Massachusetts recently enacted sweeping criminal justice reform. Included among the reformed laws is a further limitation on information an employer may seek from applicants regarding their criminal history. These changes become effective October 13, 2018 and enhance the protections for employees that became effective when Massachusetts amended its CORI (Criminal
Depending on your perspective, the Supreme Court’s decision yesterday in Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis provided much-needed certainty to employers or dealt a serious blow to employees. The vote was 5 to 4, and the Court’s newest justice, Neil Gorsuch, authored majority decision joined by the so-called conservative justices. That
The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (the “Act”) goes into effect on April 1, 2018 and has immediate implications for all Massachusetts employers who employ six or more employees. Broadly speaking, the Act amends the current statute prohibiting discrimination in employment, G.L. c. 151B, §4, and prohibits discrimination on the
On March 1, 2018, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office issued its formal Guidance on the amendments to the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act (MEPA) taking effect on July 1, 2018. These amendments represent a significant change in the law, and employers will want to take prompt steps to determine if their pay practices
We reported previously about the unprecedented changes to the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act that become effective on July 1, 2018. The new law provides more clarity regarding what constitutes unlawful wage discrimination and adds additional protections to promote greater fairness and equity in the workplace.
The Massachusetts Appeals Court has deemed newspaper delivery drivers of a Braintree distributor to be employees, not independent contractors, under state law.
On February 21, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States narrowed the universe of whistleblowers who are protected by the powerful anti-retaliation provisions within the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank).
Waivers of rights arising from harassment and discrimination claims and disputes over wages and benefits may not be enforceable in Massachusetts for much longer.
In the last days of 2017, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) gave board members and investors of corporations and LLCs some cause for celebration. In Segal v. Genitrix, LLC, SJC-12291 (Mass. Dec. 28, 2017), the Court held that board members and investors cannot be held personally liable for their
