The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) recently provided several significant updates related to the Commonwealth’s paid family and medical leave (PFML) program as 2023 comes to a close. ...more
After several years of evolving guidance, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has announced that starting November 1, 2023, employees who apply for paid family and medical leave (PFML) benefits...more
On July 26, 2022, Governor Charlie Baker signed into law “An Act Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Natural and Protective Hairstyles,” popularly known as the Massachusetts CROWN Act. The effective date of the new law...more
On July 26, 2022, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law “An Act Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Natural and Protective Hairstyles,” also known as the Massachusetts CROWN Act. The law prohibits...more
The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) continues to issue, update, and consolidate guidance on the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFML). Here is a summary of additional guidance...more
The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has continued to issue guidance and clarifications regarding the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFML) since the law went into effect in January...more
Massachusetts is seeing an increase in Tips Act claims, and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) just reinforced that a lack of clarity in fee- and tip-related documentation may result in employer liability,...more
9/7/2021
/ Appeals ,
Attorney's Fees ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Litigation ,
Former Employee ,
Hospitality Industry ,
MA Supreme Judicial Court ,
Safe Harbors ,
Service Charges ,
Tipped Employees ,
Tips ,
Treble Damages ,
Wage and Hour
Mandatory arbitration clauses for employment disputes have received a great deal of attention in recent years. In the First Circuit, there is now more clarity regarding the factors used to determine the enforceability of...more
4/16/2021
/ Appeals ,
Arbitration ,
Arbitration Agreements ,
Employment Contract ,
Employment Litigation ,
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ,
Independent Contractors ,
Mandatory Arbitration Clauses ,
Misclassification ,
Putative Class Actions ,
Wage and Hour
The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) updated its “Notice of Benefits” workplace poster regarding the state’s requirements under the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Act on November 17,...more
On May 14, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) issued revised draft regulations to accompany the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law. The draft regulations come...more
On February 12, 2020, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued an opinion with significant implications for Massachusetts employers with commissioned employees. In Parker v. EnerNOC, Inc. (SJC-12703), the SJC...more
2/25/2020
/ Appeals ,
Contract Terms ,
Damages ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Litigation ,
Jury Verdicts ,
MA Supreme Judicial Court ,
Retaliation ,
Sales Commissions ,
Termination ,
Treble Damages ,
Wage Act
The Department of Paid Family and Medical Leave (DFML) continues to issue updates concerning compliance with the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Law (PFML). The DFML’s most recent updates address private plan...more
The deadlines for notice to employees and contribution withholdings required by the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFML) are fast approaching, and employers are encouraged to make sure that they are...more
Following the recently announced three-month delay to notice and contribution requirements, and the announcement of updated template notices and final regulations, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave...more
On June 18, 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) issued final regulations regarding the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Law (PFML). This follows months of revisions, public...more
6/24/2019
/ Covered Employer ,
Delays ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Contributions ,
Employer Contributions ,
Final Rules ,
Medical Leave ,
Notice Requirements ,
Paid Family Leave Law ,
Paid Leave ,
Updated Forms