From California’s High School courses on labor rights to mandatory pregnancy right notices, legislators are desperately trying to keep the workforce knowledgeable about the litany of new employment laws rolling out every year. Now, New York City is implementing a new initiative: a Worker Bill of Rights. The bill creates no new rights, but merely hopes to keep employees informed of their existing rights.
The initiative, spearheaded by the New York Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (“DCWP”), provides employees with a list of laws intended to protect employees such as Paid Safe and Sick Leave, Temporary Schedule Changes and Fair Workweek Law, and New York City’s Delivery Worker Laws. It also includes information about the rights enforced by other state and federal agencies, such as minimum wage and the right to unionize. Additionally, it includes information about who to contact for more information or with questions, including how employees can file a complaint. The “Worker Bill of Rights,” is published on DCWP’s website.
Employers, by July 1, 2024, must provide the Workers’ Bill of Rights notice to existing employees and subsequently distribute it to new hires on their first day of work. Employers must also prominently display the information at the workplace and, in some cases, on their websites and through other electronic means. Additionally, employers must ensure that the Bill of Rights is provided in English and any language spoken as the primary language by at least 5% of the workforce.
Failure to comply with the posting requirements could result in a $500 penalty. However, the law provides a 30-day window to correct the problem following the first violation.
Brody and Associates regularly advises management on complying with the latest local, state, and federal employment laws. If you have any questions relating to this upcoming employee notice requirement or any other employee notice requirements, please contact us at info@brodyandassociates.com or 203.454.0560.
