October Compliance Check-In
News October 7, 2024
Massachusetts still maintains rules regarding holiday openings – rules requiring employees to work and rules about obtaining state and/or local permission to open. There are rules about opening on Sundays and holidays, which are available here. Columbus Day and Veterans Day are partially restricted holidays, with specific rules for retailers and manufacturers.
Retail and manufacturing businesses may not open on Columbus Day before noon and Veterans Day before 1 pm without a permit from the local police department. These permits tend to be granted routinely, providing a streamlined process for compliance. Note that there is a voluntariness work requirement – if an employee insists on observing these holidays, then you must allow it.
Additional resources below:
- AIM HR Solutions’ Helpline: 800.470.6277 | helpline@AIMnet.org
- Mass.gov: Working on Sundays and Holidays
State Average Weekly Wage Change & New Employer Contribution Rates
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) for 2025 will be $1,829.13 up from $1,796.72 the previous year. This $32 increase reflects a cooling of the state’s labor market. This small increase represents a break from COVID era trends where the state experienced annual SAWW increases as high as 13%.
- For 2024, the state average weekly wage is $1,796.72 and the maximum weekly benefit rate is $1,149.90.
- For 2025, the state average weekly wage is $1,829.13 and the maximum weekly benefit rate is $1,170.64.
The state average weekly wage is important because many state employment benefits are tied to the SAWW. The SAWW sets new maximum benefits for Paid Family and Medical Leave, Unemployment Insurance, and Workers Comp which in turn affect the cost assessed on employers for funding those benefit systems.
Additional resource below:
AIM HR Practices Survey is Now OPEN
Share your insights on important and current HR topics such as benefits, compensation, recruitment, training practices, and diversity initiatives. As a token of appreciation, you will receive a free copy of the survey report when it is released in December. Take the 2024 AIM HR Practices Survey.