The DOL Weighs in on the Outside Sales Employee Exemption in Latest Opinion Letters
On June 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) released opinion letters regarding exempt employees under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). Two of the letters specifically address the outside sales employee exemption. The FLSA provisions on minimum wage and overtime laws are […]
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Supreme Court Allows Religious Schools to Hire and Fire Certain Teachers Without Adherence to Anti-Discrimination Laws
In a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that anti-discrimination laws do not apply to the employment relationship between religious schools and teachers whose job responsibilities include religious instruction and training. The decision consolidates two cases, Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru and […]
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Voluntary Travel to High-Risk States by NYS Employees Takes Away Their COVID-19 State Sick Leave Benefits
New York employees who voluntarily travel to certain high-risk states after June 25, 2020 will be ineligible for emergency paid sick leave offered under NYS law. This will not affect the leave benefits provided under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which employees […]
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Work-Related Expenses While Teleworking During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Although most states have fully or almost reopened, some businesses, such as Twitter and Salesforce, have implemented indefinite remote-working policies. Many other businesses will likely follow suit to some extent. As teleworking becomes the norm for many, the question of whether employers must reimburse employees […]
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FFCRA Leave Permitted for Employees Whose Child’s Summer Plans Are Canceled Due to COVID-19
The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) provides emergency family leave and sick leave for employees who are unable to work or telework while caring for children whose school or place of care is closed or childcare provider is unavailable due to COVID-19. Now […]
Read MoreThe Shenkman Private Client Group of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Accountant/Attorney “Summer Webinar Series.”
This morning, Chaim Book was the featured speaker on the Shenkman Private Client Group of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Accountant/Attorney “Summer Webinar Series.” Chaim addressed many topics regarding workplace law in the post-COVID-19 pandemic world including: How to prepare for re-opening offices. The legal challenges […]
Read MoreRevised PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and Guidance
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application issued by the Small Business Administration (SBA) has been updated as of June 16, 2020. Borrowers can access the revised loan forgiveness application HERE. Further, on June 22, 2020, the SBA released new Interim Final Rules on […]
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S8275A & S8181A Signed: NYS Bills Regarding Unemployment Benefits and Disaster Emergency Loans
Governor Cuomo recently signed into law two bills that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting businesses and individuals: S8181A and S8275A. Through Executive Order 202.31, Governor Cuomo temporarily suspended forfeiture of unemployment benefits that was imposed on claims based on previous false statements or representations. S8275A, which […]
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Supreme Court Rules in Favor of LGBTQ Workplace Rights
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of the United States (“Supreme Court”) ruled on June 15, 2020 by a 6-3 vote that employers who discriminate against their employees on the basis of their sexual orientation or transgender status are in violation of Title VII […]
Read MoreWhy I Prefer Mediation and Hot Topics in Employment Law
Please listen to the below recording of Chaim Book’s interview with Professor Elliot Lasson of the University of Maryland Baltimore County where Chaim discusses how he got into employment law; workplace issues that arise relating to accommodation; why he prefers mediation and what are the […]
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New York and New Jersey Prepare for Phase 2 of Reopening Their Economies
New York. In New York State, all regions except for the five boroughs of New York City have already started reopening as part of Phase 1 of Governor Cuomo’s New York Forward initiative. Governor Cuomo announced that New York City can expect to enter Phase […]
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U.S. Department of Labor Finalizes Rule on Fluctuating Workweek Pay Method
On May 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced its final rule on fluctuating workweek pay, which revises the DOL’s proposed regulation on the method of pay to employees working fluctuating hours week by week. The DOL’s final rule states that if employers […]
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OSHA’s Updated Guidance on COVID-19 Recordkeeping Obligations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to keep their workplaces safe and healthy for their employees. As part of their obligations to keep the workplace safe and healthy, employers must record and, in some cases report, injuries and illnesses. Under OSHA guidelines, […]
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Nassau County Judge Upholds Constitutionality of the Child Victims Act
On May 13, 2020, a judge in Nassau County Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Child Victims Act (“CVA”) in 44 consolidated cases brought against the Archdiocese of Rockville Centre. The Archdiocese had moved to dismiss the cases on the grounds that the recently-passed […]
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Part II: Issues to Consider for Returning to Work Post-COVID-19
In this blog post, we continue to address some common questions about returning to the worksite and protecting employees from COVID-19. What are employers’ obligations to keep employees in the workplace safe from COVID-19? Businesses and employers should follow the guidelines published by the […]
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Part I: Issues to Consider for Returning to Work Post-COVID-19
As the COVID-19 curve flattens and businesses across NYS and NJ are permitted to reopen, employers and employees have questions. In this blog post and the next, we address some common questions about returning to the worksite and protecting employees from COVID-19. Can I require […]
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Employers Can Take Body Temperatures of Employees and Must Provide Face Coverings for Employees
As some employees start to trickle back into their workplaces, employers might consider taking body temperatures of their employees to check for any high fevers. Under normal circumstances, taking body temperatures of employees would be considered a medical exam that would be subject to the […]
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Additional Guidance from SBA and Treasury on PPP Loan Forgiveness
As of May 3, 2020, further guidance from the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) provided that employers who borrowed loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will still be eligible for loan forgiveness if a previously laid-off […]
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New York’s Highest Court Deems Postmates’s Delivery Workers as Employees
There continues to be much controversy in the employee versus independent contractor status confusion that app-based services have stirred up. However, at least for New York-based delivery workers of Postmates, Inc. (Postmates), a delivery company that services its customers through its smartphone app, the law […]
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