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…
POSTED IN: COVID-19, Employment Law, News
In December, President-Elect Biden released his “Plan for Strengthening Worker Organizing, Collective Bargaining, and Unions” (the “Plan”), outlining the incoming administration’s labor and employment policy goals. Among the Plan’s proposals are the “eliminat[ion] of non-compete agreements, except the very few that are absolutely necessary to protect a narrowly defined category of trade secrets, and [an]…
POSTED IN: Corporate & Business, Employment Law, News
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…
POSTED IN: Employment Law, News
Over the last week, the United States saw a heartening advancement in the COVID-19 situation: the distribution and administration of a vaccine. This exciting development suggests a return to “normal” may, in fact, be on the horizon. At the same time, many questions remain concerning the COVID-19 vaccination in the employment context. Can an employer…
POSTED IN: COVID-19, Employment Law, News
The ProVisors Business Advisory Group is hosting a weekly webinar series called “Surviving, Thriving and Growing Your Business Through the Pandemic” from September 29, 2020, to November 10, 2020. RIW employment law attorney David Robinson will be a panelist on the webinar Hiring and Managing in the Workplace in the “New Normal” taking place on…
POSTED IN: COVID-19, Employment Law, Events, News
David Robinson, shareholder and the coordinator of RIW’s Employment Law Practice Group, will co-host the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce “Back to Work Webinar” with Ken DeMoura of DeMoura Smith on May 20, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. This webinar will cover the steps you should take to reopen as well as best…
POSTED IN: COVID-19, Employment Law, Events, News
Thank you to everyone who was able to participate in the Restaurant Industry Discussion on Legal & Business Issues Related to the COVID-19 Outbreak webinar on Monday, March 23, 2020. These are challenging times and we hope it was useful. If you have any questions related to the subjects discussed in the webinar, or if…
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…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, COVID-19, Employment Law, News
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…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Employment Law
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…
POSTED IN: Articles & Quotes, Employment Law
