Terminating an Employee - Massachusetts

This article addresses specific compliance issues around terminating employees in Massachusetts. If you'd like to know how to terminate an employee within Justworks, please visit Terminating Employees.

Massachusetts law requires that employees be paid their owed wages at the time of termination if termination is involuntary. If an employee resigns, then the final pay can be paid out with the next regular payroll.

For an involuntary termination, best practice is to provide employees with a physical check for all outstanding wages upon termination. It is possible to schedule this final check in advance to be paid via direct deposit on the termination date, but can be tricky for a variety of logistical reasons. All funds paid via physical check should be recorded in Justworks for tax purposes.

Employers are also required to pay out any accrued, unused vacation. All vested vacation must be paid to the employee as wages, at the final rate of pay.

Additionally, the unemployment insurance pamphlet (How to Apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits (Form 0590A) MUST be provided to all separating employees, regardless of the reason for leaving.