Can Employee Actions Trigger Unexpected Liabilities?

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Employer-employee relationships can be complicated, and sometimes strained relationships become liabilities that trigger lawsuits. This was certainly the scenario spurring a recent case, Governo Law Firm LLC v. Kendra Ann Bergeron & others. A group of employee attorneys from Governo Law Firm (“Governo”) stole firm-owned databases while still employed by the firm. They used those materials for their own benefit to start a competing law firm. This case teaches us some interesting things about liability under G.L. c 93A, §11— the Consumer Protection law that protects individuals and businesses from “unfair and deceptive” behavior in the marketplace.

June 2021 Newsletter

Can An Employee Be Fired For Rebutting A Negative Review? Maybe.

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A new decision from the Massachusetts Appeals Court has called into question the breadth and scope of an employee’s right to rebut negative information put into her personnel file by an employer.

Under G.L. c. 149, §52C, if an employee disagrees with the employer regarding negative information being added to her employee file, the employee has a statutory right to have her side of the story included in the file by way of a rebuttal. In doing so, the employee is able to protect herself by ensuring that the information contained in her file includes both sides of the dispute. On January 20, 2021, however, the Massachusetts Appeals Court held in Meehan v. Medical Info. Tech., Inc. that an employee may be fired for filing a rebuttal under the statute.

February 2021 Newsletter

Employers Must Be Cautious When Taking Action Against Employees Who Vacation While on Medical Leave

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Can a Massachusetts employer fire an employee who is on authorized medical leave but uses some of the time off to go on vacation? Not without risk. A recent case from the Supreme Judicial Court warns that employers must be cautious when dealing with employees whom they suspect to be abusing their medical leave benefits.

September 2019 Newsletter

Brendan Cox Named Of Counsel to Laredo & Smith

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Laredo & Smith is pleased to announce the addition of Brendan S. Cox as of Counsel to the firm as of July 1, 2019. Brendan is a trial attorney who focuses his practice in business and employment law, as well as criminal defense.

Brendan litigates all aspects of the criminal process from probable cause hearings and arraignments through complex evidentiary motions and trial. He represents clients on a wide range of matters including minor misdemeanors through serious felonies. In his business practice, Brendan advises entrepreneurs and start-up companies across many industries. He advises on employment agreements, business law matters, contracts and intellectual property concerns. Often operating as virtual in-house counsel, Brendan guides clients through important strategic business matters. He takes start-up companies through the entity selection process, drafts founder agreements, develops operational policies and devises business game plans.

State-Administered Paid Family And Medical Leave Is On Its Way

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All Massachusetts employers, regardless of the employer’s size, must begin putting into place mechanisms to implement the newly-passed Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Law, M.G.L. c. 175M (PFML).

The law provides paid leave benefits for W-2 employees of Massachusetts employers. It also provides benefits for 1099 contractors if they make up more than 50% of the employer’s total workforce (W-2 employees plus 1099 contractors) and unemployed persons so long as they have been unemployed for less than twenty-six (26) weeks and have met the earnings requirements. Much like unemployment benefits, the weekly paid leave benefit is calculated as a percentage of the worker’s earnings, up to $850 per week.

Read more in this month’s newsletter.

June Newsletter

Employer Alert: Non-Compete Reform Law Passes in Massachusetts

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Effective October 1, 2018, employers must comply with a new Massachusetts non-compete law geared at protecting both employees and independent contractors from undue restrictions on their ability to work, on one hand, while providing employers some leeway to protect their business interests through compliant, reasonably-tailored non-competition agreements. Non-compete agreements are contracts between employers and workers (both employees and independent contractors) that restrict workers from engaging in certain competitive activities for a defined period of time after termination of their relationships with the business.  Read more in this month’s newsletter.

October Newsletter

Payal Salsburg Presents on Boston Bar Association Employment Panel

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Payal Salsburg presents as a panelist on the Boston Bar Association‘s “Speed Networking with Labor & Employment Attorneys.” This panel, which takes place on February 1, 2018 from 530-730pm will discuss the career paths and legal opportunities in Boston’s Labor & Employment landscape.

Massachusetts Enacts Law to Protect Pregnant Workers

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Beginning on April 1, 2018, employers must comply with the newly-enacted Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“MPWFA”), which prohibits employers from discriminating against, ring, or refusing to hire a person due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions.

Newsletter_October 2017

The Bathroom Bill: What Every Massachusetts Company Needs to Know

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As of October 1, 2016, transgender individuals will have the right to use the bathroom or locker room of their choice in Massachusetts. This summer, the Governor signed into law An Act Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimination (the “Act”), adding gender identity in the list of protected classes covered by Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Attorney General’s Office (“AGO”) have separately issued guidance to assist businesses in understanding and complying with their obligations.

Newsletter_October 2016

Stock or Salary– A Business Owner’s Dilemma

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Clients, particularly those starting new, closely-held businesses, commonly ask whether they should give stock in the company in lieu of or as a supplement to compensation.  The answer is: it depends.

Newsletter_September 2016