2021 and March 15, 2022. Applications for reimbursement must be submitted by April 29, 2022.
Through March 15, 2022, employees may use COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave for the following reasons:
- To self-isolate and care for themselves because of the employee's COVID-19 diagnosis; get a medical diagnosis, care, or treatment for COVID-19 symptoms; or obtain or recover from the COVID-19 vaccine.
- To care for a family member who is self-isolating due to a COVID-19 diagnosis or needs medical diagnosis, care or treatment for COVID-19 symptoms.
- If they or a family member are subject to a quarantine order, or other determination by a local, state, or federal public official, a health authority having jurisdiction, their employer, or a healthcare provider.
- Their inability to telework because the employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and the employee's symptoms inhibit the ability to telework.
- To care for a family member who is obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine or recovering from an injury, disability, illness, or condition related to such immunization.
Next steps:
If you are a Massachusetts employer:
· Continue to offer COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave to employees through March 15, 2022.
· Notify employees about the date that the leave entitlement will end.
· Update policies if necessary.
· Submit applications for reimbursement by April 29, 2022.