New York State Issues Guidance Relating to Employee Cannabis Use and the Workplace

close up of joint

The New York State Department of Labor (“NYSDOL”) has published guidance intended to address some of the most common situations or questions in the workplace related to adult-use cannabis and the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”). As you may recall, under the MRTA, employers may take employment action or prohibit employee conduct where: An […]

New York Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Allowing Employees Facing Potential Layoffs to Petition Employers to Participate in a Shared Work Program

man at factory looking at tablet

Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation allowing employees facing potential layoff to petition employers to participate in a Shared Work Program. Under this amendment to the New York Labor Law, workers facing layoffs in New York State now have a right to ask their employers instead to trim all worker’s hours and have unemployment insurance […]

New York City Court Temporarily Blocks Department of Education Vaccine Mandate

teacher with high school students

As we previously reported, New York City Mayor de Blasio announced a mandate that all New York City public school teachers and staff would be required to get at least one dose of a vaccine by September 27, 2021 or face termination. According to the mandate, Department of Education staff would no longer have the […]

U.S. District Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order Barring New York From Excluding Religious Exemptions For COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate on Healthcare Workers

Healthcare working sitting outside

On September 14, 2021, a federal judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of New York’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers seeking a religious exemption to the requirement.  The mandate requires covered entities to ensure their personnel are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with the first dose for current personnel received by September 27, 2021, for general hospitals […]

President Biden Orders OSHA to Issue New Rule Mandating Vaccines for Large Businesses, Federal Workers and Healthcare Workers

Vaccination Check in

On September 9, 2021, President Biden announced the implementation of a six-pronged, comprehensive national strategy to combat the COVID-19 virus. The President indicated that the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) is developing a rule that will require all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated […]

New York State Expands Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Personnel

Dentist with patient

On August 26, 2021, the New York State Department of Health’s Public Health and Health Planning Council (“PHHPC”) approved an emergency regulation mandating COVID-19 vaccination of staff in hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic and treatment centers (D&TCs), adult care facilities (ACFs), licensed home care services agencies (LHCSAs), certified home health agencies (CHHAs) and hospices (collectively referred […]

New York City to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine for Certain Indoor Activities

Interior of restaurant

New York City Mayor DeBlasio has announced that New York City will become the first major U.S. city to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination at restaurants, gyms and other businesses.  The “Key to NYC Pass” is the approach the City is taking that will require proof of at least one dose of vaccination for workers […]

CDC Issues New COVID-19 Recommendations and What it Means for Employers

couples in masks

On July 27, 2021, the U.S. Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) issued updated COVID-19 guidance given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant currently circulating in the United States.  The CDC now recommends that fully vaccinated people wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission. […]

President Biden Issues Executive Order Calling on the Federal Trade Commission to Ban or Limit Non-Compete Agreements

woman signing an agreement

On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order outlining 72 initiatives addressing competition in the workplace and targeting non-compete clauses and agreements. According to a White House statement, the President signed the Order “to promote competition in the American economy, which will lower prices for families, increase wages for workers, and promote innovation […]