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: With Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) benefits becoming available on January 1, 2021, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (Department) issued several updates, a new...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: The Labor and Workforce Development Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature has recommended favorable action on a bill that would provide up to 80 hours of paid sick time to employees who need to take...more
On Friday, 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 who fail to comply with the State’s...more
7/28/2020
/ Business Travel ,
Civil Monetary Penalty ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Executive Orders ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health ,
Quarantine ,
State and Local Government ,
Travel Restrictions ,
Traveling Employee
Last week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced an updated Executive Order imposing restrictions on travelers to the Commonwealth, effective August 1. ...more
This past week, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) released an unofficial version of the final amendments to the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) regulations following a public hearing and...more
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
As we reported last week, on May 8, 2020, the Department of Paid Family and Medical Leave (DFML) issued proposed amendments to the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) regulations and announced a public hearing and formal...more
On Friday, May 8, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) published proposed amendments to the regulations governing the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Law. ...more
On Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) published important guidance from the Division of Insurance (DOI) for employers opting out of the Commonwealth’s Paid Family and...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: As the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (“PFML”) law enters the first quarter of PFML contributions, the Department of Paid Family and Medical Leave (“DFML”) has released additional guidance on...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Yesterday, the Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) issued new guidance clarifying when a business should include 1099-MISC workers in the company’s workforce count for contribution, coverage, and...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Earlier yesterday, the Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) issued its final regulations for the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Law. ...more
6/19/2019
/ Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Labor Regulations ,
New Legislation ,
Notice Requirements ,
Paid Family Leave Law ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Required Forms ,
State and Local Government ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour
Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 13, 2019, Governor Baker signed into law S 2255, officially delaying the start of the payroll deductions for the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program by three months to...more
6/19/2019
/ Delays ,
Employer Contributions ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Implementation Day ,
New Legislation ,
Paid Family Leave Law ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Payroll Deductions ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Rulemaking Process ,
State and Local Government ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour
Seyfarth Synopsis: This week, the Massachusetts Governor, Senate President and House Speaker issued a joint statement confirming that they have agreed to adopt a 3-month delay to the start of required contributions under the...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has clarified that employers are not required to provide their 1099-MISC contractors the written notice of Paid Family and Medical Leave...more
Among the most common types of wage and hour lawsuits in Massachusetts are independent contractor misclassification suits. These actions arise when an individual who provides a service claims that: (1) he or she was...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: In important breaking news, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has changed its position and has confirmed that employers may receive approval of a private paid family or medical...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: In response to feedback from the public listening sessions held around the Commonwealth, as well as engagement efforts, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) announced several...more