US Department of Labor Issues New Guidance on Mental Health Conditions and the FMLA
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (“US DOL”) has issued new guidance and answers to Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) to help clarify when eligible employees of covered employers may use FMLA leave for their own or a family member’s mental health condition. As […]
Update on NYC Salary Disclosure Law: Effective Date Pushed Until November 1, 2022
Earlier this year, New York City passed Local Law 32 of 2022, requiring employers to include a “good faith” salary range in every advertisement for jobs, promotions and transfer opportunities in New York City. You can read more about the original law, which was first set to become effective on May 15, in our blog […]
NYC Salary Disclosure Law Goes Into Effect May 15, 2022
Under New York City Local Law 32 of 2022, which is scheduled to go into effect on May 15, 2022, employers and employment agencies will be required to include a “good faith” salary range in every advertisement for jobs, promotions and transfer opportunities in New York City. The NYC Commission on Human Rights recently released […]
New York State Amends its Workplace Discrimination Laws
New York State recently amended its Human Rights Law to expand protections against workplace discrimination. Governor Hochul signed three bills that amend the law in the following ways: Under Senate Bill S5870, an employer’s release of an employee’s personnel file may be considered unlawful retaliation against an employee who complains about workplace discrimination. The law […]
Employers Prohibited from Forcing Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Claims
On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. This Act allows individuals asserting claims of workplace sexual assault or sexual harassment to file their case in court, even if they signed pre-dispute arbitration agreements. The Act also allows individuals to bring […]
NYS Expands General Contractors’ Liability for Subcontractors’ Failure to Comply with Wage & Hour Laws
New York State continues to expand wage-theft protections for workers in the construction industry — and the potential scope of liability for employers in that industry. Last month, Governor Hochul signed legislation creating a new Section 198-e of the New York Labor Law. Under that Section, any “contractor” (defined broadly) who enters into a “construction […]
NYS DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS SAYS NO MORE PRIVATE SETTLEMENTS
For complaints filed on or after October 12, 2021, the New York State Division of Human Rights (“NYS DHR” or the “Division”) will no longer issue Commissioner’s Orders discontinuing complaints after private settlements. This is a significant change to the NYS DHR’s long-standing practice of allowing parties to privately settle complaints before case closure in […]
NYS DOL Issues Guidance Concerning Adult-Use Cannabis and the Workplace
On October 8, 2021, the New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL) published guidance relating to adult-use cannabis and the workplace under the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA). The MRTA, which was enacted on March 31, 2021, legalizes and regulates the use, production, and sale of adult-use cannabis. The MRTA, among other things, […]
DESIGNATION OF COVID-19 UNDER NYS HERO ACT EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2021
The New York State Department of Health (“NYS DOH”) has extended its designation of COVID-19 as a “highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health” through October 31, 2021. Accordingly, employers must continue to implement their NYS HERO Act plans through at least the end of the month. […]
NYC Extends Anti-Discrimination Protections To Domestic Workers
Now that the school year is underway, it’s time for New Yorkers who employ nannies, housekeepers, or other domestic workers to make sure that they are in compliance with Int. No. 339-B, New York City’s new legislation that extends the employment protections of Title 8 of the New York City Administrative Code (the “NYC Human […]
