Domestic and sexual violence is now in the news almost every day, and New Hampshire has followed its neighboring state, Massachusetts, in enacting protective legislation. As of August 8, 2014 most Massachusetts employers became obligated to provide leave from work to victims of domestic violence to enable them to seek treatment, obtain restraining orders or
“Egregious” Conduct on Social Media Not Protected by the NLRA
Employees’ rights to act together to address conditions at work are protected under the National Labor Relations Act. This protection applies equally to both union and non-union employees and extends to employees’ work-related conversations on social media. But, as many employers may wonder, how far does the protection of the Act reach? The NLRB’s decision in Richmond District Neighborhood Center and Ian Callaghan (Case 20-CA-091748, October 28, 2014) provides some guidance on it.Continue Reading “Egregious” Conduct on Social Media Not Protected by the NLRA
NH JOINS FORCES WITH US DOL TO REDUCE MISCLASSIFICATION OF WORKERS
The NH Department of Labor and the US Department of Labor entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the purpose of preventing misclassification of workers as independent contractors or some other nonemployee status. The MOU calls for the state and federal agencies to share information and to coordinate their efforts of enforcement. It became
New Hampshire Law Requires Employers of Health Care Workers to Take Preventative Action Against Risks of Employee Drug Use
Last session the New Hampshire Legislature enacted a new law designed to protect patients of health care facilities from the dangers associated with drug-use and drug-diverting by health care workers. RSA 151:41, which was effective August 25, 2014, requires most health care facilities and licensed providers to adopt a written drug testing policy which must
What You Need to Know about the New Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law
By a margin of almost 20%, Massachusetts voters have approved a measure permitting all workers to earn up to 40 hours of sick time each year. With this vote, Massachusetts has joined a small group of states (including Connecticut and California) and municipalities that allow for earned sick time for workers. Here’s what employers need to know about the new law.
Continue Reading What You Need to Know about the New Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law
TIME OFF TO VOTE – VOTING LEAVE IN MASSACHUSETTS
With the November elections here, employers should take a moment to refresh their understanding on voting leave law in Massachusetts. Specifically, in Massachusetts, an employer must provide an employee up to two hours off after the opening of the polls in the employee’s town or ward to vote if the employee requests it.
New Domestic Violence Leave Law in Massachusetts
At the same time NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell faces tough questions about Ray Rice, a new domestic violence law went into effect in Massachusetts. Employers with 50 or more employees must now provide employees who are victims of domestic violence up to 15 days of leave in any 12-month period. Governor Deval Patrick signed the
When Domestic Violence Enters the Workplace
Headlines about Ray Rice and the NFL remind us all that domestic violence does not stop at the door of an employee’s home. It is a serious crime and one that has lasting impacts on those affected by it. This post
NH Distracted Driving Law & Employer Electronic Device Policies
On July 25, 2014, Governor Hassan signed a bill into law that strictly limits the use of electronic devices, such as smart phones, while driving. The bill – HB 1360 – while intended as a public safety measure, will also affect how
“Ban the Box” Laws Gaining Traction Nationwide
A growing number of states and cities are passing some form of so-called “ban the box” laws, which restrict an employer’s ability to ask candidates for employment about their criminal history during the initial stages of the application process. These laws are not necessarily directed at employers’ use of criminal background checks as part of