Massachusetts has had a "comparable worth" law forever, but Gov. Charlie Baker just signed some amendments that will make it easier for women (and men) to assert pay equity claims. In addition to making it easier for plaintiffs to prove that two jobs are "substantially similar," the law prohibits asking for salary history before a conditional offer of employment has been made, and prohibits workplace rules that try to prevent employees from discussing or comparing their salaries. Ellen Kearns, co-chair of our Wage and Hour Practice Group, and Emily Nelson have all you need to know.

I'm lovin' it! Franchisors, how do you keep the National Labor Relations Board, state attorneys general, and everybody else from finding that you're a joint employer with your franchisees? Jeff Rosin, head of our Franchise Industry Group, has a great bulletin that explains the theory behind joint employer liability and what franchisors can do to avoid a "joint employment" finding.

Comparable worth, joint employer liability, and now employers have to worry about mosquitos, too? Sorry to say, yes. Mike Malfitano, head of our Tampa Office, has helpful guidance for employers trying to deal with the Zika virus now that it's been confirmed in two Florida counties. If you're wondering how to protect your employees from the virus without violating the Americans with Disabilities Act or Title VII (especially its pregnancy provisions) -- and you should be -- then this is a must-read.

Image Credit: From flickr, Creative Commons license, by Jelene Morris.