Venaglia & Fitzsimmons, LLP is a multi-disciplinary firm that offers legal services to public companies, privately held companies, not-for-profit corporations and individuals. These clients represent a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, hospitality, technology, media, financial services, publishing and more.
On March 3, 2022, the President signed into law a bill called “Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Harassment Act of 2021” (H.R. 4445). As the name suggests, the bill bans forced arbitration of sexual assault and sexual harassment cases, including a bar against waivers of the right to bring such claims jointly and/or … Read more
A law amending New York State’s whistleblower statute (New York Labor Law § 740), which was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul this past fall, goes into effect today, January 26, 2022. Before it was amended, the whistleblower statute generally prohibited employers from retaliating against employees who disclosed, or threatened to disclose, an activity, policy or … Read more
Experienced human resources professionals and job interviewers are familiar with a number of questions that should be avoided in a job interview or on an employment application. It’s well known that employers should generally not ask applicants direct or indirect questions about (among other things) their racial, ethnic, or religious background, or their marital status, … Read more
On October 27, 2016, the New York City Council passed a bill, known as the “Freelance Isn’t Free Act” (the “Act”). The Act requires New York City hiring parties employing freelance workers to enter into a written contract containing certain specified terms, and further requires freelancers to be paid within 30 days of completion of … Read more
Earlier this month, the New York State Assembly passed two significant pieces of legislation that will impact all employers in the state of New York, regardless of size, in the coming years. First, the new Paid Family Leave Benefits Law will create an additional payroll deduction and entitle employees to up to 12 weeks of … Read more
New York City’s Department of Consumer Affairs[1] recently adopted substantial amendments to the regulations under New York City’s Earned Sick Time Act (the “Act”), which generally requires New York City businesses employing five or more employees (or one or more domestic worker) to annually provide 40 hours of paid sick leave to its employees. The … Read more
On January 1, 2016 employers with 20 or more full-time employees in New York City will be required to offer up to $130 in pre-tax transit benefits to their employees. The law covers a wide array of employers including for-profit and nonprofit businesses, business headquartered outside the City with NYC-based employees, and chain businesses. Employers … Read more