With Governor Cuomo having forced the closure of “non-essential” businesses to combat the spread of COVID-19, many New York business owners are now presented with the difficult task of determining whether, when or how to reduce their workforces. New York’s WARN Act is designed to protect workers and their families, and requires employers to give
Businesses are continuing to grapple with the myriad challenges brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Workforce reductions are an unfortunate but inevitable byproduct of this national crisis. Employers across the country are considering layoffs (ranging from marginal to mass), furloughs and reductions in employees’ hours and wages. However, employers must not make such decisions
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which, as we discussed in an earlier blog post, provides for paid emergency sick leave and paid emergency family leave in certain circumstances. The portion of the FFCRA that provides for paid emergency family leave is referred to as the
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which, as we discussed in an earlier blog post, provides for paid emergency sick leave and paid emergency family leave in certain circumstances. The portion of the FFCRA that provides for paid emergency family leave is referred to as the
We have been fielding calls every day from employers who are struggling to determine their obligations under New York’s new emergency paid sick leave law and the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The aim of this post is to provide the simplest explanation of the circumstances in which these laws do and do
Tonight, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The passage of this law further complicates the web of paid leave laws that New York employers must navigate, given that, less than forty-eight hours ago, Governor Cuomo announced an agreement with legislators on a paid leave law at the state level.
Tonight, Governor Cuomo announced that a deal has been reached to provide all employees with job-protected leave in the event they are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of isolation or quarantine, subject to certain exceptions. The terms of the deal are set out in a legislative program bill, and some of the
Employers have a duty to provide employees with a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Given the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), what should New York employers do to fulfill this duty while balancing legitimate business needs? And, what legal pitfalls must