June 2021 Employment Law Newsletter Clients, Colleagues and Friends, Summer is here, and we hope you are enjoying warm weather, barbecues, and making up for lost time with friends and family. As employers are reopening their doors and many people are returning to the workplace, we wanted to share with you some developments in employment law. Please reach out if you would like to discuss your particular work situation with us. All the best, Maria Mancini Scott COVID Vaccine Requirements At Work Many people have asked whether employers can require workers to receive the COVID19 vaccine. The short answer is YES. Employers can mandate vaccines, but they must also consider exceptions for people who cannot get vaccinated for religious reasons or because they have a disability. LEARN MORE HERE New Paid Family and Medical Leave Law in MA As of January 1, 2021 all workers in Massachusetts are eligible for Paid Family and Medical Leave to address their own serious medical condition or to bond with their new baby. Starting on July 1, 2021, employees can also take paid Family Leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. LEARN MORE HERE Higher Minimum Wage in MA As of January 1, 2021 Massachusetts raised its minimum wage from $12.75 per hour to $13.50 per hour. For tipped employees, the minimum wage went from $4.95 to $5.55 per hour. These increases are part of Massachusetts' transition to a $15 per hour minimum wage starting in January 2023. Here are some notable outcomes Mancini Scott Law has secured for our clients recently: $38,000 for a cancer survivor who was terminated after her employer disregarded her doctor's note that she could not work at the office after successfully working remotely for six months. $150,000 for a Plant Manager who was fired after taking a six week leave of absence to address a serious health condition. Triple damages for a maintenance worker who was fired after suffering a workplace injury and didn't receive his earned vacation pay. $20,000 for an employee who was repeatedly asked out on dates by a manager and disciplined inappropriately after making clear she was not interested in him. $40,000 for an information technology worker who was terminated in the midst of his employment contract because he got hurt on the job. $50,000 in severance pay for a woman who had good performance reviews and was disciplined within a month of announcing her pregnancy. $70,000+ Jury Trial Verdict for a man who was fired for refusing to turn off a corporate tenant’s electricity for being late with its rent. $200,000+ secured on appeal for a barber who was fired after his boss found out he was legally blind. If you have a legal question, please don't hesitate to contact us at (508) 821- 4373 or
[email protected] . You can also visit our website ! This newsletter is for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation.
