By John R.Skelton, Anthony S.Califano, and Keval D.Kapadia

Seyfarth Synopsis: On March 24, 2022, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) issued a much-anticipated decision in Patel, et al. v. 7-Eleven, Inc., et al. answering a certified question from the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit concerning the application of the Massachusetts independent contractor law
Continue Reading Patel, et al. v. 7-Eleven, Inc., et al – While the Massachusetts’ Independent Contractor Statute May Apply to Franchise Relationships, the SJC’s Decision Actually offers Protection for Franchisors

By Daniel B. Klein, Christina Duszlak, and Alex J. Reganata

Seyfarth Synopsis: The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Insurance has announced that the Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (“MEPSL”) will expire on March 15, 2022.  Employers have until April 29, 2022 to file their applications for reimbursements.

On May 28, 2021, a temporary Massachusetts law providing
Continue Reading Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Will Expire On March 15th

By John Ayers-Mann and Daniel B. Klein,

Seyfarth Synopsis: On September 29, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an Executive Order outlining the process for “lower risk communities” to advance to Step Two of Phase Three of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. On September 30 and October 1, Massachusetts published updated guidance for businesses in several sectors across the State
Continue Reading Massachusetts Publishes Updated Reopening Guidance for Step 2 of Phase 3

By John Ayers-MannDaniel B. Klein, and Robert A. Fisher

Seyfarth Synopsis: As we previously reported, on July 24, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an Executive Order announcing a $500 daily civil fine, effective August 1, for individuals traveling into the Commonwealth who fail to comply with the State’s mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement.

Pursuant to the Order,
Continue Reading Updated Massachusetts Guidance Clarifies Lodging Providers’ Responsibility For Ensuring Guest Compliance With Travel Order

By John Ayers-Mann, Christopher W. Kelleher, Daniel B. KleinRobert A. Fisher, and Ariel Cudkowicz

Seyfarth Synopsis: Massachusetts will move to the second step of Phase II of the State’s reopening plan beginning today, June 22. Updated COVID-19 guidance issued by the Baker Administration increases office occupancy limits to 50% of maximum capacity, permits indoor
Continue Reading Massachusetts Moves to Second Step of Phase II of Reopening Plan

By Robert A. Fisher and John Ayers-Mann

Seyfarth Synopsis: On January 24, 2020, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination issued significant changes to its regulations regarding the processing of cases. The new procedural regulations are a mixed bag for employers. While some changes are helpful, other changes, such as expanded post-determination discovery and procedures for bringing charges on a class-wide
Continue Reading Newly Issued Regulations Modernize Massachusetts Agency Rules But Impose Burdens on Employers

By Robert A. Fisher, James M. Hlawek, and Christopher W. Kelleher

Seyfarth Synopsis: On January 29, 2019, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that the failure to grant a lateral transfer may be the basis of a discrimination claim under Massachusetts anti-discrimination law where an employee can show there are material differences between the two positions in
Continue Reading Massachusetts High Court Finds Failure to Grant Lateral Transfer May Be Discrimination

By Daniel B. Klein and Christopher W. Kelleher

Seyfarth Synopsis: While we await the proposed regulations due by March 31, 2019, the new Department of Family and Medical Leave has provided several points of clarification of which employers should be aware, as we gear up for implementation of the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Law.

As we previously
Continue Reading Massachusetts Offers Further Clarification On Its Paid Family And Medical Leave Law: What Employers Should Know

By Michael Fleischer, Jean Wilson, and Barry Miller

Synopsis: Massachusetts Attorney General investigates 70 employers (both large and small – across all industries), citing 21 of them for violating the state’s “ban the box” law, which prohibits most businesses from asking about job candidates’ criminal backgrounds on initial employment applications.

Last week, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy
Continue Reading Mass. AG on the Lookout for Prohibited Criminal History Inquiries

By Ariel D. Cudkowicz, Anthony Califano and Timothy Buckley

On March 9, 2018, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (“CCC”) filed its much anticipated recreational marijuana Regulations with the Massachusetts Secretary of State.  According to the CCC, the Regulations are on track to be published in the Massachusetts Register on March 23, 2018.  The Regulations will become effective upon publication. 
Continue Reading Massachusetts Recreational Pot Regulations Offer Little Guidance To Employers