Navigating Mileage Reimbursements in Massachusetts
Your Legal Rights and Options Explained
Embarking on the road to reclaiming mileage reimbursements in Massachusetts can be both daunting and necessary. In this short guide, we shed light on your entitlements, exceptions, and avenues for recourse, ensuring you’re equipped to navigate this terrain with confidence.
Are Massachusetts Employers Obligated to Reimburse Mileage?
In Massachusetts, employees enjoy a unique safeguard that is not federally mandated. The state legislation directs employers to compensate employees for travel that takes place during working hours, aligning with the Massachusetts Wage Act and codified within Massachusetts Regulation 454 CMR 27.04(4)(b).
This provision stipulates that employees required to report to locations beyond their regular work site are entitled to compensation for travel exceeding ordinary commute time and reimbursement for associated transportation costs, extending to travel between locations throughout the workday. Essentially, if you are normally required to report to a standard office location but are directed, during working hours, to off-site locations, then you potentially qualify for a mileage reimbursement. If you are not being compensated for mileage reimbursement, you should contact a wage and hour attorney in Massachusetts.
Are There Exceptions to Who Qualifies?
In short, yes. While the provision protecting mileage reimbursement is broad, certain exemptions outlined in MGL. c. 151 § 2 apply, including agricultural and farm work, rehabilitation or training programs, seasonal camp counseling, religious orders, and outside sales roles with no daily office reporting requirement.
How Much Should Employers Reimburse?
Massachusetts courts have upheld the IRS standard reimbursement rate, currently set at 67 cents per mile for 2024, as reasonable and encompassing of all travel-related expenses, including fuel, maintenance, insurance, and ancillary costs. If you are being paid significantly less than the 67 cents per mile, you should contact a Massachusetts wage and hour attorney.
What Should I Do If My Employer Doesn’t Reimburse Me?
In Massachusetts, mileage reimbursement isn’t a discretionary perk but an integral component of your total compensation. Employers failing to meet reimbursement obligations violate state labor laws and are withholding wages. If you encounter non-compliance or insufficient reimbursements, seeking legal guidance is paramount.
Our team at MA Employment Lawyers understands the complexities of employment law and is committed to advocating for your rights. Reach out to us to explore your options and secure the compensation you deserve.
