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REGULATORY UPDATES FOR EMPLOYERS
June 2022 Legislative Update:
The NYS Legislature ended the 2022 session with more than 1,000 bills passing both the Assembly and the Senate. Several bills will impact the Labor/Human Resource function of employers by increasing administrative burdens and the cost of doing business in New York.
In the coming weeks and months, the bills will be sent to Governor Hochul for signature. Meanwhile, the Chamber will support the Business Council of New York State as they work to encourage a veto for most of these bills – or, if not possible, work on ‘chapter amendments’ to make them less burdensome for New York employers.
A summary of the new bills affecting employers can be found here:
Workers’ Compensation
• S.6376-B/A.2020-A – Expands to all workers the ability to receive PTSD coverage under NYS Workers Compensation Coverage for stress greater than what occurs in the normal work environment.
• S.768/A.1118 – Defines temporary total as inability to perform the job in which injured, or a job offered by the employer that has been modified to meet the abilities of the injured worker.
• S.8271-A/A.7178-A – Will increase the minimum weekly compensation for claimants that receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Pay Transparency/Wage Theft
• S.2239/A.5773 – Will require state contractors to disclose data on employee compensation by gender, race, ethnicity, and other relevant data.
• S.8369-B/A.9368-A – To provide a recourse to freelance workers experiencing wage theft and other violations under the Labor Law.
• S.8435/A.8449 – This bill would require those companies which are required to file an Employer Information report (EEO-1) with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to file substantially similar information with the New York Secretary of State. This information would then be publicly available.
• S.9338/A.10181 – Would extend for two years the labor law which allows for certain categories of permissible wage deductions.
• S.9427-A/A.10477 – Requires employers to disclose compensation or range of compensation to applicants and employees.
• S.8063-A/A.8874-B – Relates to restrictions on consecutive hours of work for nurses.
Workplace Safety
• S.5994-C/A.1338-C – Would create a system whereby any contractor wishing to bid on a covered project must register with the Department of Labor and pay a registration fee. It would provide the Department an opportunity to vet the contractor to see if they had any previous violations of the Labor Law and ensure only responsible contractors are allowed to bid on New York covered projects.
• S.621-B/A.4947-B – Allows for significant reparations paid by Corporations or their agents if found guilty of a crime that injures or kills a worker.
• S.8922-A/A.10020-A – Relates to the creation of a program to protect workers from unreasonable quotas.
• S.9450/A.10492 – Establishes penalties for employers who do not recognize an Employee Safety Committee within 5 days of request by employees.
Miscellaneous
• S.1958-A/8092-B – Clarifies that workers shall not be punished or subjected to discipline by employers for lawful absences.
• S.4844-B/A.1236-A – Expands the rights of nursing employees to express breast milk.
• S.6586-A/A.6328-A – Prohibits discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status.
Source: Business Council of New York State
The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Business Council of New York cannot provide legal advice on these or any issues.
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Updates to the New York State sexual harassment policy law
Key Actions- All employers in New York are required to adopt a written sexual harassment policy.
- All employers in New York are required to conduct annual training, which must be “interactive”.
Contact The Chamber To Learn How To Get Your Staff Trained For Free!
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Poughkeepsie Public Library District is offering the opportunity for you to receive individualized help addressing your computer-based needs. Specific tasks staff can help with include: learning basic computer skills, creating email accounts, performing job searches, filling out job applications, formatting resumes, filing for unemployment, and creating and editing Microsoft Office documents.
Registration for computer and job classes is open.
Please note: Thursday afternoon labs from 1-3 at Boardman Road Library (141 Boardman Road). All other computer labs and classes are at the Adriance Library (93 Market Street), including the third Saturday of the month lab and two Saturday classes each month (usually the second and third Saturday). For more information on all Fall labs and classes from January 1 through March 31 please visit: PokLib.org
Microsoft Office Classes
Word 101 • Word 102 • Excel 101 • Excel 102 • Excel 103 • Excel Functions • Excel Tips & Tricks •
PowerPoint 101 • Mail Merge in Word & Excel • Resume Critiques • Job Search • Publisher • AccessTechnology You Can Use
PC Basics • Working with Digital Photos • Intro to Google Drive & Docs • Creating a Website • Intro to Selling Online • Intro to 3DPrinting Services • Intro to Instagram • Intro to Twitter • Windows 10 • Ancestry.com • Job Club
For dates, times, and location info and to register, visit PokLib.org
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Get Free Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Today!
As part of your membership with the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, you qualify to receive free sexual harassment prevention training for all of your employees. This training was mandated by the state for every employer to provide every employee in New York, regardless of business size or the type of employee. Outside organizations and businesses will charge you $25-$75 per employee to conduct this training but it is complimentary to you. Thank you to RBT CPAs for sponsoring this member benefit. Call our front desk to learn how to get take advantage of this! (845) 454-1700 ext. 1000
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RESOURCES & QUICK REFERENCES
- A Quick Guide for employers and employees on the Paid Family Leave benefit requirements in New York State.
- The Chamber's Guide to Government, with contact information for Federal, State, County and Local elected officials, as well as county and municipal resources
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Resources for Accommodating Employees with Disabilities
There are a number of resources available for employers who need assistance accommodating an employee with a disability. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disability, which may include assistance such as providing an interpreter for an employee with hearing impairment, or providing increased accessibility for an employee with mobility issues. One resource is the Job Accommodation Network, or Ask Jan: https://askjan.org/. Another resource is the US DOJ ADA Information Line, which allows employers to ask specific questions about ADA requirements by calling 800-514-0301. Compliance is just one area we can help your business in. From payroll to safety & risk management, there's many advantages to working with Ethan Allen. Learn more at:
https://eapeo.com/the-benefits-of-working-with-an-outsourced-hr-services-partner/
Contact Tom Lemmey at tom@eaworkforce.com or call 845.471.1200
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