The purpose of Massachusetts labor laws is to make certain that employers treat their staff fairly. The Massachusetts state government implements regulations in order to protect the welfare of employees and promote relationships between employers and employees that are stable and beneficial to all involved.

As a business owner, it may be difficult to fully grasp all of the regulations and restrictions that you must abide by in regard to your employees. An examination of Massachusetts labor and employment law basics reveals three main areas to get you started:

1. Employers must pay their employees comparable salaries or minimum wage and compensate employees fairly for overtime under Massachusetts labor law.

2. Labor law in Massachusetts maintains strict regulations regarding the employment of minors.

3. An employer must maintain workers’ compensation insurance to protect his or her business and employees under Massachusetts work laws.

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Pay your employees appropriately under Massachusetts labor and employment law

In Massachusetts, if the federal minimum wage is equal to or higher than that set by the state, then the state minimum wage automatically increases by $0.10. Businesses must pay their employees the state or federal established minimum wage at that time, whichever is higher. In this case, Massachusetts employers will always pay employees the state minimum wage. Additionally, there is a requirement to pay employees time and a half (the sum of their regular hourly wage plus half of their regular hourly wage) for each hour worked over 40 hours in one week's time.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Labor provides a quick reference for the current minimum wage in Massachusetts. You must hang a minimum wage poster at your business for employees to see. Visit LaborLawCenter to purchase professionally printed Massachusetts labor laws posters.

Apply Massachusetts employment labor law regarding youth employment

Under Massachusetts state labor laws for youth, your business cannot employee someone under the age of 18 unless that person has a work permit. Minors cannot work more than 18 hours a week. Additionally, employees that are 14 or 15 can only work until 7 p.m. during the school year and 9 p.m. during summer vacation. After 8 p.m., all minors must work under adult supervision or in a location where security is available until close.

I recommend: The Retailers Association of Massachusetts provides further child labor law information. A child must be 14 years old to work, but the website for the Attorney General of Massachusetts provides exceptions to that rule.

Protect your business under Massachusetts employee laws with workers' compensation insurance

Massachusetts employment law requires employers to maintain workers' compensation insurance to protect employees and their families if injury or death occurs on the job. The burden of proof that the injury occurred while working is on the employee. However, employers may have to cover medical expenses prior to the conclusion of litigation.

I recommend: Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development provides answers to frequently asked questions by businesses concerning workers' comp regulations. For continued advice and case assistance regarding labor laws, consult with a law firm, such as Nutter.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Massachusetts labor laws require business owners with employees to contribute quarterly to the state's unemployment insurance fund, which provides income to employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own (such as layoffs).

Massachusetts employment laws help employers protect their businesses through compliance with safety standards, fair hiring practices and work environment. Labor law helps both employers and employees have better working relationships in a more productive environment.

Massachusetts employee laws make working better for everyone. Labor law, although originally intended to improve working conditions for laborers, boosts business owner’s bottom line by increased productivity.

Massachusetts labor and employment law deals with job safety, employee foreman ratios, break time, lunch time and safety standards within the work environment. Updated Massachusetts labor laws meet the demand of new technology and constantly changing work requirements. Understand and comply with Massachusetts labor law to:

1. Stay in compliance with the labor department.

2. Provide productive work environments for employees.

3. Protect your businesses from frivolous lawsuits.

4. Keep productivity high.

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Display Massachusetts labor and employment law posters in easy to read locations

Keeping employees informed of their rights and responsibilities under Massachusetts working laws keeps them empowered. Massachusetts labor and employment laws posters provide the latest updates or changes in labor law in Massachusetts.

I recommend: GovDocs and LaborLawCenter.com carry up to date government recommended Massachusetts labor law posters for display around your facility.

Protect yourself and your employees by keeping up to date on Massachusetts employment laws

The only way to guard your company from frivolous lawsuits and keep employees happy is to promote a safe work environment and understand your rights as an employer. Keeping up to date on changes to current laws and how they effect your particular company is vital to a healthy work environment.

I recommend: Read the rules and regulations page of the Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission to understand workers rights to worker’s compensation. Also check out “A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Employee Collective Bargaining Law” for detailed labor law information for both employers and employees.

Increase productivity by going above and beyond required state of Massachusetts work laws

Massachusetts employment law, as in any state, gives guidelines and requirements for what the state considers a safe working environment. Going above the minimum requirements to keep employees happy is a great way to increase their overall productivity.

I recommend: Visit the official website of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development for Massachusetts. This office provides resources for business owners. HRhero.com is a subscription service offering the latest updates to state by state employment law.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discuss employment law changes with your union representative. If you are a non-union business, be sure someone in your Human Resources department is in charge of all employment law related issues.
• •  Post Massachusetts labor laws posters anywhere employees tend to congregate or spend time on breaks. Conference rooms, break rooms, lunch rooms and near time clocks are all great places for labor law posters.

Massachusetts employment law regulations are in place in to make certain employers always treat their employees fairly. Some of the regulations that Massachusetts work laws enforce include minimum wage requirements, child labor protections, the rights of terminated employees, preventing discrimination in the workplace, and benefits for employees injured on the job.

Occasionally, there are changes or additions to Massachusetts employee laws. It’s a good idea to seek out recent information and make sure you, as an employer, are always current on the regulations in place. There are many resources available. Consider these options as you look for Massachusetts labor and employment law news and trends:

1. Subscribe to blogs that provide explanations and advice on topics like Massachusetts labor law.

2. Frequent online magazines that discuss tips for implementing Massachusetts employment laws, services to assist your effort and strategies for success.

3. Periodically check for changes and updates to state and federal employment laws.

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Subscribe to blogs that discuss Massachusetts labor and employment law

Many legal blog writers discuss various legal topics on a regular basis to help you make the most of and understand the laws in place. A search of the blog post archives will likely reveal posts on topics such as Massachusetts labor laws.

I recommend: Bacon/Wilson Attorneys at Law, a Massachusetts law firm, provides the Employment Law Bits blog. You can also access the Employment Law Blog provided by another Massachusetts law firm.

Access magazines for up-to-date information on Massachusetts employee laws

There are many Internet magazines and newsletters to which you can subscribe and receive periodic emails with legal information and trends. You can also search their websites for previous articles regarding employment law strategies and advice. Another option is to subscribe to the hard copy version of the magazine.

I recommend: Search the newsletter archives or sign up to receive the Employment Law Advisor provided by Morse Barnes-Brown Pendleton in Waltham, Massachusetts. Visit HRhero.com to subscribe to the Massachusetts Employment Letter and receive 12 monthly issues in the mail, news alerts by email, access to the subscribers-only area of the website and special in-depth reports.

Check for additions and changes to Massachusetts employment labor law

Periodically, governments make changes or additions to laws through the passing of bills and amendments. As an employer, it's important that you check labor laws frequently for such changes to make sure you're applying the laws correctly. This will ensure the protection of your business and your employees' rights.

I recommend: Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries allow you to search for current information on laws by the popular name for that law, such as an employee's right to bargain. Exhibit A is a publication providing legal news "in plain English" to those who aren't lawyers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It may be difficult to find websites, blogs and magazines that focus solely on Massachusetts labor and employment law news and trends. More than likely, you will find resources that have more broad-range coverage on federal and state legal issues. Most websites provide a search function so that you can find information on specific topics.

Because states have the power to enact labor and employment laws for businesses within their jurisdictions, it pays to have a general overview of regulations if you're doing business in that state. While Massachusetts labor and employment law remains similar to that in other states, there are certain distinctions businesses should be aware of. Becoming familiar with the key terms and concepts that Massachusetts labor law is based upon can help you stay informed of the latest legal trends.

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Child labor laws

When learning about Massachusetts labor and employment law, it's necessary to consider child labor laws which set limits on the kind of work and number of hours minors can perform.

I recommend: Go to Retailers Mag to find out the age limits for child labor laws. You'll also learn about daily and weekly time restrictions for minors between the ages of 14 and 17 in Massachusetts.

Age requirements

Age requirements can also refer to child labor laws. The emphasis is on the minimum ages required to perform certain jobs.

I recommend: Age requirements are taken seriously by the Attorney General in Massachusetts. Find out the minimum ages for employees in certain industries, such as the newspaper industry.

Workers' compensation law

Workers' compensation law refers to the actions that organizations take when their employees have sustained injury or other damage on the job.

I recommend: Go to the Labor and Workforce Development website to find legal requirements for contractors and sub-contractors under Massachusetts workers' compensation law. You'll also find out about penalties for businesses who do not carry workers' compensation insurance.

Joint Labor Management Committee

A joint labor management committee ensures that collective bargaining agreements in a state follow certain procedures.

I recommend: The Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission clarifies the role that the state's Joint Labor Management Committee performs in negotiating settlements between municipal departments. In particular, find out how the Committee responds to collective disputes and how it votes in open meetings.

Workplace injury

Workplace injury refers to many adverse experiences employees can encounter as they perform their designated job duties.

I recommend: Lawyers.com explains how Massachusetts law responds to employee complaints of workplace injury. Find out about compensation plans and minimum payments required by state law.

Unemployment insurance benefits

Some workers who have been terminated or laid off from employment can seek unemployment insurance benefits through state disability programs.

I recommend: Salary.com explains Massachusetts' distinctive program for providing unemployment insurance benefits. Find out the basic eligibility requirements for receiving these payments.