Mass Equal Pay Act

Full-time working women in Massachusetts only make 77 cents for every dollar paid to men. This wage gap increases for minority women and those working manual labor jobs. Massachusetts took a significant step toward closing the wage gap between men and women in the workplace. The Massachusetts Equal Pay Act (“MEPA”) guarantees that women will be paid the same amount for comparable work that men perform. This act ensures greater fairness and equality in the workplace.  

MEPA requires equal pay for jobs of “substantially similar skill, effort, and responsibility, that is performed under similar working conditions.” For example, imagine a male janitor and female food service worker both employed at the same school, during the same hours. Both jobs generally do not require any prior experience, special training, or education. Although the jobs are different, the school could owe the female food service worker the same pay as the male janitor if the jobs are substantially similar in all other respects. 

If you suspect that your employer is paying you less than your male coworkers performing a similar job, you may have a claim under MEPA, which entitles you to equal pay.  

MEPA also protects workers from punishment from employers for talking about their salary to other workers or trying to enforce their rights to equal pay. If your employer has punished you with discipline, transfer, firing, or something else for discussing your salary or making a complaint, you should contact us to help enforce your rights under the law.  

MA Paid Family Leave Act

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), federal law provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks leave for the birth or adoption of a child, their own serious illness, or to care for a sick family member. FMLA only covers employers with 50 or more employees. In addition, FMLA only provides unpaid leave. 

Massachusetts has expanded its family leave laws beyond the FMLA.  Starting on January 1, 2021, almost all individuals that work in Massachusetts can take up to 26 weeks of paid leave for medical or family reasons: to care for or bond with a child; their own serious health condition; to care for a family member for a serious health condition (available starting July 1, 2021); and to care for a family member who is a current member of the Armed Forces or National Guard and Reserve. 

We can help guide you through what types of paid leave you can take under Massachusetts Paid Family Leave.  We can protect you against employers who may act wrongfully against employees who seek leave under this new law, fail to provide leave, or do not bring back employees that take the leave.