| Law and the Workplace

Massachusetts Modifies “Ban the Box” Law

By Mark W. Batten, Samantha Regenbogen Manelin and Laura Franks on May 2, 2018 Posted in Hiring/Background Checks

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker recently signed Senate Bill No. 2371, “An Act Relative to Criminal Justice Reform,” into law. The law will go into effect October 13, 2018. Among the Act’s extensive criminal justice reform provisions are several important modifications to the “Ban the Box” anti-discrimination laws, outlined below, which will further restrict Massachusetts employers’ … Continue Reading

New York Court of Appeals Clarifies Application of New York’s Criminal History Discrimination and “Aiding and Abetting” Provisions

By Joseph Baumgarten and Laura Fant on May 5, 2017 Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks

In Griffin v. Sirva, Inc., the New York Court of Appeals held that while only “employers” may be liable for criminal conviction history discrimination under Section 296(15) of the New York State Human Rights Law (“NYSHRL”), a covered employer may extend beyond a worker’s direct employer to also include entities that exercise “order and control” … Continue Reading

Addressing and Preventing Workplace Violence

By Katharine Parker and Rachel Fischer on September 2, 2015 Posted in Workplace Policies and Procedures

The subject of workplace violence has unfortunately made headlines once again after a news anchor and cameraman were killed by a former co-worker in Virginia last week. Employers are understandably concerned and have questions about what they can do to help prevent workplace violence. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires employers to maintain … Continue Reading