On November 6, 2017, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) which amends Chapter 8 of Title 20 to the New York City Administrative Code. On May 5, 2018, the new law will take effect that affords leave time to victims and to the family members of victims of family offenses, sexual offenses, stalking, and human trafficking. Continue reading “New York City Safe Time Act”
Tag: employer
NYC Interns Now Protected
Over the past century, labor laws have evolved to protect many classes of individuals — including men, women and children. US labor laws protections regulate workplace conditions including: harassment and discrimination in the workplace, workers’ health, and minimum pay. However, in recent years, the social progress of employment protections have come under question regarding a specific group of people….interns. In late March 2014, interns in New York City were granted the rights and protections that they argue they so rightfully deserve.
Texas Construction Worker Dies on the Job
Although many safeguards are put into place to ensure the safety of employees, it is an unfortunate reality that accidents and casualties still occur. Unforeseen mishaps can turn into tragedy all too quickly, as was the recent case with an on-the-job accident involving a Texas construction worker.
One construction worker was treated for hypothermia, while another was pronounced dead after an on-the-job accident took place during construction of the Baylor University football stadium and pedestrian bridge.
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Former Employee Loses Job After Reporting Discrimination
As an employee, you spend much of your time and energy dedicated to your work and career. In return, you expect compensation but you also expect to be treated fairly, honestly and with respect. Unfortunately, workplace discrimination occurs all too often around the country and it acts a reminder of the difficulties many employees have to face.
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College Athletes Petition to Become Union
For the first time in history, college athletes are petitioning to be represented by labor unions and have taken the first step in the process of being recognized as employees under the National Labor Relations Act.
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NYC Pregnancy Protections in Effect; Federal Law Still Stalled
Although it may seem to be a primitive concept to many, that pregnant women deserve the same protections that other groups receive regarding employment laws, it is not the case. While there have been some small and local victories, a national victory has yet to be gained.
Despite the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978’s bar on discrimination toward pregnant employees, many American women are forced out of their jobs or denied accommodations that would allow them to continue working once they become pregnant.
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NYC Earned Sick Time Act May Be Expanding
Mayor Bill de Blasio and incoming Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced that the New York City Council will look to expand the Earned Sick Time Act within the year.
According to the Mayor, the updated law would: (i) protect an additional 500,000 City employees, including those in the manufacturing sector, by expanding the paid leave requirement to employers with 5 or more employees starting in April 2014; (ii) expand the definition of family members so that employees could use sick leave to care for grandparents, grandchildren and siblings; and (iii) allow employees to use sick time as they accrue it rather than wait 120 days after they started working.
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Golf Course Accused of Age Discrimination by Former Employee
Ramon Alcantara, a former employee of Pebble Beach Co. for over 20 years, alleges he was fired as a result of age discrimination late in 2013. According to the complaint, Alcantara, who is over 55 years of age, injured his back while replacing a 50-pound pump motor at the beach and tennis club.
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Haitian Nurse Sues New York Hospital for Racial Discrimination
Diana St Gerard, 64, a nurse in the mental health unit at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, Long Island claims that she was mocked by colleagues who said her Haitian accent was “irritating.” More importantly, Ms. St Gerard alleges that she was fired after complaining that several white staffers discriminated against her, minority patients and their families. She went on to explain that a co-worker even mocked her with a voodoo doll because of her nationality.
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New Jersey Limits Employer Access to Employees’ Social Media Accounts
A new law which took effect on December 1, 2013 makes New Jersey the latest of a growing number of states – including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington – that prohibit employers from requesting access to the social media accounts of current or prospective employees. The law also prohibits employers from retaliating or discriminating against any such individual who either refuses to provide such access or who complains about what he or she believes to be a violation of the law.
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