On November 15, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide order blocking the implementation of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) new overtime rule. The new rule, which would have expanded overtime pay for millions of U.S. employees, will no longer go into effect on January 1, 2025, […]
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Permissible Uses for Earned Sick Time Expand in Massachusetts
Employers are likely familiar with the basic workings of the Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Statute, which entitles most workers in the Commonwealth to earn and use up to 40 hours of job-protected sick time (EST) per year to take care of themselves and certain family members due to illness or injury. Under a 2024 law […]
Is a Retention Bonus Considered a “Wage” in Massachusetts?
Recently we were treated to a rare example of a court’s analysis of the Massachusetts Wage Act (G.L. c. 149, § 148), which imposes strict penalties on employers for late payment of wages. The Act subjects employers to penalties equal to treble damages plus attorneys’ fees for each violation of the Act—whether the payment is […]
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving – which involves anything that takes your eyes or attention off the road – is a significant contributing factor to automobile accidents. Distracted driving can be deadly; not only for the person driving and their passengers, but every nearby driver, pedestrian, road worker, and bicyclist. In fact, the CDC reports that nine people […]
Outdoor Hazards & How to Avoid Them
While summer may be winding down on the calendar, the unrelenting heat reminds us that the dog days of summer are far from over. As you head outside to take advantage of the last few weeks of the warm weather, we want you to stay safe and be aware of the most common summer hazards. […]