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Category Archives: News & Commentary

New York Employers Must Let Their Workers Know if They Plan to Monitor Their Calls, Emails, and Internet Use

On November 8, 2021, Governor Hochul signed a bill ( A.430/S.2628 ) that requires employers to let their employees know if the employer plans to monitor their phone calls, emails, or internet use. This bill covers “any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, or association with a place of business in [New York]” but does not cover…

How Does New York’s Legalization of Marijuana Affect Your Rights at Work? Labor Department Clarifies Interactions with Workplace Issues

On March 31, 2021, New York State enacted the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) which legalizes adult-use cannabis in New York. Recently, the New York State Department of Labor issued guidance to address common situations and questions relating to the legalization of adult-use cannabis and its effects on the workplace. MRTA prohibits employers from…

Saving for Retirement: Enrollment in New York State’s Secure Choice Savings Program Now Automatic

On October 21, 2021, New York State Governor Hochul signed legislation (S.5395A/A.3213A) requiring employees to be automatically signed up for New York’s retirement saving plan which is called the New York State Secure Choice Savings Program. The law went into effect immediately and is mandatory for all employers who have had at least 10 in-state…

Pamela Jeffrey Named 2022 Labor Lawyer of the Year by Peer Nominated Best Lawyers

Levy Ratner is proud to announce that Pamela Jeffrey was named 2022 Labor Lawyer of the Year by peer-nominated Best Lawyers. Pam has had an illustrious career representing unions and employees in the robust exercise of their rights in organizing, collective bargaining, strikes and picketing, litigation, arbitrations and before the NLRB. Congratulations also to Levy…

Levy Ratner is proud to represent Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones

Please read our client Nikole Hannah-Jones’ statement concerning her decision to decline tenure at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and to accept a tenured Knight Chair appointment at Howard University. Nikole Hannah-Jones is represented by LR’s Bob Stroup, Carl Levine and Dana Lossia, along with our co-counsel the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund,…

Is “Long COVID” Interfering With Your Work or Daily Life? HHS and DOJ Release Guidance on Long COVID as a Disability Under the ADA and Related Laws

With the rise of “Long COVID” as a serious health issue, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) jointly published guidance on whether and when Long COVID is a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 1557…

President Biden Signs Executive Order Encouraging the FTC to Ban or Limit Non-Compete Agreements

On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. In the Order, which included 72 initiatives targeting various industries and agencies, a competitive marketplace is credited with creating “more high-quality jobs and the economic freedom to switch jobs or negotiate a higher wage” whereas the current marketplace…

EEOC Issues Fact Sheet Regarding Protections Against Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity

On Tuesday, June 15th, 2021, the one-year anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Bostock v. Clayton County, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a technical assistance document laying out guidance regarding protections against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In Bostock, the U.S. Supreme Court held that federal law…