A merger and a lower grade
Q: My husband is being treated poorly by his company. His company merged with another company, and now he has been told that his job has been re-evaluated and is now at a lower grade. We are guessing but we … Continued
Lunch out – paid or unpaid?
Question: A supervisory employee chooses takes an accounts payable representative to lunch at a local restaurant. The supervisor pays for the lunch with the company credit card. The supervisor calls it a “working lunch.” My question — would the lunch … Continued
Pattie Hunt Sinacole answers a question from a terminated employee
Question:Can an employer terminate your employment for any reason? While the concept of ’employment at will’ is generally applicable in many situations, there are common scenarios leading to wrongful termination. I was a supervisor for five years, received a recent … Continued
Fired? Pattie Hunt Sinacole shares info on what a supervisor is required to say
Q: I was working at a small retail shop in our downtown area. I was recently fired. The supervisor said I was not performing my role as a customer service agent. He never gave me areas to improve upon. I … Continued
Furlough vs. layoff — I’m confused!
Q: I have been furloughed recently, because my company has been hurt by this pandemic. What is the difference between a furlough and a layoff? Should I be looking for a new job? My manager is not even sure what … Continued
Meal breaks in Massachusetts
Q: I am in a job, and I think I am eligible for paid overtime (at time and one-half) after I work forty hours. I live and work in Massachusetts. However, no one has mentioned lunch breaks. How does this … Continued
My former employer isn’t paying me my commission
Q: I am wondering if you can help me. I was recently terminated and I have sales commissions earned but my former employer is refusing to pay me. What is the rule of law here? Should I sue them? What … Continued
What if you resign before a bonus is paid?
Q: In early March, 2020, I expect to receive a substantial bonus, based on my contributions in calendar year 2019. I am also informationally interviewing at a number of companies. One company is expressing interest in my skill set and … Continued
Can I leave early instead of taking a lunch hour?
Q: I work part-time hours at a retail office south of Boston. I recently began caring for my granddaughter. I am hoping to leave at 2:30pm instead of 3:00pm so that I am able to meet her at their bus … Continued
Pay difference and the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act
Q: I work for a fast-growing tech company and was hired about two years ago. I was one of the first hired by this company. I have discovered that others, in my peer group, are being hired at much higher … Continued