The Employment Law Counselor

In Joanne Walsh v. HNTB Corporation, the First Circuit Court of Appeals provided further guidance concerning what actions by an employer may satisfy the “some harm” standard under Title VII, announced by the Supreme Court in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis.

In Muldrow, the Supreme Court held that to establish a claim of employment discrimination under Title VII, an employee only needs to show that he or she suffered an adverse employment action that caused “some harm,” and need not show that the harm was “significant.” The less stringent “some harm” standard, however ... Continue Reading

On February 26, 2026, the Business Litigation Session of the Massachusetts Superior Court held that there is no individual liability, and no claim for aiding and abetting, under the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (“PFMLA”).

In Jackson Laughlin v. BinStar, Inc. (Delaware) et al., the co-founder and former CEO of a discount retail business asserted claims against both the retail business as well as former board members and directors individually, alleging that they violated the PFMLA by repeatedly contacting him while he was on protected medical leave and ... Continue Reading

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) recently filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Inc. (“Coca-Cola Northeast”) alleging that the Coca-Cola distributor discriminated against its male employees on the basis of sex.

In its complaint, filed February 17, 2026 in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, the EEOC alleges that Coca-Cola Northeast engaged in sex discrimination in violation of federal discrimination laws when it sponsored a two-day “trip and networking event” for female ... Continue Reading