December 3, 2020

Changes to New York Employment Laws to Have Lasting Impact, Says Law360

Edging toward the end of the year, it’s traditionally the time to take stock of the things that happened over the past 12 months. This year is obviously special as the landscape, from political economy to social life has changed so dramatically for many people. Employment law is no exception and this week Law 360 published a helpful guide to how the pandemic has changed employment law in New York and what kinds of impacts those changes will have into 2021 and beyond.

The most high-profile change was the expansion of paid sick leave in the state was well as New York City. In September, the state law on sick leave took effect which meant employees can begin to accrue paid sick leave time which will be available beginning January 1, 2020. The sick leave can be used by employees who need to care for a family member’s physical or mental health as well as the provide assistance to those who have been the victims of domestic abuse, family or sexual offense, human trafficking, or stalking. Similar provisions were included in the recently approved measure for paid leave in Colorado.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in New York City also updated the city’s paid leave laws to match up more closely with the state-level laws. One notable amendment was the inclusion of domestic workers, who are now eligible for up to 40 hours of paid leave.

Other highlights from the round-up include a host of workplace safety changes necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic. Some of these include designation of essential businesses, mandatory facemask laws, and the requirement that every business, essential and otherwise, have a written plan for ensuring workplace safety.


New York Times Publishes Explainer on Child Tax Credit

July 27, 2021
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The revamped Child Tax Credit went into effect this month, with much-needed money being distributed to parents across the country. While this will be a boon for many parents, it also has the potential to create headaches for parents come tax season. Thankfully, the New York Times published helpful suggestions on who should take the credit and who should opt out.

Disability Discrimination Is Hurting the Medical Profession

July 26, 2021
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A new investigation on the Huffington Post has spotlighted a troubling trend in medicine. Many doctors with disabilities experience persistent discrimination at the hands of other physicians and medical professionals. In a profession that regularly requires workers, especially early career workers, to put in grueling shifts of 80+ hours a week, doctors with disabilities are perceived as unable to live up to the grind.

Highlights on New York State’s Legalization of Recreational Marijuana

July 19, 2021
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Now that New York State has legalized the recreational use of marijuana, there are some changes to the law as it relates to employment, for example, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of legal marijuana use outside of the workplace.

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