What is retaliation? For employees who believe they are being harassed or discriminated against in the workplace, it can be difficult to come forward and report these issues out of fear of retaliation. Workplace retaliation occurs when an employer or supervisor punishes an individual for engaging in a protected activity (i.e. reporting a legal violation [...]
Per EEOC guidance, employers may lawfully mandate that its employees receive COVID-19 vaccinations. However, employers must still make accommodations for employees who refuse to be vaccinated based on (1) the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for bona fide medical concerns with vaccination and (2) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act for bona fide religious [...]
The CDC is encouraging employers to develop and implement procedures to check for signs and symptoms of employees returning to the workplace. In most circumstances, under the Americans with Disability Act, a requirement that all employees submit to a “medical examination” to return to work is not permitted unless it is job related and consistent [...]
Employers are entitled to decide the work location and terms of employment for employees and therefore may require employees to return to the workplace. However, employees also have legal protections that may allow them to refuse to return to the workplace without losing their job. If an employee has a disability that is impacted by [...]
Below is a summary of cost cutting measures employers are taking to deal with COVID-19 and what it means for employees working and/or residing in Massachusetts. Reduction in employee hours/salary COMPENSATION Hourly non-exempt employees – rate of pay must still meet federal and state minimum wage requirements. Salaried/exempt employees – weekly salary must remain at [...]
Caitlin Beatty, Esq. has joined Greene & Hafer, LLC, a full-service law firm based in Charlestown, Massachusetts focusing on employment law. Attorney Beatty will work as counsel to the firm. She has a long and proven record of providing high-quality representation to employees in wrongful termination, discrimination, and wage and hour cases. While she brings [...]
December 10 12pm -1pm at the Boston MCLE location The agenda includes: What Are the New Minimum Salary Rules for Exempt Employees How the New Rules Differ from the Rules Proposed, But Never Implemented, During the Obama Administration What Pay Levels Satisfy the “Highly Compensated Employee” Exemption When Can Non-Salary Payments Be Used to Meet [...]
An employee who is a veteran or is a member of a department of war veterans is permitted to take time off to observe Veterans Day. Additionally, veterans or members of a department of war veterans are also permitted to take time off to participate in a Memorial Day exercise, parade or service in the [...]
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay employees overtime unless they meet a listed exemption. Several of the exemptions require that the employee be paid a minimum salary amount and also meet a duties test. Recently the government published regulations increasing the salary requirement to the following exemptions: The administrative, executive or [...]