On August 8, 2014, Governor Patrick signed the “Act Relative to Domestic Violence” which requires an employer of fifty or more employees to provide fifteen days of leave to an employee who is a victim of domestic violence, or one who is needed to care for a family member (spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, or [...]
Employers are risking more than the employee being placed at the top of the next list when they rely on a faulty psychological evaluation to bypass an applicant for police officer. A Superior Court decision issued in August in Boston Police Department v. Kavaleski et al. ruled that the City of Boston was liable for [...]
On July 14, 2014, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued updated guidance addressing employer obligations under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and providing clarification on how Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) interact to protect pregnant employees. The new guidance has created controversy both because it addresses an employer’s obligation to [...]
Law makers are debating a bill to impose legal limits on employment-based non-compete agreements in response to a bill originally proposed by Governor Patrick. If passed the bill would provide clearer guidance to employers who might seek to draft such agreements.
SRO not entitled to paid leave to chaperone school trip to Italy in order to "bond" with students.
On June 2, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) decided in Twomey et al v. Town of Middleborough that the Board of Selectmen and not a vote of Town Meeting, determine how much a retiree must contribute toward the premium cost of an HMO insurance plan.
The superior court chastises the Civil Service Commission in Town of Maynard v. Civil Service Commission, for demonstrating “a complete lack of recognition” that the power to impose penalties belongs to the Town.
Superior Court decision calls into question the HRD’s 2009 delegation of its functions under s. 27 to local appointing authorities.
Employers frustrated with injured police officers and firefighters who obstruct efforts to get them back to work, or retire, will applaud the recent Superior Court decision upholding the dismissal of a Lawrence Police Department (“LPD”) officer.
The Commonwealth Employment Relations Board rejected the Town of Plymouth’s argument that its cell phone policy did not need to be bargained to agreement or impasse due to its core managerial interest in preventing deadly accidents caused by distracted employees, but left open the possibility that is might be more to allowing an employer to implement a more narrowly drawn plan focused on safety.