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Patrick T. Collins is Chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group.  He practices labor, employment, and personnel law on behalf of employers and management personnel.  He has a wide range of experience in all areas of litigation in both federal and state courts, defending discrimination and sexual harassment claims, wrongful discharge and whistleblower suits, disability accommodations, family and marital leave issues, and the multitude of other civil rights and anti-discrimination laws.  In addition, Pat represents parties in breach of contract claims and in actions involving unfair competition, restrictive covenants, and confidentiality agreements.

Pat has appeared before state human rights agencies throughout the country, as well as the EEOC, the National Labor Relations Board, and various wage and hour agencies.  He has represented employers in numerous labor grievance/arbitration proceedings and in a variety of other matters relating to the unionization of employees and collective bargaining.  He has also worked extensively with employers on public works contracts to ensure compliance with prevailing wage laws.

Much of Pat’s practice concentrates on counseling employers in making workplace decisions, which will reduce or avoid entirely the risk of litigation.  Pat regularly counsels his clients on matters concerning independent contractors and contingent workers, employment policies, employee discipline and terminations, reductions in workforce, and plant closings.  He has conducted sexual harassment investigations and employment law audits and has drafted numerous employee handbooks and substance abuse and workplace privacy policies.  Pat has also conducted management and employee training and legal compliance sessions in a variety of areas, including the performance appraisal process and anti-harassment.

Pat is Chair of the Somerset County Business Partnership Human Resources Roundtable. He is a former member of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, District XIII Ethics Committee, and the Sidney Reitman Employment Law Inn of Court.

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Articles

Blog - Norris in the Workplace

EEOC Updates Its COVID-19 Technical Assistance Publication to Address Vaccinations

New Jersey Revises Travel Restriction Guidelines

Daily Health Checks Under Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 192

NJ Supreme Court: Arbitration Agreements Are Enforceable Even If They Do Not Designate an Arbitral Forum or Process for Choosing an Arbitration Mechanism or Setting

U.S. Department of Labor Issues New FMLA Forms and Guidance on Return-To-Work Issues

EEOC: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws

Got Room for Another Poster?

PPP Loan Forgiveness and Employees Who Refuse to Come Back to Work

More Changes in New Jersey Employment Law

More Changes in New Jersey Employment Law Potentially on the Way

DOL and IRS Release Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The U.S. DOL Updates Its Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Once Again

Inside the CARES Act: Five-Year Carryback for Net Operating Losses and Taxable Income Offset

More Answers About the FFCRA From the U.S. Department of Labor

U.S. DOL Issues Guidance and Poster on Families First Coronavirus Response Act; Governor Murphy Expands TDI, FLI, and Sick Leave Benefits in Response to COVID-19

The Updated Rules on Joint Employment: A More Direct Approach and With Less Worry

Families First Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Act

State and Federal Government Pressed to Meet Unemployment Demands Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

New Jersey’s Plant Closing Law Significantly Expanded and Now Mandates Severance Pay

Employers Misclassifying Workers as Independent Contractors: A Six-Pack of Employee Misclassification Laws

2019: A Very Busy Year For New Jersey Employers

New Jersey Continues to Expand Employee Protections by Enacting a New Law Prohibiting Hairstyle Discrimination

New EEOC Digest Released on Equal Employment Opportunity Law

New Jersey Passes Wage Theft Law: Employers Beware

NJ Medical Marijuana Laws Expand Employee Protections

New Jersey Law Bans Employers from Asking About Salary History

EEOC Announces Fiscal Year 2018 Data on Charges and Litigation

New Jersey’s Legislature Continues to Alter Employment Law Landscape

EEOC Is Up and Running after the Shutdown, Reporting on Settlements and New Litigation Involving Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

NJ Sick Leave Act Confusion Continues

New Jersey Allows Striking Workers to Collect Unemployment Benefits

Annual Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Now Required in New York

New Jersey Moves to Bar Confidentiality in Certain Settlements

The Importance of Maintaining Detailed Job Descriptions

Employee’s Voluntary Resignation Does Not Necessarily Result in Disqualification for Unemployment Benefits

Do You Know The ABC’s About Independent Contractors?

A Generic Doctor’s Note, Without More, Will Not Support A Claim Under The NJLAD

New Jersey’s Unemployment Compensation Act Definition Of “Simple Misconduct” Deemed Arbitrary And Capricious

Jury Waiver And Arbitration Agreements Require Specificity

Dispelling the 10 Biggest Wage and Hour Myths

The Anonymous Employee Complaint Letter. What’s An Employer To Do?

Arbitration Clause in Employee Handbook Found Not Enforceable

The New Jersey Supreme Court’s New Decision On Harassment In The Workplace – What Employers Need To Know

Shortening Of Statute Of Limitations By Agreement Contained In Employment Application Deemed Enforceable

New Jersey Restores Exemption for Commissioned Sales Employees

Providing Employment Verifications

See More

Publications

  • “Don’t Miss Your Shot: Vaccine Information and Your Role as an Employer,” Somerset County Business Partnership, Webinar, March 17, 2021
  • “COVID-19 Vaccine: Legal Issues You Need to Navigate,” New Jersey Food Processors Association, Webinar, March 4, 2021
  • “HR Roundtable: Independent Contractors and the Continuing Dangers of Misclassifying Workers,” Somerset County Business Partnership, Webinar, November 18, 2020
  • “HR Roundtable: The Current State of Family Leave,” Somerset County Business Partnership, Webinar, October 21, 2020
  • “HR Roundtable: Return to Work Issues During the Pandemic,” Somerset County Business Partnership, Webinar, September 16, 2020
  • Coffee with Dan,” Somerset County Business Partnership, Video, September 9, 2020
  • “Back to Work: COVID-19 Employment Law Issues,” Somerset County Business Partnership, Webinar, May 21, 2020
  • Back to Work: COVID-19 Employment Law Issues,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Webinar, May 20, 2020
  • “COVID-19 Guidance: A Discussion about FFCRA and Other Employment Laws Impacting Medical Practices,” New Jersey Medical Group Management Association, Webinar. May 8, 2020
  • “VIRTUAL TOWN HALL: COVID-19 Q&A Telehealth & Employment Law,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Zoom Meeting, April 28, 2020
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Q&A, New Jersey Food Processors Association Virtual Town Hall, April 7, 2020
  • “Responding to Coronavirus Orders and Adapting My Business – Is This the NEW NORMAL?,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Call-In, March 31, 2020
  • What the Family First Act Means for You and Your Business,” Somerset County Business Partnership, Zoom Meeting, March 26, 2020
  • “Sexual Harassment Avoidance Training, ” Onondaga County Medical Society,  Zoom Meeting, February 27, 2020
  • “2019 Employment Law Breakfast Series: Hot Topics,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, December 10, 2019
  • “2019 Employment Law Breakfast Series: Hot Topics,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, December 5, 2019
  • “2018 Employment Law Breakfast Series: Hot Topics,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, December 13, 2018
  • “You’re No Longer a Start-Up! Now What?” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, October 10, 2018
  • “Protecting Confidential & Proprietary Information,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, September 6, 2018
  • “Know Your Labor & Employment Basics,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, June 20, 2018
  • “Social Media & Technology Issues in the Workplace,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, June 7, 2018
  • “Navigating the Hiring Process,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, April 12, 2018
  • “Labor & Employment Year In Review,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, December 7, 2017
  • “Bullying, Harassment & The Law, ” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, September 14, 2017
  • “How To Handle Employee Complaints & Investigations,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, December 7, 2017
  • “DOL Hot Topics,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, July 12, 2017
  • “EEOC Guidance on Retaliation and Report on Harassment in the Workplace,” NM Year In Review, Bridgewater, NJ, December 1, 2016
  • “New Employees,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, July 14, 2016
  • “Wage & Hour Issues,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, July 14, 2016
  • “Managing Leaves,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, May 19, 2016
  • “Smartphone Technology and the Risk in Business,” IMA NJ Regional Council, Hotel Woodbridge at Metropark, Iselin, NJ, May 16, 2016
  • “Smartphone Technology and the Risk in Business,” Raritan Valley IMA, Hotel Woodbridge at Metropark, Iselin, NJ, March 17, 2016
  • “Employee Handbooks,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, March 10, 2016
  • “Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law 2015,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, NJ, May 21, 2015
  • “Acceptable Behavior in the Workplace,” R3M Engineering, Old Bridge, NJ, December 2, 2014
  • “Acceptable Behavior in the Workplace,” Ferrero U.S.A., Inc., Somerset, NJ, December 1, 2014
  • What’s Your Policy? Human Resource & Employee Benefit Issues,” Crowne Plaza Fairfield, Fairfield, New Jersey, June 24, 2014
  • What’s Your Policy? Human Resource & Employee Benefit Issues,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, April 29, 2014
  • “Performance Management,” Rutgers School of Business, November 14, 2013
  • Social Media and Technology in the Workplace,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, July 27, 2011
  • Employee Handbook Workshop,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, October 20, 2010
  • Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law 2010,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, June 10, 2010
  • Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law 2010,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, June 15, 2010
  • Best Practices For The Growing Business,” NM Client Seminar, June 3, 2010
  • Beware! The “Other” Side of the LSRP Program, Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, March 25, 2010
  • Current Wage & Hour Challenges, Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, February 24, 2010
  • Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law 2009,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, June 18, 2009
  • Employee Free Choice Act: Where It Stands and What It Means to Employers,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, February 24, 2009
  • Urgent Employee Medical Leave Updates for 2009,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, January 30, 2009 and February 6, 2009
  • “2008 Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Bridgewater, New Jersey, June 17, 2008
  • How To Respond To An Employment Related Lawsuit,” Business Bits Podcast
  • “Acceptable Behavior In The Workplace,” Client Presentation, Tengion, East Norriton, Pennsylvania, April 1, 2008
  • Operational, Transitional and Exit Strategies for Closely-Held & Entrepreneurial Business Owners,” Raritan Valley Country Club, Bridgewater, New Jersey, January 17, 2007
  • Moderator, “Topics in Labor & Employment Law 2006,” Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Seminar, June 1, 2006, Bridgewater, NJ
  • YMCA’s 5th Annual HR and Risk Management Conference, November 17-18, 2005, Morristown, NJ

Patrick Collins Martindale Hubbell Peer Review

Patrick T. Collins has earned the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® status. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

2017 Safe + Sound Somerset Jackie Wiegand Founder Award

1999 Legal Services of New Jersey Equal Justice Medal.

1999 Outstanding Board Service Award.

 

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