This year, New York City and New York State advanced a series of legislative and regulatory proposals affecting New York’s businesses and their employees. Following four public hearings across the state, the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) proposed regulations that would expand the current “call-in” regulations by requiring two weeks’ advance notice of work schedules issued to workers in most industries, with the exception of restaurants and hotels. The proposed regulations were published on Nov. 22, 2017, just before New York City’s package of “Fair Work Week” laws became effective on Nov. 26, 2017. DOL’s proposed regulations are subject to a 45-day public comment period, which expires on Jan. 6. Contemporaneously, negotiations are ongoing with the New York City Council regarding broad new legislation that would give employees a right to arrange flexible schedules.
