Content Specialist Kerri is a practicing attorney with invaluable skills and a strong base of knowledge in many areas of law gained both serving clients and during her previous experiences as an intern for a Federal District Court Judge and as an editor of the Law Review during law school.
As a reminder, the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (“ESSTA”) has been amended expanding its leave entitlements to employees. The amendments went into effect on February 22, 2026. The amended ESSTA requires employers to provide employees with a minimum of 32 hours of unpaid safe and sick time immediately upon hire […]
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has filed a motion in a Missouri federal court disclosing an investigation into allegations that the sportswear company, Nike may have violated Title VII “by engaging in a pattern or practice of disparate treatment against white employees, applicants, and training program participants in hiring, promotion, demotion, or separation decisions […]
In a recent social media post, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) Chair Andrea Lucas brings the agency’s shift in priorities to the forefront by urging white males to file claims if they have experienced workplace discrimination based on their race or sex. Specifically, on the social media platform X, Andrea Lucas stated, “Are you […]
As a large part of the country is faced with an impending winter storm, employers face an equally challenging decision of whether to close their operations for the safety of their employees. This decision can be difficult, and employers must be aware of their legal obligations. The Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) requires employers to […]
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a law that amends the New York Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit employers from obtaining or using credit history for employment decisions. The law becomes effective April 18, 2026. Specifically, the amendment makes it unlawful for an employer, labor organization, employment agency, or its agent to: […]
On December 19, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law the “Trapped at Work Act.” The law became effective immediately. The new law prohibits employers from requiring “employment promissory notes” as a condition of employment. “Employment promissory note” is defined as any instrument, agreement, or contract provision that requires a worker to pay the employer […]
As you may be aware, New York State Paid Family Leave provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of job protected, paid time off to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or to assist loved ones when a family member is deployed abroad on active […]
On January 1, 2026, the minimum wage will increase to $17.00 per hour for employees located in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, and to $16.00 per hour for employees in the remainder of New York State. Beginning on January 1, 2027, increases to the minimum wage rates will be based on inflation […]
New York City has amended the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (“ESSTA”) expanding its leave entitlements to employees. The amendments go into effect on February 22, 2026. The amendments include the following changes: (i) employers must grant an additional 32 hours of unpaid leave to new employees upon hire and to all employees […]
Recently, New York State has raised the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit from $504 per week to $869 per week. The increased benefit rate will be reflected in payments starting the week of October 13, 2025. The maximum benefit rate is the highest benefit amount available to unemployed New Yorkers. The amount an individual receives […]
Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor (“U.S. DOL”) released an opinion letter (FMLA2025-02-A) (the “Opinion Letter”) concerning how to calculate the number of hours of Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) leave available to employees who work a fixed schedule that includes mandatory overtime. The Opinion Letter clarifies that an employer seeking to calculate the […]
Since October 1, 2025, the federal government has been shut down due to a lapse in funding causing many governmental programs including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (“DHS”) E-Verify system to cease operations. E-Verify, which allows employers to verify employment eligibility in the United States, has now resumed operations. Employers can create an E-Verify […]
