NYC Human Rights Law Expanded to Protect Independent Contractors and Freelancers
The New York City Council recently passed a law that will expand the New York City Human Rights Law to cover independent contractors and freelancers. The law will become effective January 11, 2020. Specifically, the anti-discrimination and retaliation provisions of the New York City Human Rights Law will now apply to freelancers and independent contractors […]
US DOL Issues Final Rule on Salary Threshold for Exempt Status
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on September 26, 2019 The US Department of Labor (DOL) has issued its final rule regarding the salary thresholds for exempt status which will raise the overtime standard salary level. The final rule will go into effect on January 1, 2020 and establishes the following: In order for employees […]
New York State Advances Bill that Would Allow Liens on Employer Property for Wage and Hour Claims
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on September 15, 2019 The New York State Assembly and Senate have passed a bill that would allow employees to obtain liens on their current or former employers’ personal and/or real property for the value of a wage claim, plus liquidated damages. If signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, […]
New York State Adopts Fair Pay Act
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on August 2, 2019 On July 10, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Fair Pay Act which prohibits wage differentials based on protected class status. Specifically, the new law expands current law that protects against gender-based pay inequity by requiring equal pay for “substantially similar work” and prohibiting pay […]
New York Bans Salary History Inquiries
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on August 1, 2019 Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed the Salary History Bill into law. Effective January 6, 2020, the Salary History Bill will prohibit all New York State employers from inquiring about salary or wage history during the application, interview or offer stage, or retaliating against any person […]
New York Prohibits Hair Discrimination in the Workplace and Schools
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on July 29, 2019 On July 12, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed S.6209A/A.7797A into law, which prohibits employers and school officials from discriminating against individuals based on hairstyle or hair texture. The bill took effect immediately upon enactment. Specifically, the law amends the definition of race, as it is used in […]
U.S. District Court Holds New York Law Prohibiting Mandatory Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Claims is Invalid
In April, 2018, Governor Cuomo signed the New York State Budget bill that included legislation focused on combating sexual harassment in the workplace. Among the provisions in the law, was a statewide prohibition against employment agreements that require the mandatory arbitration of sexual harassment claims. On June 26, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the […]
New York State Proposes to Ban Salary History Inquiries
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on June 27, 2019 The New York State legislature recently passed a bill which would prohibit employers from asking job applicants and employees about their wage or salary history. The bill has been sent to Governor Cuomo, who is expected to sign. Specifically, the bill would amend the New […]
Expansive Changes Proposed for the New York State Human Rights Law
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on June 26, 2019 On June 19, 2019, the New York State Legislature passed Senate Bill S.6577, which would expand the scope of employee protections provided by the New York State Human Rights Law (“NYSHRL”), therefore exposing employers to greater potential liability. The bill is expected to be signed […]
New York City Commission on Human Rights Releases Model Lactation Accommodation Policies and Request Form
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on June 25, 2019 As you are aware, a pair of laws were passed and became effective March 2019, which require New York City employers with 4 or more employees to provide lactation accommodations, including a lactation room where employees can pump/express breast milk, and reasonable time to pump/express breast […]
U.S. DOL Opinion: Employers Must Designate Leave as FMLA
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on June 8, 2019 In a recent Opinion letter of the United States Department of Labor (U.S. DOL) (FMLS 2019-1-A, March 14, 2019), the U.S. DOL made clear that employers and employees cannot delay the start of Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) leave. The Opinion was in response to […]
New York City Bans Pre-Employment Drug Testing for Marijuana
Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on June 7, 2019 As previously reported, the New York City Council passed legislation which bans New York City employers from testing prospective employees for marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana. The bill makes such testing an unlawful discriminatory practice under the New York City Human […]