Articles Posted in attorney general

The DOL has made it easier for employers to avoid paying interns by abandoning their six-part test for distinguishing between interns and employees. The updated fact sheet was released today. You may view it here.

Philip Gordon interviewed for article on the termination of Matt Lauer from NBC’s Today Show. Click here for article. Click here for radio interview podcast. Of course, if you’re experiencing sexual harassment or any other issues in the workplace, give us a call.

Aaron Nicodermus quoted Philip Gordon in an article in Bloomberg Law (Bloomberg) about the use of lie detector tests (also known as a polygraph test) in employment. Let us know if you would like a copy of the article. And, of course, if you are asked to take a lie detector test, give us a…

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in three cases that may fundamentally shift the workplace, by ruling whether or not employees wronged by their employer can band together and sue on a class action basis. There is a deep divide among courts over mandatory arbitration clauses, especially in the three cases argued today. The cases…

After a long battle, pregnant worker protection finally passes. Discrimination law has always protected pregnant workers, but that duty to accommodate pregnancy was narrow, leaving workers without ability to get breaks, to temporarily avoid hazardous positions or to get help with manual labor. Employers may still deny accommodations if the employer would suffer undue hardship,…

This morning, the Department of Labor withdrew its guidance on independent contractors and joint employment, a move business groups expect will result in fewer individuals covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. The guidance was issued under the Obama administration and set forth an economic realities test intended to resolve significant differences in opinions issued…

The Massachusetts Attorney General released final clarifications regarding the state’s earned sick time (EST) law that goes into effect July 1, 2015. Under the new law, all employers within the state must allow workers to accrue and use up to 40 hours of earned sick time each calendar year. Some specific elements of the law…

In an article entitled “Low Income Managers May Started Getting Paid for Overtime,” the Boston Globe explores the new rules from the US Department of Labor. A link to that article is included here (Boston Globe Article). Let me know your thoughts.

Massachusetts is set to revamp its existing noncompete laws and pass new legislation favorable to employees, as well as companies seeking to grow in Massachusetts. Philip Gordon spoke in front of Senators and Representatives about the proposed legislation, and the bill eventually passed in the Massachusetts Senate by 32 votes to 7. The proposed changes…

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced the arrest of seven current and former managers of IFCO Systems North America, Inc. (IFCO) as part of a new initiative to crack down on employers of undocumented workers. The arrests were made in connection with the “second phase” of the Secure Border Initiative. Phase…