New York Labor Law Amendment Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Employees for Lawful Absences – Effective February 19, 2023

On November 21, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Assembly Bill A8092B, which prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who take lawful absences pursuant to federal, state or local law.  The law becomes effective February 19, 2023.  Under Section 215 of the New York Labor Law, employers are prohibited from taking adverse employment action … Read more

Compliance with Leave Laws

Pregnant woman about to take leave at work

Coordinating employee leaves under the various leave laws can prove to be a challenge for employers. To ensure compliance, employers should familiarize themselves with the requirements for all applicable leave laws and establish policies and procedures for handling employee leave requests.  Importantly, employers should administer those policies and procedures in a consistent and nondiscriminatory manner, in … Read more

New Legislation Expands New York State Paid Family Leave

sisters holding hands

Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill that expands New York State’s Paid Family Leave legislation to allow caring for siblings. Paid Family Leave has been in effect since 2018 and is employee-paid insurance that provides paid time off to care for a newborn, bond with adopted or foster children, care for a family member with … Read more

California Passes New COVID-19 Sick Leave Requirements for 2021

Woman home sick sipping tea

California recently passed a law which requires California employers with 25 or more employees nationwide to provide California employees with COVID-19 related paid sick leave. The obligation to provide supplemental paid sick leave is in addition to other leaves requires by California state law, such as paid sick leave. Under California’s 2021 COVID-19 Supplement Paid … Read more

New York Employers Must Provide Employees with Paid Time Off for Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine

woman getting a bandage after vaccination

As we previously reported, the New York legislature passed a bill that requires employers to provide paid leave to employees to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. On March 12, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed the bill into law and, effective immediately, New York State employers must provide employees with up to four hours of paid time off … Read more

The American Rescue Plan Extends and Modifies the FFCRA

Daughter giving mother medicine

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“the Rescue Plan”). Employers should be aware of the key employment provisions of the Rescue Plan in managing their workforce and in evaluating and implementing their COVID-19 workplace policies and procedures. Notably, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package includes provisions extending … Read more

President Biden Signs $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Bill: Important Updates for Employers

On March 11, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“the American Rescue Plan Act” or “the Act”). The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package will provide continued economic relief to individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following is a summary of the key employment provisions included in the Rescue … Read more

COVID-19 Issues in the Workplace: Changes, Challenges and Tips

The COVID-19 global pandemic has led to rapid and significant changes for employers across every industry. There continue to be immediate critical decisions that need to be made as well as those for which you need to plan to ensure long-term success. The requirements and legislative changes seem to be ever evolving and employers must … Read more

New York Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law Significantly Impacting Employers

man in quarantine looking out window

On January 20, 2021, the New York Department of Labor (“NY DOL”) issued new guidance on the New York COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law that purports to clarify the leave and benefits available to employees. As you are aware, the law provides paid and unpaid sick leave with access to expanded paid family leave and … Read more

Telemedicine Visits Qualify for Leave under the FMLA

Telehealth visit

On December 29, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued a Field Assistance Bulletin addressing Telemedicine and Serious Health Conditions under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”). The guidance reflects an evolving workplace landscape in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to promote social distancing while also ensuring the availability of … Read more

COVID-19 Relief Bill Allows Employers to Voluntarily Extend FFCRA Leave and Claim Tax Credits Through March 31, 2021

notes on tax credits in a notepad

On December 21, 2020, Congress passed a large appropriations bill containing $900B in COVID relief. President Trump signed the bill on December 27, 2020. The bill extends tax credits for eligible employers who voluntarily choose to allow employees to take leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) through March 31, 2021. As we … Read more