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ATTORNEY TODD BENNETT QUOTED IN JANUARY 9, 2017 EDITION OF “MASSACHUSETTS LAWYERS WEEKLY”

By January 11, 2017 No Comments

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Attorney Todd Bennett was quoted in the January 9, 2017 edition of “Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.”  The article entitled, “State Judge rejects federal test on meal break compensability,” concerns the Massachusetts Wage Act and the Massachusetts Overtime law.

In the underlying case, a group of security guards brought suit against their employer for failing to pay them for meal breaks, and for failing to pay them overtime.  The class of employees claimed that because during their meal breaks they were required to remain on site, in uniform, and respond to their radios, they should get paid during these breaks.  The Suffolk Superior Court (Business Litigation Session) reviewed whether or not it should apply a) the “Predominant test,” or b) the “Relief from All Duties Test” in deciding upon the employer’s motion to dismiss and to decertify the class action.  Essentially, the Predominant test asks whether or not an employee’s meal break time is spent predominantly for the benefit of the employer or the employee.  The “Relief from All Duties Test” asks whether or not an employee is relieved from all of her or his duties during the break.  In a favorable ruling for the employees, the Court applied the “Relief from Duties Test” in denying the employer’s motion to dismiss and to decertify the class.   Attorney Bennett was asked to comment on the outcome of the case, where he provided insight to the Court’s ruling.  The full article can be viewed at the following link: http://masslawyersweekly.com/2017/01/05/state-judge-rejects-federal-test-on-meal-break-compensability/