March 22, 2021

Berke-Weiss Law PLLC Releases Training Video Focused on Family and Medical Leave

As we have noted recently, some changes have been afoot to expand the paltry provisions given to families facing medical and family emergencies. Some states, such as Colorado, just this year expanded state paid medical leave provisions due to the lack of any federal provisions and it is becoming old news that paid family and medical leave has the potential to improve economic outcomes for woman and alleviate employment loss for many women who have been forced out of the workforce during the pandemic.

But until Congress finds the will to expand paid family and medical leave like exists in so many other countries, nationally we are left with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993, which was supposed to be the first step in a move to expand such provisions to all Americans. Instead then-president Clinton decided to “reform” welfare and dreams of expanding the FMLA became something of a footnote in legislative history.

So much so that, according to a new survey, many managers don’t even know the basics of the FMLA. In a study that polled 453 managers about three questions pertaining to FMLA law, only 46% could name the benefits of the law and only 42% of managers knew how long leave lasted. All this despite the fact that over 70% responded that their workplaces offered FMLA-specific training. Add in state-specific programs like New York State Paid Family Leave, and employers get especially confused about what is offered, and how they work together.

If you need to brush up on FMLA and other questions pertaining to leave, including how FMLA works with New York State Paid Family Leave, we have a new training video from an event with Park Slope Parents that provides answers to many issues about family and medical leave and what you need to know.


Governor Hochul Signs Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Bills

March 24, 2022
Sexual Harassment
In front of gender equity and women’s rights advocates attending a celebration of Women’s History Month Governor Kathy Hochul signed a raft of legislation aiming to bolster workplace rights and protections in the state.

Remote Work a Boon for Pregnant Workers?

March 14, 2022
Pregnancy Discrimination
Kessler notes that for those fortunate enough to be able to work from home, the small box containing their faces no longer broadcasts impending parenthood. Instead, women are able to focus on work, an act of normalcy expectant parents who aren’t pregnant have always enjoyed.

Collusion and Lack of Competition Designed to Favor Employers

March 10, 2022
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The report describes the myriad ways in which employers collaborate to prevent workers from seeking better opportunities elsewhere. These tactics lead to missing out on 15-25% of possible wages a worker might otherwise hope to command, according to estimates in the report.

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