Skip to content
English
Contact us
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

How does the Massachusetts Parental Leave Act (MPLA) work?

Your guide to unpaid, job-protected leave for welcoming a child

 

Quick answer
 MPLA applies to employers with 6 or more employees total (not limited to Massachusetts), and covers most full-time employees working in Massachusetts. Eligible employees can receive up to 8 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per child, for giving birth and/or caring for a newborn, or for adopting a child under 18 (or under 23, if the child is disabled).

Who this applies to / Prerequisites

  • Employers with 6 or more employees total, regardless of where those employees are located.
  • Most full-time employees working in Massachusetts.

Key facts

  1. MPLA provides up to 8 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for giving birth and/or caring for a newborn (regardless of the employee's gender), or for adopting a child under 18 (or under 23, if disabled).
  2. Leave is granted per child — for example, an employee welcoming twins gets 16 weeks, triplets get 24 weeks, and an employee who has a baby and later adopts another child gets 8 weeks for each event.
  3. Leave can start before the birth or adoption, but must be used for the purpose of welcoming a new child.
  4. Leave doesn't have to be taken immediately upon birth or adoption, but must generally be taken within a reasonable timeframe, typically one year from the date of birth or adoption.
  5. MPLA runs concurrently with federal FMLA and MA PFML when applicable.

What if it doesn't work

  • I welcomed more than one child at once or through separate events: Your leave entitlement is calculated per child — contact your Leave Success Manager to confirm your total.
  • I want to start my leave before the birth or adoption: This is allowed as long as the leave is used for welcoming the new child — contact your Leave Success Manager for guidance.
  • If none of these apply, contact your Leave Success Manager (employees) or Customer Success Manager (HR teams).

Limits and exceptions

  • MPLA leave is unpaid.
  • Leave must generally be taken within a reasonable timeframe, typically one year from the date of birth or adoption.

Related questions

  • How does Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave (MA PFML) work?
  • What other Massachusetts leave laws does Tilt support?