Massachusetts is one of 19 states (plus Washington, DC) where recreational marijuana use is legal. The number jumps to 38 states for legal medical marijuana use. These changes in the law have also prompted some companies to adjust substance use policies for off-duty...
The pandemic has changed our lives in countless ways in the last few years. Some of the changes were predictable, but others were less so. According to the Wall Street Journal, there was a deluge of whistleblower tips, complaints and referrals, which likely is a...
Massachusetts is an at-will employment commonwealth. At-will employment generally means that the employer can terminate employment for any reason or none at all. At-will employment also means that the employer need not give notice of termination. There are, however,...
Bipartisan bills are hard to come by in today’s political environment. Nevertheless, President Biden signed the bipartisan Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 on March 3, 2022. This law stops a company's mandatory requirement...
Every employer hires staff with certain expectations about production targets, approach, behavior and other metrics. The company may also find it helpful to add accountability policies to an employee handbook or contract. A carefully worded and properly enforced...
The United States Women’s National Soccer Team has been a dominant force in soccer and women’s sports for decades, winning several World Cups and drawing large crowds to its matches and high television ratings. Still, the players filed a class-action lawsuit against...
Federal anti-discrimination laws apply to all aspects of employment and hiring practices. Applicable laws also address seemingly neutral policy that negatively affects protected groups. While there are some exceptions, these laws help to ensure that employers'...
A three-judge panel of the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled in favor of an employee who worked as a greeter in the Windham outlet. She was fired for what she claims were excused absences, which management claimed were not, related to ongoing symptoms from a...
Pregnant workers deserve every accommodation to work and support their families without risk to their health. This entitles the female worker to financially prepare for the arrival of a new dependent. Unfortunately, employers do not always agree and some will find...
The pandemic has changed the way that nearly every company currently does business. One notable change that likely will not go away is the use of video conferencing. We’ve become comfortable with (or at least used to) using video platforms to conduct meetings with...
