The Massachusetts Attorney General recently joined the New York Attorney General and others in an inquiry into the controversial practice of retail on-call scheduling. Some large, national retailers receiving a letter were BCBG Max Azria, Carter’s Inc, Canada’s DavidsTea Inc,…
Prevailing Wage
Prevailing Wage and False Claims Acts
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The Intersection of the Prevailing Wage Laws and False Claims Acts Federal and state prevailing wage laws set hourly rates for workers on “public works,” which are government-financed construction, renovation, and other projects. Federal and state false claims acts (also…
"Off-the-clock" work, Class Actions, Massachusetts Wage Claims, Meal Breaks
Case Report: Longwood Security Class Action Notice Mailed
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Yesterday 812 former and current security officers were mailed a notice informing them that (1) there is a pending case against Longwood Security Services, Inc. for unpaid wages, (2) the court certified the case as a class action, (3) they…
Class Actions, Massachusetts Wage Claims, Meal Breaks
Case Report: Wage Act Class Action Against Restaurant Chain Can Proceed
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The Massachusetts State Superior Court issued an opinion on Jan. 5, 2016 allowing a class action for unpaid meal breaks to proceed against the Chateau restaurant chain in Massachusetts. Elizabeth Ryan of Bailey & Glasser and I are co-counsel in…
Massachusetts Wage Claims, Wage Set-Offs
Massachusetts Employers Cannot Charge Employees for Uniforms
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Many employers in Massachusetts require their employees to wear uniforms. While this is a legal practice, it is unlawful for employers to charge employees for these uniforms. In January 2015, the Department of Labor Standards updated its wage and hour…
"Off-the-clock" work, Massachusetts Wage Claims, Meal Breaks
Auto Deductions for Work Breaks
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Lunch breaks – and other breaks – are a normal part of most employees’ work days. Under Massachusetts law, M.G.L. c. 149, s. 100, employers must provide employees with a thirty-minute meal break after working for six consecutive hours. Many…