Work & The Law

Wage Claim Based on Training Cost Repayment Requirement to Proceed

A U.S. District Court judge has denied an employer’s motion to dismiss, holding that an employer’s requirement that employees repay so-called training costs may constitute a wage violation. United States District Court SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Plaintiffs Christopher Connor McClain (‘McClain’), Dennis Abramov (‘Abramov’), Miles Collins (‘Collins’), Jeffrey Butler Hanson, Jr. (‘Hanson’), Ricky LeBlanc (‘LeBlanc’), Samuel Shepherd

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Virginia-based employee’s Massachusetts Wage Act and 151B Discrimination Claims Survive Motion to Dismiss

A U.S. District Court judge has denied a motion to dismiss a Virginia-based employee’s Massachusetts Wage Act and 151 discrimination claims, finding that the employer’s Massachusetts headquarters, the employee’s regular communication with Massachusetts-based employees, and the employee’s business travel to Massachusetts was sufficient to state a claim for violation of Massachusetts law. United States District Court SUMMARY: (court decision – opens

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Understanding the Rights of Domestic Workers in Massachusetts

Domestic workers play a vital role in households across Massachusetts, providing essential care and support for families and individuals. However, they are often subject to unique vulnerabilities and challenges in the workplace. As such, it is important for both domestic workers and their employers to understand the legal protections that are available under Massachusetts law. This article will explain the

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Claim of Unpaid Severance to Proceed

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has reversed a District Court decision dismissing a CEO’s claim for unpaid severance, finding that the CEO adequately plead that she was terminated without cause. United States Court of Appeals SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Valerie Sullivan worked for etectRx, Inc. (‘etectRx’), a digital health company, as its CEO from

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Baked Goods Distributors Alleging Independent Contractor Misclassification Not Required To Arbitrate Claims.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has ruled that baked goods distributors alleging they were misclassified as independent contractors are not required to arbitrate their claims, finding that they fall within the transportation worker exemption set forth in Section One of the Federal Arbitration Act. United States Court of Appeals SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “This

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Non-Compete Ruled Enforceable

The Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior Court has ruled that a non-compete signed three days prior to the effective date of the Massachusetts Non-Competition Act (G.L. c. 149, § 24L) is enforceable and not governed by the statute. Massachusetts Superior Court SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Vicarious Surgical Inc. has designed, and is seeking federal regulatory approval

Read More »

Executive Employment Agreements in Massachusetts

Executive Employment Agreements are written contracts between an executive employee and an employer. These agreements outline the terms and conditions of the executive’s employment, including the responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and termination procedures. The purpose of these agreements is to protect both the employer and the executive employee and ensure that there is mutual understanding regarding the terms of their relationship.

Read More »

Former Employee Not In Violation Of Non-Solicitation Provision

A U.S. District Court judge has denied an employer’s request for an injunction prohibiting former employee from soliciting their employees, finding the fact that the employee is planning to work for a competitor and spoke with one of the company’s employees about whether they were considering a job with the same competitor was not sufficient to demonstrate a violation of

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Pregnancy Discrimination Claim To Go To Trial

A U.S. District Court judge has denied an employer’s motion for summary judgment, finding that the reason for given for termination could be pretext for pregnancy discrimination. United States District Court, District of Massachusetts SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Plaintiff Christin Ronzio brings a pregnancy discrimination suit against Defendant Williams Lea, Inc. (‘Williams Lea’) for terminating her employment

Read More »

Wage Claim Based on Training Cost Repayment Requirement to Proceed

A U.S. District Court judge has denied an employer’s motion to dismiss, holding that an employer’s requirement that employees repay so-called training costs may constitute a wage violation. United States District Court SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Plaintiffs Christopher Connor McClain (‘McClain’), Dennis Abramov (‘Abramov’), Miles Collins (‘Collins’), Jeffrey Butler Hanson, Jr. (‘Hanson’), Ricky LeBlanc (‘LeBlanc’), Samuel Shepherd

Read More »

Virginia-based employee’s Massachusetts Wage Act and 151B Discrimination Claims Survive Motion to Dismiss

A U.S. District Court judge has denied a motion to dismiss a Virginia-based employee’s Massachusetts Wage Act and 151 discrimination claims, finding that the employer’s Massachusetts headquarters, the employee’s regular communication with Massachusetts-based employees, and the employee’s business travel to Massachusetts was sufficient to state a claim for violation of Massachusetts law. United States District Court SUMMARY: (court decision – opens

Read More »

Understanding the Rights of Domestic Workers in Massachusetts

Domestic workers play a vital role in households across Massachusetts, providing essential care and support for families and individuals. However, they are often subject to unique vulnerabilities and challenges in the workplace. As such, it is important for both domestic workers and their employers to understand the legal protections that are available under Massachusetts law. This article will explain the

Read More »

Claim of Unpaid Severance to Proceed

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has reversed a District Court decision dismissing a CEO’s claim for unpaid severance, finding that the CEO adequately plead that she was terminated without cause. United States Court of Appeals SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Valerie Sullivan worked for etectRx, Inc. (‘etectRx’), a digital health company, as its CEO from

Read More »

Baked Goods Distributors Alleging Independent Contractor Misclassification Not Required To Arbitrate Claims.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has ruled that baked goods distributors alleging they were misclassified as independent contractors are not required to arbitrate their claims, finding that they fall within the transportation worker exemption set forth in Section One of the Federal Arbitration Act. United States Court of Appeals SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “This

Read More »

Non-Compete Ruled Enforceable

The Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior Court has ruled that a non-compete signed three days prior to the effective date of the Massachusetts Non-Competition Act (G.L. c. 149, § 24L) is enforceable and not governed by the statute. Massachusetts Superior Court SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Vicarious Surgical Inc. has designed, and is seeking federal regulatory approval

Read More »

Executive Employment Agreements in Massachusetts

Executive Employment Agreements are written contracts between an executive employee and an employer. These agreements outline the terms and conditions of the executive’s employment, including the responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and termination procedures. The purpose of these agreements is to protect both the employer and the executive employee and ensure that there is mutual understanding regarding the terms of their relationship.

Read More »

Former Employee Not In Violation Of Non-Solicitation Provision

A U.S. District Court judge has denied an employer’s request for an injunction prohibiting former employee from soliciting their employees, finding the fact that the employee is planning to work for a competitor and spoke with one of the company’s employees about whether they were considering a job with the same competitor was not sufficient to demonstrate a violation of

Read More »

Pregnancy Discrimination Claim To Go To Trial

A U.S. District Court judge has denied an employer’s motion for summary judgment, finding that the reason for given for termination could be pretext for pregnancy discrimination. United States District Court, District of Massachusetts SUMMARY: (court decision – opens in PDF) “Plaintiff Christin Ronzio brings a pregnancy discrimination suit against Defendant Williams Lea, Inc. (‘Williams Lea’) for terminating her employment

Read More »

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