Taking Care of HR Business

        A blog from the attorneys of Verrill
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        April 1, 2019

        The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division recently announced a proposed rule updating regulations governing what items are included in an...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on March 20, 2019

        How many times have you heard, as a Human Resources professional, an employee make the statement: "I need leave, but I don't want to use my FMLA...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on March 8, 2019

        Yesterday, March 7, 2019, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) unveiled a proposal to change the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as it applies...

        by Tawny L. Alvarez on February 16, 2019

        Last month, on January 31, Verrill Dana hosted its 2019 Annual Employment Law Update at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel. The full-day conference...

        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...

        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

        Working 9 to 5? It’s a Way to Make a Livin’, so Make Sure You’re Payin’ for Every Minute: A Maine Employer’s Guide to Stacked Wage & Hour Rules

        Four decades after Dolly Parton gave us both the namesake anthem of the American workday and the film about three fed-up office workers’ dreams of...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Can AI Pass the Doctor Test? FDA Considers Physician-Inspired Evaluation of GenAI Devices and Other Regulatory Measures

        AI is entering healthcare with indomitable will. It promises to increase efficiency, reduce administrative burden (which healthcare providers so...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Attorney Annabel Rodriguez Named Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez has been recognized as a Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and will be...
        Blog

        What Employee Benefits Lawyers Do (and How to Make the Best Use of Us)

        What do employee benefits lawyers do all day and how can clients make the best use of them? This post offers an overview of the kinds of things...
        Media Mentions

        Bloomberg Law Quotes Robert Keach on Expanded Access to Small Business Reorganization

        Verrill attorney Bob Keach was recently featured in Bloomberg Law, discussing legislation that would raise debt limits for bankruptcy relief and...
        Blog

        Phil Bartlett to Step Down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission

        On September 15, 2026, Governor Janet Mills announced that Phil Bartlett will step down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC)...
        Published Works

        Jay McCormack and Michael Fee Co-Author AHLA Article on Skin Substitute Enforcement Trends

        Verrill Partners Jay McCormack and Michael Fee co-authored an article for the American Health Law Association's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Health Care & Life Sciences Attorney Elpida Velmahos

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Elpida Velmahos has joined the firm’s Health Care & Life Sciences Group as an...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Litigation & Trial Attorney Emma Pooler

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to announce that Emma Pooler has joined the firm’s Litigation & Trial Group as an Associate, resident in...
        Published Works

        Four Verrill Attorneys Co-Author Massachusetts Trends and Developments Chapter for Chambers and Partners Child Relocation 2026 Guide

        Verrill attorneys Mary H. Schmidt, Rachel A. Deering, Hannah R. Zukoff, and Mariah G. Tappan co-authored the “Trends and Developments” chapter...
        Blog

        A New Protected Class in Maine: Holders of Final Protection Orders

        In the lead-up to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, employers may be taking a closer look at how their policies and practices respond to...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Verrill Secures SJC Victory for Boston Legacy FC in White Stadium Litigation

        Verrill has secured a significant appellate victory for Boston Legacy FC in the litigation challenging the redevelopment of White Stadium in...