Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster in Boston, Massachusetts (2026)
Without this poster displayed in your restaurant, you face daily fines and employee complaints to the state — Massachusetts requires all employers in Boston to post earned sick time information where employees can see it. The Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster is a state-mandated notice issued under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, Section 148C, and enforced by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards. Also called an earned sick leave notice or sick time disclosure poster. ApronPrep auto-fills 15 of 18 fields — you fill in only your restaurant's basic details. No government filing fees — you print and post the completed form yourself. Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep.
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Why You Need a Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster
You are legally required to display the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster because of state law. The primary authority is the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law (M.G.L. c. 149, § 148C), which mandates that all covered employers—including restaurants—post a notice informing employees of their rights to accrue and use earned sick time. In Boston, you must also comply with the city's Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, which provides additional, specific rights for employees working within city limits. Furthermore, the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), which enforces these laws, publishes and requires the specific combined poster that includes this and other mandatory notices, such as minimum wage, tip, and prevailing wage laws.
Failure to display the correct, current poster in a conspicuous workplace location can trigger significant enforcement actions. Based on ApronPrep's analysis of enforcement data in Massachusetts, the practical consequences for non-compliance include:
- Civil Penalties: The AGO can assess fines per violation. For willful violations of wage and hour posting requirements, penalties can reach up to $10,000 per violation under state law.
- Increased Liability in Disputes: Not having the poster posted weakens your defense in employee wage claims. If an employee files a suit for denied sick time and you cannot prove proper notice was given, you may be liable for treble damages (triple the owed wages) plus the employee's attorney's fees.
- Operational & Reputational Risk: An AGO inspection or audit, which can be triggered by a single employee complaint, may expand in scope if a missing poster indicates broader non-compliance. This can lead to a full wage-and-hour audit, resulting in back wage orders for multiple employees across several years.
Legal code: State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
Recent update: As of 2026, the Massachusetts Attorney General's office has issued an updated mandatory workplace poster that consolidates the Earned Sick Time notice with other required labor law postings; using an outdated poster version is a common compliance failure.
Who Needs a Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required because Massachusetts law mandates all employers with 11 or more employees to display the poster, and this establishment type typically employs staff at that threshold. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, Section 148C, which applies to any employer with employees, including tipped workers in this sector. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required as a food service employer in Massachusetts, regardless of mobile operation status, if it has one or more employees, per the Attorney General's Earned Sick Time regulations. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required because these establishments are retail food service employers subject to Massachusetts wage and hour laws, including the earned sick time notice requirement. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (18 Fields)
15 of 18 auto-filledHas Massachusetts Employees
booleanSelect 'Yes' if you have any employees working for you within Massachusetts, even if your business is based elsewhere; your physical presence in the state triggers the poster requirement.
COMMON MISTAKE: Saying 'No' because you think your business isn't incorporated in MA, which leads to immediate failure to comply with M.G.L. c. 149, § 148C.
Number of MA Employees
numberEnter the total number of individuals you employ in Massachusetts, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this blank or entering '0' when you have employees, which can be flagged during a state audit and lead to fines for misrepresentation.
Workplace Street Address
textEnter the full street address of your primary restaurant location in Massachusetts where employees report for work.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a P.O. Box, home address, or corporate headquarters address instead of the physical worksite address.
Workplace City
textEnter the city or town of your Massachusetts worksite, spelled correctly (e.g., 'Boston', not 'Boston, MA').
Workplace State
textThis should auto-fill as 'Massachusetts'; confirm it matches the state where your employees physically work.
Workplace ZIP Code
textEnter the 5-digit ZIP Code for your worksite; include the 4-digit extension if you know it for accuracy.
Poster Downloaded
booleanConfirm you have downloaded the official 'Earned Sick Time' poster in English from the Massachusetts Attorney General's website.
COMMON MISTAKE: Downloading an outdated poster or one from a third-party site, which may not contain the 2026 required legal language and contact information.
Download Date
dateEnter the date you downloaded the current version of the poster; this creates an audit trail proving you obtained the correct notice.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a future date or the date you printed it, which could raise questions during an inspection about when you acquired the legally mandated notice.
Poster Version/Year
textEnter the year/version number printed on the poster itself (e.g., '2026'); the AG's office updates the poster annually.
COMMON MISTAKE: Guessing or entering '2025' when the 2026 poster is required, which is a direct violation as the poster content and AG contact info change yearly.
Can Print Poster
booleanConfirm you have access to a printer capable of producing a legible, letter-sized (8.5” x 11”) color or black-and-white copy for posting.
COMMON MISTAKE: Assuming a small, hard-to-read printout is acceptable; the poster must be in a conspicuous place where employees can easily read it.
ApronPrep auto-fills 15 of 18 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster Mistakes
1. Posting the Generic State Poster Instead of the Boston-Specific Version
Using the standard Massachusetts Earned Sick Time poster is a violation of Boston's municipal ordinances, which have stricter notice requirements. The city's Office of Labor Standards requires a poster that explicitly references the Boston-specific provisions of the law, including the local ordinance number (Chapter 12-12) and enforcement contact details. This mistake often triggers a warning from a city inspector, requiring a correction and potential follow-up to verify compliance, which can delay your opening or renewal process by 1-2 weeks while you obtain and post the correct version.
2. Hiding the Poster in an Employee Break Room or Office
The law requires the poster to be in a conspicuous place accessible to all employees. Posting it only in a manager's office, a locked break room, or an area not frequented by all staff (like a kitchen where only back-of-house works) fails the 'conspicuous and accessible' test. For example, a cafe was cited because the poster was on a bulletin board in a back office only managers used. To avoid this, place it alongside other mandatory labor law posters (like Minimum Wage) in a common area like a time clock station, main hallway, or near employee entrances.
3. Failing to Post in All Required Languages
Boston's regulations require the notice to be provided in English and any language that is the primary language of five or more employees if a translation is published by the Office of Labor Standards. Posting only the English version when you have a significant Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Chinese-speaking workforce is a common compliance failure. This can lead to employee complaints and investigations. Check the city's official website for the latest translated versions and post them alongside the English notice to ensure all employees can understand their rights.
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Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster by City in Massachusetts
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | ||
| Springfield | ||
| Worcester |
Timeline: Varies
Obtain the Current Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster
Download the official earned sick time poster from the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office website (mass.gov/service-pages/earned-sick-time) or request a printed copy by contacting the Office of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. The poster is available in English and multiple languages — verify you have the 2026 version, as wording updates annually. Most restaurants print this step takes 10–15 minutes.
Review Poster Content for Accuracy
Confirm the poster displays all required elements: accrual rate (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or equivalent), carryover rules, employee rights, and employer prohibitions. Cross-check against Massachusetts General Laws c. 149, § 152 to ensure compliance. This review catches discrepancies before posting and prevents employee disputes.
Print and Display the Poster in Boston Locations
Print the poster on standard 8.5×11" or 11×14" paper — larger format increases visibility. Post it in an area frequented by all employees (break room, employee entrance, time clock area) where it remains visible and unobstructed. Boston's Office of Wage and Hour Enforcement prioritizes accessible posting during compliance inspections. Document the posting date and location in your records.
Where to Apply
Applications go to the Massachusetts department of labor. Local procedures and fees may vary — select your city below.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Massachusetts.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Allergen Awareness Training Certificate
state
Annual Report Filing
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThe Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster is not subject to a government approval timeline — you obtain it directly from the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards and can post it immediately upon receipt. Per the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards website, employers must display the poster in a conspicuous location accessible to all employees before any earned sick time accrues. Once you have the poster, there is no waiting period; compliance begins when it is posted.
There is no government filing fee for the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster — the poster is provided free of charge by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards. You can download the poster directly from the department's website or request a printed copy at no cost. Not legal advice — verify current availability and distribution methods by contacting the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards.
The earned sick time poster itself is generic and not location-specific, so the same poster can be used at multiple locations under your business ownership. However, each physical location where you employ workers must display the poster in a conspicuous, accessible area per Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, Section 148D. If you relocate your restaurant or open a second location, you will need to ensure a copy is posted at each site; no transfer or re-approval process is required, but you should also verify compliance with your City Business License/Registration requirements for each new address.
The Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Poster does not require renewal — once posted, it remains in effect as long as you employ workers in Massachusetts and the earned sick time law is in effect. You should replace the poster if it becomes damaged, illegible, or if the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards issues an updated version. Contact the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards to confirm if any updates have been issued; as of 2026, check the department website for the current approved version.
Earned sick time poster compliance is typically inspected during routine wage-and-hour compliance visits by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards or during audits triggered by employee complaints. Inspectors verify that the poster is displayed in a conspicuous, accessible location where all employees can view it, and that it is legible and not defaced. Failure to display the poster can result in citations and penalties; to maintain compliance, pair your poster display with documentation of your earned sick time policies, and consider reviewing your Allergen Awareness Training Certificate and other employment compliance requirements to ensure a comprehensive workplace safety program.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Massachusetts specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Boston, Springfield, Worcester), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 18 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
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