Wrongful Termination

Employers must Investigate Sexual Harassment Complaints to Reduce Risk of Punitive Damages

When in doubt, investigate – carefully and thoroughly. That’s the message again delivered to employers by a recent decision of Massachusetts’ highest court. When an employee complains about sexual mistreatment … more →

Court Rejects Another Expansion of At-Will Employment Rule

Yet another attempt to expand the public policy exception to the Massachusetts at-will employment rule has fallen by the wayside. This time, the court rejected a former employee’s challenge to … more →

Workplace Bullying Could Soon be Outlawed in Massachusetts

It has not become law yet and there’s no assurance it will make it through this Legislative session, but a bill that would outlaw “workplace bullying” is making progress. The … more →

Employee Handbooks are Valuable Tools, but Present Dangers when not Followed

There’s no question that employee handbooks are an invaluable tool for managers. In my view, few  should be without the benefits they bring in terms of both communicating with workers … more →

Massachusetts Sick Leave Law Takes Effect Today

Effective today, July 1, 2015, all Massachusetts employees enjoy guaranteed sick leave benefits. The law that was approved by voter referendum last November mandates that every employee receive one hour … more →

Massachusetts Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Takes Effect April 1, 2015

The new Massachusetts domestic workers statute — captioned in the Legislature as a “Bill of Rights” for this class of employees — is set to take effect on April 1. … more →

Massachusetts Amends Maternity Leave Act to Cover Both Men and Women

It’s official: men are equal to women when it comes to maternity leave in the Commonwealth. Some 6-plus years after the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) announced that it would … more →

Searches for Reasonable Accommodations Require Good Faith from Employer and Employee Alike

When it comes to reasonably accommodating employees with disabilities, the process of determining what can be done is a two-way street, at least at the federal level. So says a … more →

Court Declines to Expand the Massachusetts At-Will Employment Rule

Once again, Massachusetts has rejected an employee’s effort to expand the public policy exception to the at-will employment rule. This time, a fired worked argued that public policy should prevent … more →

Whistle Blowers and Massachusetts Law

When an employee decides it’s time to blow the whistle on employer misconduct or that of a fellow worker, employees are well advised to do a bit of homework first. … more →