Form I-9 Remote Review Ends on April 30, 2022
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s temporary policy allowing employers to inspect Form I-9 documents virtually will end on April 30, 2022. The policy was first issued in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it has been extended 12 times. Starting May 1, 2022, the eligibility documents must be reviewed in person. […]
New York State Amends Workplace Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Laws
On March 16, 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law three amendments to the State’s workplace anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws, expanding harassment and discrimination protections under the New York State Human Rights Law (“NYSHRL”). Retaliation for Releasing Personnel Files Effective immediately, the NYSHRL’s definition of retaliation was amended to include “disclosing an employee’s […]
New York City Salary Disclosure Law
Beginning May 15, 2022, employers that have four or more workers advertising jobs in New York City must include a good faith salary range for every job, promotion, and transfer opportunity advertised. The New York City Commission on Human Rights (“NYCCHR”) has issued a fact sheet answering some open questions regarding application of this new […]
New York Hero Act Amendment
On March 17, 2022, the designation of COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under the HERO Act ended. Private sector employers are no longer required to implement their workforce safety plans.” Employers, however, are still required to have a HERO Act safety plan, provide […]
New York State Human Rights Laws Amendment
On March 16, 2022, an amendment to the New York State Human Rights Laws modifies the definition of “unlawful retaliation” to include “disclosing an employee’s personnel files because he or she has opposed any practices forbidden under [the NYSHRL] or because he or she has filed a complaint, testified, or assisted in any proceeding.” The […]
New York City Lifts COVID-19 Mask and Vaccine Mandate
On March 7, 2022, New York City lifted several pandemic related restrictions. Indoor venues, including restaurants, fitness facilities, and entertainment spaces will no longer be required to check for proof of vaccination before customers enter or require people to wear masks. Businesses previously covered by Key to NYC rules will still have the flexibility to require […]
The End Mandatory Arbitration of Sexual Harassment and Assault Claims in the Workplace Act
On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021. The law took effect immediately. The law allows employees who previously entered into agreements requiring all employment disputes to be arbitrated, would be entitled to elect to litigate sexual assault and sexual harassment claims in […]
CDC Releases New Mask Guidance and New York State Lifts Mask Mandate in Schools
The CDC released new guidance suggesting that 70 percent of Americans can now stop wearing masks, and no longer need to social distance or avoid crowded indoor spaces. The recommendations no longer rely only on the number of cases in a community to determine the need for restrictions such as mask wearing. Instead, they direct […]
Congress Passes the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021
Congress recently passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, which invalidates arbitration agreements that preclude a party from filing a lawsuit in court involving sexual assault or sexual harassment, at the election of the party alleging such conduct. President Biden is expected to sign it into law soon. […]
Mask Mandate for Businesses Is Lifted, but Certain Requirements Remain
Governor Kathy Hochul lifted the indoor mask mandate in New York, which required businesses to ask for proof of full vaccination or require masks indoors at all times. This became effective February 10th and reflected the continued decline of the Omicron variant. The Governor left in place a mask requirement in schools until March when […]
New York State Department of Labor Whistleblower Notice
There were several amendments to New York’s Whistleblower law that went into effect on January 26, 2022. The amendments provide greater protection for private-sector employees who report actions of their employer that they reasonably believe to be illegal or a danger to public health or safety. The New York State Department of Labor has released […]
OSHA Withdraws Emergency Temporary Standard
On January 25, 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) announced the withdrawal of its emergency temporary standard (“ETS”) that would have required private sector US employers with 100 or more employees to either mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees or require them to comply with weekly COVID-19 testing and face covering requirements. OSHA’s […]