US Department of Labor Issues New Guidance on Leave Under the FFCRA for Hybrid/Remote Schooling for Children
9/2/20
By: Catherine Scott
On August 27, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued three new answers to its Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). All three of these questions addressed employees’ questions regarding whether they would be entitled …
Massachusetts’ Highest Court Rules No Double Recovery Allowed for Back Wages
8/5/20
By: Zinnia Khan
On July 14, 2020, the Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) of Massachusetts held employees cannot recover unpaid back wages under two different Massachusetts wage laws because doing so would amount to a double recovery with the same set …
Agreement to Arbitrate Enforceable Even After Termination of Agreement with Assisted-Living Facility
7/1/20
By: Kevin Kenneally, Janet Barringer and William Gildea
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has upheld a challenge to the enforceability of an arbitration agreement in the senior living facility and long-term care (LTC) arena. …
Massachusetts Joins Jurisdictions Prohibiting Class-Wide Arbitration of Wage Claims Absent Agreement Expressly Permitting Class Actions
5/18/20
By: Kevin Kenneally, Janet Barringer and William Gildea
In a further blow to class action claimants and
lawyers, a Massachusetts Superior Court Judge recently ruled a car salesman
could not arbitrate Wage Act claims on behalf of coworkers absent …
U.S. Department of Education Announces Temporary Halting of Wage Garnishments
3/30/20
By: Jeffrey A. Hord
On March 25,
2020, the Department of Education (DOE) announced that it will temporarily halt seizing
wages and/or withholding tax refunds from borrowers who have defaulted on their
student loans held by the federal government.
As …
Employers Watch Out: New DOL Rule May Limit Joint Employer Liability
1/27/20
By: Janet Barringer
New Rule
A new rule goes into effect March 16, 2020, per the Department of Labor (DOL), as to when a “joint employer” is equally liable under federal wage and hour laws. This new rule is an …
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Law: Planning Ahead and Important Deadlines
7/2/19
By: Jennifer Markowski and Zinnia Khan
The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (“DFML”) recently extended certain deadlines for the Paid Family and Medical Leave Law (“PFML”), giving employers additional time to prepare for the changes ahead. The statute …