The New York State Department of Labor recently amended its Minimum Wage Order for Miscellaneous Industries and Occupations to state that bona fide meal periods and sleep times may be excluded from hours worked by home care aides who work a shift of 24 hours or more consistent with federal Fair Labor Standards Act regulations.

The New York State Department of Labor has adopted regulations implementing the previously enacted state law limiting an employer’s ability to restrict an employee’s discussion about his/her wages.

As we reported last week, the New York State Department of Labor has adopted regulations implementing increases to the state minimum wage, identified required salary levels for exclusions from overtime pay for executive and administrative employees, and issued Frequently Asked Questions for employers. The new regulations are effective on December 31, 2016. Click here to read more.

A written contract, payment within 30 days, and statutory damages for non-payment of wages are among the provisions of New York City’s new freelancer protection law signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio on November 16, 2016. The law will become effective 180 calendar days after signing and will apply to contracts entered into after the effective date.

The medical marijuana program established by New York’s Compassionate Care Act has been implemented.