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. DOL Changes Rules on Unpaid Internships: What Employers Need to Know In a move that will have significant implications for…

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. Gordon Interviewed About Matt Lauer Termination: Insights on Workplace Harassment and Employment…

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 of the United States recently heard oral arguments in three landmark employment cases that may fundamentally determine whether employees can collectively challenge mandatory arbitration agreements on a class action basis. A deep and ongoing Supreme Court class action arbitration divide exists among federal and state courts regarding the legality of mandatory arbitration…

After years of legal debate, advocacy, and employment reform pressure, stronger protections for pregnant workers have finally passed, expanding support beyond what traditional discrimination statutes historically offered. While discrimination law has long protected pregnant workers, the duty to accommodate pregnancy was previously interpreted too narrowly by many employers and courts. This left many workers unable…

A significant policy shift occurred this morning as the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) officially withdrew its prior interpretative guidance on independent contractor classification and joint employment standards. Business and industry organizations expect this decision to reduce the number of workers covered under wage protections guaranteed by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The…

Final guidance on Massachusetts’ Earned Sick Time (EST) law has been released by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, providing long-awaited clarification for employers and employees statewide. The EST law, effective since July 1, 2015, requires all Massachusetts employers to allow workers to earn and use up to 40 hours of sick time per calendar year.…

Recently, Boston Globe spoke with employment attorney Philip Gordon about the impact of new overtime rules issued by the US Department of Labor. The article titled Low Income Managers May Started Getting Paid for Overtime—breaks down how wage protections may soon reach workers previously excluded under federal exemption rules. Gordon explains that these rulings reflect…

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. Massachusetts is moving…

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…