6 Labor and Employment Laws New York Employers Must Be Aware of in 2025

As we welcome the new year, it is essential for New York employers to stay informed about the evolving labor and employment laws that go into effect in 2025. To assist in navigating these changes, we have compiled a comprehensive recap of the key regulations that your business should take note of.

Hinshaw's Labor & Employment team has explored several of these topics in greater detail on our Employment Law Observer blog, which we provide links to below. More ›

What Does New York City's Expanded Anti-Discrimination Protection Mean for Employers?

On May 11, 2024, a new law went into effect, amending New York City Administrative Code §§ 8-109 and 8-502. The law prohibits provisions in agreements that shorten the timeframe an employee has to file a claim for unlawful discriminatory practices, harassment, or violence under the New York City Human Rights Law ("NYCHRL").  More ›

New York Expands Anti-Discrimination Laws for Nonresident Job Seekers

On March 14, 2024, the New York Court of Appeals held that nonresident prospective employees who seek employment opportunities in New York State or New York City and are denied due to discriminatory conduct are eligible to assert claims under the New York State Human Rights Law ("NYSHRL") and New York City Human Rights Law ("NYCHRL"). More ›

What New York's "Freelance Isn't Free Act" Means for Employers

On November 22, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the “Freelance Isn’t Free Act” into law. The Act, which is similar to the New York City law containing the same name, is designed to provide protections for freelance workers (i.e., independent contractors). The Act will go into effect on May 20, 2024, and will apply to work contracts entered into on or after that date. More ›

New York City Enacts a Workers' Bill of Rights Notice and Posting Requirement

Starting July 1, 2024, New York City employers will be required to distribute a Workers' Bill of Rights to all their current employees and new hires on or before their first day of work. More ›

New York City Amends Safe and Sick Time Regulations

On September 15, 2023, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection issued amended rules relating to the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (“ESSTA”). The amendments codified the New York City Council statutory amendments to the ESSTA in 2020, which was designed to align the ESSTA with the New York State Paid Sick Leave Law. The amended rules went into effect on October 15, 2023. More ›

New York City Prohibits Discrimination Based on Height or Weight

Earlier this year, Mayor Eric Adams signed a bill amending the New York City Human Rights Law, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of an individual's height or weight. Set to go into effect on November 22, 2023, the bill does permit an employer to consider height or weight under the following limited situations: More ›

New York City to End Its Private Sector COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

On September 20, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced that New York City will end its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for private sector employees, effective November 1, 2022. Since December 27, 2021, private and public employees working in New York City were required to provide their employer with “proof of vaccination” before entering the workplace—subject to an employee’s approved religious or medical accommodation. Employees who did not provide their employer with proof of vaccination were prohibited from entering the workplace, with very limited exceptions. More ›

New York City Salary Transparency Law Receives Clarification and Subsequent Amendment

The pending Salary Transparency Law (the Law)—which requires New York City employers to disclose the minimum and maximum salary when posting an advertisement for a job, promotion, or transfer opportunity—was  further clarified by the New York City Commission on Human Rights and subsequently amended by the New York City Council. More ›

New York City Employers Now Required to Disclose Salary Range When Posting a Job Listing

On December 15, 2021, the New York City Council approved a bill amending the New York City Human Rights Law, transforming how employers advertise a job listing. Mayor Eric Adams chose not to veto the legislation before the January 14, 2022 deadline, therefore the new law is set to become effective on May 14, 2022. More ›