Amanda Marie Baer, Author at Mirick

President Biden Issues Executive Order Regarding Workplace Discrimination

Posted on January 20, 2021 (July 30, 2024)

That was quick! On his first day in office, President Joseph Biden issued the Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation. With the Executive Order, President Biden instructed each federal agency to “as soon as practicable” revise, suspend, or rescind all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, […]

COVID-19 Related Updates for Massachusetts Employers

Posted on December 23, 2020 (July 30, 2024)

New COVID Relief Bill On Monday, December 21, 2020 the United States Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which includes several provisions aimed at providing COVID-19 relief (the “Relief Bill”). As public employers and employers with less than 500 employees are aware, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”), which required such employers to […]

Massachusetts’ Sector Specific Workplace Safety Standards for Office Spaces Updated

Posted on December 14, 2020 (July 30, 2024)

Governor Baker’s administration updated Massachusetts’ Sector Specific Workplace Specific Safety Standards for Office Spaces to Address COVID-19 (the “Standards”). While all employers operating office spaces are advised to review the complete Standards, key provisions are: Face coverings: workers and visitors must wear face coverings at all times, except when in their own individual workspace and alone […]

What does the December 8th Rollback Mean for Massachusetts Employers?

Posted on December 10, 2020 (July 30, 2024)

On December 8, 2020, Governor Charles Baker issued COVID-19 Order No. 58, which returns all of Massachusetts to Step 1 of Phase 3 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan, effective December 13, 2020. As a result, all “Phase 3, Step 2” business that were recently permitted to open (indoor performance venues and high-contact indoor recreational activities) […]

Employers Must Ensure Compliance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as they Re-Open and Recall Employees from Furlough

Posted on July 28, 2020 (July 30, 2024)

The U.S. Department of Labor recently issued new Questions and Answers regarding its interpretation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). In relevant part, the DOL made clear that if an employer is calling employees back from furlough, the employer may not use either (a) the fact that an employee requested leave under the […]

Update: Families First Coronavirus Act

Posted on March 30, 2020 (July 30, 2024)

The Department of Labor issued new guidance over the weekend regarding the Families First Act, including important definitions and clarifications. I broke down the new guidance into the overall framework of the new EFMLA and EPSLA in this recorded webinar. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact any member of our Labor, […]

NLRB Issues Employer-Friendly “Joint Employer” Definition

Posted on February 26, 2020 (July 30, 2024)

On February 25, 2020, the National Labor Relations Board (the “NLRB”) announced the final rule governing “joint employer” status under the National Labor Relations Act. The determination of whether an entity is a “joint employer” with a direct employer for purposes of the NLRA informs whether the entity may be liable for the unfair labor […]

Author: Amanda Marie Baer

Posts by Amanda Marie Baer