Bulletins

President Joe Biden’s administration is continuing its efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of the coronavirus Delta variant. On September 9, 2021, the White House ordered all federal workers and contractors to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Now, the government is imposing a similar requirement on private employers. The move is estimated to […]

Earlier this year, New York lawmakers passed a comprehensive revamp of the State’s workplace health and safety laws, known as the HERO Act. The law is intended to “to protect employees against exposure and disease during a future airborne infectious disease outbreak.” WHAT’S REQUIRED: New York employers – regardless of size, industry, or location – […]

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law March 11, 2021, provides a 100% subsidy of premiums for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA), and similar state continuation of coverage (mini-COBRA) programs. ARPA subsidies cover the full cost of COBRA or mini-COBRA premiums from April […]

New York has passed an expansive law to legalize recreational cannabis (a.k.a. marijuana). The law, called the Marijuana Regulation and Tax Act, includes strong employment protections for off-duty use, effective immediately. The law adds cannabis to New York’s existing lawful off-duty conduct law but carves out a few exceptions. As a refresher, the lawful off-duty […]

New York now requires employers of all sizes to provide paid leave to employees who are getting vaccinated for COVID-19. The law took effect immediately and applies through December 31, 2022. Employees are entitled to take up to four hours of paid leave each time they get a COVID shot. For now, this means up […]