Massachusetts becomes third state to guarantee workers paid sick leave

Massachusetts has joined Connecticut and California in mandating paid sick leave for workers. Voters approved the initiative by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent on Tuesday.

Under the Question 4 measure, workers will get one paid hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, with a maximum of 40 hours of sick leave per year. The measure will go into effect on July 15, 2015.

Workers can use the sick leave when they are sick or injured as well as when they need to care for a sick family member. The measure also makes it illegal for companies to punish their workers for taking their sick leave.

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