Employment Attorneys

Is Your Company Prepared for Teen Employees?


As the summer months approach employers will see an influx in applications by teens seeking summer employment. It is surprising how many companies employ teen worker without understanding the Child Labor Laws in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Child Labor Laws apply to all child workers ages 14 to 18; children under the age of 14 are

New Non-Compete Law Goes Into Effect On October 1st: What It Means For Employers


It has been a long-time coming, but it is finally here, Non-Compete reform in Massachusetts.  The new law, which was recently signed by Governor Baker, places significant restrictions on how employers can use non-compete agreements with employees and independent contractors.  Here are the highlights: The new law, M.G.L. c. 149 §24L (Massachusetts Non-Competition Agreement Act)

Massachusetts Child Labor Laws: Is Your Company in Compliance?


Two prominent franchises were recently found in violation of the child labor laws by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Burger King was found to have more than 800 child labor violations at stores across the state. Among the violations uncovered were minors working shifts that exceeded the total maximum daily hours allowed or shifts that

Massachusetts Private Employees are Not Entitled to Paid Vacation Time, But If It Is A Benefit Offered By An Employer, Accrued Unused Time Must Be Paid Out Upon Separation


Although Massachusetts private employers are not required to grant vacation time to their employees, many do as benefit to employment. When an employer decides to offer paid vacation time they must be aware that the vacation time accrued or earned under an oral or written agreement with the employee is treated the same as an

New Massachusetts Law Bans Gender Pay Discrimination, Pay Secrecy Policies and Prohibits Asking Prospective Employees About Salary History


The Massachusetts Legislature recently enacted a bill that will go into effect in July of 2018 titled “An Act to Establish Pay Equity”, a sweeping new law aimed at ensuring equal pay for comparable work for all Massachusetts employees.   The Act has several important ramifications for employers. First, the new law bans pay discrimination for

Update On Regulations Defining And Delimiting The Overtime Exemptions For Executive, Administrative And Professional Employees


On May 18, 2016 the Department of Labor announced that it will publish a Final Rule updating the exemption of executive, administrative and professional employees from the minimum wage and overtime pay protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act.  The Final Rule updates the salary level required for exemptions to ensure that the Fair Labor