New York City’s vaccination mandate takes effect on December 27. All private-sector employers in the city will be required to ensure their employees are vaccinated against Covid-19. While the mandate will likely face legal challenges, the courts have sided with the city in litigation over previous mandates. The best way for employers...
Category: Employment law
What Employers Need to Know About Laws and Regulations in 2022
With the year coming to a close, employers in New York State need to be ready for new employment laws that are now in effect or soon will be. The best way to ensure your company’s policies and procedures are up to date is to consult with an experienced employment lawyer.
Unwanted Attention and Workplace Harassment
Sexual harassment is associated with unwelcome sexual advances or offensive comments, but another form is harassment is “unwanted attention.” There is a fine line between unwanted attention and harassment and knowing the difference is essential for protecting your employment rights.
Unwanted Attention Can Create a Hostile Work Environment
EEOC Monitoring Use of AI in Employment Decisions
More employers are currently relying on artificial intelligence (AI) to screen job candidates and make employment decisions; however, there are inherent risks in tech-based hiring tools, including automating biases and the potential for discrimination. In response, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced a new initiative to ensure that AI...
New York Expands Employee Whistleblower Protections
New York Governor Hochul recently signed legislation that significantly expands protections for whistleblowing activity by employees. The new law, which becomes effective Jan. 26, 2022, amends Section 740 of New York Labor Law (NYLL) by strengthening protections for private-sector employees alleging retaliation. The best way for employees and employers to understand their...
EEOC Reissues Guidance for Employers on Covid-19 Vaccinations
As we discussed in a recent blog post, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) previously issued guidance for employers regarding Covid-19 vaccinations and federal anti-discrimination laws.
In October, the EEOC updated its questions and answers for employers, but the agency has not changed its position on vaccine mandates....
Can You Be Fired for Being Sick?
New York is an at-will state for employment purposes, meaning that an employee can be fired for any reason, including being sick. When a “sickness” is considered a disability, however, firing a sick employee may constitute employment discrimination under federal, state, and local law.
If you believe you were...
Vaccine Mandate in Effect for NY Health Care Workers
New York State’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers went into effect on Sept.28, requiring them to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to continue to work. Currently, an estimated 70,000 out of 450,000 health care workers remain unvaccinated, according to data recently released by the state.
Court Upholds Vaccine Mandate for NYC Public School Employees
A federal appeals panel has ruled that New York City’s vaccine mandate for most adults working in its public schools can proceed. The ruling reversed a previous decision by a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit pausing enforcement of the mandate.
Given the novel...
EEOC Updates Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccinations
Recently, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) updated its guidance on Covid-19 vaccinations and federal anti-discrimination laws. As businesses in New York and around the country reopen their offices, many employers are mandating Covid-19 vaccinations for employees entering the workplace.
The best way for employers and employees to...