Attorney Adam J. Shafran

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Attorney Adam J. Shafran Attorney Adam Shafran is a top rated employment lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts.

09/29/2026

Employees generally expect the wages shown on their paychecks to reflect the compensation they earned, minus ordinary deductions for taxes, benefits, and other authorized purposes. Questions can arise, however, when an employer deducts money for a cash shortage, damaged equipment, uniforms, an alleged debt, or another workplace expense.

Massachusetts has strong wage-payment protections, and employers do not have unlimited authority to deduct money from an employee's earned wages. A deduction that an employer considers reasonable may still violate Massachusetts law.

Employees who notice unexpected deductions should understand why the money was withheld and whether the deduction was legally permitted.

What Does Massachusetts Law Say About Wage Deductions?

The Massachusetts Wage Act, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149, Section 148, generally requires employers to pay employees the wages they have earned within specified time periods.

Can an Employer Deduct Money for a Cash Register Shortage?

08/31/2026

An employee's workday does not always begin when the time clock says it does. Some employees arrive early to prepare for a shift, log into computer systems before officially starting work, respond to messages after clocking out, or finish closing duties after their scheduled hours have ended.

A few minutes may not seem significant on any particular day. But when employees regularly perform work without being paid, those minutes can accumulate into substantial unpaid wages. They can also result in unpaid overtime when the additional time pushes an employee's workweek beyond 40 hours.

Massachusetts has strong wage-and-hour protections. Employees who are required or permitted to perform compensable work should generally be paid for that working time, even when the employer's timekeeping system does not accurately record it.

An experienced Massachusetts employment law attorney can review time records, pay statements, workplace policies, electronic communications, and other

07/23/2026

Worker Misclassification Can Cost Employees Thousands of Dollars in Lost Wages and Benefits

Many Massachusetts workers are told they are "independent contractors" rather than employees. While some individuals genuinely operate as independent contractors, others are improperly classified by their employers—sometimes intentionally and sometimes by mistake. The distinction is more than a job title or tax designation. It can determine whether a worker is entitled to overtime pay, earned wages, employee benefits, paid leave, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation coverage, and other important legal protections.

Massachusetts has some of the nation's strongest laws governing worker classification. If you have been treated as an independent contractor but worked under conditions more consistent with an employee, you may have legal claims for unpaid wages and other compensation.

Why Does Worker Classification Matter?

Many Massachusetts workers are told they are "independent contractors" rather than employees. While some individuals genuinely operate as independent

07/23/2026

My Employer Has Not Paid Me: Understanding Your Rights Under Massachusetts Wage Laws

Few workplace issues create more stress than not receiving a paycheck that has been earned. Employees rely on their wages to pay rent, mortgages, utilities, childcare expenses, and other essential obligations. When an employer fails to pay wages on time—or at all—the financial consequences can be immediate and significant.

Fortunately, Massachusetts has some of the strongest wage protection laws in the country. The Massachusetts Wage Act requires employers to pay employees promptly and provides powerful remedies when employers fail to meet their legal obligations.

If your employer has not paid your wages, understanding your rights and taking appropriate action quickly can be critical.

What Types of Compensation Are Protected?

Many employees assume wage claims only involve unpaid hourly wages or salaries. In reality, Massachusetts wage laws may protect various forms of earned compensation.

My Employer Has Not Paid Me: Understanding Your Rights Under Massachusetts Wage Laws

06/01/2026

Many employees are paid not only through salary or hourly wages, but also through commissions, bonuses, incentive compensation, or performance-based pay. Disputes often arise when an employee leaves a company, is terminated, or believes the employer failed to properly calculate or pay earned compensation.

In Massachusetts, unpaid commissions and certain bonuses may be protected under the Wage Act and other employment laws. However, whether compensation is legally owed often depends on when the compensation became “earned,” the language of the employment agreement, and the specific circumstances surrounding the employment relationship.

When Is a Commission Considered “Earned”?

One of the most important legal questions in commission disputes is determining when the commission was actually earned.

In Massachusetts, unpaid commissions and certain bonuses may be protected under the Wage Act and other employment laws. However, whether compensation is

05/06/2026

Wage theft is more common than many employees realize—and it often occurs in subtle ways. In Massachusetts, wage and hour laws are designed to ensure employees are paid fully and on time for all work performed. When employers fail to meet these obligations, it may constitute wage theft.

Understanding what wage theft looks like, how to prove it, and what steps to take can help protect your rights and recover unpaid wages.

What Is Considered Wage Theft?

Wage theft occurs when an employer fails to pay an employee the wages they are legally owed. This can include outright nonpayment, but more often involves underpayment or improper compensation practices.

Under Massachusetts law, employees are entitled to:

- Payment for all hours worked
- Minimum wage compliance
- Overtime pay for eligible employees
- Timely payment of wages

When these obligations are not met, it may give rise to a wage claim.

What Are Common Examples of Wage Theft?

Wage theft is more common than many employees realize—and it often occurs in subtle ways. In Massachusetts, wage and hour laws are designed to ensure

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