Human Resources
Ask the Helpline – Requiring Use of Paid Time Off While on PFML Leave
Question So far, all our employees who have taken leave under the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave law…
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Human Resources
Overtime Threshold Set to Change Next Week
The U. S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) published a final rule in April adjusting the threshold for exempt…
June 21, 2024
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Ask the Helpline: Transferring an Employee on Intermittent Leave
Question We are a small company of 22 employees, and we currently have an employee on intermittent leave…
June 21, 2024
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Court: Non-Compete Agreement Overreaches
A recent decision from the Business Law Section of the Superior Court in Massachusetts held that a former…
June 21, 2024
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Military Employment Rights Act Marks 30 Years
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA or “the…
June 10, 2024
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Company Shutdowns Pose Challenges
Employers frequently schedule companywide shutdowns during peak summer or winter holidays, generally for one to two weeks. Effectively…
June 10, 2024
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Keep Emergency Contact Numbers for Employees
Question We recently had an employee not show up for work or call for several days. Out of…
June 10, 2024
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State, National Issues Challenge Employers
AIM Vice President of Government Affairs Sam Larson highlighted several legislative issues at the May HR Roundtable. The…
May 28, 2024
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OSHA to Allow Third Parties at Inspections
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a final rule allowing an employee or a third-party…
May 28, 2024
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Ask the Helpline: Volunteers, Interns and Trainees
Question We are about to hire some people for the summer. Can you clarify the differences between volunteers,…
May 28, 2024
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The Two-Factor Theory of Employee Motivation
By Chris Deubert Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP The United States is experiencing a historically tight and…
May 27, 2024
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Court Upholds Non-Compete Amid FTC Changes
A recent preliminary order from the US District Court of Massachusetts illustrates how courts will enforce non-competition agreements…
May 13, 2024
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Ask the Helpline: Who Pays for Employer-Mandated Physical Exam?
Question We have a machinist whose production has really fallen off recently. He claims he has a non-work-related…
May 12, 2024
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OSHA is Watching as Summer Heat Arrives
This article is updated and revised as of June, 2025. (Please keep in mind that due to the…
May 12, 2024
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FTC Bans Most Non-Compete Agreements
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a new regulation banning the use of most non-compete agreements…
April 29, 2024
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Ask the Helpline: Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Question I saw a notice that the EEOC (US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) issued regulations related to the…
April 29, 2024
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Biden Administration Enacts Overtime, Non-Compete Changes
By Sam Larson Vice President of Government Affairs The Biden Administration this week enacted two significant employment-law changes…
April 26, 2024
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Leveraging Supplier Diversity for Economic Prosperity in Massachusetts
Editor’s note – This article appeared Wednesday in The Springfield Republican. By Brooke Thomson and Xiomara Albán DeLobato…
April 25, 2024
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Ask the Helpline: May a Terminated Worker Collect Unemployment?
Question We recently terminated an employee for performance issues. Can he receive unemployment when his termination was for…
April 14, 2024
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Furniture Chain Runs Afoul of Wage Act with Commissioned Employees
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) ruled in 2019 that commissioned sales employees have a right to premium…
April 14, 2024
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Jury Duty Scammers Target Employees
A new scam has appeared in which someone attempts to convince people who have missed their jury duty…
April 1, 2024
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