Many franchisors utilize so-called “no-poach” clauses in their franchise agreements, and such clauses may be structured in a way that limits a franchisee’s ability to hire employees of other, same-brand franchisees and/or employees of the franchisor. Recently, a group of state attorneys general and prominent legislators began pressing franchisors to cease use of so-called “no-poach”…
Read More »We would also remind business interests in Massachusetts, that the new Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act goes into effect on October 1st. The new law, which was signed into law earlier this summer, restricts the use of non-compete clauses in employment agreements by banning their use outright for employees considered nonexempt under the FLSA, including hourly…
Read More »It was a major upset and a total shock to the political establishment when back in June, New York bartender Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez handily beat 20-year Congressional incumbent Joseph Crowley for the democratic nomination for New York’s 14th Congressional District. Crowley was Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, essentially the 3rd most powerful democrat in the US…
Read More »At the close of the legislative session, Massachusetts lawmakers passed a law prohibiting the use of non-compete agreements for certain employees and dramatically restricted their use for others. The Massachusetts Non-competition Agreement Act – Section 21 of the Economic Stimulus bill was signed into law last week by Governor Charlie Baker and, effective October 1,…
Read More »The New Hampshire legislature passed HB 1319, an amendment to the state anti-discrimination laws, last month thereby adding gender identity protections for resident and employees throughout the Granite State. An Act Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Gender Identity, which took effect on July 8, adds New Hampshire to the rest of New England in prohibiting gender…
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As Dunkin’ Donuts tests a Next Generation store concept and innovations in coffee products, franchisees must decide how they will make the leap into the next generation themselves. Moving forward in a competitive landscape can be both exciting and challenging. With 70 years of history behind the brand, Dunkin’ Donuts has evolved and diversified to…
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Looks like it could be a long, hot and potentially expensive summer for Dunkin’ and other quick service franchise owners around the country. Several states and cities hiked their minimum wage on July 1, with a few now even pushing past the much ballyhooed $15 an hour mark. Activists pushing for sick leave mandates are…
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These are the vacation spots that symbolize an idyllic summer: Cape Cod to Mackinac Island; Ogunquit, Maine to Hilton Head. They’re as American as apple pie. But increasingly, these hot spots have relied on foreign workers to do jobs that would otherwise go unfilled. With an unemployment rate hovering around 4 percent and a scarce…
Read More »We told you last week that Republican Governor Charlie Baker signed the so-called grand bargain into law in Massachusetts. The ‘bargain’ grants an increase in the minimum wage from the current $11 an hour up to $15 by 2023, a five year phase-in. In addition, it provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave…
Read More »Each year as July rolls around, and with it the start of state and municipal fiscal years, we also see many minimum wage hikes taking effect. In the interest of keeping our readers informed of these changes, we believe that the following minimum wages increases take effect Sunday: Washington DC from $12.50 to $13.25; Chicago…
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