It would be more affordable for many spouses and dependents who are currently covered under employer-sponsored family health insurance plans or currently uninsured to buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, under a proposed rule issued by the ...
Read More »Studies find EEOC’s move to virtual mediation successful
Two independent studies have found that the EEOC’s mediation program — including the transition from in-person to online mediation as a result of the pandemic — has been successful. Study participants said that they view the EEOC’s voluntary mediation program ...
Read More »Union resurgence means employers must stay aware
A recent Gallup poll found that union approval is at the highest rate it has been since 1965, with 68% of Americans saying they approve of labor unions. From October 2021 through March 2022, the National Labor Relations Board reported ...
Read More »Whistleblower’s constructive discharge claim can’t go forward
A recent decision from the Massachusetts Appeals Court highlights how hard it is for an employee suing for constructive discharge to prove that they had no other option except for resigning. Constructive discharge occurs when an employee resigns because the ...
Read More »Pending bill would ban hairstyle discrimination at work
Employees would be protected from discrimination based on natural hair and hairstyles associated with race and national origin, under a measure that has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is called, “The Creating a Respectful and ...
Read More »Business groups fighting expected DOL overtime regs
Under an upcoming new overtime rule, the U.S. Department of Labor is expected to propose higher white-collar salary level thresholds, which means that more employees would become eligible for overtime pay under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Experts ...
Read More »EEOC, DOJ warn about disability discrimination with AI
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have each released a technical assistance document discussing potential disability discrimination when employers use artificial intelligence (AI) and other software tools to make employment decisions. Employers are ...
Read More »Lawyers offer businesses advice on planning for succession
Business owners may be so busy running their companies that they don’t stop to consider what the future might hold if they weren’t there. Owners, however, can exercise control over what that picture will look like — as they contemplate ...
Read More »New guidance for Massachusetts PFML
Beginning in January of last year, Massachusetts employees became eligible for a new state-sponsored benefit that provides up to 26 weeks of job protected leave for medical and family reasons. Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) is separate from the federal ...
Read More »Terminated employee awarded 3x late-paid wages
Terminating an employee in Massachusetts? Have a check in hand. That’s the takeaway from a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruling that recently awarded an employee triple damages for late payment of some accrued benefits. When Beth Reuter was terminated ...
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New England Biz Law Update
