Non-Compete Law in Massachusetts: One Step Closer to Legislative Action
WHAT’S NEW: If you know anything about non-compete agreements in Massachusetts, you probably know they’ve been a flashpoint of debate more than once. The state legislature has spent almost a decade trying to decide whether to place statutory limits on the scope of non-compete clauses (also called “covenants not to compete”) in employment agreements. Back […]
Judy Polacheck to Be a Panelist for “Drawing a Line: Addressing Harassment in the Arts”
Judy Polacheck, Boston employment lawyer at Polacheck HR Law LLC, will be a speaker for “Drawing a Line: Addressing Harassment in the Arts,” a panel discussion hosted by StageSource and the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, March 27, 2018 from 4-6 p.m. in Boston. Polacheck, along with other HR and legal professionals and […]
A Busy Moment in HR Law: Sexual Harassment, Pay Equity and Pregnant Workers Protections
WHAT’S NEW: It would be a good idea for employers to set aside some time in January 2018 to address HR Law issues. Workplace sexual harassment is a focus of public discourse and new laws are going into effect. Remember, failure to comply can result in significant legal liability. There is a focus in the […]
Judy Polacheck, to Speak at the NEHRA 2017 Conference
Judy Polacheck, Boston employment lawyer at Polacheck HR Law LLC, announces that she will be a speaker at this year’s New England Human Resources Association (NEHRA) Conference, September 27 – 29, 2017 in North Falmouth, MA. At 8:00 a.m. on September 28th, Polacheck will co-present, “Lessons from the Gig Economy: A Briefing for the HR […]
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Protects Employment Rights of Medical Marijuana Users
WHAT’S NEW: After a decision yesterday by the highest court in Massachusetts, an employer cannot enforce an absolute bar against employee medical marijuana use, in all situations, without risking a violation of the anti-discrimination laws. In its decision, the Supreme Judicial Court reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a discrimination claim brought by a worker […]
Terrorism and the Workplace
WHAT’S NEW: It’s difficult for an employer to ignore the risk of terrorism in our society. Highly visible terrorist attacks have caused workplace injuries and deaths within and outside of the United States during the last few years. Employees are emotionally affected when they learn of terrorist attacks elsewhere. They are sometimes concerned about the […]
Judy Polacheck Presents:
Hiring the Global Workforce
On April 20, Judy Polacheck, Boston employment lawyer at Polacheck HR Law LLC, returned to WeWork South Station to present “Hiring the Global Workforce,” as part of the Community Campfire series. Many of WeWork’s community members hire workers around the world to provide services for their businesses. Some hire individuals directly, while others use online […]
Legal Marijuana and the Workplace
WHAT’S NEW: Marijuana use is no longer illegal under Massachusetts law. What does that mean for employers, employees and the workplace? Marijuana use is newly legal under Massachusetts law. That does not change some employers’ concerns about their workers’ marijuana use. Working while under the influence of marijuana may alter an employee’s capacity to perform […]
Judy Polacheck Presents at WeWork
On January 19th, Judy Polacheck, Boston employment lawyer at Polacheck HR Law LLC, presented, “Best Practices for Legally Hiring and Managing Independent Contractors and Gig Workers,” to resident companies at Boston co-working space, WeWork. The workshop covered important legal issues for small businesses when they hire contractors, and provided best practices to protect against lawsuits. […]
The Sharing Economy and The Work Force: A Deep Dive
There is a new book by NYU Stern School of Business professor Arun Sundararajan for those readers interested in the rise of gig workers, freelancers and independent contractors. “The Sharing Economy: The End of Employment and the Rise of Crowd-Based Capitalism” analyzes the sharing economy, or “gig economy,” and its influence over workers and work. […]