On September 6, Governor Hochul announced that the New York Commissioner of Health has designated COVID-19 as a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health. This new designation means that New York employers must now activate their airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plans in accordance with the…
Read Full PostConnecticut Minimum Wage Increase
Don’t Forget! CT Minimum Wage Increased Again August 1, 2021 On May 28, 2019, Governor Lamont signed into law Public Act 19-4: An Act Increasing the Minimum Fair Wage. This Act provides, in part, for the gradual increase of the State’s minimum wage over five years to $15.00 per hour by June 1, 2023. Effective…
Read Full PostConnecticut Legalizes the Use of Recreational Cannabis: What Does This Mean For Employers?
Effective July 1, 2021, Connecticut has legalized the use of recreational cannabis for adults over the age of 21. This now means that employers in Connecticut cannot discriminate against an employee or a job applicant for engaging in off-duty cannabis use. However, an employer can prohibit, and in some cases, implement discipline for the use, possession, and distribution…
Read Full PostNew York Hero Act Requires NY Employers to Adopt Airborne Infectious Disease Prevention Plan by August 5
As we have previously discussed, private employers in New York, including nonprofit organizations, will be required to adopt an airborne infectious disease prevention plan in accordance with the NY HERO Act (the Act) by August 5, 2021. New York State has issued a model plan for general businesses and 11 industry-specific plans (found here) that an employer…
Read Full PostNew Jersey Again Significantly Increases the Risks and Penalties Relating to Both Misclassifying Workers as Independent Contractors and Other Employment Compliance Failures
The New Laws For the second time in two years, New Jersey has enacted several laws that have substantially increased the risks and financial penalties for companies that misclassify workers as independent contractors or violate numerous state wage, benefit, and tax laws. Among other things, one of the laws enacted earlier this month: Permits the…
Read Full PostNew York State Audit Threshold Increases as of 7/1/2021
As of July 1, 2021, the threshold triggering the requirement for an audit in NYS increased from $750,000 to more than $1 million of gross annual revenue and support. Nonprofits that conduct business and/ or raise funds in NY State are required to file an annual financial report with the Charities Bureau of the NY State…
Read Full PostOSHA Issues New, Time-Sensitive COVID-19 Guidance
OSHA Issues Mandatory COVID-19 “Emergency Temporary Standard” for Healthcare Employers and Updates Advisory Guidance Applicable to Other Employers Immediate Action Required by Employers Providing Healthcare Services On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) released: An advance copy of its new, mandatory COVID-19 “Emergency Temporary Standard” to protect healthcare employees from contracting coronavirus; Updated advisory guidance to help protect unvaccinated…
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