New York’s Increasing Expansion of Member and Shareholder Liability for Unpaid Wages

Wage theft prevention remains a priority in New York so much so that, in recent years, the state has incrementally expanded the personal liability of LLC members and corporate shareholders for the unpaid wages due their organization’s employees. Early last year, Section 609 of New York’s Limited Liability Company Law was amended with the addition … Read more

NYC’s Commuter Benefits Law Effective January 1

Beginning January 1, 2016, unless otherwise exempted, NYC employers with 20 or more full-time employees must offer full-time employees the opportunity to use pre-tax income to pay for their commute. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), the same agency responsible for enforcing the NYC Earned Sick Time Act (Paid Sick Leave Law), has responsibility for … Read more

Three Common Mistakes with Employee Handbooks

Though there are many laws requiring employers to notify employees of certain workplace rights, there are actually no federal, New York State or New York City laws specifically requiring an employer to have an employee handbook. However, there are a number of reasons why creating and maintaining an employee handbook is a good idea and … Read more

Three Common Ways Employers Violate Wage-Hour Laws

Employers often run afoul of wage-hour laws in similar ways, three of which are discussed below.  Luckily, these errors can often be remedied, in a prospective manner, through a simple change in policy or practice. Refusing to Pay for Unauthorized Overtime Many employers require employees to seek approval before working overtime.  While that is an … Read more

NYC Limits Credit History Use Beginning September 3

Beginning September 3, 2015, it will be illegal for covered employers in New York City to request or use an employee’s or applicant’s consumer credit history to make employment decisions. The Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act amends the New York City Human Rights Law, which applies to employers with 4 or more employees, and … Read more

Which EEO Laws Apply to Your Business?

Not all employers are covered by all of the various labor and employment laws that exist. It is important to know which laws apply to which company or organization, because coverage imposes important obligations on employers. Here are the most common federal, New York state, and NYC equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws, along with a brief … Read more

New York Employers Take Note: “Primary Beneficiary Test” to Determine Whether Interns Should Be Paid Under the FLSA

On July 2, 2015, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals answered the question: “[W]hen is an unpaid intern entitled to compensation under the FLSA?”  The question was a matter of first impression in the circuit, and the decision was a long-awaited one, because it addressed a question left unresolved since 2013 when two New York … Read more

Three Things to Consider Before Purchasing Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) is a type of insurance coverage that protects businesses from financial consequences associated with employment-related lawsuits.  But, as is the case with most insurance policies, EPLI policies vary wildly in terms of price and breadth of coverage.  Below are three things to consider before you purchase an EPLI policy. 1. … Read more

Joint Employers and Overtime Pay

If a non-exempt employee works part time for two separate, but related, employers in the same workweek, such that the employee works 20 hours per week in one company and 25 hours per week in the other company, is the employee legally entitled to overtime pay because he is working more than 40 hours per … Read more