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On April 6, 2023, Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP hosted their Annual Labor & Employment Law Update, in collaboration with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Neponset River Regional Chamber of Commerce, Quincy Chamber of Commerce, and the Metro South Chamber of Commerce. The presentation was held in-person for the first time since COVID-19, with a keynote address by Antony Sheehan, President and CEO of Aspire Health Alliance, followed by several of the firm’s attorneys presenting on various legal topics.

 

During his keynote address, Mr. Sheehan discussed the challenges employers face when employees experience mental health issues and the assistance or initiatives that employers can offer, which led into the first presentation, titled “Mental Health in the Workplace: Navigating the Legal Implications When Employees Experience Mental Health Issues”. Attorneys Nan ONeill and Kier Wachterhauser were joined by Marybeth Hasenfuss, and outlined important information regarding mental health in the workplace, including legal rights, reasonable accommodation, confidentiality and privacy rights, leave options, and resources such as legal and medical. Attorney Wachterhauser presented a case law update highlighting notable federal and Massachusetts cases from 2022 and 2023, followed by Attorney Sarah Spatafore’s statutory and regulatory update. Among the topics were the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the Speak Out Act, the Crown Act, and other related updates. Attorneys Michael Maccaro and Joseph Proctor then presented “Labor Law for Everyone: What Every Employer Needs to Know”, giving an overview of recent changes in the law at the NLRB which effect all employers, whether union or non-union. The final presentation was “Navigating Paid Medical and Family Leave in Massachusetts”, during which Attorneys Spatafore and Murphy focused on PFML, related leave laws affecting all employers, and the myriad of challenges employers are still facing.

 

Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP has been presenting their annual Labor & Employment Law Update for many years. As one of the 50 largest firms in Massachusetts, their years of experience and resources offer clients throughout New England and nationally a wide range of legal services while maintaining a “hands-on touch” that is important in Client-Attorney relationships. Their broad resources and technology enable them to represent clients in a comprehensive and cost-efficient manner. MHTL has a strong reputation in the legal community and is known throughout New England for its labor and employment practice as well as its extensive business litigation and advising employers on internal reviews and strategic legal approaches when dealing with the government. The firm also has an extensive education law practice representing public, private, and nonprofit educational institutions from pre-K through the college and university level.