New York Enacts Law Prohibiting Liquidated Damages for Violation of Non-Disclosure Agreements in Settlements of Discrimination and Harassment Claims

On November 17, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that affects settlement agreements between employers and employees that resolve claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. The law invalidates a release of claims in any future settlement agreement that contains a condition requiring the complainant to pay the employer liquidated damages or to forfeit […]

New York City Mayor Eric Adams Signs into Law a Bill that Prohibits Discrimination in Employment, Housing and Public Accommodations on the Basis of an Individual’s Height and Weight

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has signed into law a bill (Intro. 209-A), which will prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person’s height or weight in employment, housing, and public accommodations.  The legislation will become effective 180 days from signing, on November 22, 2023. As we previously reported, the new legislation will amend […]

New York State Updates Its Model Sexual Harassment Policy And Training Materials

On April 11, 2023, New York State released updated versions of the New York State Sexual Harassment Model Policy and training materials.  In addition to a new model policy, the State has updated its Frequently Asked Questions and provided a new toolkits for workers and employers, as well as a new training slide deck and […]

President Biden Enacts the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

On December 29, 2022, President Bident signed into law the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”).   Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act in 1978, prohibits sex discrimination, including pregnancy discrimination, but does not require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees. Relatedly, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) […]

New York State Provides Protection for Individuals Based on Citizenship and Immigration Status

On December 23, 2022, Governor Hochul signed into law New York State Assembly Bill A6328A, amending the New York Executive Law § 292 (the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL)), to prohibit employment discrimination against employees and job applicants based on citizenship and immigration status. This amendment, which became effective immediately upon Governor Hochul’s signature, prohibits […]

EEOC Releases Updated “Know Your Rights” Poster

On October 19, 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) released an updated “Know Your Rights” poster to be prominently displayed in the workplace by all employers with 15 or more employees.  The new poster updates and replaces the previous “EEO is the Law” poster.   The posters should be placed in a conspicuous […]

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 […]

New York State Amends Workplace Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Laws

On March 16, 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law three amendments to the State’s workplace anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws, expanding harassment and discrimination protections under the New York State Human Rights Law (“NYSHRL”). Retaliation for Releasing Personnel Files Effective immediately, the NYSHRL’s definition of retaliation was amended to include “disclosing an employee’s […]