Fanny Ferdman

New York Releases Latest Model Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy and Training

By Amanda Van Hoose Garofalo and Fanny Ferdman on April 18, 2023 Posted in New York

On April 11, 2023, the New York State Department of Labor, in collaboration with the New York State Division of Human Rights, released an updated model anti-sexual harassment policy and an updated model training. Among other things, the new model policy adds further context to the purpose of the law, considerations individuals should have when … Continue Reading

Gaining Clarity on Pay Transparency Podcast

By Fanny Ferdman on December 1, 2022 Posted in Podcast

Since the recent NYC Pay Transparency law came into effect on November 1, companies now have new requirements to consider as it relates to their job postings. With several other states and cities having enacted similar laws in recent years, and with more coming down the pike, we’ve created a new podcast, Gaining Clarity on … Continue Reading

NYS Employers: Updated Sexual Harassment Postings and Policies Are Required!

By Delores Chichi and Fanny Ferdman on July 22, 2022 Posted in Policies

Employers should be aware that New York state has passed a law that requires employers to reference an established hotline in any material – including handbooks, policies and workplace postings – they post or provide to employees regarding sexual harassment. The hotline is intended to enable individuals experiencing workplace harassment to receive pro bono counsel … Continue Reading

So Many NY Changes in 2022 – Employers Beware!

By Fanny Ferdman and Delores Chichi on May 2, 2022 Posted in New York

New York employers must be aware of several important changes to employment laws that have already come into effect during 2022, those that have imminent effect (with deadlines just around the corner!), and those that are currently being considered by the Legislature. In this post, we highlight some of the latest developments in employment law … Continue Reading

Deciphering The NY Hero Act: A New NY COVID-19 Worker Protection Law

By Fanny Ferdman on May 7, 2021 Posted in New York

While New York announced significant easing of COVID-19 restrictions in recent days and weeks, and while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appears to be loosening its COVID-19-related guidelines, the state continues its efforts to protect its employees with regard to COVID-19 safety with legislation signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo late Wednesday night. The … Continue Reading

UPDATED: COVID-19 Vaccine Paid Leave Law Encourages New Yorkers to Get Vaccinated

By Fanny Ferdman on April 8, 2021 Posted in New York

This article is a revised version of our March 18, 2021 publication. Really … another new paid leave requirement from New York? Yes indeed. On Friday, March 12, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed a new law amending New York’s Labor Law and granting employees up to four hours of paid leave per COVID-19 vaccine injection. The law became … Continue Reading

COVID-19 Vaccine Paid Leave Law Encourages New Yorkers to Get Vaccinated

By Fanny Ferdman on March 18, 2021 Posted in New York

Really … another new paid leave requirement from New York? Yes indeed. On Friday, March 12, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed a new law amending New York’s Labor Law and granting employees up to four hours of paid leave per COVID-19 vaccine injection. The law became effective immediately, and the new leave entitlement is currently set … Continue Reading

NYC Earned Safe and Sick Time Amendments Effective September 30, 2020

By Saima Sheikh and Fanny Ferdman on October 2, 2020 Posted in New York

On September 28, 2020, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law a bill (Intro. 2032-A (Cohen)) amending the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) to align it with the New York State Sick Leave Law (NYSSLL), which went into effect on September 30, 2020. For more information about … Continue Reading

DOL Issues Guidance on Employers’ Obligation to Pay Nonexempt Employees for Time Worked Remotely

By Fanny Ferdman on August 31, 2020 Posted in Department of Labor

Employers and employees alike have had much confusion around proper compensation when nonexempt employees work remotely – particularly in today’s time when many employees are teleworking and working crazy schedules due to COVID-19. Truth is, in today’s world of remote working (which is new for many of us), employers are dealing with various issues relating … Continue Reading

New Jersey’s Expansion of Family Leave for COVID-19

By Fanny Ferdman on April 20, 2020 Posted in New Jersey

On April 14, 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation (S2374) to expand the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA). The basic idea behind it is to ensure that eligible employees who need to take time off to care for a family member during the COVID-19 outbreak (and other similar health epidemics) can take up to … Continue Reading

New York Passes Statewide Paid Sick Leave Law

By Fanny Ferdman and Saima Sheikh on April 9, 2020 Posted in New York

Just weeks after New York state implemented an Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law, late last week, New York state passed a statewide paid sick leave (State PSL) law as part of its fiscal year 2020-2021 budget. The new law, which adds Section 196-b to the New York Labor Law, requires all New York state … Continue Reading

New Lactation Room Requirements in NYC Going Into Effect Soon

By Fanny Ferdman on February 4, 2019 Posted in Health & Wellness, New York

As many of you have probably heard, late last year, the New York City Council passed two laws that will amend the NYC Human Rights Law to expand the requirements of employers to provide lactation space for breastfeeding employees and to develop lactation policies and processes for employees to request accommodations for nursing. These new … Continue Reading

Have Your FMLA Forms Expired?

By Fanny Ferdman on July 16, 2018 Posted in FMLA

As many of you know by now, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) maintains model forms to help employers meet the notice requirements under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). What some of you may not know is that the forms you are using may have expired! Every three years, the DOL is required … Continue Reading

Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Will Be in Effect Before You Know It

By Fanny Ferdman on January 8, 2018 Posted in Discrimination

As you may know, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in July, expanding state protections for pregnant women and new mothers, and setting new rules for employers with six or more employees. Below is a brief synopsis of some of the most important changes that you should know about, and what … Continue Reading

Predictable Schedules – A Right, Not a Privilege, in NYC Fast Food and Retail Industries

By Fanny Ferdman on October 16, 2017 Posted in New York, Restaurants, Retail

Earlier this year, New York City signed into law the “Fair Work Week” legislative package, which aspires to ensure more predictable schedules and paychecks for fast food and retail workers by setting restrictions on how and when their employers can schedule them for work. Those restrictions take effect on November 26th, which will be here … Continue Reading

EEOC Issues New Enforcement Guidance On National Origin Discrimination

By Fanny Ferdman and Amanda Van Hoose Garofalo on December 1, 2016 Posted in Discrimination, EEOC

On Nov. 21, 2016, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued updated enforcement guidance on national origin discrimination for the first time in 14 years. Some may speculate whether this has anything to do with increased ethnic tensions in the wake of the presidential campaign and election results. Some also recognize that in … Continue Reading

Transgender Issues in the Law and in the Workplace

By Fanny Ferdman and Amanda Van Hoose Garofalo on September 21, 2016 Posted in Discrimination

UPDATE: On Friday, October 28, 2016, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in the Fourth Circuit case arising out of Virginia, which was discussed in our Sept. 21, 2016 blog post. The Fourth Circuit case related to a high school student’s ability to use the bathroom of the sex with which he identifies. In August, the Court also … Continue Reading

Pregnancy Protections Under NYC Law – Not Limited to Just “Pregnancy”

By Fanny Ferdman on July 28, 2016 Posted in New York

As most NYC employers have probably heard by now, in May of this year, New York City released guidance that defines violations of pregnancy protections under the NYC Human Rights Law, and provides clear(er) examples of when and how employers should make accommodations for employees based on pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition. The … Continue Reading

Just When Employers Got Used to Earned Sick Time Act, NYC Publishes Final Amended Sick Time Rules With Additional Requirements

By Fanny Ferdman on March 3, 2016 Posted in New York

That’s right. Just when many employers started getting used to New York City’s Earned Sick Time Act (“ESTA”), New York City went ahead and adopted the final amended Earned Sick Time Act Rules (“Final Amended ESTA Rules”). The Final Amended ESTA Rules are effective March 4, 2016, and attempt to clarify parts of ESTA (which … Continue Reading

New York City Earned Sick Time Act Notice of Employee Rights Has Finally Been Published

By Fanny Ferdman and Laura Scully on March 30, 2014 Posted in ESTA, Leave of Absence, New York

As most New York City employers know by now, the New York City Earned Sick Time Act (“Act”) is scheduled to go into effect on April 1, 2014. While the Act was adopted in the summer of 2013, it was subsequently amended after Mayor Bill DeBlasio entered office in 2014. Employers should accordingly ensure that … Continue Reading