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.
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 […]
As we previously reported, on April 23, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at eliminating the use of disparate-impact liability and ordering federal enforcement agencies to stop the enforcement of antidiscrimination laws based on disparate impact theories. The Executive Order directed the Attorney General and the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to […]
On September 19, 2025, President Trump issued a Proclamation entitled, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” which places limitations on the entry of H-1B specialty occupation workers into the United States. The Proclamation took effect on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Specifically, the Proclamation provides that H-1B specialty occupation workers will not be allowed into […]
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has rescinded the Non-Compete Clause Rule (the “Rule”) which was issued last summer that would have banned most employee non-compete provisions in employment agreements. As we previously reported, in 2024 the FTC issued the Rule that rendered unlawful most non-competition restrictions for all workers. The Rule was to take effect […]
On July 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) announced it is restarting the Payroll Audit Independent Determination Program (“PAID”). PAID enables employers to self-identify and resolve potential minimum wage, overtime, and leave violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family Medical Leave Act. This program allows employers […]
The New York State Legislature and Governor Hochul have amended Sections 519 and 521 of the New York Judiciary Law, to increase the daily rate of pay for jury duty in New York State, from $40 to $72. This amendment was enacted through the fiscal year 2025-2026 New York State Budget, which was signed into […]
Federal Funding On July 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) released guidance clarifying that federal antidiscrimination laws apply to programs or initiatives that involve discriminatory practices, including those labeled as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) programs. According to the guidance, entities that receive federal funds must ensure that their programs and activities comply […]
As a reminder, the New York State COVID-19 paid sick leave law, also known as COVID-19 Paid Emergency Leave, is set to expire on July 31, 2025. Beginning July 31, 2025, New York employers will no longer be required to provide separate leave for COVID-19 quarantines and isolations. After this date, employees may still use regular […]
On June 3, 2025, New York City enacted the amended Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (“ESSTA”) Rules that incorporate New York State’s paid prenatal leave requirements. The amendments will become effective on July 2, 2025. With the new amendments in place, the ESSTA will more closely align with the New York State Paid Prenatal […]
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This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
