Massachusetts Employment Law Blog

Philip Gordon of Gordon LLP was recently interviewed by journalist Jacqui Heinrich for a feature segment on how online threats workplace job applicant screening risks impact hiring decisions, workplace policy interpretation, and evidence governance during applicant screening. The segment, published by FOX News, focused on the story Man Loses Job Opportunity After Threatening Remarks on…

Philip Gordon, partner and employment law strategist at Gordon LLP, co-chaired the Class Actions Labor Employment Law panel at the 37th Annual Labor and Employment Law Spring Conference, hosted by the Massachusetts Bar Association. The conference was held on May 6, 2016 in Massachusetts, and convened national employment lawyers, public policy advisors, labor rights advocates,…

Employed by more than one employer? Wondering whether they share liability for each other’s failures? The United States Department of Labor (DOL) recently released a new interpretation regarding the practice, expanding the range of employers who are potentially liable for legal violations involving “jointly employed” workers.  (view DOL interpretation) What is Joint Employment? Joint employment…

Women are transforming the national labor landscape in the United States. They are earning more degrees, entering new industries, and filling roles once dominated almost exclusively by men. A recent analysis from NPR highlights the growing presence of women in the workforce and the challenges that still remain. More Women, More Industries, More Representation Over…

Big data has changed how companies hire, monitor performance, and manage worker risk. While analytics are often presented as objective decision-making tools, their real-world use raises serious legal and ethical concerns—especially for workers with disabilities. The risks of data-driven discrimination in hiring and workforce structuring are now more significant than ever. A recent industry discussion…

The United States automotive industry employs thousands of service advisors professionals who bridge vehicle sales, repairs, customer service, and shop operations. But one major legal question remains unsettled: should service advisors receive overtime pay, or are they exempt under federal law? This issue reached new urgency after The United States Supreme Court agreed to consider…

The state of New York implemented a meaningful minimum wage increase on December 31, 2015, following updated state legislation. This law directly improved pay for many hourly employees, especially workers in service and tipped roles. The minimum wage increased from $8.75 to $9.00 per hour, placing New York $1.75 above the federal minimum wage of…

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) appointed attorney Philip Gordon to the faculty for its 18th Annual Employment Law Conference on December 4, 2015. This selection recognized his more than three decades of experience guiding organizations and employees through employment law challenges. The 2015 conference brought together attorneys, policymakers, HR professionals, and workforce advocates from around…

In October 2015, the state of New York reshaped its employment law framework by dramatically expanding discrimination protections for workers and job applicants. The legislative package, signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, strengthened employer obligations under key sections of the state’s New York State Human Rights Law. These changes were widely seen as response to evolving…

A significant gender discrimination lawsuit recently reached a proposed settlement of $3 million for 101 women working for Publicis group. The lawsuit grew out of concern by women about the public relations giant’s practices concerning equal pay, promotion and opportunities, as well as specific allegations of open gender inequity. Specific claims by the lead plaintiff…