Taking Care of HR Business

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        by Tawny L. Alvarez on January 22, 2019

        After a year full of changes for employers paired with a new governor in Maine, Verrill Dana will reflect on recent legal developments in labor and...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on January 10, 2019

        Whether you're the founder of a startup, new to HR, or are looking for a refresher on some of the basics, this podcast miniseries will provide you...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on December 21, 2018

        Because of how often we hear from clients regarding requests for "emotional support" animals to accompany employees to work, we figured a refresher...

        December 21, 2018

        …a stocking full of tip summaries! After a very musical few weeks, we've arrived at the final installment of our 12 Days of HR series. We hope that...

        December 20, 2018

        In recent years, "side hustles" have become an increasingly common phenomenon among employees in all industries to supplement income from a...

        December 20, 2018

        We're halfway through December, which means that the New Year is right around the corner. January 1st always seems to inspire a host of new goals and...

        December 19, 2018

        The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was passed to prevent workers from being seriously harmed at work. Although OSHA compliance should be...

        December 19, 2018

        Employees often take time off around the holidays. In many cases, an employee's days off might be pursuant to a planned vacation or time with loved...

        December 18, 2018

        The story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has been a long-time holiday staple, both in film and in song. The gist of the story is that Rudolph was...

        December 14, 2018

        There's so much to celebrate at the end of the year, and while it often feels like Christmas steals the spotlight, it's likely that some of your...

        December 11, 2018

        He's making a list and checking it twice—you know the drill: Santa's game is that he rewards good behavior during the year with gifts under the...

        by Elizabeth Connellan Smith on December 10, 2018

        As every New Englander knows, during this time of year the roads get frosty and even short trips become trickier. Even the most responsible employer...

        December 7, 2018

        In recent years, the familiar seasonal duet "Baby It's Cold Outside" has come under fire as attitudes toward appropriate interactions between men and...

        December 6, 2018

        That's right—with the kids jinglebelling and everyone telling you to be of good cheer, we can safely say that the holiday season is here. In years...

        December 6, 2018

        It's no secret that the holiday seasons spark an influx of shoppers hunting for good deals and great gifts for loved ones. Although the prevalence of...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on November 30, 2018

        We talk a lot about the importance of diversity in the workforce: Having a diverse group of employees. The ability to choose from a diverse group of...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on November 28, 2018

        Recent studies reveal that 0.4 percent of Americans (which is between 1 and 1.5 million) identify as Wicca or Pagan, which is more than the people...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on November 26, 2018

        Over the past few days, while many were preparing turkeys or throwing out lettuce, the Boston Globe posted Trouble is brewing at craft beer darling...

        by Douglas P. Currier on October 15, 2018

        Join the Maine Employee Benefits Council (MEBC) on Wednesday, October 17 for a panel discussion on the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), disability,...

        by Elizabeth Connellan Smith on June 26, 2018

        This time last year, Verrill Dana Labor & Employment Attorney Elizabeth Connellan Smith discussed the anticipated decision in the Bourgoin v....

        by Douglas P. Currier on June 11, 2018

        An NLRB administrative law judge has ruled that it is illegal for companies to ban employees from moonlighting without permission. In the case...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on May 14, 2018

        Whether you're the founder of a startup, new to HR, or are looking for a refresher on some of the basics, this podcast miniseries will provide you...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on May 10, 2018

        Multiple states (and some cities) have sexual harassment requirements for certain employers. Currently California, Connecticut, and Maine have...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 26, 2018

        Dear Byron D. Verrill The other day an employee asked me what our policy is on emoji use in the office. We don't have a policy. Should we have a...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 19, 2018

        [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="415"] Letter to Byron D. Verrill, who in 1862 began the law practice known today as Verrill Dana,...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on April 18, 2018

        In the past we have focused a lot on volunteer labor. The fact that generally an individual cannot "volunteer" to work for a for-profit business. The...

        by Elizabeth Connellan Smith on March 23, 2018

        On Thursday, March 22, 2018, Attorney Beth Smith attended the morning session of the National Council of Compensation Insurance (NCCI) State Advisory...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on March 23, 2018

        On July 1, 2018, Massachusetts Pay Equity law takes effect requiring all employers to pay men and women equally for comparable work—a phrase that...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on March 14, 2018

        In the latest episode of Verrill Voices, labor and employment attorney Tawny Alvarez discusses best practices for complying with the upcoming...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on March 5, 2018

        Frances McDormand ended her Oscar acceptance speech with two words: Inclusion Rider. She forced the audience, the public, and the press to ask,...

        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

        Alerts and Newsletters

        DOJ Announces Faster Review and Enhanced Enforcement for Benefits-Fraud FCA Matters

        On May 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Division issued a new memorandum, “Accelerating Review and Enhancing Enforcement in...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        DOJ Announces Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown; Signals Intensified Medicaid Enforcement Nationwide

        On May 21, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced a first-of-its kind Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown charging 15 defendants, including...
        Media Mentions

        Lauren Galvin Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on Arbitration and Anti-SLAPP Protections

        Verrill Partner Lauren Galvin was recently featured in a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article highlighting a notable Superior Court decision...
        Blog

        Section 530A Accounts: What Employers Should Consider Before Offering Contributions to “Trump” Accounts

        Section 530A accounts, commonly referred to as Trump accounts, have attracted attention since the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in...
        Blog

        Navigating PBM Reform: Regulatory Changes, Market Shifts, and Practical Guidance for ERISA Fiduciaries

        Pharmacy Benefit Manager (“PBM”) arrangements have long relied on rebates with limited transparency into true drug costs. Recent regulatory and...
        Blog

        DOL’s Proposed Regulation on Selecting Alternative Investments: Broad Implications for 401(k) and 403(b) Plan Fiduciaries

        On March 30, 2026, the Department of Labor issued a proposed regulation purporting to implement an executive order to expand access to “alternative...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Attorney Gracie Castle

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to welcome Gracie Castle to the firm’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group as an Associate,...
        Published Works

        Francesco De Vito Authors Article in the Journal of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys

        Verrill Partner Frank De Vito authored an article featured in the Spring 2026 issue of The Abstract, the journal of the American College of Mortgage...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Recent FinCEN Advisory Highlights Rising Health Care Fraud Risk for Financial Institutions

        As the federal government intensifies its “whole of government” approach to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, particularly in Federal Health Care...
        Press Releases

        Two Verrill Attorneys Featured in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers List

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill attorneys Roger A. Clement, Jr. and Robert J. Keach have been featured in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global...
        Published Works

        Verrill Attorney Mark Googins Co-Authors Maine Commercial Lending Handbook

        Verrill attorney Mark Googins has co-authored the Maine Commercial Lending Handbook (Second Edition), published March 2026.  A trusted, practical...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Attorney James Hallinan

        GREENWICH, Connecticut (March 26, 2026) – Verrill is pleased to welcome James Hallinan to the firm’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services...