As 2026 begins, employers should be aware of recent and anticipated developments in labor and employment law. Below, are summaries of several recently effective or anticipated laws, amendments to existing laws, or regulations for states in New England. However, all employers should be mindful that these types of laws—including but not limited to, those impacting rate of pay, paid leave, and required notices upon hiring—change from time to time. For example, as of January 1, 2026, Rhode Island requires employers to provide written notice to all employees at the start of their employment that provides information about key employment terms such as rate of pay, basis of pay, and policies regarding sick, vacation, and leave time. Thus, employers should keep track of impending and anticipated changes in their state. For more information, contact your Morgan, Brown & Joy attorney.
Massachusetts Pay Transparency Law
As a reminder, the Massachusetts Pay Transparency law, effective October 29, 2025, requires employers to disclose a position’s pay range to job applicants and employees. Further, employers who employ more than 100 employees in Massachusetts at any point in the previous calendar year must submit copies of EEO data reports to the Commonwealth. For additional information about Massachusetts’ pay transparency law and required EEO data reports, please see MBJ’s previous Client Alerts: Massachusetts Pay Transparency Law: Pay Range Disclosure Requirement Takes Effect...
By Ivan Kesic A drone strike on an electrical generator just outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates on May 17, 2026, suddenly brought the Persia...