New York State Legislature Passes Freelance Isn’t Free Act

The New York State Legislature recently passed the Freelance Isn’t Free Act (the “Act”).  If signed into law, the Act, which mirrors New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act, would provide protections to freelance workers/independent contractors. Specifically, the Act would amend the New York Labor Law to establish protections for covered freelance workers, including the […]

New York State Launches Hotline For Complaints of Workplace Sexual Harassment

On July 19, 2022, the New York State Division of Human Rights (“NYSDHR”) established a confidential hotline at 1-800-HARASS-3 which allows individuals to report complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace and provide legal assistance to New York employees. Specifically, employees in New York State may now call 1-800-HARASS-3 (1-800-427-2773) for issues relating to workplace […]

EEOC Updates Guidance on Screening, Testing and Mandatory Vaccine Policies

On July 12, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its COVID-19 FAQs, revising earlier guidance regarding permissible COVID-19 testing, workplace screening, and mandatory vaccine policies.  We recommend that employers review the updated guidance in its entirety, which can be found at www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-covid-19-and-ada-rehabilitation-act-and-other-eeo-laws

New York Employers Must Comply with Electronic Monitoring Requirements by May 7, 2022

Effective May 7, 2022, New York employers will be required to provide prior notice concerning the monitoring of employee telephone, email, or internet usage. Specifically, employers must notify employees that “any and all telephone conversations or transmissions, electronic mail or transmissions, or internet access or usage by an employee by any electronic device or system […]

Form I-9 Remote Review Extended Until October 31, 2022

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have announced another extension to flexibility relating to in-person Form I-9 compliance. As we previously reported, ICE’s temporary policy allowing employers to inspect Form I-9 documents virtually was set to end on April 30, 2022. With the new extension, the policy […]