New York has taken a significant step in supporting pregnant workers by enacting the nation’s first Paid Prenatal Leave Law. Starting January 1, 2025, employers are required to provide 20 hours of paid leave annually for pregnancy-related medical appointments. This groundbreaking legislation recognizes the importance of prenatal care and aims to ensure that pregnant employees…
Maintaining compliance with wage and hour laws is essential for all New York employers. A key aspect of this compliance involves ensuring that employees classified as exempt (from overtime) meet the required salary thresholds. These thresholds have recently increased, impacting on the eligibility of employees for executive and administrative exemptions from overtime pay. The minimum…
As of January 1, 2025, there is an increase to the minimum wage in New York State. Employers must ensure they are paying their employees at least the new minimum wage. The rate varies depending on location, with a higher minimum wage for New York City and surrounding areas. Employers must ensure they are paying…
New York State has recently created several new laws that expand the right of employees, job applicants and freelance workers. Employers must be aware of these changes to ensure compliance and avoid fines, penalties and lawsuits. Social Media Protections for Employees and Applicants Effective March 12, 2024, employers are now prohibited from asking employees or…
On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC“) published a final rule (the “Final Rule“) banning non-compete clauses. Under the Final Rule, most employers will be barred from entering into new agreements containing non-compete clauses and from enforcing certain existing non-compete clauses against their workers. The Final Rule will become effective 120 days…
BUSINESS OWNERS BEWARE – in its ongoing commitment to employee protection, the State of New York consistently introduces new laws that have a significant impact on employers, potentially impeding their companies and exposing them to the risk of fines and penalties for non-compliance. Minimum Wage Increase Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum wage payable to…
A Canadian judge made headlines on June 8, 2023 when he ruled a thumbs-up emoji was a sufficient acceptance in a contract between a farmer and a grain processing cooperative. A cooperative employee texted the farmer a picture of a proposed contract and asked him to confirm the agreement. The farmer texted back with a…
In its ongoing commitment to employee protection, the State of New York consistently introduces new laws that have a significant impact on employers, potentially impeding their companies and exposing them to the risk of fines and penalties for non-compliance. New York Employers with “No Fault” Attendance Policies Subject to Penalties for Disciplining Employees Who Take…
