Lawmakers recently approved the 2024-2025 New York State budget, revising a number of laws that employers must be mindful of to ensure compliance. Specifically, these changes include: (1) the implementation of prenatal leave...more
New York City employers will soon need to post and otherwise distribute a new Worker’s Rights poster. The new poster, recently released by The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protections, includes a QR code...more
As explained in our previous alert, in October 2023, after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law increases to New York’s minimum wage, the New York State Department of Labor (NY DOL) issued proposed changes to the tip credit,...more
12/28/2023
/ Exempt-Employees ,
Minimum Wage ,
New York ,
NYDOL ,
Over-Time ,
Rate of Pay ,
State Labor Laws ,
Tip Credit ,
Tipped Employees ,
Uniforms ,
Wage and Hour
New York State recently enacted further restrictions limiting language that can be contained in employment-related release agreements (including severance, separation, and settlement agreements). The changes, which were...more
The Office of the Attorney General for Washington D.C. (OAG) recently reminded hospitality employers in the city who use mandatory service charges and other fees that they must properly disclose such charges to guests under...more
Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law in May increases to New York’s minimum wage that will occur over the next few years. The first increase is set to take effect on January 1, 2024. Additional increases to the minimum wage...more
The New York Department of Labor (NYDOL) has issued proposed regulations related to New York’s Pay Transparency Law, which are open for comment until November 12, 2023. In addition, the NYDOL issued a fact sheet and a set of...more
New York recently prohibited employers from disciplining employees who refuse to attend meetings or listen to communications where the “primary purpose” is for management to express its views on religious or political...more
On Sept. 6, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law an amendment to the New York Penal Law that strengthens penalties for employers found to have committed “wage theft.” This amendment goes into effect immediately. The...more
The New York Legislature passed a bill (A01278/S3100A) that would prohibit noncompetition agreements between employers and employees by adding a new Section 191-d to the New York Labor Law. If it is signed into law by Gov....more
On May 26, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams signed into law a bill that expands New York City anti-discrimination laws by adding an individual’s height and weight to the list of protected characteristics under the New York City Human...more
As part of the state’s 2023-2024 budget deal, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law an increase to New York’s minimum wage. In fact, the minimum wage will increase to $17.00 per hour for most New York State employers by Jan. 1,...more
Connecticut businesses have until August 31, 2023 to offer a retirement savings plan to employees. In 2016, the Connecticut General Assembly enacted Public Act 16-29, which created the Connecticut Retirement Security...more
The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) has published updated versions of its sexual harassment prevention materials. Specifically, the NYSDOL updated the following: (1) the model sexual harassment policy; (2) the...more
The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issued a Final Rule on April 6, 2023, in an effort to provide guidance to employers subject to the City’s Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) Law,...more
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed the New York Pay Transparency Law (S.9427/A.10477). The law, which was signed Dec. 22, 2022 and will take effect Sept. 18, 2023, will require most employers to provide salary ranges for...more
Private sector employers throughout New York must meet new time, space and notice requirements for accommodating employees who pump breast milk in the workplace by June 7, 2023, under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on...more
Starting February 19, 2023, New York employers will be prohibited from retaliating against employees who take lawful absences pursuant to federal, state or local law. Employers are advised to review their leave of absence...more
Washington, D.C. voters have approved an initiative that will gradually phase out the tip credit in the District. Known as the Increase Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Measure, Initiative 82 passed on November 9, 2022 and...more
On November 1, 2022, all New York City employers with four or more employees and employment agencies of all sizes must state the salary range or rate of pay when advertising a job, promotion or transfer opportunity. A similar...more
On Labor Day, with support from prominent unions, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (FAST Recovery Act), which will significantly affect fast-food restaurants in the...more
9/14/2022
/ Fast-Food Industry ,
Food Service Workers ,
Franchisee ,
Franchises ,
Franchisors ,
Governor Newsom ,
Minimum Wage ,
Referendums ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour ,
Wages ,
Workplace Safety
New York State employers are now prohibited from releasing personnel records to retaliate against employees who oppose discrimination, and the state has pledged, by July 14, 2022, to establish a confidential hotline for...more
The New York State Department of Labor has issued final regulations for the New York Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law (NYSSL), which has been in effect since September 30, 2020. The final regulations contain no changes to the...more
New York City hospitality employers face a myriad of requirements under federal, state, and local laws.
This employment law "checklist" provides a guide for such businesses in order to ensure that they are onboarding new...more
5/7/2021
/ Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) ,
Compliance ,
Employee Handbooks ,
Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) ,
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Hospitality Industry ,
New York ,
Paid Leave ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Personnel Records ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Separation Agreement ,
State and Local Government ,
State Labor Laws ,
Termination ,
Wage and Hour ,
Wage Statements
As we approach the end of the year, it is critical to remember and implement the new legal requirements that go into effect in New York on December 31, 2020 and shortly thereafter. Failure to comply with these requirements...more
12/15/2020
/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Fast-Food Industry ,
Food Service Workers ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Minimum Wage ,
New York ,
Paid Sick Leave Act ,
Rate of Pay ,
Sick Leave ,
State Labor Laws ,
Tipped Employees ,
Uniforms ,
Wage and Hour ,
Wages