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Gov. Baker to Award $75 Million in Grant-Funding to Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

February 25, 2022

Gov. Charlie Baker has announced the launch of two new grant programs to support Massachusetts small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.



The New Applicant Grant Program will support small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. Funds can be used to cover operating expenses, utilities, and costs associated with reopening and implementing safe operating procedures, such as outdoor dining.


Grants will be capped at the lesser of $75,000 or three months of annualized operating expenses. To be eligible, businesses must be Massachusetts-based, for-profit entities with between two and 50 full-time equivalent employees, be negatively impacted by COVID-19, and have revenues between $40,000 and $2.5 million. In addition, you must not have previously received financial relief from other COVID-19 Relief Grant Programs offered by the Commonwealth.


The Inclusive Grant Program will support small, minority businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. Grants may be used for the same reasons as the New Applicant Grant Program and have the same eligibility requirements. However, you must be either: minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, disability-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, or “focused on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups.” For these grants, priority will be given to eligible smaller businesses located in a Gateway City that have not received prior funding.


If your business has any questions about this topic, or any other general employment issues, please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at The Royal Law Firm at 413-586-2288.

Massachusetts’ Superior Court Judge Rules Recording in Workplace Admissible

February 19, 2025
The Massachusetts Superior Court found that Massachusetts’ wiretap statue does not bar employers from using allegedly illegally obtained recordings in civil proceedings. In a recent case, an employee claimed she was forced to resign. Plaintiff’s coworker recorded an argument between the Plaintiff and her supervisor without her consent and shared it with supervisors. The employee then sued for discrimination and retaliation, along with two counts for violation of the wiretap statute. Massachusetts is a two-party consent state but, in this case, it was found that the consent of only one party was needed because nothing in the Wiretap Statute bars the use of an allegedly illegally obtained communication in a civil proceeding. The court found that the provisions about the use of illegally obtained communications in evidence are limited to criminal trials. However, depending on the court, results may differ, as this recording was central to proving and/or disproving the Plaintiff’s claim, and as such, the recording was indispensable as a piece of evidence. Issues with unauthorized recordings have been arising all the time in civil proceedings because recording devices are everywhere, whether they be a cell phone, laptop or other recording device. This ruling is good for employers, as if there is an otherwise inadmissible recording that is made that disproves an employee’s claims, it can be admissible as evidence if meets the same scenario above. However, employers must be careful to use these recordings as they may be inadmissible and may not show the same thing that the employer believes in the court’s eyes. This being said, it is prudent to consult an attorney before utilizing a recording for any employment action or in legal action to avoid unwanted consequences. If your business has any questions on this topic or any other matters, please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at The Royal Law Firm at 413-586-2288.

After the DEI Executive Order

February 14, 2025
What Are the Compliance Requirements for Private Employers?
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