Labor law in Masachusetts
Labor laws are
constituted to protect employee rights, compensation and benefits as well as to
ensure a fair, transparent and level playing field for employers. Additionally,
they protect employees against unfair termination or discrimination on any
basis. Massachusetts specifically provides organizations with such a regulatory
guideline on labor welfare, so as to ensure a stable and healthy relationship
between employees and employers.
Labor Wage Laws
The Massachusetts’
‘Minimum Fair Wage Law’ and the Federal ‘Fair Labor Standards Act’ are
complementary regulations on employee wages, hours worked and overtime. In
cases where both state and federal laws are applicable, the one that stipulates
higher standards is followed. As of 2008, MFWL sets minimum wages levels at
$8.00 per hour (not applicable on tipped employees). Further, employees working
in excess of 40 hours per week are generally paid at a minimum 1.5 times the
standard rate.
Youth Employment Laws
Massachusetts labor law
stipulates that organizations cannot employ anyone below 18 years, without a
work permit (they may still not work more than 18 hours per week). Further, no
child less than 14 years can work, while 14 or 15 years old minors cannot work
beyond 7 pm during school days, and 9 pm during vacation. Post 8 pm, minors can
only work under supervision and with adequate security.
Workers’ Compensation
Insurance Laws
Massachusetts labor law
directs employers to provide workers with compensation insurance (to give
protection to them and their dependents), if there is serious injury or death
while working. Even through the responsibility to prove that this accident
occurred while on job is on the employee, the employer still needs to cover
medical expenses till litigation concludes.
Massachusetts Blue Law
‘Blue Law’ lays out
wage guidelines for businesses that operate on Sundays or holidays. It also
provides guidance on application of permits to operate during holidays.
Additionally, employers cannot mandate employees to work on Sundays, nor can
they use that pretext for penalizing or terminating the employment contract.
Family Medical Leave
Act
‘Family Medical Leave
Act’ is a federal law that directs employers to provide a maximum of 12 weeks
of unpaid leave to employees in case of maternity or adoption, to provide
support to her spouse or child during illness, or when the employee herself is
ill to the extent that prevents her from working.
In Massachusetts,
employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours in proceeding 12 months (but not
necessarily continuously) are only eligible for above coverage. Further, all
public agencies as well as any business that have 50 or more employees working
in any given 75 miles radius, have to provide the benefits enumerated under
FMLA.
Occupational Safety and
Health Act
‘Occupational Safety
and Health Act’ is a federal act that sets workplace safety regulations,
wherein every citizen is entitled to know about materials that she may be
exposed to in workplace; their potential harmful effects and preventive
measures that are taken. This is a federal act, which applies to the state of
Massachusetts as well.
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