Kerri Beatty

New York State Issues Guidance Relating to Employee Cannabis Use and the Workplace

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The New York State Department of Labor (“NYSDOL”) has published guidance intended to address some of the most common situations or questions in the workplace related to adult-use cannabis and the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”). As you may recall, under the MRTA, employers may take employment action or prohibit employee conduct where: An … Read more

New York Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Allowing Employees Facing Potential Layoffs to Petition Employers to Participate in a Shared Work Program

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Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation allowing employees facing potential layoff to petition employers to participate in a Shared Work Program. Under this amendment to the New York Labor Law, workers facing layoffs in New York State now have a right to ask their employers instead to trim all worker’s hours and have unemployment insurance … Read more

New York City Court Temporarily Blocks Department of Education Vaccine Mandate

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As we previously reported, New York City Mayor de Blasio announced a mandate that all New York City public school teachers and staff would be required to get at least one dose of a vaccine by September 27, 2021 or face termination. According to the mandate, Department of Education staff would no longer have the … Read more

U.S. District Court Grants Temporary Restraining Order Barring New York From Excluding Religious Exemptions For COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate on Healthcare Workers

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On September 14, 2021, a federal judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of New York’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers seeking a religious exemption to the requirement.  The mandate requires covered entities to ensure their personnel are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with the first dose for current personnel received by September 27, 2021, for general hospitals … Read more