Articles About Massachusetts Labor and Employment Law.

The Massachusetts Information Privacy and Security Act (MIPSA) continues to advance through the state legislative process, and is now before the full legislature. While the Act has several hurdles to clear before becoming law, its notable for two reasons. First, the comprehensive nature of the MIPSA exemplifies the direction state

When Massachusetts issued its data security regulations in 2009 (Regulations), it led the way for states on data security. The Regulations became effective 12 years ago, almost to the day, March 1, 2010. The Bay State is now contemplating comprehensive privacy legislation, the Massachusetts Information Privacy and Security Act (MIPSA),

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 released by the DFML in early 2022, which further updates our 2021 year-end article.

In Jinks v.

On December 17, 2021, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled that an employee discharged for submitting a written rebuttal to his employer in response to the placement of negative information in his personnel file can state a claim against the employer for wrongful termination in violation of public policy.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has announced the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) advises that all residents, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in their own homes).

On December 20, 2021, the City of Boston announced a new vaccination mandate, the “Temporary Order Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Indoor Entertainment, Recreation, Dining, and Fitness Settings in the City of Boston” (the “Order”), or, as City Hall calls it, “B Together.”  Unlike the recent New York City mandate, Boston’s

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 2021.

Judge Shannon Frison, sitting in the Middlesex County Superior Court in Massachusetts, recently issued a ruling that highlights for employers the importance of providing complete and timely responses to requests for employee personnel files. Judge Frison’s ruling arose in the context of an employer’s motion to dismiss or compel arbitration

The law, which was set to expire on September 30, 2021, and which required employers to provide up to one week of reimbursable paid leave to employees for certain COVID-19 related reasons, was extended through April 1, 2022 (or earlier if funding is exhausted) and was also expanded to cover

Key Changes

As of October 1, 2021, the average weekly wage for Massachusetts increased to $1,694.24 from $1,487.78.

By October 1 of each year, the DFML must adjust the maximum weekly paid family or medical leave (PFML) benefit to be 64% of the state average weekly wage, to take effect

The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave has announced the employer contribution rates and benefit amounts under the state Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) beginning January 1, 2022.

On September 29, 2021, Governor Charlie Baker signed House Bill 4127 (Chapter 55 of the Acts of 2021). This emergency law extends the Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave program through April 1, 2022.  Effective October 1, 2021, in addition to the reasons employees were previously permitted to use MA