As we close out 2024 and prepare for the upcoming year, Constangy attorneys Sasha Thaler and Monica Towle provided an in-depth look at labor and employment developments in Massachusetts over the last year. This webinar provided insights into the latest legal precedent, legislative changes, and regulatory guidance, empowering employers with essential knowledge for managing their workforce in the new year.
This webinar discussed landmark 2024 court opinions addressing wages under the Massachusetts Wage Act; benefits during PFMLA leave; classification of franchisees; forfeiture of restrictive covenants; enjoining enforcement of noncompete agreements; vicarious liability; and enforceability of arbitration agreements. They also covered new guidelines, including MCAD guidelines on harassment and guidelines on the use of generative artificial intelligence, ballot measures from the 2024 elections, legal requirements for pay transparency, pay data reporting, expanded sick leave, and more.
To access a recording of the webinar, click the link below.
Sasha has nearly two decades of experience advising and defending employers across a variety of industries in matters impacting their workplaces - from compliance with an array of labor and employment regulations to alternative dispute resolution and employment litigation. Sasha uses her extensive experience in labor and employment law to counsel clients on compliance with a wide array of federal and state laws and regulations, such as the FLSA, the FMLA, the ADA, Title VII, and the WARN Act, among others. She has represented clients in industries ranging from education, staffing, manufacturing, software, and hospitality. Her practice includes creating and implementing workplace policies and procedures to address hiring practices, terminations, employee leaves of absence, disciplinary actions, wage and hour standards, discrimination and harassment, and employee disputes. She also regularly drafts employment-related contracts, including noncompetes, nonsolicits, confidentiality, and executive employment agreements. When necessary, Sasha vigorously defends businesses in litigation and against state and federal agency actions, coordinating and executing a defense strategy, handling responses to agency investigations, and conducting internal investigations involving alleged discrimination, harassment, unprofessional conduct, and violations of wage and hour regulations.
Monica is an employment litigation attorney who represents employers across various industries in administrative proceedings, state and federal court actions, arbitrations, and mediations. She handles claims involving harassment, retaliation, discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, putative class actions, and other employment-related matters. In addition to handling legal proceedings, Monica also counsels her clients on employment and labor-related issues. Monica's client-oriented and results-driven approach is evident in her diligent efforts to understand each client's specific needs, mitigate risk exposure, and provide strategic advice and dedicated advocacy. She excels in all phases of litigation, including written discovery, depositions, dispositive motions, and trial. Her expertise in both written and oral advocacy has resulted in successful dismissals, summary judgments, and favorable verdicts in several jury trials.