Recent Legal News & Firm Updates

The Massachusetts Wage Act imposes strict deadlines for paying wages, and inadvertent or short delays can create significant liability. In fact, even if an employee is paid only a day late, the employer has violated the Wage Act and thus owes the employee another two times the wages paid, plus attorneys’ fees. Accordingly, Massachusetts employers…

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On February 26, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) published a new final rule that  made significant changes concerning the joint employer test (“Final Rule”). The Final Rule reverses the broader, worker-friendly standard established in October 2023 and reinstates the narrower, employer friendly test established in 2020. This Final Rule became effective on February…

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I recently led a session at the National Retail Tenants Association Annual Conference on audit rights and restrictions that focused on the critical topic of verifying “pass-through” Common Area Maintenance (CAM) charges and expenses, a pivotal aspect of cost management for large retail tenants managing leased properties. This session delved into the complexities and strategies…

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Tip pooling is the practice of taking gratuities received from patrons and either pooling all or part of them to be distributed to other employees. It is the typical practice for restaurants, banquet facilities and other places where prepared food or beverages are served to implement some form of tip pooling as part of their…

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On May 28, 2021, Governor Baker signed into law a temporary requirement for employers to provide employees up to 40 hours of COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave (EPSL) and created a $75 Million fund for employers to seek reimbursement. EPSL will start on June 7, 2021 and remain in effect until September 30, 2021 or…

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Given the tumultuous nature of 2020, Mass Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) may have not surprisingly flown under the radar for many employers. However, starting on January 1st, most of PFML goes into effect. RIW’s prior client alerts summarize the PFML as well as employer’s obligations. Further information published by the Department of Family…

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Last Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to address the anticipated economic impacts of the Coronavirus outbreak and to provide support to affected Americans. Although the bill may be subject to changes, it is expected that the Senate will pass the bill and it will be signed into…

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While the Massachusetts’ Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) does not officially go into effect until January 1, 2021, employers must notify employees by September 30, 2019 and begin deducting withholdings as of October 1, 2019. Unlike the Federal Family Medical Leave Act, PFML applies to all employers and may also include independent contractors. PFML offers…

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Starting January 1, 2019, the “Grand Bargain” Law, in addition to increasing the minimum wage from $11 to $12 per hour, changed both the tip credit employees receive and how tip credit is calculated. The changes in calculation could have a significant impact on restaurant’s payroll practices in the short term. The tip credit allows…

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RIW employment attorney Dave Robinson quoted in Boston Herald article regarding Recreational Marijuana Legal Ramifications. Full article. 

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