Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 77,478 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in the country. It was established as a town in 1842, when it was separated from the urbanizing Charlestown. Somerville was a 2009 All-America City Award recipient.

What is employment law?

Employment law deals with the relationship between employees and their employer specifying the rights and restrictions applicable to the employee and employer in the workplace. Employment law differs from labor law, which primarily deals with the relationship between employers and labor organizations.

Employment law regulates such issues as employee discipline, benefits, hiring, firing, overtime and breaks, leave, payroll, health and safety in the workplace, non-compete agreements, retaliation, severance, unemployment compensation, pensions, whistleblowing, worker classification as independent contractor or employee, wage garnishment, work authorization for non-U.S. citizens, worker's compensation, and employee handbooks.

Answers to employment law issues in Massachusetts

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum standards for minimum wage and...

Under federal laws, it is illegal to discriminate against someone (applicant or employee) because of that person's...

The law forbids discrimination because of...

It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include "...

Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that may violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the...

The Equal Pay Act requires that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work. The jobs need...

It is illegal to fire, demote, refuse to promote, harass, or otherwise “retaliate” against people (applicants or...

Employers covered under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 of...

As a general rule, the information obtained and requested through the pre-employment process should be limited to...

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected...