Jeff Gilbreth is a partner in the Labor & Employment group. He represents employers of all sizes and across all industries.
Any employer, even those with just one employee, has employment law issues. I help clients with all aspects of employment law, but much of my work is focused on these areas:
Wage-hour laws are incredibly detailed and expose employers to significant potential liability (multiple damages, attorneys’ fees, class/collective claims). I work with companies proactively to ensure their policies and practices comply with all applicable wage-hour laws, and I defend them when something goes awry and they face a claim from a current or (more likely) former employee.
My experience runs the gamut from negotiating settlements for small startups with single employee disputes to litigating national class actions for publicly traded companies.
Employers are regularly reorganizing their workforces, which often results in a layoff or reduction in force. Whenever large numbers of employees are let go, employers face significant potential liability.
I work with clients of all sizes to navigate the pitfalls associated with restructurings and layoffs. I help my clients at every step of the process to help minimize exposure to discrimination and other wrongful termination claims, comply with the WARN Act and related state statutes, prepare separation agreements and to communicate effectively with the remaining workforce.
Employees are constantly posing challenges for their employers, and I help my clients navigate these challenges. My work in this area often involves advising clients on managing leaves of absence, disciplining problem employees, protecting trade secrets, enforcing non-compete and other post-employment restrictions and managing workplace investigations.
Advances in technology means employees are always connected. While great for productivity, these developments mean employers face new and significant wage-hour exposure.
The Boston Globe | January 13, 2022
Boston partner Jeff Gilbreth is quoted on how Boston’s new proof-of-vaccination mandate creates a different challenge than a mask mandate, where businesses could have masks on hand for patrons as a workaround. Jeff is also quoted on how the requirement presents unique challenges for non-restaurant venues included in the policy, such as gyms, concert venues, or pools.
The Daily Record | November 05, 2021
The following coverage of OSHA’s federal COVID vaccination and testing guidelines for large private employers includes outlook from Boston partner Jeff Gilbreth and Rochester partner Kim Harding, both of the Labor & Employment group. They discuss what companies need to know and how they can prepare, and—with several states filing related lawsuits—both Jeff and Kim emphasize that employers should still proceed as though the regulations will be implemented.
Bloomberg Radio | November 05, 2021
The following coverage of OSHA’s federal COVID vaccination and testing guidelines for large private employers includes outlook from Boston partner Jeff Gilbreth and Rochester partner Kim Harding, both of the Labor & Employment group. They discuss what companies need to know and how they can prepare, and—with several states filing related lawsuits—both Jeff and Kim emphasize that employers should still proceed as though the regulations will be implemented.
The Boston Globe | November 05, 2021
The following coverage of OSHA’s federal COVID vaccination and testing guidelines for large private employers includes outlook from Boston partner Jeff Gilbreth and Rochester partner Kim Harding, both of the Labor & Employment group. They discuss what companies need to know and how they can prepare, and—with several states filing related lawsuits—both Jeff and Kim emphasize that employers should still proceed as though the regulations will be implemented
The Boston Globe | October 05, 2021
This article on OSHA’s impending vaccine requirement for larger employers quotes Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth on some of the key questions facing employers. He also notes that the long lead time could enable groups to prepare lawsuits challenging whether OSHA has the authority to issue a private employer mandate.
Law360 | July 27, 2021
This article, covering the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated mask guidance following a surge in COVID-19 cases, quotes Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth on the numerous factors employers will need to navigate as they consider their return-to-work plans.
Bloomberg Radio | June 07, 2021
Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth joined the radio program to discuss recent workplace vaccine guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), including employers’ concerns, industries where some organizations have mandated vaccinations, and what could constitute “coercive” incentives from employers, among other related topics.
The Boston Globe | May 18, 2021
This article covering a range of questions employees will face as they begin returning to offices quotes Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth on whether employers can make union workers get vaccinated or wear a mask, and the likelihood that many workplaces will adopt a “bifurcated” vaccine and mask policy for vaccinated and unvaccinated employees.
Law360 | May 14, 2021
The following media clip features Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth discussing the new CDC guidance for vaccinated people and how it could impact employers, including the dilemma of having two sets of rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated workers versus maintaining a single set of rules with mask mandates.
Bloomberg Radio | May 14, 2021
The following media clip features Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth discussing the new CDC guidance for vaccinated people and how it could impact employers, including the dilemma of having two sets of rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated workers versus maintaining a single set of rules with mask mandates.
The Boston Globe | May 13, 2021
This article covering the CDC’s new mask guidance for fully vaccinated people quotes Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth on implications for employers and the workplace, including how it could get problematic if employers ask for evidence of vaccination.
New England Cable News | March 08, 2021
In this television news segment on the CDC’s new COVID-19 guidelines for vaccinated people, Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth discussed how businesses can continue enforcing additional guidance they have in place, such as mask mandates.
Bloomberg Radio | December 16, 2020
Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth joined Thursday’s “Baystate Business“ radio program to discuss whether employers can and should mandate that employees get a COVID-19 vaccine in order to return to the office.
Bloomberg Radio | April 22, 2019
In this radio segment, the hosts interview Boston Labor and Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth about Massachusetts’ new family and medical leave law and how it may impact employers.
Boston College Law School, J.D., magna cum laude
Trinity College, B.A., Phi Beta Kappa
Massachusetts
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
