Author Archives: Ashlyn Dowd

About Ashlyn Dowd

Ashlyn participated in Mirick O’Connell’s Summer Associate Program in 2019. In October 2020, she joined the firm as an associate in the Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group. Ashlyn provides legal advice to public and private employers regarding human resources issues, including the hiring and termination of employees, leaves of absence, disciplinary matters and reductions in force. In addition, she drafts employee handbooks, personnel policies and all types of employment-related agreements.

Is Your Company in Compliance With Executive Order 13706?

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Ashlyn Dowd

In September 2015, Executive Order 13706 was signed, requiring employers that enter into covered contracts with the federal government to provide covered employees with up to seven days (56 hours) of paid sick leave annually, including paid leave allowing for … Continue reading →

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SJC Finds Public Meeting Comment Restrictions Unconstitutional

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Ashlyn Dowd

Government boards and committees should review their public comment policies following a decision this week by the Supreme Judicial Court holding that a “civility code” violated the Massachusetts Constitution’s Declaration of Rights and the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act. In Barron v. … Continue reading →

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2023 Changes in Massachusetts Employment Laws

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Ashlyn Dowd

            Beginning January 1, 2023, changes to the Massachusetts Minimum Wage Law, retail premium pay, and Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Law take effect. Changes to Minimum Wage & Premium Pay Changes to Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) … Continue reading →

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Employers Must Remember Their Obligations under the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Ashlyn Dowd

The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (the “Act”), which went into effect on April 1, 2018, amended Massachusetts General Law c. 151B to include “pregnancy or a condition related to pregnancy, including, but not limited to, lactation, or the need … Continue reading →

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Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Adopts FLSA’s Joint Employer Test

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Ashlyn Dowd

Jonathan R. Sigel and Ashlyn E. Dowd On December 13, 2021, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) considered whether the so-called “ABC Test” set forth in M.G.L.c. 149, §148B (“Section 148B”) should be applied to determine whether an entity is … Continue reading →

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OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) – Temporarily Blocked

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Ashlyn Dowd

As part of President Biden’s “Path Out of the Pandemic” COVID-19 plan, the Biden Administration instructed the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) to promulgate an Emergency Temporary Standard (the “ETS”) regarding mandatory vaccinations or weekly … Continue reading →

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Employer Tax Credits for Employee Paid Leave Due to COVID-19 Applies to Government Entities

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Ashlyn Dowd

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently published guidance defining “Eligible Employer” for purposes of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) tax credits.     Under ARPA, certain employers can claim refundable tax credits that reimburse them for the costs of providing … Continue reading →

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COVID-19 Mandates in the Workplace

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Ashlyn Dowd

As we pass the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 Pandemic, new rules regarding COVID-19 mandates in the workplace are imminent. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) is preparing an Emergency Temporary Standard (the “Emergency Standard”) to better protect … Continue reading →

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DOL Publishes Model Notices for COBRA Subsidies

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Ashlyn Dowd

As we previously reported, on March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) into law, which includes a COBRA premium assistance program. Pursuant to ARPA, the Department of Labor (DOL) was instructed to issue model notices … Continue reading →

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American Rescue Plan Act Contains COBRA Subsidies

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Ashlyn Dowd

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA” or the “Act”) into law. The Act creates a six-month subsidy period, from April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021, during which individuals who lost health … Continue reading →

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