Blog

8 12, 2023

MA HIRD Filing

December 8th, 2023|Uncategorized|

The Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) is a state reporting requirement in Massachusetts, which launched in 2018. State law (M.G.L. c. 118E, section 78) requires every in-state and out-of-state employer who had 6 or more employees within Massachusetts at any time during the past 12 months to annually submit a HIRD form, which collects information about your employer-sponsored insurance [...]

1 12, 2023

Year-End Schedule & Checklist

December 1st, 2023|Uncategorized|

Here are the 2023 year-end schedule and checklist for clients.

24 11, 2023

Do employees need to be paid for time spent putting on and taking off safety gear?

November 24th, 2023|Uncategorized|

Protective gear and time worked: What federal appeals court said Do employees need to be paid for time spent putting on and taking off their safety gear? That common Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) question has popped up again in the courts, this time in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. In Tyger v. Precision [...]

17 11, 2023

Avoiding scammers posing as the IRS

November 17th, 2023|Uncategorized|

IRS Tax Tip 2023-99, Aug. 8, 2023 Crooks are always looking for new ways to scam unsuspecting taxpayers. Scammers impersonate the IRS by phone or email, in person, or by mail or delivery service – and cost people their time and money. By staying vigilant against schemes and scams, taxpayers can protect themselves. Scammers can [...]

10 11, 2023

How specific is your policy on floating holidays?

November 10th, 2023|Uncategorized|

Floating holidays are implemented in different ways by different business. Some businesses require that they coincide with official federal or state holidays. Some determine which days are floating holidays for everyone, which might vary from year to year. Other businesses let employees chose their own floating holidays, which can even be mental health days. Considerations [...]

3 11, 2023

Mass. company penalized for H-2B & FLSA violations

November 3rd, 2023|Uncategorized|

The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $771,022 in back wages and $61,215 in liquidated damages for 47 workers of a Haverhill landscaping company after the employer failed to comply with requirements of the federal H-2B worker program and the Fair Labor Standards Act. The H-2B Worker Program permits businesses to employ temporary visa workers [...]

27 10, 2023

Do you need a new Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

October 27th, 2023|Uncategorized|

Generally, businesses need a new EIN when their ownership or structure has changed. Although changing the name of your business does not require you to obtain a new EIN, you may wish to visit the Business Name Change page to find out what actions are required if you change the name of your business. The [...]

20 10, 2023

New to HR? Here are the basics

October 20th, 2023|Uncategorized|

Are you new to HR? Feeling overwhelmed by the vast and constantly changing landscape of employment law? Worried about the risks to your organization? Don’t panic. You’re in the same boat as many others. You don’t need to know everything on your first day or even your first year. HR professionals with decades of experience [...]

13 10, 2023

Calculating holidays & intermittent FMLA leave

October 13th, 2023|Uncategorized|

The Dept. of Labor (DOL) recently clarified how to calculate time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) during a week that includes a holiday. Opinion Letter FMLA 2023-2-A looks at what happens when an employee takes leave for less than a full workweek – and that leave is intermittent. Less than a [...]

6 10, 2023

Can you ask workers to waive OT? No.

October 6th, 2023|Uncategorized|

Progressive Services of Virginia Inc., owners also paid $18K civil money penalty The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $604,000 in back wages and liquidated damages for 50 employees of a Virginia Beach home healthcare agency that illegally asked workers to waive their right to receive hard-earned overtime pay. An investigation by the [...]