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  • Business Resources


  • The Chamber is an advocate and resource for businesses and organizations of all sizes in the community. We understand the challenges associated with doing business, especially in New York State, and strive to pave the road for growth. Below are resources relevant to businesses, employers, and employees.

  • REGULATORY UPDATES FOR EMPLOYERS 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. 

     

  • Updates to the New York State sexual harassment policy law 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!

     
     

     


  • 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 • Access

     

    Technology 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

  • Check Out the 2024 October Contact Breakfast

    Click HERE for a video recording of the October 2024 Contact Breakfast Candidate Forum. The forum featured candidates for United States House of Representatives, New York's 18th District, incumbent Congressman Patrick Ryan and challenger Alison Esposito. An event program with candidate bios and forum rules can be found HERE.

  • Check Out the 2024 September Contact Breakfast

    Click HERE for a video recording of the September 2024 Contact Breakfast Candidate Forum. The forum featured candidates for New York State's 39th Senate District, incumbent Robert Rolison and challenger Yvette Valdés Smith. An event program with candidate bios and forum rules can be found HERE.

  • Get Free Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Today! 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. Call our front desk to learn how to get take advantage of this! (845) 454-1700 ext. 1000

  • RESOURCES & QUICK REFERENCES RESOURCES & QUICK REFERENCES

    • Presentation by Dr. Bill Daggett from the March 2023 Contact Breakfast on educational trends.
      Please click here
       
    • A Quick Guide for employers and employees on the Paid Family Leave benefit requirements in New York State.

    Please click here

    • The Chamber's Guide to Government, with contact information for Federal, State, County and Local elected officials, as well as county and municipal resources

    Please click here

  • New York State Pay Transparency Law (FARE Grant)

    Effective September 17, 2023, the New York State Pay Transparency Law requires all employers to disclose compensation or list salary ranges for all postings for jobs within New York State. 

    • The range should show the minimum and maximum annual salary or hourly rates that the employer believes in good faith to be accurate at the time of posting. 
    • This includes all internal and external job postings, job descriptions, promotions, and transfers for jobs that can or will be performed in the State of New York, and jobs that report to a manager located in New York.
    • The purpose of this law is to empower job seekers with this information up-front and to address systemic pay inequity and discriminatory wage-setting and hiring practices. 

     

    When it comes to workers’ rights, knowledge is power. Don’t be negligent in holding your workforce back. Discover the intricacies of the FARE Grant with Ethan Allen.

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