Seyfarth Synopsis: Massachusetts municipalities have a lot on their plate. They are large and complex organizations that provide critical services to their constituents in accordance with (often strict) budgets. As cities...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On December 17, 2021, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court extended the public policy exception to at-will employment to the termination of an employee for filing a rebuttal to a personnel record. The...more
Seyfarth Synopsis. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has announced that beginning January 15, 2022, many Boston businesses will be required to check vaccination cards before allowing most individuals to enter their premises....more
Seyfarth Synopsis. On June 4, 2021, Massachusetts released a mandatory COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Notice. Effective immediately, all Massachusetts employers are required to provide the Notice to their Massachusetts...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 28, 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law legislation that grants employees emergency paid sick leave for COVID-related illness, quarantine and vaccinations (“COVID-19 emergency...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 28, 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law legislation that grants employees emergency paid sick leave for COVID-related illness, quarantine and vaccinations (“COVID-19 emergency...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced today that the Commonwealth will end most COVID-19 restrictions by May 29. Some industries, including health care, schools, and the transportation sectors,...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 27, 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced that between April 30 and August 1, 2021, the Commonwealth will advance through the final stages of the COVID-19 reopening plan. Subject to...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 1, 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a new law that, among other issues, addresses the solvency of the Commonwealth’s unemployment compensation fund by imposing an excise on wages...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On April 1, 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a new law that, among other issues, addresses the solvency of the Commonwealth’s unemployment compensation fund by imposing an excise on wages...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development has issued updated guidance for Massachusetts industries for the reopening order’s Phase IV, Step One transition. The updated guidance...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On February 25, 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced that Massachusetts will advance to Phase Three, Step Two of the Reopening Plan on March 1, 2021. Governor Baker also announced that...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: In response to increasing COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 59, which will impose temporary capacity limitations on businesses and gatherings. ...more
12/28/2020
/ Capacity ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Non-Essential Businesses ,
Public Health ,
Retail Market ,
State and Local Government ,
Workplace Safety
Seyfarth Synopsis: In response to increasing COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker issued COVID-19 Orders Nos. 57 and 58, which will return the Commonwealth to Step 1 of Phase 3 of its reopening plan....more
12/14/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Non-Essential Businesses ,
Public Gatherings ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Seating ,
Workplace Safety
Seyfarth Synopsis: A beverage wholesaler has appealed an arbitration award to federal court where the Company discharged a CDL driver who tested positive for cocaine. The arbitrator had ruled that the Company did not have...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Governor Baker and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health have issued new restrictions on Massachusetts residents and businesses. The restrictions include a Stay-At-Home Advisory, an Order Requiring...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: In response to a rise in COVID-19 cases, including those associated with large social gatherings, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has issued a new order limiting outdoor gatherings to 50 people and...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: As we previously reported, on July 24, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an Executive Order announcing a $500 daily civil fine, effective August 1, for individuals traveling into the Commonwealth...more
7/30/2020
/ Business Travel ,
Civil Monetary Penalty ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Executive Orders ,
Governor Baker ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health ,
Quarantine ,
State and Local Government ,
Travel Restrictions ,
Traveling Employee
Seyfarth Synopsis: As Massachusetts has entered Step 1 of Phase 3, the Commonwealth has updated its reopening guidance for several sectors, including office spaces, lodging providers, laboratories, restaurants, manufacturing,...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Massachusetts will move to the second step of Phase II of the State’s reopening plan beginning yesterday, June 22. Updated COVID-19 guidance issued by the Baker Administration increases office occupancy...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 1, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an Executive Order providing details as to which businesses and organizations may reopen during Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan. ...more
Earlier this month, Governor Baker announced that the state would undergo a multi-phased approach to re-opening Massachusetts businesses. During the second phase, subject to guidance and restrictions...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: As Massachusetts enters the first phase of reopening, the Massachusetts Office of Housing and Economic Development has provided updated guidance for retail businesses which sell non-essential goods. ...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 18, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker released the Reopening Massachusetts Plan created by the Reopening Advisory Board, providing further details on each of the four reopening phases....more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 11, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker outlined the state’s Four-Phased Approach to Reopening the Massachusetts economy, and provided Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards, which will apply...more