Author Archives: Corey Higgins

About Corey Higgins

Corey is an member of the firm's Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group. He represents both private- and public-sector employers. His practice covers all areas of labor and employment law, including unfair labor practices, labor arbitration, employment discrimination, non-competition and non-disclosure agreements, unemployment appeals and various other employment-related issues. Corey also routinely counsels employers about the application of various Massachusetts and federal employment laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), the Massachusetts Plant Closing Law, the Massachusetts Independent Contractor law, and other Massachusetts wage and hour laws.

What Employers Need to Know About President Biden’s “Path Out of the Pandemic” COVID-19 Action Plan

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Corey Higgins

Last Thursday, President Biden announced a broad sweeping, 6-part COVID-19 Action Plan entitled, “Path Out of the Pandemic” (President Biden’s COVID-19 Plan | The White House) aimed at combatting the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. Below are a few of … Continue reading →

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Paid Family and Medical Leave is Right Around the Corner!

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Corey Higgins

Beginning on January 1, 2021, covered individuals in the Commonwealth will be eligible to begin using Paid Family and Medical Leave (“PFML”). Under the law – which was enacted in 2018 as part of the so-called “Grand Bargain” between the … Continue reading →

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U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule About How to Calculate “Rate of Pay” Under Fair Labor Standards Act

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Corey Higgins

Late last week, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) issued a Final Rule intended to clarify and update a number of the regulations that interpret the requirements for calculating and paying the regular rate under the Fair Labor Standards … Continue reading →

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A Friendly Reminder about Veterans’ Rights to Time Off for the Upcoming Veterans Day Holiday under the Massachusetts BRAVE Act

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Corey Higgins

In 2018, the Massachusetts legislature enacted a broad sweeping statute entitled “An Act Relative to Veterans’ Benefits, Rights, Appreciation, Validation and Enforcement,” also known as the BRAVE Act.  The BRAVE Act addressed a number of issues affecting veterans and military … Continue reading →

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U.S. Supreme Court Deals Blow to Public Sector Unions in Janus v. AFSCME – Holds Agency Fees May Not Be Charged to Nonconsenting Public Sector Employees

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Corey Higgins

In a widely anticipated decision – Janus v. AFSCME, the United States Supreme Court ruled today that state laws authorizing public sector unions to charge agency fees are unconstitutional because they violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.  … Continue reading →

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Do Your COBRA Notices Comply with the Law? If Not, Your Organization Could be Susceptible to a Class Action Lawsuit

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Corey Higgins

Pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), employers with twenty (20) or more employees that provide health insurance must furnish covered employees and their families with certain specific notices that summarize their rights under COBRA after … Continue reading →

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USCIS Issues Updated Form I-9

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Corey Higgins

On November 14, 2016, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a revised version of the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification). Employers must begin using the updated Form I-9, which is dated “11/14/2016,” by January 22, 2017.  In … Continue reading →

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Employers Take Notice: New OSHA Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Regulations Taking Effect on August 10, 2016 and January 1, 2017, Respectively.

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Corey Higgins

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a final rule revising its so-called Recordkeeping and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses regulation, 29 CFR Parts 1904 and 1902.  Most of the requirements of OSHA’s final rule will … Continue reading →

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