New York State Paid Family Leave Updates for 2024

father with newborn

As you are aware, New York State Paid Family Leave was implemented in 2018 and provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of job protected, paid time off to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or to assist loved ones when a family member is […]

Reminder: New York State Minimum Wage to Increase in 2024

cafe worker

As we previously reported, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed the New York State 2024 Budget Agreement into law, which contained increases to the State’s minimum wage rates.   Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase incrementally over the next few years based on the region where employees work as follows: For […]

New York Governor Hochul Vetoes Bill That Would Ban Non-Compete Agreements

signing a contract

On November 30, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she would not be signing proposed legislation that would prohibit employee non-compete agreements in New York. As we previously reported, on June 7, 2023, the New York State Senate passed Bill No. S03100 (the “Bill”), which would amend the New York Labor Law to ban the […]

New York Enacts Law Prohibiting Liquidated Damages for Violation of Non-Disclosure Agreements in Settlements of Discrimination and Harassment Claims

On November 17, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that affects settlement agreements between employers and employees that resolve claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. The law invalidates a release of claims in any future settlement agreement that contains a condition requiring the complainant to pay the employer liquidated damages or to forfeit […]

NLRB Issues Final Rule on Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status

workers on computers

On October 26, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) issued a final rule addressing the standard for determining joint-employer status under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”).  The new rule is effective December 26, 2023.   Pursuant to the new rule, two or more employers of the same employees are considered joint employers of […]

President Biden Signs Executive Order Addressing the Use of Artificial Intelligence

artificial intelligence concept

On October 30, 2023, President Biden signed the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (hereinafter the “Executive Order”), addressing artificial intelligence issues for the American people.  Specifically, the Executive Order establishes new standards for artificial intelligence relating to safety, security, privacy, civil rights, immigration, and health care. […]

New York City Amends Safe and Sick Time Regulations

doctor visit

Recently, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (“Department”) issued a Final Rule amending the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (“ESSTA”) regulations to align with the statutory amendments made by the 2020 New York State Paid Sick Leave Law. The rule amendments also provide additional clarification for employers about their compliance […]

New Form I-9 Must Be Used Starting November 1, 2023

As you are aware, federal law requires that every employer who recruits, refers for a fee, or hires an individual for employment in the U.S. must complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.  On August 1, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised version of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, which may […]

New York Governor Hochul Passes Bill that Modifies the Definition of Clerical and Other Workers

Recently, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed bill S5572/A6796 that amends the New York Labor Law’s definition of “clerical and other worker.”  Specifically, the new legislation increases the minimum weekly earnings that a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional employee must receive to be excluded from the category of “clerical and other worker,” from $900 […]

New York Enacts Law Regarding Captive Audience Meetings

large meeting room empy

On September 6, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the captive audience bill into law which prohibits employers from coercing employees into attending or participating in meetings sponsored by the employer concerning the employer’s views on political or religious matters. The legislation also requires employers to post a sign in every workplace informing employees of […]