I want to provide an example in my own experience relating to sexual harassment. I was recently at an event where I had an interaction with three other colleagues. Let’s call them Mike, Judy, and Ann. I was sitting with Judy and Ann when Mike approached and gave Judy a long and awkward hug. He…
Whether it’s Fox News, Uber or most recently, The Weinstein Company, sexual harassment claims are regularly in the news. However, you don’t have to own a big company or be famous to find yourself dealing with a sexual harassment complaint. For employers, these claims can result in significant liability as well as reputational damage and…
Earlier this month, the New York City Legislature voted to ban questions about a prospective employee’s salary history. It is the latest law to limit an employer’s ability to conduct pre-employment screening and it comes with significant liability for noncompliance. The law, which will take effect November 1, 2017, will prohibit New York City employers…
Restaurants, more than any other industry, are targets for Federal and New York State Department of Labor audits, as well as private wage and hour lawsuits. Failing to properly pay workers or keep appropriate payroll records can lead to significant financial exposure for employers. The biggest danger areas that result in liability for restaurants include…
Non-compete agreements can offer valuable protection to an employer’s business interests. They are among the 10 items employers should consider including in their employee hiring packages. These agreements provide that “one party (usually an employee) will not enter into or start a similar profession or trade in competition against another party (usually the employer).” This…
As you are aware, federal changes to wage and hour laws continue to be on hold. However, New York State has enacted a number of new laws that employers must comply with in 2017. Exemption Status and Wage Increases In May 2016, the Federal Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued new rules regarding the threshold “white…
Employers need to prepare for two big changes going into effect next month. The new rules for determining whether an employee is “exempt” from overtime pay and increases in minimum hourly wages will have a significant impact on businesses. Here’s what you need to know: Increase in Federal Exemption Status Effective December 1, 2016, the…
A significant portion of successful companies on Long Island are closely-held family businesses. As these companies transition to the next generation, they are facing a new employment law landscape which poses additional challenges. In many cases, the older and younger generations don’t agree on how to change employment practices to avoid liability. The key to…
