The law, as amended, requires employers to make paid leave time available to employees for COVID-related illnesses, quarantine, and vaccinations until the earlier of April 1, 2022 or the exhaustion of $100 million in program funds. On February 28, 2022, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance sent official notice
Articles About Massachusetts Labor and Employment Law.
Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act to End on March 15, 2022
On May 28, 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law an act requiring eligible Massachusetts employers to provide emergency paid sick leave to employees who are unable to work for COVID-19–related reasons. On September 29, 2021, Governor Baker approved an extension of the law, titled “An Act Providing for
Massachusetts Legislature Evaluates Its Own Comprehensive Consumer Privacy 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
Massachusetts Privacy Bill Provides WISP Reminder, Safe Harbor for Punitive Damages
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),
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave: February 2022 Update
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.
Massachusetts High Court Adopts Federal Standard for Joint Employer Liability Under State Wage and Hour Law
In Jinks v.
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rules in Favor of Worker Fired for Rebutting Negative Performance Improvement Plan
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 Adopts Mask Advisory in Response to Surging COVID-19 Cases
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).
“B Together” – Boston’s New Vaccination Mandate
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
Boston: Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination to Enter Certain Indoor Venues; Workers Must Be Vaccinated
Newly elected Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has announced that, starting on January 15, 2022, individuals will be required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to enter certain indoor spaces in Boston. People working in those locations also will be required to have received their vaccines.
Massachusetts Minimum Wage to Rise to $14.25 per Hour as of January 1, 2022
For Questions/More Information
If you have any questions, please contact:
Pete Moser (pmoser@hrwlawyers.com / 617-348-4323); Dave Wilson (dwilson@hrwlawyers.com / 617-348-4314); or Any member of the HRW Team to discuss your particular situation.
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave: 2021 End-of-Year Update
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.
Massachusetts Court Ruling Highlights Importance of Employer Responses to Personnel File Requests in Motions to Compel Arbitration
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
Massachusetts Provides Updated Poster Regarding Newly Extended and Expanded COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave
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
Recent Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave Updates
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