Due to concerns over the Delta variant of COVID-19, the CDC has reversed its prior guidance, now stating that fully vaccinated individuals should wear masks when indoors in COVID-19 hot spots.  Previous CDC guidance stated that fully vaccinated individuals no longer had to wear masks in public places.  Employers should be aware of this changing landscape, as workplace safety implications are likely to arise as CDC guidance changes.

Attorney Joseph S. Brown explains what President Biden's July 9, 2021 Executive Order means for New York employers with non-compete agreements.

In May, New York State passed the New York Health and Essential Rights (“HERO”) Act, which took effect on June 4, 2021.  The HERO Act imposes many workplace safety requirements on employers with the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne diseases. 

Labor & Employment Attorney Joseph S. Brown answers five commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination policies.

Despite the recent lifting of mask mandates for vaccinated people across the state, New York has imposed a new COVID safety law, which employers should be aware of.  The new law, the New York Health and Essential Rights (“HERO”) Act, was passed in early May and goes into effect on June 4, 2021. 

As sexual harassment claims have continued to rise and be brought to light in the the media, now is a good time to revisit your compliance program on sexual harassment prevention. Attorney Ann E. Evanko explains how.

On March 31, 2021, Governor Cuomo signed the “Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act” (“MRTA”) which legalized the recreational use of marijuana for individuals over the age of 21 and significantly impacts the ability of New York employers to maintain a drug-free workplace.  More specifically, the MRTA amends New York Law Labor Law Section 201-d, which protects employees’ right to engage in certain recreational activities outside of work. Labor & Employment Attorney Joseph S. Brown summarizes the changes to Section 201-d and discusses what steps employers should take to prepare themselves for compliance with the new legislation.

New York just provided guidance in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) on the Paid Vaccination Leave Law. While many questions remain unanswered, the FAQs explain and reemphasize certain points. Attorney Joe Brown summarizes in this legal alert.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“Act”) was signed into law—the Act was highly anticipated by many, as it provides stimulus relief to many Americans.  However, in addition to the stimulus relief, the Act contains employment-related provisions of which employers should be aware.  This article serves to provide a brief overview of these employment-related provisions of the Act. 

There are several reasons to be vaccinated—protecting your own health and that of others is the most important and should be the primary reason. An added benefit is that one can now qualify in New York to be exempt from the rigorous quarantine requirements upon proof of full vaccination within certain time periods. 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo just signed a bill that provides private and public sector employees with up to four hours of excused leave per injection of the COVID-19 vaccine that will not be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued.

Labor & Employment Attorney Joe Brown provides the latest updates for New York employers on: (1) the CDC’s First Set of Guidelines on How Fully Vaccinated People Can Visit Safely with Others; (2) New York’s Quarantine Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Individuals; and (3) New York’s Travel Advisory for Fully Vaccinated Individuals.  Stay tuned for bonus tracks in the weeks to come.

What does federal and state guidance say about safety and quarantine protocols for those employees who have been fully vaccinated?  Attorney Joe Brown addresses those questions and provides a reminder about consistently applying health and safety protocols in the light of increased enforcement activity by federal and state authorities. 

Labor & Employment Attorney Katherine Wood provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions from the employer’s perspective on the paid sick leave law. 

The development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines late last year has offered a glimmer of optimism for businesses hoping to return to “normal” in 2021.  But how will the increased availability of COVID-19 vaccines impact the workplace?  Labor & Employment Attorney Joe Brown provides answers to six commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination policies.

The inauguration of a new president usually brings changes in senior leadership, legislative priorities, and regulatory policy, particularly in the area of labor and employment law.  Within the past week, President Biden has signed several executive orders, filled key positions, and announced other policy shifts that are likely to impact the workplace in the areas of safety, LGBTQ protections, labor laws, pandemic response, and immigration.  This alert discusses five recently announced developments that may impact your workplace in the months to come.

On January 20, 2021, the New York State Department of Labor issued guidance that expands employers’ obligations to provide paid leave under the NYS COVID-19 leave law.  Particularly, the new guidance addresses employer-mandated leaves related to COVID-19 and situations where an employee tests positive for COVID-19 multiple times.

As we usher in the new year, employers are faced with continuing challenges due to COVID-19 disruptions, remote working, uncertainty with COVID-19 vaccinations, new employment laws, and the increasing demands of a workplace under stress. While employers’ responses to these demands require more attention than ever, the foundation of strong employment practices will remain familiar in many ways and this framework will help you minimize your risk of being sued.

Labor & Employment Attorney Joseph S. Brown was featured in the Amherst Bee on January 13, 2021, discussing the upcoming Hurwitz & Fine webinar "Employment Litigation Update: A Review of 2020 and What's Ahead" in partnership with the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.

This alert summarizes the updated NYS guidelines and the implications for employers with respect to paid leave under NYS COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave and the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which was not extended beyond December 31, 2020.