Many Massachusetts employers are trying to convince thousands of their workers to take early retirement buyouts as they search for ways to cut costs in the face of still-weak demand. What's more, the pandemic-induced recession is likely to lead to a larger wave of...
Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Equal EmploymentOpportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued instructions, statements, and guidance to help Massachusetts employers navigate COVID-19's workplace impact.The ever-evolving guidance by the EEOC reflects the...
The recent, unprecedented changes to our country and its workforce due to the COVID-19 pandemic have upended the lives of millions. The economic fallout continues and in many instances, Massachusetts employers simply have no choice but to lay off large swaths of their...
The #MeToo movement is about giving sexual assault and harassment victims in Massachusetts the courage to speak up. And the recent conviction of former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein is an indication that those who speak up will be believed. But, despite these...
Today, many Massachusetts residents with even the most serious mental illnesses are capable of working in mainstream, competitive jobs. Thanks to a new generation of drugs, the acute symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression can be controlled...
How common is sexual harassment in Massachusetts state government and is it more prevalent in some agencies than in others? Through a public records request to the Massachusetts state Human Resources Division, the Republican/MassLive compiled a list of 117 complaints...
No one is above the law, including your Massachusetts boss. The National Labor Relations Act and a variety of statutes overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission protect employees from hostile work environments, discrimination and unfair labor...
I lost my job. Am I eligible for unemployment?Generally, you are entitled to state unemployment insurance (UI) if: you are totally or (in some cases) partially unemployed; you lost your job through no fault of your own; you have earned at least $4,300 and worked...
Under Massachusetts law, employers are prohibited from asking for information about an applicant's criminal history on an "initial written employment application" (this is referred to as the "ban the box" provision).After the "initial written employment application,"...
It is illegal to fire a Massachusetts employee for trying to get paid their wages. The law says "No employee shall be penalized by an employer in any way as a result of any action on the part of an employee to seek his or her rights under the wages and hours...