Religious discrimination is illegal in the workplace environment. Religion is a protected class, along with things like national origin, race, gender and age. All employees are supposed to be treated equally, regardless of the religion that they practice....
Employment Law
Why every business needs policies and procedures
Running a business can be difficult, especially when starting out. There are many things to consider, from marketing and sales to finance and operations. One of the most important aspects of any business is having written policies and procedures. These documents...
Can you be refused a job because of pregnancy?
Pregnancy discrimination comes in a few different forms, but at the core, no business can refuse to hire you, decide to fire you, or make other negative decisions just because you are pregnant. For example, if you go to an interview while pregnant, it is illegal for...
Does sexual harassment require physical contact?
People sometimes get their terms mixed up when talking about legal issues. Hence they might think that they cannot accuse someone of sexual harassment at work unless that person tried to have sex with them or something similar. Something of that severity is more...
“Whitened” resumes underscore discriminatory hiring
Technically, all companies are supposed to give equal opportunities to people of any background. A worker should not feel that they can't get a job based on their race, religion, ethnic background, age, gender and much else. These are protected classes. However, some...
Subtle signs your employer may be guilty of age discrimination
Few employers are daft enough to tell you that you are too old for the job to your face. Yet that may be exactly what they think. Age discrimination continues to be a significant problem in workplaces across the country. Here are some signs that your employer could be...
Marijuana legalization prompts policy changes for employers
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...
Remote workers may blow the whistle on employers
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...
Are the company’s employees actually at will?
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,...
Arbitration no longer required for harassment or assault cases in the workplace
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...