News & Commentary

Effective January 22, 2022, New York State’s amended whistleblower law significantly expands section 740 of the New York Labor Law to provide greater protections to whistleblowers against employer retaliation. Under the recent amendments, employees include former employees and independent contractors. By including former employees, the new law protects employees against a former employer’s retaliatory actions…

Levy Ratner is pleased to announce that the Executive Council of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East has voted that Levy Ratner Partner Pamela Jeffrey will be the new Co-General Counsel of 1199SEIU. Ms. Jeffrey will serve as Co-General Counsel with Levy Ratner Founding Partner Daniel Ratner during a period of transition. Ms. Jeffrey brings to…

On January 15, 2022, the New York City Council enacted an amendment to the New York City Human Rights Law which will require employers to list salary information in job postings. Employers who fail to include the minimum and maximum salary offered for any position located within New York City may be subject to penalties…

Effective January 15, 2022, the Biden administration requires insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of up to 8 at-home COVID-19 test kits for each person covered by the insurance or plan. This means that a family of four covered by the plan can obtain up to 32 tests per month. The…

On December 24, 2021, an amendment to New York City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act providing for paid leave for employees during their child’s COVID-19 vaccination time went into effect. The amendment, approved by the New York City Council in November 2021, requires private employers covered by the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act…

The first step is to review your rights under federal law. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers throughout the country to pay their employees one and one-half times their regular pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in a workweek. This does not have to coincide with a calendar week, it can…

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…

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…

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…

On September 23, 2021, the New York City Council voted to pass a group of bills that guarantees various rights to food delivery workers who work for apps like Grubhub, Uber Eats, Relay, and DoorDash bringing food throughout the city. The new laws make sure that the delivery workers have bathroom access, minimum pay, and…