Massachusetts labor laws for salaried employees are in place. These define the rights and responsibilities of businesses and salaried employees across the Commonwealth. If your rights as a salaried employee in Massachusetts are violated, you could have grounds for a lawsuit against your employer.
A wage theft & overtime pay dispute lawyer in Boston can teach you about labor laws for salaried employees in Massachusetts. They can determine if your legal rights as a salaried worker have been breached. If so, your attorney can help you hold your employer accountable.
How Do Massachusetts Labor Laws Impact Salaried Employees?
Labor laws regulate how often salaried employees are paid, their ability to work beyond 40 hours per week, and other aspects of their work. Many labor laws are currently in effect in the Commonwealth. Here are labor laws impacting salaried employees in Massachusetts.
Payment Frequency
As a salaried employee, you can receive payments every other week, twice a month, or monthly. Employers must pay them within seven days of the end of a pay period. This applies to salaried employees who work one to four days or seven days.
Overtime Eligibility
Per overtime laws in Massachusetts, salaried employees can qualify for pay if they work more than 40 hours in a workweek. Generally, the overtime rate is 1.5 times an employee’s regular hourly rate. In a salaried job, your overtime eligibility is based on your role and employer’s classification.
Minimum Wage
Massachusetts’s minimum wage is $15 per hour as of January 1, 2023. This rate applies to most employees, including salaried workers. An employer violating the state’s minimum wage requirements can be required to pay three times the damages.
Equal Pay for Men and Women Salaried Employees
The Massachusetts Equal Pay Act (MEPA) prevents employers from determining salaried workers’ wages based on gender. MEPA also requires salaried employees to receive the same pay for “comparable work,” regardless of gender. If you believe your employer is violating MEPA, let a sex and gender discrimination lawyer in Boston review your case.
Leave Entitlements
Massachusetts salaried employees receive up to 40 hours of sick leave annually. Along with this, the Commonwealth provides a Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program in which salaried workers can take 12 to 26 weeks of paid leave. In addition, salaried employees qualify for leave entitlements for jury duty and other reasons.
Break Entitlements
If you are a salaried employee and work six or more hours during a shift, your employer is required to give you a meal break of at least 30 minutes. During this period, you receive a full break from your daily duties. If, for any reason, you cannot take this break, your employer must compensate you.
Making Deductions From an Employee’s Salary
For salaried employees, there are limited circumstances in which your employer can deduct your pay. For example, your employer can withhold taxes from your salary. Alternatively, your employer cannot deduct money from your paycheck to cover the cost of supplies and materials you need to do your job.
Terminating a Salaried Employee
Massachusetts employers can terminate salaried workers. In these scenarios, they must pay these workers in full on the day of termination. If you lose your job due to discriminatory reasons, a wrongful termination lawyer in Boston can help you submit a claim against your employer.
You have rights as a salaried employee in Massachusetts. If your employer violates wage and hour laws, get legal assistance. Work with a lawyer who understands labor laws for salaried employees, and they can help you take legal action against your employer.
For a free legal consultation, call (860) 999-9394
What to Do if Your Employer Violates Massachusetts Labor Laws for Salaried Workers
If your employer violates Massachusetts labor laws, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division. You can do so online or over the phone. At this point, the Fair Labor Division investigates your complaint and determines if further action is warranted.
An employment and labor lawyer can help you prepare your complaint. As your legal advocate, your attorney protects your legal rights. They can help you sue your employer, regardless of how the Fair Labor Division responds to your complaint.
Your lawyer wants you to seek justice in your lawsuit. As part of their efforts, they will gather evidence and build a compelling argument against your employer. If they are successful, you will be able to stand up to your employer for their unlawful practices.
Partner With Lawyers Who Understand All of Your Legal Rights as a Salaried Employee
Labor laws impact the way Massachusetts employers treat salaried workers. If your employer chooses to ignore their laws, consider what will happen if you decide to do the same. In this scenario, your employer can harm you and your coworkers and is likely to continue to do so without incurring any consequences.
The legal team at Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard understands that facing an employer violating labor laws in Massachusetts can be intimidating. We are a proud member of the New England community and will represent your best interests in your case against your employer. Schedule a consultation with our team.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form