Massachusetts Extends COVID Leave into 2022

September 30, 2021

Late yesterday, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker made it official. Paid COVID leave has been extended to April 1, 2022. The law had been set to expire tomorrow on October 1. All prior portions of the law remain in effect. The law applies to employers of any size and provides for up to 40 hours of paid sick leave for the following reasons:


  • To self-isolate because of the employee’s COVID diagnosis;
  • To obtain medical care or treatment for, or seek a diagnosis of COVID;
  • To obtain or recover from the COVID vaccine;
  • To care for a family member who has COVID or is self-isolating; or
  • To help a family member obtain a vaccine or recover from an injury or illness related to the vaccine.


The law provides a maximum benefit allowance of $850. Wage reimbursement is available to employers that pay out COVID time-off. If the $75 million allocated for this purpose is exhausted at some point in time earlier than April 1, 2022, the law will not longer be in effect. 

If you have any questions about the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace, COVID Paid leave, or other employment issues generally, please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at The Royal Law Firm at 413-586-2288.

June 18, 2025
Royal attorneys successfully obtained a dismissal at the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. The Complainant alleged discrimination based on race, color and sex. Royal attorneys argued that the Complainant was not subjected to any adverse employment action and thus could not establish a prima facie cause of discrimination. Royal attorneys also argued that Complainant’s allegations of a hostile work environment and harassment fell short. The Complainant was performing her jobs duties in such a way that it was putting the employer at risk. Complainant’s direct supervisor devised a plan to mitigate the risk the employer was facing and help Complainant improve the quality of her work going forward. It was not disciplinary action, and Complainant was considered an employee in good standing at the time she filled her allegations of discrimination. CHRO agreed that there was insufficient proof to sustain a discrimination or hostile work environment claim and that “if anything, it revealed a disagreement in management styles that does not amount to discrimination and/or harassment under Connecticut law,” and dismissed the case against our client.
June 10, 2025
Brandon Calton is now admitted to the United States District Court, Connecticut! The Royal Law Firm is passionate about expanding our reach so that we can better serve our clients and their needs. Brandon is admitted in Massachusetts, the United States District Court of Massachusetts, and the United States District Court of Connecticut.