The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Insurance has announced that the Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (“MEPSL”) will expire on March 15, 2022, and employers have until April 29, 2022 to file their applications for reimbursements. This means employees may continue to take leave under the program through March 15th, but employers then
(UPDATED) New York State Court Strikes Down Statewide Mask or Vaccine Requirement for Indoor Public Places
***UPDATE: In a whiplash-inducing turn, on January 25, 2022, the New York State Appellate Division granted a stay of the Nassau County court’s decision pending determination of the State’s appeal. As such, the mask-or-vaccine requirement remains in effect for the moment. We will continue to monitor and report on further developments.***
On January 24, 2022,
Massachusetts Creates Exception to At-Will Employment for Employees Exercising the “Right of Rebuttal”
On December 17, 2021, the highest state court in Massachusetts held that an employer may not terminate an employee solely for exercising his right to file a rebuttal to be included in his personnel file. The Supreme Judicial Court found this new common law remedy is necessary to fully protect this legal right and to
Massachusetts High Court Clarifies Test to Determine Joint Employer Status under State Wage and Overtime Statutes
On December 13, 2021, the highest state court in Massachusetts ruled that the proper test for determining joint employer status under the state’s wage and overtime statutes is the “totality of the circumstances” test formerly used under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), and not the more restrictive test of Mass. Gen. L. c.
Federal Court Upholds Employer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
On June 12, 2021, a federal District Court in Texas in Bridges, et al v. Houston Methodist Hospital et al, Docket No. 4:21-cv-01774 (S.D. Tex. Jun 01, 2021) dismissed a case challenging a hospital’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees. This is the first court opinion addressing the ability of employers to require employees
New York State Issues Updated Travel Advisory; Relaxes Travel Restrictions
On April 10, 2021, the New York State Department of Health again updated its COVID-19 Travel Advisory for domestic and international travel. The advisory removes many of the quarantine requirements for domestic and international travelers arriving in New York State and clarifies existing guidance for all travelers. Additional information about the current restrictions on travel