The New York City Commission on Human Rights has released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as guidance on the “Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act.”
Articles Discussing The New York Human Rights Law.
Reminder – NYC’s Temporary Schedule Change Law Becomes Effective on July 18, 2018
Enacted this past January, New York City’s “Temporary Schedule Change” law becomes effective on July 18, 2018.1 The law provides employees with the right to request two temporary schedule changes per calendar year for “personal events,” and employers must ensure that they are prepared to respond to their employees’ requests for changes in work schedules and understand what types of personal events qualify for leave.
New York City Earned Sick Time Act Updates Take Effect: New Policies and Notices to Employees Required
Executive Summary: In November, the New York City Council passed a law amending the Earned Sick Time Act, changing the name to the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA), and allowing employees to use paid time off under ESSTA if they or their family members are victims of domestic violence and other family offenses. The changes came into effect on May 5, 2018. Employers need to immediately update their sick time policies to reflect the change and distribute the new “Notice of Employee Rights” to all their employees by June 4, 2018.
New York City Enacts Anti-Sexual Harassment Legislation that Includes Training Requirement
Mandatory annual sexual harassment training for employees in New York City is one feature of a package of legislation targeting sexual harassment in the workplace signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio on May 9, 2018. Most private employers in New York City will be required to conduct annual sexual harassment training for employees beginning April 1, 2019.
‘Safe Time’ Amendments to New York City Paid Sick Leave Effective May 5, 2018
Amendments to the New York City “Earned Safe and Sick Time Act” (ESTA) went into effect on May 5, 2018. Eligible employees under the ESTA will be able to use paid time off for circumstances resulting from the employee or a covered family member of the employee being the victim of family offense matters, sexual offenses, stalking, or human trafficking.
New York City’s New Sexual Harassment Laws: What Employers Need to Know
Executive Summary: On April 11, 2018, the New York City Council passed a package of bills intended to prevent sexual harassment. Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign the bills into law. The New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR) is charged with enforcing the new laws.
New York State and City Expand Anti-Harassment Requirements for Employers
Both the New York State Legislature and the New York City Council recently adopted new legislation targeting sex discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace. While the federal response to the #MeToo movement has been relatively limited, states and localities are pushing forward with a reform agenda in 2018 that generally expands employee protections and available remedies for unlawful harassment. Employers with New York operations should become fluent in the new requirements and prepare for increased government oversight of their harassment prevention policies and programs.
New York City Council Passes Legislative Package Aimed at Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
The New York City Council passed a package of legislation on April 11, 2018, that will strengthen the City’s laws against harassment in the workplace. Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign the legislation into law in the coming weeks.
New York City Expands Definitions of ‘Sexual Orientation’ and ‘Gender’ in Human Rights Law
A new law passed by the New York City Council amends and significantly broadens the definitions of “sexual orientation” and “gender” in the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). The new law will become effective on May 11, 2018.
New York City Issues Final Regulations, Notices, Forms, FAQs for Fast Food, Retail Workers Scheduling Law
The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) on November 27, 2017, announced in a press release that the Fair Workweek Law applicable to fast food and retail employers became effective on November 26. The Law is intended to reform scheduling practices for fast food and retail workers in the City. The DCA also issued the related required employee notices, overviews, Frequently-Asked-Questions, and complaint forms on the same day. The Final Rules were published on November 28.
Mayor Signs Law Adding Safe Time to NYC Earned Sick Time
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Intro 1313-A into law, requiring employers to provide paid time off for hours taken in connection with family offense matters, sexual offenses, stalking, and human trafficking, grouped collectively as “Safe Time.”
New York City Council Expands Earned Sick Time Law to Include Safe Time
New York City’s Earned Sick Time Act (also known as the Paid Sick Leave Law) will require employers to allow employees to use paid time off for “Safe Time” under an amendment (Int. 1313-A) passed by the New York City Council on October 17, 2017. Under the revised law (the “Earned Safe and Sick Time Act”), employers will be required to provide paid time off for hours taken in connection with family offense matters, sexual offenses, stalking, and human trafficking.
New York City Adopts New ‘Ban the Box’ Regulations, Continues Expansion of Employee Rights
Although New York City’s “ban the box” law, the Fair Chance Act (“FCA”), went into effect close to two years ago, the New York City Commission on Human Rights’ final regulations became effective on August 5, 2017. These regulations expand on the previously issued Enforcement Guidance (New York City Issues Enforcement Guidance Related to City’s Fair Chance Act) and both clarify and impose additional obligations on employers in screening applicants and existing employees for promotions.
Proposed New York City Council Legislation Would Add Private Right of Action to Earned Sick Time Act and Prohibit Non-Competes for Low-Wage Employees
New legislation introduced in the New York City Council would add a private right of action to the Earned Sick Time Act (Introduction 1667) and prohibit employers from entering into a covenant not to compete with any low-wage employee of that employer (Introduction 1663).
New York City Enacts Laws Limiting Employers’ Flexibility To Staff Employees
On May 24, 2017, the New York City Council passed five bills – collectively called the “Fair Workplace” legislative package – four of which significantly restrict the ability of fast food and retail employers to schedule their staff. On May 30, 2017, Mayor de Blasio signed these bills into law, making their effective date November 26, 2017. As discussed below, these laws severely impact the ability of fast food and retail employers to create and modify their employees’ schedules and impose harsh penalties for changes, despite employers’ legitimate scheduling needs. A final bill passed with this package requires fast food employers to deduct voluntary contributions to not-for-profit organizations from employees’ pay.