Taking Care of HR Business

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        August 23, 2016

        Well, law school certainly felt like a job to your humble correspondent, and now it appears that the National Labor Relations Board...

        by Elizabeth Connellan Smith on August 22, 2016

        In Massachusetts, as in many states, when an employee is injured in the course of work, but the injury is caused by a third party, the employee is...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 17, 2016

        Effective October 1, Massachusetts business owners who operate "places of public accommodations" will be prohibited from discriminating against...

        by Elizabeth Connellan Smith on August 17, 2016

        The issue of Independent Contractor versus Employee has reared its ugly head once again, this time in the context of professional wrestling. A...

        August 16, 2016

        Just in case you missed our earlier post, effective August 1, the Department of Labor issued a new rule implementing significantly higher penalties...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 16, 2016

        There are things we all need to know about Zika: 1) it is spread mostly by an infected Aedes species mosquito; 2) it can be passed from a pregnant...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 10, 2016

        By now you may have seen all the coverage of the rather bored-looking lifeguards at the Olympic swimming events. As it turns out, they may not be the...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 9, 2016

        On August 1, 2016, the DOL issued updated posting requirements for the Employee Polygraph Protection Act and the Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 3, 2016

        New England Company & Affiliate Pay $2.6 Million in Back Wages Over the past few years we have discussed the importance of proper...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on August 3, 2016

        Late last week, the Seventh Circuit issued an opinion in Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College, in which it held that Title VII provides no redress...

        August 2, 2016

        On August 1, 2016, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law sweeping changes to the state's prohibition on discrimination in pay on the...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 28, 2016

        Now that a couple of months have passed since the Department of Labor announced the new federal overtime regulations, many employers are looking for...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 25, 2016

        The Casino Pauma expects employees to work while at work—a concept that is not foreign to many of us. In fact, they put the expectation into...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 20, 2016

        Municipalities all across the country have dived into the employment arena in the past few years. In an April 2016 publication by the National...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 15, 2016

        This is reality. This is not a test. There are Pokémon in your office. Well, maybe; it's more like there are not real Pokémon chilling outside your...

        by Douglas P. Currier on July 13, 2016

        Using a staffing company to supply workers can seem to be a wonderful way to secure a qualified workforce while avoiding the challenges of hiring...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 8, 2016

        The EEOC continues its push to recognize job protection for LGBT workers under Title VII. On Wednesday, the EEOC filed a lawsuit against Bojangles...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on July 8, 2016

        Late last week, while everyone was focused on the summer holiday, the Department of Labor announced that pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties...

        by Robert C. Brooks on June 23, 2016

        The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) intends to put a spotlight on the relationships between companies and the lawyers and consultants companies rely...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on June 21, 2016

        The Supreme Court issued its decision today in Encino MotorCars, LLC v. Navarro. A background of the case is available, but the question at issue was...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on June 17, 2016

        You know how we harp on the easy things? Like having all the required state and federal posting requirements hung in a place where employees can...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on June 17, 2016

        Appellate briefing to the Second Circuit was completed earlier this week in Manhattan Beer Distributors LLC v. NLRB, a case in which the NLRB, in...

        June 17, 2016

        On June 1, 2016, Governor Dannel Malloy signed into law Public Act 16-83, entitled "An Act Concerning Fair Chance Employment," joining a national...

        June 7, 2016

        You likely received notice that the U.S. Department of Labor released its final overtime regulations on May 18. Many education institutions will now...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on May 25, 2016

        You likely received notice that the U.S. Department of Labor released its final overtime regulations on May 18. Many non-profits will now be required...

        May 20, 2016

        For those employment lawyers who believe that the EEOC and NLRB have tended to overreach of late (i.e., the defense bar), two separate decisions...

        May 20, 2016

        Its been a busy week in H.R. land. We feel you. It's been a busy week for us too. Well, let's end things on a high note, and no we're not talking...

        May 18, 2016

        The Department of Labor released its long-awaited final overtime regulations today. The most significant impact of the new regulations is that they...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 29, 2016

        BNA Bloomberg is currently reporting that yesterday word was leaked from a Washington staffer that the DOL white collar salary threshold will be in...

        April 26, 2016

        On Monday, Stephen comes into work dressed like a pirate. As his employer, you think this is strange, and maybe pushing the limits of the dress code,...

        About the Blog

        Human resource professionals, supervisors, and company executives are constantly confronted with a changing legal landscape. Verrill’s Taking Care of HR Business blog is designed to keep you informed about the latest and most significant legal developments that affect employers.

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        About

        Human resource professionals, supervisors, and company executives alike face a constantly changing and evolving legal landscape. Verrill’s Taking Care of HR Business blog is here to keep you up to date on the newest and most important legal developments for employers.

        Verrill’s employment and labor attorneys are based throughout New England but practice on a national stage. In addition to regular appearances in state and federal courts, they often appear before state and federal agencies that create and enforce the various frameworks that regulate the employer-employee relationship. The Group has a wide range of experience in all aspects of labor and employment law and is frequently tapped to serve on state and national legal organizations, participate in industry seminars, and contribute to professional journals, thereby continually adding value to their client relationships. Learn more about Verrill’s Employment and Labor Group.

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        Firm Highlights

        Blog

        Voluntary Benefits Move into the ERISA Litigation Crosshairs

        Employee-paid accident, critical-illness, cancer, and hospital-indemnity insurance have long occupied a quiet corner of employee benefit plan...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Maine’s New Employer Surveillance Law, 26 M.R.S. § 620-A

        Effective July 14, 2026 Maine employers that electronically monitor employees must comply with a new disclosure law effective July 14, 2026. Under...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Recognized by U.S. News as One of the Best Law Firms to Work for in 2026

        BOSTON, Mass., BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine, GREENWICH and WESTPORT, Conn., – Verrill has been featured on U.S. News’ 2026 Best Companies to Work...
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        SECURE 2.0 Roth Catch-Up Rules and the 403(b) 15-Year Catch-Up: What Tax-Exempt Employers Need to Know

        Tax-exempt employers whose 403(b) plans offer catch-up contributions for participants age 50 and above should be well on their way to compliance with...
        Media Mentions

        Robert Keach Quoted in Law360 on SIMAD Summer Camp Bankruptcy Sale

        Verrill attorney Robert Keach was recently quoted in a Law360 article examining the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings involving SIMAD Holdings and...
        Media Mentions

        Chris Tsouros Featured in Law360’s Coverage of Sports Real Estate Deals

        Verrill Partner Chris Tsouros was recently recognized in a Law360 article highlighting law firms involved in significant sports real estate projects...
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        What Maine’s New Employer Surveillance Law Means for Maine Employers

        Maine employers who monitor their workforce, whether through productivity software, GPS, call recording, or cameras, have a new compliance obligation...
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        Run Don’t Walk: The Implication of “While Supplies Last” Prize Promotions

        This month a big-chain grocery store has been offering daily mystery boxes during specific timed drops on a first-come, first-served basis, to users...
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        Maine’s Noncompete Statute is Reshaped for Health Care Workers: What You Need to Know

        Employers of individuals who are licensed under state law to perform, or provide, health care services in the State of Maine should be prepared for...
        Media Mentions

        Steven Davis Featured in the Environmental Business Journal

        Steven Davis, President of Verrill Strategic Consulting, was recently interviewed and featured in the Environmental Business Journal, Volume 39...
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        What is a Bonus for Purposes of ERISA?

        An ongoing dispute about a Department of Labor advisory opinion published last September raises a basic but unanswered question under the ERISA: What...
        Media Mentions

        Verrill Recognized by WMTW for Partnership Supporting Hunger Relief in Maine

        Verrill was recently featured in coverage by WMTW News 8 for its role in a collaborative effort to combat food insecurity across southern...