BELLO / WELSH LLP: WORK LAW BLOG
The information on this blog, and the materials published on this website generally, are provided by Bello Welsh for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. We strongly recommend that readers seek specific legal counsel before taking any actions that could have legal implications.
SEC Sues Over Employee Confidentiality Agreements
By Martha J. Zackin Early in March, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission had begun to probe “whether companies are muzzling corporate whistleblowers” through the use of confidentiality agreements that may impede employees from disclosing corporate wrongdoing. As reported, the SEC sent letters to a number of companies asking them […]
Supreme Court Rules on Pregnancy Accommodations
By Martha J. Zackin Early this week, the United States Supreme Court issued its much-anticipated decision in Young v. United Parcel Service, Inc., finding that UPS may have engaged in pregnancy discrimination by refusing to accommodate an employee’s pregnancy-related lifting restrictions by transferring her to a light duty position. In so holding, the Supreme Court […]
NLRB Strikes Down “Overbroad” Confidentiality Agreement
By Martha J. Zackin As an employment lawyer, I have had the opportunity to review hundreds of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. Although there are invariably differences from one agreement to the next, virtually all have at least one thing in common- the inclusion of “employee information” within the description of information to be kept confidential. […]
OFCCP Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Seeking to Update its Sex Discrimination Guidelines
By Martha J. Zackin On January 28, 2015, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, seeking to update its sex discrimination guidelines applicable to federal contractors and subcontractors covered by Executive Order 11246. According to the press release published to announce its proposal, OFCCP’s “sex discrimination guidelines are woefully […]
Massachusetts Extends Parental Leave Rights to Employees Regardless of Gender
By Sasha Thaler Since 1972, the Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act (M.G.L. c. 149 s. 105D) has provided eight weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to full-time female employees who meet certain eligibility requirements, on the occasion of the birth and, more recently, the adoption of a child. One of former Governor Deval Patrick’s last official acts […]
Top Employment Law Changes for Massachusetts Businesses- End of Year Review
By Sasha Thaler 2014 brought a number of legislative changes which will affect Massachusetts employers of all sizes in 2015. Here is a recap of the top 5 changes employers should be prepared for in the New Year.