One of the most important responsibilities of businesses in Massachusetts is complying with wage and hour laws. Federal and state regulations establish rules for minimum wage, overtime pay, employee classification, and meal and rest breaks. Employers who fail to comply can face lawsuits, penalties, and reputational damage. Let’s explore federal and...
The Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA, allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for certain medical and family reasons without fear of losing their jobs and benefits. If your business has 50 or more employees, you are likely covered by this law and need to understand...
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a final rule banning the majority of non-competition agreements, and you may be wondering if and how this change will impact your business. This alert is intended to be a general summary of what to expect with the final Rule and to give the broad...
The independent contracting system allows businesses to hire an individual or company to perform specific tasks that are outside the scope of their normal operations. Yet the line between them and bona fide employees is often blurry, and some companies inadvertently (or even intentionally) misclassify their workers as contractors. This mistake could...
The start of a new year means new laws and regulations go into effect, many of which concern Massachusetts businesses. If you have a company or you’re in charge of setting and enforcing company policy, it is imperative to conduct a checkup now that 2022 is off to a start. Failing...
Employment and labor laws are constantly changing, whether at the federal, state, or even local level. A company’s failure to keep up with and adapt to these changes could mean serious liability and loss of reputation. Creating and adopting an employee policy and procedure handbook is a good first step...
Massachusetts law recognizes several distinctions between independent contractors and employees. Understanding these differences is important because both kinds of workers have their own unique sets of rights. Employers who misclassify their employees could unwittingly expose their companies to legal liability. Does your business work with both independent contractors and regular...
In 2018, a young woman accepted to a NASA internship program posted a profanity-laden celebratory tweet on her Twitter account. Twitter user Homer Hickam responded by simply posting “Language.” That incensed the woman who again posted a profane tweet before being informed that Mr. Hickman is a former NASA engineer and member...
Your employees are an essential resource. When you clearly communicate your policies and expectations, you are more likely to have employees who do excellent work.
Your employee handbook can be a great resource when your employees have questions about company policies. It can help them come to you with specific questions, rather than vague requests....
