Parker | Scheer LLP Blog

Employement Discrimination: Small Necessities Leave Act

Yesterday I wrote about Mellen v. Trustees of Boston University which primarily focused on the way to calculate the twelve week leave period when an employee takes an intermittent absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).   Interestingly enough, Mellen also addressed the Small Necessities Leave Act (SNLA) which permits eligible employees to take up to a total of 24 hours of leave within a twelve month period to attend a child's school activity or accompany a child or relative to a doctor's appointment.  See M.G.L. c. 149 sec. 52D.

Employment Discrimination: Holidays Do Not Change the Time Allowed by FMLA

The Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA"), requires that employers with fifty (50) or more employees provide eligible employees with up to a total of twelve (12) work weeks of unpaid leave during any 12 month period for one of the following reasons: (a) birth of child and/or adoption of child; (b) serious health condition of a spouse, child or parent; and/or (c) serious health condition of the employee. 

Nursing Discrimination: Appeals Court Grants Nursing Mom's Request for Additional Break Time During Medical Licensing Exam

Last week, Judge Patrick Brady of Norfolk Superior Court denied Sophie Currier's request for extra break time during her medical licensing exam so she could pump breast milk for her four month old daughter.  Ms. Currier sued the National Board of Medical Examiners after it denied her request to take more time than the standard forty five minute breaks during the exam.  Following Judge Brady's ruling Ms. Currier's attorney requested that the State Appeals Court hear the case. 

Employment Discrimination: Application of Employer's Layoff Procedure Results in Discrimination Claim

On August 10, 2007, the Supreme Judicial Court issued its decision in Trustees of Health and Hospitals of the City of Boston, Inc. v. Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, et al, involving five claims of discrimination based upon race and gender.  The facts giving rise to this action center around the Healthy Baby/Healthy Child Program ("HBHC") in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston which was operated by the Trustees of Health and Hospitals of City of Boston, Inc.