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Articles Discussing General Topics In Massachusetts Labor & Employment Law.
Massachusetts Enacts CROWN Act, Prohibiting Discrimination Against Protective Hairstyles
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has signed the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act (CROWN Act) into law, making Massachusetts the 18th state to enact such a law.
Massachusetts Becomes Latest State to Ban Discrimination Based on Natural Hairstyles and Hair Texture
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.
Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (“CROWN”) Act
By enacting the CROWN Act, Massachusetts follows 17 other states that have passed similar legislation banning discrimination on the basis of a person’s natural or protective hairstyle. Although a federal CROWN Act was introduced to Congress and passed by the House of Representatives in March of 2022, it has not
Change to Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act Vetoed, Current Law Remains In Place
A provision in the enacted state budget for fiscal year 2023 would have amended the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) to provide employers and employees more flexibility to use other accrued benefits to supplement paid benefits received from the state.
Massachusetts Appeals Court Holds That Home Inspection Company’s Inspectors Were Independent Contractors Under ‘ABC’ Test
In a decision that further clarifies Massachusetts law with regard to employee classification, the Massachusetts Appeals Court recently held that home inspectors working on behalf of an inspectional services company were independent contractors (and not employees) under the ABC test for determining employment status, and, therefore, ineligible for unemployment benefits.
Massachusetts Budget Includes Changes to State’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Act
On July 18, 2022, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed the Commonwealth’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which includes a major amendment to the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFML).
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act Allows Adding Accrued Sick, Vacation Pay to Benefits
A provision in the enacted state budget for fiscal year 2023 amends the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) to provide employers and employees more flexibility to use other accrued benefits to supplement paid benefits received from the state.
Opening Day of NILG 2022 National Conference
Hello from the opening day of the NILG 2022 National Conference in Boston, Massachusetts and it seems like the crowds have returned following last year’s hybrid conference in Nashville, TN.
With the theme of “Be the Beacon of Change” the first full day of this year’s conference kicked off with
Massachusetts Enacts Law Banning Discrimination Based on Hair Texture and Style
On July 26, 2022, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (“CROWN”) Act that bans discrimination based upon natural and protective hairstyles in workplaces, school districts and certain school-related organizations. Specifically, the new Massachusetts law prohibits discrimination on the
U.S. Court of Appeals Offers Guidance on Applicability of Massachusetts Wage and Hour Laws to Out-of-State Workers
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit recently affirmed a district court finding that the Massachusetts Wage Act did not apply to a person who mostly lived and worked in Florida. While the court’s decision in Viscito v. National Planning Corp.
Late Pay Entitles Employees to Triple Wages Regardless of When Paid, Massachusetts High Court Holds
When an employer does not pay an employee earned wages within the time frames set forth in the Massachusetts Wage Act (MWA), the employee is entitled to three times the wages owed, regardless of the length of the delay or whether the wages are paid prior to a civil suit being filed, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has held.
Massachusetts SJC: Employers Are Strictly Liable for Treble Damages for Late, Pre-Suit Wage Payments
On April 4, 2022, in Reuter v. City of Methuen, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) held that employers are strictly liable for treble damages for making late wage payments, even when an employee has not yet filed suit asserting a wage claim. In so holding, the SJC rejected an
Massachusetts Top Court Issues Key Ruling Impacting Independent Contractors
On March 24, 2022, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) handed down a key ruling that could have a significant impact on franchising across the state. In Patel v. 7-Eleven, Inc., the SJC was asked whether the three-prong test for independent contractor status set forth in Massachusetts’ state-law independent
Massachusetts Poised to Grant Driver’s Licenses to Undocumented Immigrants
Massachusetts is on its way to joining 16 other states that grant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.
On February 16, 2022, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed The Work and Family Mobility Act by an overwhelming majority vote of 120 to 36. The bill is expected to pass the Massachusetts