Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dartmouth College Men’s Basketball Team Held to Be Employees of Institution and Allowed to Unionize

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Ashlyn Dowd

In the Matter of Trustees of Dartmouth College & Service Employees International Union, Local 560, Case 01-RC-325633 (2024), the Regional Office of the National Labor Relations Board (the “NLRB” or the “Board”) has provided yet another expansion of the Board’s on-going … Continue reading →

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Navigating Pay Transparency Laws: What Employers Need to Know

Posted on May 9, 2023 by Brian Casaceli

Over the last several years, in an effort to close the gender pay gap, several states and localities across the country have enacted pay transparency laws that, generally, require employers of certain sizes with employees in those locations to disclose … Continue reading →

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Private Employers Take Note: Overbroad Non-Disparagement & Confidentiality Restrictions in Severance Agreements Run Afoul of the National Labor Relations Act

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Brian Casaceli

As many employers well know, it is customary to include non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions in severance agreements that prohibit departing employees from (i) making disparaging, critical, or otherwise detrimental comments concerning the employer and (ii) disclosing information concerning the substance, … Continue reading →

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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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Supreme Court Stays OSHA’s COVID ETS

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Amanda Marie Baer

The OSHA COVID ETS is once again stayed. On January 13, 2022, the United States Supreme Court stayed OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard which required that employers with 100+ employees require employees to either (a) become vaccinated against COVID-19; or (b) … Continue reading →

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Massachusetts Federal Court Denies Motion to Dismiss Defamation Claim After Employee is Escorted Out of Work Following Termination

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Ashlyn Dowd

By: Jonathan Sigel, Esq. and Ashlyn Dowd, Esq. The Federal District Court of Massachusetts recently denied a defendant company’s motion to dismiss a defamation claim following the termination of the company’s Vice President.  The plaintiff former employee, Sandra Madden, was … Continue reading →

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President Biden Issues Executive Order Regarding Workplace Discrimination

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Amanda Marie Baer

That was quick! On his first day in office, President Joseph Biden issued the Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation.  With the Executive Order, President Biden instructed each federal agency … Continue reading →

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What does the December 8th Rollback Mean for Massachusetts Employers?

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Amanda Marie Baer

On December 8, 2020, Governor Charles Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 58, which returns all of Massachusetts to Step 1 of Phase 3 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan, effective December 13, 2020.   As a result, all “Phase 3, Step 2” … Continue reading →

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