With many people out of work and others working remotely, the landscape of the workplace has changed, for better or worse. Some states and businesses are looking at reopening and bringing employees back to their normal job site, but this has raised questions with employees who are concerned about the risk of being exposed to […]
Read more...Author: Erica Petkov
Who Pays the Medical Bills After a Car Accident?
When someone is seriously injured in a car accident, usually their biggest concern is how overwhelmingly expensive it can be to receive medical attention. This post will offer some overview and insight into how medical bills get covered after a car accident. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Every auto insurance policy sold in Massachusetts is required […]
Read more...Pregnant Workers Fairness Act takes effect April 1, 2018
The Massachusetts Legislature has amended the Commonwealth’s anti-discrimination statute, codified at M.G.L. c. 151B, Section 4, to expand protections for pregnant workers.The revamped legislation requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, to include the following: Employers must provide written notice to employees of the right to be free from discrimination due to pregnancy […]
Read more...Can You Be Fired For Being Racist?
In the w
ake of the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, numerous instances have cropped up of “doxxing,” where individuals alleged to be white supremacists were publicly outed and shamed on social media for their participation in the event. Ultimately, many of these people ended up losing their jobs due to their suspected affiliation with white nationalists. As this is all unfolding, the question has arisen: can someone be fired for espousing a traditionally racist ideology? In other words, can an individual, while he is off-duty, wave a flag with a swastika and claim it as a protected political belief?
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Read more...Revised Child Support Guidelines to Take Effect September 15, 2017
In any divorce action where minor children are involved, the Child Support Guidelines come into play in determining how much the non-custodial parent pays to the custodial parent for the support of the parties’ minor children. The Trial Court is issuing revisions to the current Child Support Guidelines, which will take effect on September 15, 2017.
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Securing Your Workplace Rights
Massachusetts workers enjoy many protections under the Wage and Hour Act and Overtime Statutes (Mass General Laws Chapters 149 § 150 and c. 151, § 1A, respectively). The legislation, enacted in 2008 by Attorney General Martha Coakley, provides for mandatory treble damages, costs, attorney’s fees and interest for aggrieved employees who successfully bring suit against their employers. The law provides that workers must be paid in a timely manner (to include accrued vacation time, which is treated the same as wages) weekly or bi-weekly, and that terminated workers must be paid all sums due and owing, in full, on the date of discharge. Continue reading “Securing Your Workplace Rights”
Read more...How to Deal With a Car Accident
It is likely that at some point in your life, you will be involved in a car accident. According to the National Safety Council, there are more than 10 million car accidents per year in the United States, from minor fender benders and scrapes to multi-car pileups. Ten million accidents per year equates to 27,000 traffic accidents per day. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared for this unfortunate situation when it arises. Here are some helpful tips to guide you through the stress of being involved in a car crash: Continue reading “How to Deal With a Car Accident”
Read more...Getting paid for work travel with your personal vehicle
As job markets and economies become increasingly intertwined due to new and emerging technology, more and more Americans are being required by their employers to travel for work. According to a study by the United States Department of Transportation, Americans make approximately 405 million long-distance trips for work each year. Use of a personal vehicle for a business trip accounts for 81% of business travel, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
So when does your employer have to compensate you for travel time? According to the Code of Massachusetts Regulations:
“an employee required or directed to travel from one place to another after the beginning of or before the close of the work day shall be compensated for all travel time and shall be reimbursed for all transportation expenses.” 455 Code Mass. Regs. § 2.03.
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