Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave: Thinking Ahead

Over the past few months, Massachusetts-based employers have been inundated with information about the upcoming Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave requirements. Unfortunately, this deluge of information has done little to answer employers’ questions. To date, most of this information has been speculative or otherwise subject to change before implementation. In fact, the most helpful information thus far, the new Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave’s draft regulations, has only given us an idea of what the program will probably look like. These draft regulations are just that: a draft. They are subject to change prior to the issuance of final regulations.
However, there are some things we do know for sure, because they were contained in the actual legislation. One of the things we do know is that the Paid Family and Medical Leave benefit year will be defined as a “period of 52 consecutive weeks beginning on the Sunday immediately preceding the first day that the job-protected leave under [the law] commences for the covered individual.” This means that, for the purposes of determining remaining leave eligibility, the relevant amount of leave is calculated by looking at the individual employee’s last year on a rolling basis.
This method of defining a “benefit year” departs from federal Family and Medical Leave. Unlike the state Paid Family and Medical Leave, federal Family and Medical Leave allows employers to choose between four options for defining the “benefit year.” Under the federal FMLA, employers may define the benefit year as:
1) The calendar year, i.e. January 1 to December 31 of each year;
2) Any fixed 12 month period, i.e., a fiscal year, the anniversary of an employee’s start date, etc.;
3) A 12 month period measured forwards, i.e., the 12 months immediately following the employee’s first date of FMLA leave; or
4) A “rolling” 12 month period measured backwards, i.e., the 12 months immediately preceding the date an employee uses any FMLA leave.
This fourth option is similar, albeit not identical, to the Mass. Paid Family and Medical Leave’s calculation of the “benefit year.”
If employers are covered by federal FMLA and already using method 1, 2 or 3, it may be advisable to change their calculation of the benefit year to match the new state PFML for each of administration. However, currently, there is no way to consistently synch up the two leave standards.
This is because the state PFML defines the “benefit year” as the “period of 52 consecutive weeks beginning on the Sunday immediately preceding the first day that the job-protected leave under [the law] commences for the covered individual.” The federal FMLA doesn’t have the “Sunday immediately preceding” language. Under federal regulations, the calculation is “A ‘rolling’ 12-month period measured backwards from the date an employee uses any FMLA leave.”
This will create a big problem. Even if you change your current federal FMLA benefit year to a rolling period looking backwards, you still will not be able to synch it up with the state PFML.
For example:
Let’s say an employee takes leave that is covered by both federal FMLA and state PFML on Friday, December 31, 2021. Under the federal FMLA, the “rolling” 12 months period would be Friday, January 1, 2021 to Friday, December 31, 2021. However, under the state PFML, the “rolling” 12 month period would be Sunday, December 27, 2020 to Sunday, December 26, 2021. These periods won’t synch up just because of the “Sunday immediately preceding…” language of the state statute.
This is to say nothing of the fact that the statute isn’t clear about leave beginning on a Sunday. Let’s say an employee begins covered leave on Sunday, December 26, 2021. The “Sunday immediately preceding the first day that job-protected leave [under the state PFML] commences” would theoretically be Sunday, December 19, 2021.

Unfortunately, this obstacle doesn’t have an easy fix. As referenced above, unlike the draft regulations, the state’s definition of “benefit year” is written into the statute. Therefore, the finalized Department of Family and Medical Leave can’t fix this problem in the final regulations. Because it is written into the statute, it would require the state legislature to pass a law amending the statute itself.
The good news is there is still some time. The calculation of “benefit year” won’t become relevant until leave benefits become effective. Unlike employer contributions to the program that begin in July 2019, the employee benefits don’t become effective until January 1, 2021. This means there is still almost two years to convince Massachusetts legislators to pass a bill fixing this problem.
If you have any questions regarding this topic, or any aspect of labor and employment law, please contact the attorneys at Royal, P.C.
Subscribe
Share
Archive
-
2021
-
2020
-
December
-
November
-
October
-
August
-
July
-
June
-
May
-
April
-
March
-
February
-
January
- Royal Attorneys Obtain Lack of Probable Cause Finding from the MCAD
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Releases New I-9 Form
- Policies and Procedures of Vaping within the Workplace
- Understanding the Complexities of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its State Counterpart: A Road Map Toward Mastering ADA Compliance
- Understanding the Americans with Disabilites Act
-
-
2019
-
December
-
November
- Royal Obtains MCAD Dismissal for Client
- Amy Royal, newly elected Chair of the CHD Board of Directors, joins fellow board colleagues to thank CHD donors at CHD’s annual Thanks for Giving event
- Human Resource Law from A to Z
- Human Resource Law from A to Z
- Royal Successfully gets MCAD to Overturn a Probable Cause Finding
- Human Resource Law from A to Z
-
October
- Bipartisan Pair of Senators Propose New Federal Legislation to Limit the Use of Non-Compete Agreements
- Social Media in the Workplace
- Royal Achieves Lack of Probable Cause Dismissal at MCAD for Client
- New Sexual Harassment Training Requirements in Connecticut
- Amy Royal Selected as a 2019 Super Lawyer
-
September
-
August
-
July
-
June
-
May
-
April
-
March
- Royal, P.C. Sponsors BusinessWest Annual Difference Makers Event
- Royal Sponsored 2019 BusinessWest Difference Makers Event
- Royal Attorneys Obtain Lack of Probable Cause Dimissal
- MCAD Agrees with Royal Attorneys, Dismisses Case
- MCAD Dismisses Case Against Royal Client
- Royal Attorneys Obtain Dismissal of Case for Client
- New Dept. of Labor Rule: Overtime Exemptions
- Off-Duty Conduct
-
February
-
January
-
-
2018
-
December
-
November
-
October
-
September
-
August
-
July
-
June
- The Grand Bargain
- Shades of Gray: Free Speech in the Workplace Can Be a Thorny Topic
- The Art of “Rulemaking” in US Law
- NLRB Issues Advisory Opinion Regarding Handbook Policies
- Workplace Investigations and Preventing Harassment
- Ban the Box Amendments
- Summer Newsletter 2018
- Self-Audit Under the New Massachusetts Equal Pay Act
-
May
- Heather Loges Recently Named COO
- Supreme Court Decision on Employment Rights
- RICHR Dismisses Case in Favor of Royal Client
- Understanding What Language Policies Are and Are Not Legal In the Workplace
- MA Court Clarifies Test To Determine Who Is An “Employee” For Purposes of Workers' Compensation Coverage
- An Employment Lawyer Diversifies into Manufacturing
- Equal Pay Act
- Hot Water – Walking a Discrimination Tightrope at Starbucks
- Massachusetts Governor Signs Criminal Justice Reform Bill into Law
-
April
-
March
- Conducting Business on a Sunday
- Royal Sponsors BusinessWest's Annual Difference Makers Event
- The Benefits and Pitfalls of the Employee Handbook
- 2018 Difference Makers Sponsor Video
- Royal, P.C. Obtains MCAD Dismissal
- Equal Pay Act
- Attorney General Issues Guidance on the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act
- Spring Newsletter 2018
- Royal Attends NAMWOLF Business Meeting
- The #MeToo Movement
-
February
- Employment Law 2018: A Comprehensive Guide
- Non-Disclosure Agreements - the Good vs. the Bad
- Royal Successfully Obtains Lack of Probable Cause Finding
- Heather Loges Nominated for Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Excellence in Paralegal Work Award
- MA Supreme Judicial Court Says Sick Time is not Considered Wages Under the MA Wage Act
- Sexual Harassment: The Watershed Moment
-
January
- First Circuit Upholds Ruling Despite Video Evidence
- Reminder! Employer Medical Assistance Contribution is Now Active
- Royal, P.C. Obtains Dismissals in Two Related Cases
- Breakdowns In Communication Can Bring Great Costs
- Employers Beware! Lack of Action Leads to Liability
- Nominee for Best Legal Blog 2017
- Year in Review and the Year Ahead
-
-
2017
-
December
-
November
- DUA Proposes Employers Temporarily Contribute More to Health Insurance
- Wage Act Lawsuit Against Corporation and Subsidiary Can Proceed
- Royal is on Instagram
- The Ever Expanding Risks of Office Romance
- Employment Law Update
- Autumn 2017 Newsletter
- Law of the Land Can Live in Another State
- Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle Wins Top Women of Law Award!
- Intersection of FMLA/ADA/Workers' Compensation
- Royal, P.C., Tables at Business and Innovation Expo of Western, MA
- Human Resource Law from Start to Finish
-
October
- Royal, P.C. Honored at Super 60 Award Luncheon
- Employee Performance Reviews
- Creating an Inclusive Work Environment
- Resolution of Two Decade Old Case
- Royal Successfully Obtains Lack of Probable Cause Finding
- The Meat of the Problem
- Royal, P.C. Sponsors 3rd Annual Meghan's Light 5k
- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Requirement or Suggestion? EEOC Rulings Suggest that Preferential Reassignment is a Requirement
-
September
- Royal, P.C., Women in Labor Blog Nominated for Best Legal Blog
- Massachusetts Movie Theater Employees Do Not Qualify For Sunday Premium Pay
- Who Employs Who? Personal Care Attendants in Massachusetts
- Royal, P.C. Attends The National Association of Minority and Woman Owned Law Firms' Annual Meeting
- Does Witnessing Sexual Advances Give Claim to a Sexually Hostile Work Environment?
- Pregnant Workers' Fairness Act
-
August
- Royal, P.C. Named a Super 60 Company
- Ask the Expert!
- First Amendment Protections: What Do They Cover?
- Summer 2017 Newsletter
- Amy B. Royal Received Recognition as a Finalist For Best Lawyer 2017
- Royal, P.C. Attorneys Successfully Obtain LOPC Finding in Discrimination and Retalition Case
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Issues New I-9 Form
-
July
- Governor Baker signs "Pregnant Workers Fairness Act"
- Royal Successfully Obtains Lack of Probable Cause Finding
- Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rules that Former Employee Can Proceed with Medicinal Marijuana Discrimination Lawsuit
- Tanzania Cannon-Eckerle Receives Recognition as a Top Women of Law Honoree
- Is Paid Family Medical Leave Coming to Massachusetts?
-
June
- Royal Attorneys Obtain Lack of Probable Cause in Disability Case
- Team USA Wins Gold in 14U Basketball Tournament in Spain
- Gender-Exclusive Wonder Woman Screening Raises Gender-Exclusivity Questions
- Royal, P.C. Ranked One of the Top Law Firms by BusinessWest
- BusinessWest Interviews Daniel Carr on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
- Update: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
- When is Gender Exclusivity Legal?
- Hiring Techniques
-
May
- Royal acquires MCAD case Dismissal for Lack of Probable Cause
- Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
- Spring 2017 Newsletter
- Reminder to Employers Regarding Paid Leave for Veterans
- Royal, P.C. Underwrites Human Service Forum Awards Banquet
- Frederick D. Royal Receives Recognition from Martindale-Hubbell
- What to Expect at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
- The Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017
- Royal Obtains Lack of Probable Cause Finding in Race Case
-
April
- Landmark Decision Bans Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation
- Hiring Techniques
- Video Shoot at Royal, P.C.
- A Transition in the Law: Transgender Discrimination
- Massachusetts Employers Prepare for New Rules on Conducting Criminal History Checks
- Understanding EPLI
- Developing a Corporate Philosophy Toward Employment Practices Liability
- MA Federal Court Judge Allowed Wait Staff FLSA Claim to Sue Employer over “Tip Credit”
- NLRB Case Declared in Violation of the NLRA
- Amy B. Royal Receives Recognition as a Top Woman Attorney in Massachusetts
- Royal Attorneys Successfully Argue Partial Motion to Dismiss
- Royal Attorneys Successfully Argue Partial Motion to Dismiss on Behalf of Fortune 500 Company
- Royal, P.C. Attends Spirit of Girls Breakfast in Support of Girls Inc.
- Royal, P.C.'s Heather Loges Attended the 22nd Annual Bay Path University - Women's Leadership Conference
- Royal Attorneys Achieve Summary Judgment
-
March
- Royal Successfully Obtains Summary Judgment
- WWLP recognizes BusinessWest Difference Makers Event
- Royal, P.C. attends BusinessWest Difference Makers Celebration on March 30, 2017
- Managing Employee Appearances and Religious Accommodations in the Workplace
- Connecticut Unemployment Law: Independent Contractors vs. Employees
- MCAD Final Decision on Gender Bias Case
- Royal, P.C. Sponsors BusinessWest's 2017 Difference Makers Event
- Winter 2017 Newsletter
- Pitfalls During the Hiring Process
- Intersection of FMLA and Disability Law
- What to Expect at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
-
February
- NLRB Clarifies that Internal Union Discipline can Violate NLRA
- Massachusetts Non-Compete Reform Legislation
- Employment Law Concerns in Job Postings
- Video Shoot for BusinessWest's 2017 Difference Makers Event
- Amy B. Royal was interviewed on Effective Law-firm Marketing in the most recent edition of BusinessWest
- A Transition in the Law: Transgender Discrimination
-
January
- New Requirements for EEO-1 Form for Year 2017
- EEOC Issues Strategic Enforcement Plan for Fiscal Years 2017-2021
- Massachusetts Judge Finds that Work During a Meal Break is Compensable Time under the Massachusetts Wage Act
- EEOC Final Rule on Employer Wellness Programs
- Managing Employee Appearance and Religious Accommodations in the Workplace
-
-
2016
-
December
- Minimum Wage Increases as of January 1, 2017
- Know Your Rights When an Insurance Company Reserves Its Rights
- New Law Eases Healthcare Burden on Small Businesses
- Massachusetts Marijuana Law and the Workplace
- Final Rule Issued Regarding Discrimination by Health Care Agencies
- EEOC Issues Enforcement Guidance on National Origin Discrimination
-
November
- Fall 2016 Newsletter
- WGBY
- Federal Judge Stops Overtime Exemption Rule (for now)
- New I-9 Form Released
- Royal, P.C.
- Royal, P.C. Sponsors the Seventh Annual Springfield Rotary Club Service Above Self Luncheon
- Royal Sponsored the Center for Human Development's Lights of Hope Luminaria Event
- Human Resource Law From Start to Finish
- Human Resource Law From Start to Finish
- Massachusetts Voters Approve Recreational Marijuana
- Paid Leave for Veterans Participating in Veterans Day Services
- The Royal Law Firm was at the 2016 Western Mass Business Expo
-
October
- Voting Leave Laws in Massachusetts and Connecticut: What are an Employer’s Obligations?
- EEOC Issues New Enforcement Plan for Fiscal Years 2017-2021
- Amy B. Royal Receives Recognition as a New England Super Lawyer, 2016
- The Royal Law Firm Sponsors Human Resource Unlimited's Employer Recognition and Awards Breakfast
- Employers Challenged by Religious Discrimination, Appearance Issues
- Supreme Court Declines to Hear Hostile Work Environment Case
- 10 Tips on How to Conduct a Workplace Investigation
- Royal at The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms' CLE Session
- Managing Employee Lifestyles and Appearances in the Workplace in 2017
- Royal at the 19th Annual Table Top Expo & Business Networking Event
- Supreme Court Declines to hear case of O’Bannon v. NCAA
- What to Expect at the MCAD
- Supreme Court Declines to Hear Case on Whether Obesity is Covered by the ADA
- Royal, P.C. Sponsors Meghan's Light Second Annual 5K Road Race and Family Fun Walk on October 1, 2016
-
September
- Paid Sick Leave for Employees of Federal Contractors
- Royal at The National Association of Minority and Woman Owned Law Firms' annual meeting
- Connecticut Passes "Ban the Box" Law
- NLRB Finds Employer's Request that Employee Remove Tweets to Be In Violation of the NLRA
- EEOC Issued Enforcement Guide on Retaliation and Related Issues
-
August
- Cat's Paw Theory of Discrimination Adopted by the Second Circuit
- Governor Baker Signs Bill Amending Blue Laws
- NLRB Says Graduate Students are Employees for Unionization Purposes
- A Transition in the Law: Transgender Discrimination in the Workplace
- Ailes Case Reinforces the Need to Have Policies in Place
- Whistleblower Protections under Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act
- Summer 2016 Newsletter
- Governor Baker Signs Equal Pay Bill
- Massachusetts Legislature Fails To Enact The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Act
-
July
-
June
-
May
- Ensuring Compliance With The HCBS “Community Rule”
- Department Of Labor Releases Final Rule On Overtime Exemptions
- A Transition in the Law: Transgender Discrimination in Public Accommodation Law
- What to Save and What to Shred: Employers’ Recordkeeping Requirements
- New Prohibitions Against Transgender Discrimination Likely
- Wage And Hour Law Challenges For Restaurant Owners
-
April
- The Basics Of Massachusetts Earned Sick Time
- The Painkiller Epidemic: Legal Implications of Prescription Drug Use in the Workplace
- Winter 2016 Newsletter
- Royal Law Firm Sponsors BusinessWest's 2016 Difference Makers Event
- Amy B. Royal is Celebrity Host at Link to Libraries "Night of Passion"
- Drafting An ADA Compliant Drug Testing Policy
- Changes May Be Coming to White-Collar Overtime Exemption Rules
-
March
- Wage and Hour Law Reminders
- Recognizing and Handling Accommodation Requests in the Workplace
- Amy B. Royal to be Celebrity Host at Link to Libraries "Night of Passion"
- Prepare Now for Proposed Changes to the White Collar Overtime Exemptions
- EEOC Files First Cases Equating Sexual Orientation Discrimination With Gender Bias
- Whistleblower Protections: History and Current State of the Law
-
February
-
January
-
-
2015
-
December
- DOL Clarifies Lodging Credit for Live-In Home Care Workers
- Court Holds Denying Employee’s Request to Rescind Resignation May be Retaliatory
- HSF Seminar - Fair Labor Standards Act and Wage and Hour Laws
- Employers Struggle with Fine Print of Medical-Marijuana Law
- Union Gets Second Bite of the Apple Over Technicality
-
November
-
October
- Fall 2015
- Amy B. Royal Receives Recognition as a New England Super Lawyer, 2015
- Less Is Not More When It Comes to Union Voter Lists
- Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Decision May Prove Problematic For Anti-Discrimination Efforts
- Connecticut Adds Interns to Its Anti-Discrimination Laws
- When Sick Leave, FMLA Leave, and ADA Reasonable Accommodations Meet
- Royal Law Firm Sponsors Meghan's Light First Annual 5K Road Race and Family Fun Walk on October 3, 2015
- New Connecticut Law Effective Today: Double Damages for Failure to Pay Wages
-
September
- Paid Sick Leave and Exempt Employees
- Executive Order Establishes Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors
- Attorney General Maura Healy Certifies Fair Scheduling Initiative Petition
- Amy Royal attended the Aaron Lewis 4th Annual Golf Tournament for It Takes a Community Foundation at the Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston, MA on August 1, 2015
-
August
-
July
- ADA Observes 25 Years, Employers Face Increased Litigation
- Royal LLP Sponsors Link to Libraries
- DOL Curtails FLSA Independent Contractor Exception
- Law: A New Enforcement Priority: EEOC Targets Gender Discrimination Against Transgender Individuals
- Summer 2015
- Proposed Amendment to FLSA Regulations for “White Collar” Exemptions
-
June
- Attorney General’s Office Releases Final Regulations on Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law
- The In-Convenience of Work Smartphones
- AGO Revises "Safe Harbor" Provision Under the Massachusetts New Earned Sick Leave Law
- CPE Forum Seminar - Massachusetts Employment Law Update
- OSHA Lowers Investigative Standard for Merit Findings in Whistleblower Complaints
- The Earned Sick Leave Law: As Effective Date Approaches, Many Questions Remain
-
May
- Westfield Chamber of Commerce- Massachusetts Sick Leave Law and Proposed Regulations
- Three Major Changes in Employment Law
- “Safe Harbor” Transition Period for Compliance with Massachusetts New Earned Sick Leave Law for Employers with Existing Paid Time Off Policies
- EEOC Begins Phase I of Digital Charge System
- Royal Sponsors Cal Ripken Major League Baseball Team, Opening Day May 2, 2015
-
April
- Attorney General Issues Proposed Regulations To The Earned Sick Time Law
- Royal Law Firm Receives Award at HRU Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition Recognition Ceremony for Providing Employment Opportunities to People with Mental Illness
- Members of Royal LLP attend BusinessWest Difference Makers Celebration on March 19, 2015
- New Massachusetts Parental Leave Law Will Go into Effect Tomorrow
-
March
- NLRB’s Office of General Counsel Issues Guidance on Employment Policies
- Members of Royal LLP attend BusinessWest Difference Makers Celebration on March 19, 2015
- DOL Extends FMLA Rights to All Same-Sex Spouses
- "Sick and Tired: Managing Employee Illness, Injury, Disability, and Leaves of Absence"
- Winter 2015
-
February
-
January
-
-
2014
-
December
- An Employment-law Checklist: The New Year Is the Perfect Time for an Audit of Your Practices
- NLRB Decides Employees May Use Company E-mail for Union Organizing
- Supreme Court Says No Compensation for Time Spent During Security Screenings
- How to Start & Manage Your Business- Legal Structure
- Wage and Hour Litigation Skyrocketing Nationwide
- Domestic Violence Leave Law Update
-
November
- Social Media and Non-Compete Agreements
- Amy B. Royal and Sarah G. Torres attend the 6th Annual Supplier Diversity Best Practices Forum at Fenway Park.
- Common and Costly Employment Law Mistakes Made by Small Businesses: Part 2
- When Workers Go on Strike
- New Comprehensive Sick Time Law Impacts All Employers
-
October
- Trick, Treat, or Termination: Halloween in the Workplace
- Amy Royal was named Campaign Co-Chair of the United Way of Hampshire County’s 2015 fundraising campaign
- Social Media in the Workplace
- Be Careful What You Ask For: Interview Questions to Avoid
- Social Media and the Workplace
- Amy B. Royal Recognized as a New England Super Lawyer, 2014
- Ebola Fears in the Workplace
- Fall 2014
- Mandate for Change: New Law Requires Employers to Provide Domestic-violence Leave
- Transgender Discrimination is Gender Discrimination
- Members of Royal LLP attend Square One Annual Tea Party on October 2, 2014
-
September
- Founding partner, Amy Royal, was recently admitted to practice in the state of Vermont
- Common and Costly Employment Law Mistakes Made by Small Businesses: Part 1
- Legal Landmines
- The 411 on the Affordable Care Act: What Every Employer Must Know and Do to Comply
- Time To Be Flexible: Avoiding Discrimination Claims Based on Caregiver Responsibilities
- Royal LLP's Amy Royal and Tanzi Cannon-Eckerle attended the Aaron Lewis 3rd Annual Golf Tournament for It Takes a Community Foundation at the Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston, MA on August 8, 2014
-
August
- Avoid the Pan and the Fire: Beware of New Policies Violating Old Regulations
- Supreme Court to Decide Whether EEOC Mandatory Conciliations are Enforceable by Lower Courts
- School is Back in Session: Resident Assistants Are Not Employees for the Fair Labor and Standards Act
- Amy B. Royal was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Hampshire County
- Top Rated Lawyer in Labor & Employment
- NLRB Continues to Expand Definition of Concerted Activity
- Founding Partner, Amy B. Royal, was Featured in the August 2013 edition of Lioness Magazine, a National Magazine Dedicated to Showcasing Female Entrepreneurs
- Domestic Violence Leave for Massachusetts Employees
- NLRB Holds Employer’s Distribution and Solicitation Policy Violates the National Labor Relations Act
- Social Media in the Workplace
- No Excuse for Poor Performance
- Summer 2014
- President Obama Signs Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order
- Team Royal LLP Wins the Cal Ripken Baseball Championship
-
July
- Massachusetts Lawmakers Exclude Amendment Restricting Non-Compete Agreements
- Walgreens Settles Disability Discrimination Suit Following Termination of Employee for Theft
- The Department of Labor Announces Intent of Increasing the Number of On-Site FMLA Compliance Investigations
- Social Media in the Workplace
- President Obama Signs Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
- The Affordable Care Act: Upcoming Responsibilities for Employers
- Federal Contractors and Employees to be LGBT Discrimination Free
- EEOC Issues New Guidance on Pregnancy Discrimination
- Will Massachusetts be the Second State to Grant Earned Sick Time to Employees?
- When an Employer May Punish Off-Duty Conduct
- Executive Order on Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace
-
June
- A Hit to Unions, Right in the Purse
- Supreme Court Outlines Affordable Care Act Exemptions for Religious Beliefs of Closely Held Businesses
- Back to Square One at the NLRB
- Massachusetts Governor Signs New Law Increasing Minimum Wage and Reforming Unemployment Insurance System
- Connecticut Makes Employer-Friendly Changes to Paid Sick Leave Statute
- New Proposed Policy About Who is Family Under the Family and Medical Leave Act
- Beware Acting on Complaints without Proper Investigation
- One Last Stop Before the Minimum Wage Increases
- Inevitable Disclosure Doctrine Not Viable Substitute for Non-Competition Agreement
- Disparate Impact Discrimination - Where Your Intent is Irrelevant, Royal Roundtable
-
May
-
April
-
March
- A Whole New Game: College Athletes Are Employees
- Risk Management: ADA, MCAD, OSHA, Human Service Forum
- New Northampton Smoking Restrictions Affect Employers
- If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them
- When Your Workers Go Into Extra Innings: New Overtime Regulations May Be Coming
- Anything You Can Do We Can Do Better! Amherst Discusses Raising Town Minimum Wage to $15
- SURPRISE! OSHA Inspection!
- Where Does the Workday End?
- The $80,000 Secret – The Importance of Confidentiality Clauses
-
February
- Medical Marijuana in the Workplace
- GINA’s First Victim
- The Royal Law Firm Receives Award for Providing Employment Opportunities to People with Mental Illness
- Massachusetts Marijuana Rules Raise Concerns for Employers
- The Legal Implications of Drug Abuse in the Workplace: The Painkiller Epidemic, HRMA
- IS OBESITY A DISABILITY UNDER THE ADA?
- BYOD: Employees Use of Personal Devices to Connect to an Employer’s Information
- Employer Responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act’s Employer Shared Responsibility
- Will the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination hear from Michael Sam?
- Cupid’s Arrow Can Be Painful: Employers Should Update Policies on Office Dating, Sexual Harrassment
- Reasonable Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
- CHECK PLEASE! Credit Checks for Employees
-
January
-
-
2013
-
December
-
November
-
September
-
July
-
June
-
March
-
February
-
-
2012