Massachusetts labor laws are in place to protect workers from unfair compensation practices and overwork. In addition to minimum wage law and overtime law, Massachusetts Blue Laws restrict certain establishments from requiring work on Sundays and holidays, and establish a premium pay rate for such work.
Massachusetts Overtime Law
Overtime in Massachusetts is considered any time worked in excess of 40 hours during a single workweek. The workweek must be 7 consecutive days, beginning and ending on the same day of the week for the duration of your employment. For non-exempt employees, these overtime hours must be compensated at 1.5 times your regular rate of hourly pay.
Exemptions from Massachusetts overtime law are based on the nature of the work you actually perform, not on titles or salary. If your work is considered executive, professional, or administrative, for instance, you are likely exempt from overtime pay. However, having an executive title does not immediately exempt you. You must regularly perform the duties of an executive to qualify for exemption.
Massachusetts Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $8.00 an hour, which is higher than the Federal minimum ($7.25 an hour). Tipped employees making over $20 a month in tips must be paid a direct wage of no less than $2.63 an hour, which, when combined with the tips, should be equal to or greater than the minimum wage. If it falls short, the employer must pay the difference. Tipped employees must be legally notified of this information when they begin employment.
Massachusetts Blue Laws
Originating from the beginnings of America's colonial history, Massachusetts blue laws restrict the sale of goods and the ability to require work on Sundays and holidays. Most retail employees, for instance, must be paid time-and-a-half for work performed on Sunday, and said work must be optional. Refusing to work on Sunday cannot give an employer cause to discriminate against, discipline, or terminate an employee.
Most non-retail establishments may not operate on Sundays without a police permit. Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas have severe restrictions on requiring employees to work, as do, to a lesser extent, Labor Day, Independence Day, and Memorial Day. Depending on the nature of your work and whether or not your employer has obtained a permit, you might not be required to work these holidays.
Unfair compensation practices violate your rights. Please visit USOvertimeLawyers.com for more information about Massachusetts labor laws, or to get in touch with Massachusetts wage and hour attorneys who are committed to fighting for workers' rights.
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