News & Commentary

Workers in New York State can receive paid leave if they are under an order of quarantine or isolation from the state or a local health department and cannot work remotely. New York State law allows workers to combine different types of paid time off to be used while under quarantine/isolation. There is no waiting…

Due to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment benefits have been extended to workers who have not traditionally been covered by unemployment insurance like the self-employed, gig workers, and independent contractors. Federal law now allows workers, who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits, are not receiving paid leave, and cannot work…

Under a new law effective March 25, 2020, workers in New Jersey are entitled to expanded family leave, earned sick leave and temporary disability insurance benefits during a state of emergency, such as that declared by Governor Murphy for COVID-19.  Here are the details: Earned Sick and Safe Time Leave An employee accrues one hour…

On March 26, 2020, New York’s highest court issued an important decision that opens the door for New York “gig” and app-based workers to be classified as employees who enjoy the worker protections that independent contractors lack. The delivery app Postmates is required to contribute to the state unemployment insurance fund for Postmates couriers who…

Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, been laid off or had their hours reduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Most have lost their job-based health coverage as a result.  If this has happened to you, there are options for obtaining other coverage for you and your family.    If you have no income or it’s…

The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which became effective on March 27, 2020,  will deliver aid to the millions of workers who lost their jobs or are unable to work due to Coronavirus/COVID-19.  This LR What You Need to Know Now update will focus on the CARES Act expansion of existing…

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to be a pandemic. This LR What You Need to Know Now update will answer questions related to employee rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on excerpts from recently updated U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission…

Meredith Whittaker is a Research Professor at New York University, the Co-founder of NYU’s AI Now Institute, and the founder of Google’s Open Research group. She was also a leader in labor organizing efforts, including the Google Walkout and other mobilizations, while employed at Google  Her organizing drew from her research, recognizing that a powerful…

As reported in other What You Need to Know Now updates on LR’s website, the recently enacted Family First Coronavirus Response Act (Act) expands emergency paid sick leave and family and medical leave during the COVID-19 emergency. However, the new law also addresses testing for COVID-19. The Act requires all group health plans to cover…

New York and New Jersey have modified the unemployment insurance claim process in order to speed up access to benefits for workers laid off as a result of the Coronavirus public health emergency. Under normal circumstances, New York requires unemployment insurance claimants to wait seven days after losing their jobs before they can claim for…