NEW YORK STATE AND CITY EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATE (NOVEMBER 2023)

NYC Height and Weight Ordinance… 

In May 2023, New York City enacted the NYC Height and Weight Ordinance prohibiting employers from discriminating against an individual on the basis of the individual's actual or perceived height or weight, amending the New York City Human Rights Law (the "NYCHRL") to add these two bases to the list of legally protected characteristics. (1) The NYC Height and Weight Ordinance will go into effect on November 22, 2023. 

• NYC Height and Weight Ordinance: Employers may wish to ensure that their internal policies and anti-discrimination training discuss height and weight as protected categories under the NYCHRL.

• NYS Unemployment Benefits Notice Requirement: Employers may wish to create or update their written notice of unemployment benefits to conform with NYSDOL's requirements and make sure that notice is provided not only to employees who are permanently or temporarily terminated, but to those who remain employed on a reduced basis. 

• NYS Employer Social Media Access Restrictions: Employers may wish to review the terms of their online business social media accounts and any electronic device policies or agreements to make sure that they provide employees with any necessary notice of future intent to access information on employer sponsored accounts or devices. Employers may also wish to review hiring protocols and training to ensure that employees and candidates are not asked to provide personal social media account information.

  This document is designed for general information only. The information presented in this document should not be construed to be formal legal or tax advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. 

  For more information on this and other topics, please contact Kevin via any of the channels listed below:

  📧 kevin@kmckernan.com  | 📞 718-317-5007