December 2022: DFML Releases New 2023 Poster and Employee Notices
Update Applicable to:All employers in the state of Massachusetts. What happened?The new contribution rates and benefit amounts for the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) will go into effect on January 1, 2023. What are the details?Employers must notify current, and new employees of the 2023 updates to contribution rates and weekly benefit […]
October 2022: Massachusetts Announces New Contribution Rates and Benefit Amounts for 2023
Update Applicable to:All businesses with 25 or more employees in the state of Massachusetts. What happened?The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has announced its annual updates to contribution rates and maximum weekly benefit amounts under the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Law for 2023. What are the details?The Massachusetts Department […]
August 2022: Massachusetts Appeals Court Says Home Inspectors Were Independent Contractors and Not Employees
Update Applicable to:All employers that utilize independent contractors in the state of Massachusetts. What happened?On July 13, 2022, the Massachusetts Appeals Court issued a decision in Tiger Home Inspection, Inc. v. Dir. of the Department of Unemployment Assistance. The Appeals Court held that home inspectors were classified properly as independent contractors under the state Unemployment […]
August 2022: Massachusetts Governor Signs CROWN Act Banning Hairstyle-Based Discrimination
Update Applicable to: All employers in the state of Massachusetts. What happened?|On July 26, 2022, Governor Baker signed Bill H.4554 into law, which creates the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (“CROWN”) Act that bans discrimination based upon natural and protective hairstyles in workplaces, school districts, and certain school-related organizations in the state of Massachusetts. What are […]
July 2022: Massachusetts House of Representatives Vote to Amend Cannabis Tax Code
Update Applicable to:All cannabis businesses in the state of Massachusetts. What happened?On May 18, 2022, in a 153-2 vote, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted to amend the state’s tax code to provide income tax relief for Massachusetts cannabis businesses. What are the details?The Massachusetts House and Senate will go through a conference committee process before both […]
March 2022: Massachusetts COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Ending Soon
Update Applicable to:All employers in the state of Massachusetts What happened?On February 28, 2022, state officials have announced that the Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (MEPSL) will expire on March 15, 2022. What are the details? Under the law, employers are required to make paid leave time available to employees for COVID-19–related illnesses, quarantine, […]
March 2022: Boston Ends Indoor COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
Update Applicable to:All employers of indoor dining, entertainment, recreation, and fitness establishments in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. What happened?On February 18, 2022, Mayor Wu announced that the city’s proof of vaccination mandate has been lifted. What are the details?Effective immediately, Boston businesses are no longer required to verify the vaccination status of patrons, employees, […]
January 2022: Massachusetts Adopts Mask Advisory in Response to Surging COVID-19 Cases
Update Applicable to:All employers in the state of Massachusetts What happened?On December 21, 2021, Governor Charlie Baker announced that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) advises that all residents, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in their own homes). What are the details?The DPH particularly urges […]
