June Compliance Check-In

As we move into the second half of the year, now is the perfect time for Massachusetts employers to take stock of key HR and compliance priorities. Whether you’re preparing for the upcoming Pay Transparency Law, updating job applications to avoid legal risk, or navigating new developments around Temporary Protected Status (TPS), staying ahead is critical. In this roundup, we cover the latest legal updates, offer a practical midyear compliance checklist, and share helpful resources to keep your organization compliant and confident heading into the fall.

Lie Detector Notice in Job Applications

Massachusetts law has banned the use of lie-detector tests in employment for decades. Now, a surge of lawsuits is raising the stakes for compliance with the law.

Massachusetts law bans employers from using lie-detector tests, also known as polygraphs, as a condition of hiring or continued employment. This rule has been in place for more than 60 years, and a 1986 update made it even clearer: Every job application in Massachusetts must include a specific notice in clear, readable print:

“It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie-detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.”

Learn more from SHRM’s article: Massachusetts: Do Your Applications Have a Lie Detector Notice?

SCOTUS Greenlights Termination of CHNV Work Permits

The Supreme Court has authorized the Trump administration to move forward with ending the humanitarian parole program that granted work authorization to 500,000+ individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. As a result, unless further guidance is issued, CHNV parolees no longer have valid permission to work in the U.S. effective immediately, prompting urgent action from impacted employers.

To learn the five steps you should take if your workplace is impacted by this May 30 decision, read the full article here from Fisher Phillips.