Earlier this month, Governor Baker announced that the state would undergo a multi-phased approach to re-opening Massachusetts businesses. During the second phase, subject to guidance and restrictions...more
As we reported last week, on May 8, 2020, the Department of Paid Family and Medical Leave (DFML) issued proposed amendments to the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) regulations and announced a public hearing and formal...more
On Friday, May 8, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) published proposed amendments to the regulations governing the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Law. ...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Earlier yesterday, the Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) issued its final regulations for the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Law. ...more
6/19/2019
/ Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Labor Regulations ,
New Legislation ,
Notice Requirements ,
Paid Family Leave Law ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Required Forms ,
State and Local Government ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour
Seyfarth Synopsis: On June 13, 2019, Governor Baker signed into law S 2255, officially delaying the start of the payroll deductions for the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program by three months to...more
6/19/2019
/ Delays ,
Employer Contributions ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Implementation Day ,
New Legislation ,
Paid Family Leave Law ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Payroll Deductions ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Rulemaking Process ,
State and Local Government ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour
Seyfarth Synopsis: This week, the Massachusetts Governor, Senate President and House Speaker issued a joint statement confirming that they have agreed to adopt a 3-month delay to the start of required contributions under the...more
Among the most common types of wage and hour lawsuits in Massachusetts are independent contractor misclassification suits. These actions arise when an individual who provides a service claims that: (1) he or she was...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: In important breaking news, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has changed its position and has confirmed that employers may receive approval of a private paid family or medical...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: In response to feedback from the public listening sessions held around the Commonwealth, as well as engagement efforts, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) announced several...more
Tip #2: Thorny Issues with Commissions Part 1: What Happens When a Salesperson Is Selling a Drug To Herself or Her Family Member?
A key component of compensation for pharmaceutical salespeople is the sales commission, and...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: As previously announced, yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) made available the online application for private plan exemptions under the Paid Family and Medical Leave...more
Tip #1: Why Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Clients with a Massachusetts Presence Should Consider Rolling Out An Arbitration Agreement—With A Class Action Waiver -
Until recently, there has been much debate about...more
Even fair-minded employers, with sound policies, face “off-the-clock” claims. That is, employers have to defend against lawsuits in which employees argue that they worked hours for which their employers failed to pay them. ...more
Effective July 1, 2018, the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act (the “Act”) requires employers to pay employees of different genders equal wages for comparable work unless the difference in pay is explained by the Act’s enumerated...more
Tip #1: Consider An Arbitration Agreement—With A Class Action Waiver -
Until recently, there has been much debate about the enforceability of arbitration agreements containing class action waivers. Courts disagreed as to...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: January 23, 2019, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) released a draft of the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) regulations still under development for the...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 23, 2017, in Callaghan v. Darlington Fabrics Co., a Rhode Island Superior Court issued a unique decision regarding employer obligations to medical marijuana users....more