Articles Posted in massachusetts

On October 1, 2018, the Non- Competition Agreement Act went into effect in Massachusetts.  This law applies to all noncompetition agreements (“agreements”) entered into by employers and employees or independent contractors in Massachusetts on or after October 1, 2018.  This new law does not apply to non-solicitation agreements, nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements, or invention assignment…

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,…

Disputes between Boston area taxicab drivers and medallion owners came to a head as the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a ruling in Sebago v. Boston Cab Dispatch. At the heart of the debate is the classification of these drivers as independent contractors, instead of employees. The Massachusetts Independent Contractor Statute Under the Massachusetts Independent Contractor…

The Legislation debate continues on the necessity for noncompetition agreements under Massachusetts state law. On the one hand, noncompetition agreements severely limit workers from changing companies, often requiring individuals to leave the state or work elsewhere altogether. On the other hand, employers complain that they must keep their workers from joining competitors in order to…

The Massachusetts legislature recently gave workers a boost, with an increase in the state’s minimum wage. As of January 1, 2015, the wage increased to $9 per hour. The increases will continue over the next two years, reaching $10 per hour as of January 1, 2016 and $11 per hour as of January 1, 2017. Employees…

Massachusetts voters spoke up for workers’ rights when they approved a law requiring sick leave for employees in the private sector. As of July 1, 2015, virtually all employers must allow up to 40 hours per year of sick leave. Variations on the Sick Leave Law Under the law, employees may use their accumulated sick…

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted legislation to support employees impacted by domestic violence, abuse, stalking, or similar traumatic workplace risk factors. This law provides up to 15 days of job-protected leave within a 12-month period for qualifying employees, ensuring that victims of abuse can prioritize safety, medical recovery, and legal intervention without automatic loss of…

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…

Massachusetts may soon introduce major updates to strengthen workplace rights. Lawmakers want to make employment laws clearer. They also aim to give employees fairer treatment and better mobility in the job market. Two crucial pieces of proposed legislation will be decided by July 31st.  The proposals include a hike in the minimum wage to $11.00…