If past is prologue as the old saying goes, Dunkin’s franchisees should be in an advanced state of readiness on the union front with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) targeting some Dunkin’ shops in Connecticut. In their ongoing efforts to unionize QSRs and rest stop businesses in the Constitution State, SEIU members are protesting…
Read More »Speaking of Connecticut, it’s new so-called Clean Slate Law was scheduled to become effective with the turn of the calendar on January 1, 2023, but earlier this month some of the provisions were delayed until later in 2023. Connecticut has long barred employers from using certain criminal convictions in hiring and promotion decisions, but this…
Read More »More states are adopting Paid Family and Medical Leave programs, both mandatory and voluntary. The Oregon Family and Medical Leave Program takes effect on New Years Day and requires employers in the Beaver State to withhold and remit contributions to the program beginning as of that date. All employers regardless of the number of employees…
Read More »The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) released new model notice forms last week and at the same time, updated its mandatory workplace poster. Fortunately, the PFML contribution rate for most employers has decreased with the new rates taking effect on January 1, 2023. That said, Massachusetts employers must provide a new PFML…
Read More »Earlier this month, a number of major business associations – led by the United States Chamber of Commerce – filed a federal lawsuit challenging a ban on captive audience meetings in the Constitution State. A Connecticut law prohibits employers from requiring employee attendance at “captive audience” meetings where the employer shares their opinion on broadly…
Read More »We’ll let the major media talking heads comment on most of the big races and results across the country from Tuesday’s midterm elections while we highlight some of the issues and results that might be of greater concern to franchisees and other small business owners. That said, we note that once again, the results were…
Read More »Some state ballots also had questions relating compensation and tax policy looming. In that regard, voters were apparently feeling generous. Initiative 433 on the Nebraska ballot was approved and provides for a $15 per hour minimum wage to be phased in over the next three years. The measure passed easily with 62% of voters in…
Read More »Over the past few weeks, we’ve focused on various ballot initiatives around the country by subject matter – minimum wages last week, right to work laws the week prior, etc. Without getting too far into the weeds, that leaves us a couple to call to your attention. In Massachusetts, there’s a Millionaire’s tax on the…
Read More »Earlier this month, the state of Connecticut launched the application process for its new Hero Pay program for essential workers. The program, funded with a $30 million appropriation in the state budget, may provide up to $1,000 in a pandemic pay premium for eligible, private-sector essential workers. To qualify, employees must be deemed essential workers…
Read More »The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair or CROWN Act continues to win favor with state legislatures across the country and Massachusetts became the latest this week as Governor Charlie Baker signed H.4554 into law on Tuesday. The legislation, which has now been adopted in 18 states around the country, was first…
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