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Independent Contractors

U.S. Department of Labor to Issue New Rule on Classifications of Workers as Contractors or Employees

Government regulations don’t always either get much attention or impact many people, but a new one from the U.S. Department of Labor will do both. It promises to rewrite the … more →


Uber and Lyft Face Suit Over Treatment of Drivers as Independent Contractors Rather than Employees

The days of ride-share giants Uber and Lyft treating their drivers as independent contractors may be coming to an end in Massachusetts. At least, that is, if Attorney General Maura … more →


Massachusetts Family and Medical Leave Regulations Impose New Paperwork and Contribution Burdens on Employers

With implementation of a tax under the recently enacted Massachusetts Family and Medical Leave Act less than five months away, the newly formed Department of Family and Medical Leave has … more →


Massachusetts High Court Concludes Workers can be Employees and Independent Contractors at the Same Time

What once appeared to be an effectively impenetrable wall against the use of independent contractors in the Commonwealth saw a few bricks knocked out by a recent decision of Massachusetts’ … more →


SJC Holds that Second Element of Independent Contractor Test is Preempted by Federal Law

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today weighed in on the hot topic whether and to what extent the state’s Independent Contractor Statute is exempted as applied to courier drivers and … more →


Small Employer Forced to Pay more than $100,000 for Wage Violations

A local grocer is learning the hard way how important it is not only to properly pay employees under state wage laws but to keep good records demonstrating that it … more →


The Long Reach of the Wage Act

Employers need to be careful about a number of issues when dealing with their employees. Communicating policies clearly, enforcing rules consistently, and applying anti-discrimination rules appropriately are all on the … more →


Federal Courts Bar Application of Independent Contractor Law to Courier Drivers

The federal court system in Massachusetts is taking a bite out of the state’s independent contractor statute. Beginning last Fall and continuing through last month, three otherwise valid class action … more →


States Highest Court Rules that Real Estate Agents can be Treated as Contractors, but Leaves Substantial Questions Unresolved

In a major decision that impacts a huge number of Massachusetts businesses, the state’s highest court today affirmed the concept that real estate salespeople may properly be classified as independent … more →


Attorney General Proposes Regulations to Govern Massachusetts Sick Leave Law

In accord with the new sick leave law passed by Massachusetts voters in November and set to take effect on July 1, 2015, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office has issued … more →