New England Biz Law Update

A recently enacted federal law will force employers and health carriers to protect genetic privacy and prevent discrimination based on genetic information.

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination has quietly announced it is now applying the Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act to both women and men – a move that will force employers throughout the state to update their employment policies and handbooks.

After several pro-employer decisions last term – including a controversial ruling that prompted lawmakers to draft legislation to overturn it – the U.S. Supreme Court recently expanded the right of employees to sue for retaliation under two federal statutes.

In a closely watched case, Rhode Island’s highest court recently dismissed a public nuisance suit filed by the state nine years ago against three former manufacturers of lead pigment used in residential paint.

Not planning for layoffs can lead to lawsuits

Business groups and employment defense attorneys are worried employee lawsuits will be much harder to fight in the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that employers bear the burden of production and proof in disparate impact age discrimination ...

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to drastically slash from $2.5 billion to $500 million a punitive damages award against Exxon over the 1989 Valdez oil spill has lawyers assessing whether the ruling will affect punitive damage awards beyond maritime ...

Registration deadline has passed

Employees are increasingly pressing “association” retaliation and discrimination claims around the country. For example, a man who was fired after his fiancée filed a discrimination charge with the EEOC can sue for retaliation under Title VII, the 6th Circuit recently ...

Increased staffing of in-house legal departments and less work for outside counsel can be expected over the next year, according to a recent survey. Altman Weil, Inc. reports that 49 percent of the chief legal officers participating in its 2008 ...