SECURE 2.0 Act Signed Into Law – What Employers Should Know
SECURE 2.0 Act Signed Into Law – What Employers Should Know The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 was signed into law by President Biden on December 29, 2022. The SECURE 2.0 Act includes many changes relating to retirement plans and also builds upon the 2019 SECURE Act. Following is a brief summary of some of the key provisions that employers should be aware of. Childbirth and Adoption Expenses. The optional...
NY Provides New Protections Against Discrimination Based on Citizenship and Immigration Status
On December 23, 2022, Governor Hochul signed into law a bill amending the New York State Human Rights Law (“NYSHRL”) to add citizenship and immigration status to the list of protected classes covered. The law became effective immediately. Specifically, the amendment prohibits employers from discriminating, harassing, or retaliating against any individual because of their citizenship or immigration...
FTC Issues Proposed Rule That Would Ban Most Non-Compete Agreements
FTC Issues Proposed Rule That Would Ban Most Non-Compete Agreements On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would prohibit non-compete agreements between employers and employees. The full draft of the proposed “Non-Compete Clause Rule” can be found here. Specifically, the proposed rule would provide it is an unfair method of competition...
Effective Immediately – NY Employers Must Provide Workplace Postings Electronically
Effective Immediately - NY Employers Must Provide Workplace Postings Electronically On December 16, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law an amendment to Section 201 of the New York Labor Law that requires New York employers must now furnish all employees with digital copies of all required posters via email or by posting them on the employer’s website. The law is effective immediately. Specifically,...
Hero Act Status Update
The New York Health and Essential Rights Act (“the NY HERO Act”) was signed into law by Governor Cuomo on May 5, 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law mandates that all employers adopt and distribute to all employees and independent contractors a written airborne infectious disease exposure protocol be utilized in their organizations in the event that New York State experiences...
New York State Quarantine for Domestic Travelers Will End as of April 1st
Governor Cuomo has announced that, effective April 1, 2021, individuals entering New York State from other U.S. states or territories will no longer be required to quarantine upon their return to New York. It is unclear whether an individual will still be required to obtain a COVID-19 test prior to reentering the state but, according to the Governor's announcement, travelers must still complete the Traveler...
New York State Mandates Paid COVID-19 Vaccine Leave
Effective March 12, 2021, all public and private employers in New York State must provide their employees with up to four (4) hours of paid leave to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Employees receiving two-dose vaccines are entitled to up to four (4) hours of paid leave for each injection, for a potential total of eight (8) hours of paid leave. This paid time off may not be charged against an employee's other...
New York Significantly Expands Availability of Partial Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Effective January 18, 2021, eligibility for partial unemployment insurance (UI) benefits are no longer limited to employees who work three or less days per week. Instead, partial UI benefits are available to individuals working up to seven days a week, as long as the individuals: (1) do not work more than 30 hours in a given week; and (2) do not earn more than $504 in gross pay in that same week. Prior...
Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Claims Are Breaking Records in New York State
Employers and Employees Need to Be Vigilant and Know How to Respond New York employers and employees should be aware that the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) has seen a massive increase in the number of fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims filed since the COVID-19 pandemic began last March. Cyber criminals are seeking to cash in on the additional UI benefits that have been made...
Navigating Federal Paid COVID-19 Leave in 2021
The provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) that required covered employers to provide eligible employees with up to two weeks of paid sick leave, and up to an additional 10 weeks of paid family leave for specified reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, expired on December 31, 2020. However, just prior to the end of 2020, Congress extended through March 31, 2021 the tax...
