November 6, 2017
New York City Council Expands Earned Sick Time Law to Include Safe Time
New York City’s Earned Sick Time Act (also known as the Paid Sick Leave Law) will require employers to allow employees to use paid time off for “Safe Time” under an amendment (Int. 1313-A) passed by the New York City Council on October 17, 2017. Under the revised law (the “Earned Safe and Sick Time Act”), employers will be required to provide paid time off for hours taken in connection with family offense matters, sexual offenses, stalking, and human trafficking.
October 23, 2017
NYC Issues Additional Guidance on Upcoming Salary Inquiry Prohibitions
Effective October 31, 2017, New York City employers generally may not inquire about or rely upon a job applicant’s salary history in making employment decisions. The New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR) previously released an Employer Fact Sheet and a Job Applicant Fact Sheet to assist employers and employees with understanding the law.
October 11, 2017
New York Court: Minimum Wage Due for All On-Premises Hours Required of Non-Resident Home Care Attendants
In a significant blow to the home health care industry in New York, non-resident home health care attendants must be paid minimum wage for all hours they are required to remain at the client’s home, including hours when they may be sleeping, eating, or performing other personal tasks, the Brooklyn-based Appellate Division, Second Department, has held. Andryeyeva v. New York Health Care, Inc., 2017 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 6408 (N.Y. App. Div. 2nd Dep’t Sept. 13, 2017); Moreno v. Future Care Health Services, Inc., 2017 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 6462 (N.Y. App. Div.
September 29, 2017
NYC Issues Guidance on Upcoming Salary Inquiry Prohibitions
Effective October 31, 2017, New York City employers generally may not inquire about or rely upon a job applicant’s salary history in making employment decisions. The New York City Commission on Human Rights has released an Employer Fact Sheet and a Job Applicant Fact Sheet to assist employers and employees with understanding the law.
August 28, 2017
First Compliance Hurdle for New York Department of Financial Services Cybersecurity Regulations due August 28
The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has set cybersecurity regulations that require minimum standards for protecting the customer information and information systems of the financial services industry. Unless an exemption applies, the deadline to comply with the first set of requirements under the new DFS Cybersecurity Regulations is August 28, 2017.
August 14, 2017
New York City Adopts New 'Ban the Box' Regulations, Continues Expansion of Employee Rights
Although New York City's "ban the box" law, the Fair Chance Act ("FCA"), went into effect close to two years ago, the New York City Commission on Human Rights' final regulations became effective on August 5, 2017.
July 28, 2017
Proposed New York City Council Legislation Would Add Private Right of Action to Earned Sick Time Act and Prohibit Non-Competes for Low-Wage Employees
New legislation introduced in the New York City Council would add a private right of action to the Earned Sick Time Act (Introduction 1667) and prohibit employers from entering into a covenant not to compete with any low-wage employee of that employer (Introduction 1663).
Introduction 1667 was sponsored by the Council’s Deputy Leader for Policy, Brad Lander, at the Stated Meeting on July 20, 2017. The Council’s Courts and Legal Services Chair, Rory Lancman, sponsored Introduction 1663 at the same meeting.
July 20, 2017
Final New York Paid Family Leave Regulations Released: What Employers Need to Know
The Workers’ Compensation Board adopted the final regulations for New York’s new Paid Family Leave Benefits Law (PFL) on July 19, 2017. Final Regulations were issued previously by the Department of Financial Services on May 16, 2017.
PFL will provide broad paid family leave benefits through the state’s existing Disability Benefits Law. In addition to paid benefits, eligible employees have the right to a leave of absence and guaranteed reinstatement even if they are not protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
June 1, 2017
Mayor Signs Major Workplace Reforms for Fast Food & Retail Workers
Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the New York City Council's five-bill Fair Work Week legislative package, intended to reform scheduling and workplace practices for fast food and retail workers in New York City.
May 30, 2017
New York City Council Passes Major Workplace Reforms for Fast Food & Retail Workers
The New York City Council has passed five bills as part of legislative package intended to reform scheduling and workplace practices for fast food and retail workers in New York City.