Question

My company is a manufacturer, and we were unexpectedly hit with a large order that will require opening on weekends over the next month or so and maybe on Veterans Day.  I know there are rules about Sundays and holidays, but what exactly will we have to do?

Answer

The Massachusetts Blue Laws can be very confusing. You are right, there are rules about opening on Sundays and holidays, and you can find guidance here.

Manufacturers may open on the following holidays without a permit: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Evacuation Day, Patriots’ Day, Bunker Hill Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day.  On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, however, you will have to obtain a permit from the local police department to open in the morning, on Columbus Day before noon, and Veterans Day before 1:00.  Note that as of January 1, 2023, there is no longer a requirement of premium pay for Sundays and holidays in Massachusetts.

You will also need a permit from the police department to operate on Sundays. You might ask the police for a letter allowing you to open for several successive Sundays, rather than having to request one each week.  Our members report that Sunday and holiday permits are readily issued by the local police department.

AIM will release a 2024 calendar later this year with additional information about holidays, so please look for that and save it for reference.

AIM members with questions about holidays and Sunday openings or any other human resources matters may call the AIM HR Helpline at 800-470-6277.