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Massachusetts

Out to Lunch? Maybe Not, in Massachusetts . . .

Most Massachusetts employers are required by law to provide “meal breaks” for their employees. However, in many industries, it isn’t always feasible for employees to leave the premises during lunch or even to stop working while they’re eating. If employees work through their meal breaks, must they be paid for that time? What if they […]

Is the Modern Workplace Killing Us? (Part 1)

In his recent book, Dying for a Paycheck, Jeffrey Pfeffer, professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business, explains how the modern workplace causes all kinds of problems. From chronic illnesses to stress, much about the modern workplace is bad for economies and societies and the success of companies—and, of course, for workers.

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5 Steps to Help Employers Stay Compliant with the ADA

To help ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there are five steps employers can take, according to Dana Connell of Littler Mendelson, P.C. and Matt Morris, VP of FMLASource, ComPsych Corporation—both presenters at SHRM’s 2017 Annual Conference & Exposition in New Orleans.

PTO vs. Traditional: Plusses and Pitfalls

PTO plans, which eliminate distinctions between types of leave, do relieve HR of an administrative burden and the dreaded role of “absence police,” but there are some drawbacks, says attorney John Hagan. Absences, like terminations, can be voluntary or involuntary; however, unlike terminations the distinction between voluntary and involuntary absences is not typically determined by […]

The proof is in the paper trail

by Julie A. Arbore One of the most effective ways an employer can shield itself from liability when faced with an allegation of discrimination is to be able to support the legitimacy of the challenged employment decision with documentation. While this advice may sound simple and obvious, all too often an employee’s personnel file fails […]

Why Higher Ups Avoid Communicating with Their Staff

Everyone experiences moments where they feel ill at the thought of speaking up. Managers and bosses are no exception. Harvard Business Review and other research firms have reported that up to 69% of managers are uncomfortable communicating with employees. This includes not just when it comes to having conversations they think an employee might react […]