What should farms in Massachusetts consider when hiring employees? What are the rules of the road for agricultural workers in the Commonwealth. These two webinars from 2018 and 2024 cover key information for complying with Massachusetts employment law. Both webinars cover worker classification, overtime, agricultural labor exceptions, minimum wages (note that the amounts changed from 2018 to 2024), and comparing Massachusetts and federal employment laws, and how to know which applies.
Attorney Beth O’Neal of Conn Kavanaugh also covers the following in her 2018 presentation:
- Consequences of employee misclassification
- 2018 federal unpaid intern guidance
Attorney Sean Fontes of Partridge Snow & Hahn also covers the following in his 2024 presentation:
- A deeper dive into agricultural labor
- Leave and sick time
- Unemployment insurance
- Paying minors
- 2024 federal independent contractor classification rule
An offer letter is an important start to any employment relationship because it ensures the employer and employee have a mutual understanding about the key terms of employment. This guide identifies the key elements of an employment offer letter and provides a sample letter for you to review and consider when drafting your own offer letter. As a future employee, this guide will help you to clarify some points of employment before accepting.
Congratulations! Your small business is ready to hire your first employees. This is both an exciting and daunting process. Luckily, we have Tara Walker and Bill Wahrer of Bernstein Shur Portland, Maine who will walk you through this process. They will cover common legal traps for the hiring manager in the hiring and interview process, she will provide a checklist of best practices, and recommended documentation for your new employees.
Presenters: Attorneys Tara Walker and Bill Wahrer of Bernstein Shur
Understanding labor and employment law is essential for operating a successful farm. Both federal and New Hampshire law treat agricultural work differently than other forms of employment. Depending on the size of the farm and the agricultural tasks done, an employee may be exempt from, for example, minimum wage. This guide is a brief look at what labor laws apply to farming activities to help New Hampshire agricultural employers and employees understand their rights and obligations. Most employee standards are detailed in Title 23 of New Hampshire’s statutes.
Understanding the requirements of labor and employment law is essential in operating a successful farm business. Both Maine and federal law treat agricultural work differently than other forms of employment. Before hiring an employee, it is important to familiarize yourself with the relevant state and federal laws that govern the employer/employee relationship. This guide is intended to inform farm employers about the general requirements when hiring employees.
Among beginning (and other) farmers’ biggest challenges is accessing land, including land and farms in the hands of older farmers. Therefore, how those farmers transition their farms to the next generation (family or unrelated) is of utmost importance. Land For Good’s Training Guide provides attorneys with solid legal background material and technical tools to use in assisting farmer clients to develop their farm succession plans.
Navigating employment laws on your farm can be a challenging task. This webinar will help Maine farmers understand how to handle various workers on your farm, including WOOFers, volunteers, and CSA workers.
Presenter: Tom Trenholm, Drummond Woodsum.
Congratulations! Your farm business has grown, and you are in dire need of hiring some help. Enter employment law – specifically, agricultural employment law. Join our one-hour webinar to learn the general laws that you are required to follow as an agricultural employer. We will cover important pay considerations, how to get employees properly set up, and best practices to avoid discrimination lawsuits. After this session, you will feel confident to make your first hires.
Presenter: Attorney John S. Gannon, Skoler-Abbott LLC.
Agricultural work is treated differently from other types of employment under the law; however, it is sometimes difficult to what qualifies as agricultural work. This guide is intended to help Massachusetts farmers determine what is agricultural work, what is not, and why it matters. You will learn:
- What is Agricultural Work in Massachusetts
- Minimum wage and overtime rules for agricultural employees
- Minimum wage and overtime rules for regular employees
The rules governing payroll taxes can be complex. Payroll taxes are generally calculated as a percentage of the employee salary. Farms that employ workers must withhold money from their employees’ paychecks, timely submit withheld amounts to the appropriate tax authorities, and file payroll tax returns with state and federal agencies. This guide outlines what payroll taxes are, and how and when to pay them. After reading this guide you will know:
- what are payroll taxes and who is responsible for paying them
- the different types of payroll taxes
- the special exemptions given to agricultural employees
Employment leave laws help balance employers’ needs for a reliable work force with employees’ responsibilities outside work. Leave laws also protect workers by allowing them to take time off without fear of losing their job. Both Federal and Rhode Island state laws allow employees to take reasonable unpaid leave for family and medical reasons. Whether you are an employer or an employee, it is important to know your rights and obligations under these state and Federal laws.
Many people are curious about what happens at a farm and would be happy to volunteer a few hours of labor in return for the experience of farming. Others would be willing to work as an unpaid intern in order to gain valuable knowledge and farm skills. The prospect of free labor is appealing. But is it legal? Do you understand the distinction between registered apprentices, paid and unpaid interns and volunteers? This Legal Brief summarizes the legal requirements for these workers under Rhode Island law.
Farmers have a lot to consider when bringing on employees. This guide for Rhode Island farmers takes you step by step through the key areas of law you need to understand when hiring on farm. It is a great starting place for farmers looking to understand the rules of the road.
Farmers have a lot to consider when bringing on employees. This guide for Massachusetts farmers takes you step by step through the key areas of law you need to understand when hiring on farm. It is a great starting place for farmers looking to understand the rules of the road.
What do farmers need to know to legally bring on a farm apprentice? The laws governing apprenticeships can be complicated, and it is important for farmers to understand how to comply with wage and hour laws. Andrew Dennington, a partner at Conn Kavanaugh in Boston, presents on this important topic in a recording from the NOFA/Mass winter conference in 2018.
Understanding employment laws is essential to protect both farmers and their employees. This webinar, presented by Erica Kyzmir-McKeon, former CLF Senior Fellow & Attorney, and Gina A. DiCenso, Attorney at Law, gives an overview of common employment law issues that farmers face. The webinar covers (1) federal and state wage laws; (2) the the legal distinctions between unpaid interns, registered apprentices, and volunteers; and (3) federal and state leave laws.