united-states jurisdiction labor-law
Labor law: which state&#39;s law applies when firm has multiple locations?
<p>I work at a firm in Massachusetts (USA) which was acquired in 2012 by a firm in Ohio.  I came on board after the acquisition.</p>

<p>Am I covered by Massachusetts labor law or Ohio?</p>

<p>The particular situation:  The firm has a policy in its employee handbook which appears to indicate that if I leave the company, any unused paid time off will be forfeited.  Whereas the Massachusetts labor department or perhaps attorney general has a regulation or statement that employers must pay out unused PTO if an employee leaves.  I'm not sure if it applies if my firm is headquarted in Ohio.</p>

<p>If you are employed at an office in Massachusetts, you are covered by Massachusetts labor law.  When an Ohio company wants to operate in Massachusetts, it cannot just come in and unilaterally decide to use the labor law of another state.</p>

<p>Choice of law is a complicated question that requires a lawyer for the specific situation. The starting point is the state where you file the case. That state will have choice of law rules that may or may not apply the substantive law of its own state.</p>
