Does Massachusetts have state overtime laws that are different from federal law?
Under Massachusetts law, employers must pay employees at a rate of one and one-half the employee’s regular hourly wage for working more than 40 hours in one week.
Some employees are exempt from the overtime requirement. Employees engaged in administrative, professional, executive, agricultural, motor carrier, or outside sales activities are exempt from the overtime requirement. Additionally, the following occupations are exempt under Massachusetts law:
- Janitors or caretakers of residential property furnished with living quarters and paid at least $30.00 per week
- Gold caddies, newsboys or child actors or performers
- Learners or apprentices
- Disabled workers
- Fishermen
- Switchboard operator in a public telephone exchange
- Employees of seasonal businesses
- Seaman
- Hotel, motel or motor court employees
- Gasoline station employees
- Garagemen
- Restaurant employees
- Hospital, sanatorium, convalescent or nursing home, infirmary, rest home or charitable home for the aged employees
- Non-profit school or college employees
- Employees of summer camps operated by a non-profit charitable corporation
- Amusement park employees
Does Massachusetts have a minimum wage that is different from federal law?
The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $12.00 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Generally, employers cannot use other costs of employments to decrease the minimum wage required. Employers, however, can use tips and gratuities to reduce the minimum wage required to $4.35. Massachusetts law places a limit on how much the minimum wage can be reduced for meals and lodging.
The minimum wage for agricultral workers is $8.00 per hour. Exceptions to this rule are for payment of minors (under age 18) or to immediate family members.
Do any cities or counties in Massachusetts have a minimum wage that is different from state or federal law?
No cities or counties in Massachusetts currently have a minimum wage different from the state minimum of $12.00 per hour.
Does Massachusetts have meal and rest break requirements, unlike federal law?
Under Massachusetts laws about breaks and time off, employees are entitled to a 30-minute meal break within the first six hours of work.
How do I file a wage/hour or labor standards claim in Massachusetts?
You can file a wage complaint with the local Office of the Attorney General’s Fair Labor and Business Practices Division. The filing should include as much information and documentation as possible and any documents to support the claim.
What are my time deadlines?
If you have a wage/hour complaint, do not delay in contacting the Office of the Attorney General to file a claim. There are strict time limits in which wage claims must be filed. In order for the Office to act on your behalf, you must file the complaint within three years from the date that the claim arose.
As you might have other legal claims with shorter deadlines, do not wait to file your claim until your time limit is close to expiring. It may be helpful to consult with an attorney prior to filing your claim, but it is not necessary to have an attorney to file your claim.
How can I or my attorney pursue a claim in court in Massachusetts?
Ninety days after filing a wage complaint with or receiving written permission from the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, or employee can file a lawsuit to recover unpaid wages, triple damages, attorney’s fees and costs.
Local Offices of the Attorney General
State Agencies
Minimum wage hotline: (617) 626-6952
Email: DLSfeedback@state.ma.us
Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division
Hotline: (617) 727-3465
TTY: (617) 727-4765
Local Offices of the Attorney General
Boston
Attorney General’s Office
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-727-2200
TTY: 617-727-4765
New Bedford
Attorney General’s Office
Southeastern Massachusetts
105 William Street; First Floor
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: 508-990-9700
Fax: 508-990-8686
TTY: 617-727-4765
Springfield
Attorney General’s Office
Western Massachusetts
1441 Main St, 12th Floor
Springfield, MA
01103-1629
Phone: 413-784-1240
Fax: 413-784-1244
TTY: 617-727-4765
Worcester
Attorney General:
Central Massachusetts
10 Mechanic Street, Suite 301
Worcester, MA 01608-2417
Phone: (508) 792-7600
Fax: (508) 795-1991
TTY: (617) 727-4765