Governor Hochul Vetoes New York State Freelance Isn’t Free Act

man busy at work

The New York State Legislature recently passed the Freelance Isn’t Free Act (the “Act”).  If signed into law, the Act, which mirrors New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act, would have provided protections to freelance workers/independent contractors. However, on December 23, 2022, Gov. Hochul vetoed Bill A9368/S8369B. The bill was modeled after the Freelance Isn’t […]

New York State Minimum Wage and Exempt Salary Threshold

handing a paycheck to a worker

The minimum wage for employees working in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties remains unchanged at $15.00 per hour. The minimum wage for fast food employees across the state also remains unchanged at $15.00 per hour. Effective Dec. 31, 2022, the minimum wage in upstate New York will increase from $13.20 to $14.20 […]

U.S. DOL Issues Proposed Rules on Classification of Independent Contractors

woman working on laptop outside

The U.S. Department of Labor (“U.S. DOL”) recently released proposed rules intended to clarify when workers are classified as employees as opposed to independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). The proposed rules would abandon the current regulations which expanded the use of independent contractors and return to the position that the economic […]

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 […]

U.S. DOL Proposes New Tip Credit Rule

paying a restaurant bill with a credit card

On June 23, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (“U.S. DOL”) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which would impose a limit on when an employer can pay a tipped worker the “tipped minimum wage.”  The new rule would reinstate the “80/20” rule under federal law and would clarify that an employer may only take […]

U.S. Department of Labor Withdraws Independent Contractor Rule

Man happily working at a computer

The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) has announced a final rule officially withdrawing a proposed independent contractor rule that would have made it easier to classify workers as independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).  As we previously reported, the Trump administration proposed an independent contractor rule at the very end of his term. […]

Prepare Now for New York State Minimum Wage and Salary Threshold Updates

Woman working on phone

Effective December 31, 2020, the minimum wage for non-exempt employees will increase in NewYork. The following reflects the new minimum wage, effective December 31, 2020, for all employees in New York (with the exception of fast food workers): Location 12/31/19 12/31/20 12/31/21 NYC – Large Employers (of 11 or more) $15.00 $15.00 NYC – Small […]

U.S. DOL Issues Proposed Rule on Classification of Independent Contractors Under the FLSA

Man working from home on phone

Submitted by Ali Law Group PC on September 26, 2020 On September 22, 2020, the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced a proposed rule to clarify whether a worker is deemed an “employee” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) or an “independent contractor.” Under the proposed rule, the DOL would adopt an “economic […]