BOSTON - Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Office of Human Resources today announced updates to the City’s Military Leave Policy to strengthen support for employees who serve in the United States Military. The updates, which take effect on November 11, 2025, introduce expanded paid leave for Active Duty service and streamlines the leave request process.
“These updates will make it easier for our service members to take the time they need to fulfill their duties, with clear protections and compensation, while reinforcing Boston’s deep respect and gratitude for those who serve,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to all our city employees working double duty for both the City of Boston and serving their country. Their devotion to others is inspiring and deserving of benefits that fully support and respect their work.”
The changes build on the City’s long-standing commitment to honor, protect, and support employees who serve—whether in routine training, national emergencies, or active deployments—and aim to ensure fair, consistent, and streamlined administration of military leave across departments. Approximately 600 City employees will benefit from the updated policy.
Currently, the City of Boston’s Military Leave Policy provides job and compensation protection for employees who are called to military service. All employees are entitled to unpaid leave under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), a federal law that protects the employment rights of service members. In addition, benefits-eligible, full-time and part-time City employees receive paid leave and, when applicable, differential pay depending on the type and duration of military service. Military leave can be taken for: - Annual training, drills, and parades
- Active Duty service
- Emergency missions under Massachusetts law
The City’s policy also outlines the process for taking and returning from leave, and ensures continued access to benefits like health insurance and vacation accrual during eligible paid leave. Employees are guaranteed reinstatement to their positions under USERRA guidelines.
Mayor Wu today announced the following revisions to the Military Leave Policy to better serve our employees: - New Paid Benefit for Active Duty Service: For the first time, the City is offering 40 days of fully paid leave per federal fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) to employees called to Active Duty, followed by differential pay (if applicable) once those days are exhausted. This new benefit ensures financial stability for service members and aligns compensation for Active Duty with existing benefits for training and emergency deployments.
- Improved Request Process for Employees: To improve the experience for employees and to ensure consistency across departments, the City has launched a centralized Military Leave Request Form through the City’s employee portal. This ensures all leave is properly recorded and administered, and reduces administrative burdens on departments and employees.
“When employees serve in the military, they’re serving all of us,” said Chief People Officer, Alex Lawrence. “These policy updates make sure that when our staff are called to duty, whether for training or national service, they can go with confidence that their job, pay, and benefits are protected.”
“When a City of Boston employee is called to active duty, they are not stepping away from public service—they are expanding it,” said Commissioner of Veteran Services, Robert Santiago. “Our obligation as a municipal government is just as clear: when they serve our country, we serve them and their families.”
The City will continue to honor its responsibilities under federal law, while also offering stronger local protections and resources to City workers. In addition to the new paid Active Duty benefit announced today, the policy also provides: - Up to 40 paid days per federal fiscal year for training, drills, and parades
- Up to 30 paid days per mission for emergency deployment under Massachusetts law
- Job reinstatement protections and decompression time after military leave
- Ongoing accrual of vacation and sick time during paid military leave consistent with applicable CBAs and employer benefit policies
- Access to group health benefits during military service
Employees who are currently on military leave as of November 11, 2025, will remain covered by the previous policy until their return.
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