Blog
BLOG / 06.11.24 /Jack Malley
Supreme Court Decision Puts Employers on Notice of Increased Risk of Discrimination Claims Based on Job Transfers
Employee dissatisfaction with job transfers is a common difficulty that employers face all the time. A recent Supreme Court decision concerning federal discrimination claims based on job transfers announced an important change in the law that managers and HR professionals must be aware of. The Supreme Court’s decision on April 17, 2024 in Muldrow v. …
BLOG / 11.16.23 /Jack Malley
New York’s New Law Restricting Employer Access to Employee Social Media Accounts
In response to a trend of employers mandating login credentials for their employees’ social media accounts for the purpose of, among other things, evaluating employees for promotions and investigations of alleged employee misconduct, New York has a new law, effective March 12, 2024, that restricts employers’ access to current and prospective employee social media accounts. …
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BLOG / 08.30.23 /Jack Malley
Second Circuit Decision Clarifies “Essential Function” Requirement for Employees Seeking Disability Accommodations
Participants in the HR/employment law world are readily familiar with the concept that an employee’s request for a reasonable disability accommodation will only be viable if the employee can perform the “essential functions” of his/her job with the accommodation. An August 18, 2023 decision issued by the Second Circuit in Tafolla v. County of Suffolk, …
BLOG / 06.21.23 /Jack Malley
NYC to Prohibit Discrimination Based on Height and Weight
On May 26, 2023, New York City amended the City’s Human Rights Law to bar employment discrimination on the basis of a person’s height and/or weight, which is effective on November 22, 2023. Exceptions under limited circumstances. There are exceptions in the law which permit employers to make decisions based on applicants’ and employees’ height …
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BLOG / 11.01.21 /Matthew J. Smith
Amendments to NYS Fair Chance Act Grant Further Rights to Job Applicants and Employees with Prior Arrests or Convictions
New York State’s “Fair Chance Act” was amended effective July 29, 2021, further limiting the rights of employers to screen job applicants and employees based on criminal history and background checks. The 2015 Fair Chance Act (the “FCA”), covering most employers with four or more employees, amended the NYC Human Rights Law by prohibiting employers …
BLOG / 08.17.21 /Jack Malley
Making Employment Law Simple: Reasonable Accommodation
Watch Jack Malley, Partner at Smith, Buss & Jacobs, LLP break down important employment law topics. Today, he discusses reasonable accommodations.
BLOG / 05.18.21 /Jack Malley
An Update on Wage Laws that Apply to New York Residential Building Owners and Workers
Jack Malley provides an update on wage laws that apply to New York residential building owners and workers in the Westchester County Business Journal. Read the full article HERE
BLOG / 04.20.21 /Jack Malley
A Summary of New York’s New Recreational Marijuana Use Law
Watch Jack Malley, Partner at Smith, Buss & Jacobs, LLP talk about New York’s recreational marijuana use law.
BLOG / 02.22.21 /Jack Malley
Court Decision Highlights The Risks Of Poor Handbook Drafting
Earlier this month the Supreme Court of Minnesota issued an interesting decision concerning two questions employment litigators regularly come across: (1) whether a handbook provision creates an employee contractual right, and (2) whether a general disclaimer in a handbook stating that its provisions are not intended to create a contract defeats a handbook contract claim. …
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BLOG / 11.10.20 /Jack Malley
The importance of training for an Employer Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy
Watch Jack Malley share a cautionary tale about the importance of training for a company’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy. For more information, please contact: Jack Malley jmalley@sbjlaw.com
BLOG / 10.13.20 /Jack Malley
NY’s New Paid Sick Leave Law Now Effective
New York State’s new Paid Sick Leave Law went into effect Sept. 30, 2020. Employees can start accruing leave now and can start using that accrued leave on Jan. 1, 2021. The new law requires employers to provide time off for employee physical or mental illnesses, family illnesses and preventative care. In addition, the law …
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BLOG / 09.15.20 /Jack Malley
Burlington Coat Factory’s $19 Million “Manager” Overtime Settlement, Another Big Employee Misclassification Hit
Companies of all sizes have taken big lawsuit hits for misclassifying managers as exempt employees – not entitled to overtime pay, merely because they are paid a salary. Under federal and New York law, in order to assert an exemption from paying overtime to its employees an employer must be prepared not only to show …
BLOG / 08.26.20 /Nancy Durand
Conducting Internal Investigations: What You Need to Know
by Nancy Durand On Thursday, August 20, 2020, Smith Buss & Jacobs’ attorney, Nancy Durand, presented a webinar entitled “How to Effectively Conduct an Internal Investigation: A Practical Guide.” In case you missed it, here’s what you need to know. An internal investigation can serve as an important tool for responding to incidents of suspected …
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BLOG / 05.28.20 /Eric P. Blaha,Jeffrey D. Buss,Kenneth R. Jacobs,Emanuela Lupu,Thomas W. SmithandDomenick J. Tammaro
COVID-19: Guidelines for Reopening Buildings
Guidelines for Reopening Buildings The pressure to relax the guidelines for access to condominium and cooperative buildings, including their common facilities, has been growing. Boards need to develop a plan for handling the increased risks that come with increased traffic within the premises and social interaction among owners. The following assumes that you have guidelines …
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BLOG / 03.19.20 /Jack Malley
Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order Requiring 75% Reduction In On-Site Workforce At All Locations; Union and Real Estate Industry Assert that Building Service Personnel and Managing Agents Provide “Essential Services.”
Governor Cuomo has ordered that all New York businesses, including not-for-profit businesses, shall utilize to the extent possible all telecommuting and work from home procedures. Further, the Governor ordered that every employer in the state shall reduce its in person workforce at all locations by 75% no later than March 20 8 p.m. This Order …
BLOG / 03.18.20 /Jack Malley
What Penalties Can Employers Suffer for Denying Coronavirus-Based Paid Sick Leave Requests?
Many of our clients have been consulting us regarding paid leave requests they anticipate related to the coronavirus. Employers should be aware of the penalties for an unlawful denial of such requests under paid sick leave laws enacted by Westchester County and NYC. The penalties include fines, back pay, job reinstatement and the payment of …
BLOG / 01.21.20 /Jack Malley
A Three Month Checkup on Important Recent Changes You Need to Know as an Employer
Over the last year or so, New York State has passed significant new legislation on employment issues and labor rights, some of which have been effective since October 2019. Thus, a three month checkup is in order. Have you faced any harassment claims under the New York State Human Rights Law? Since October 2019, claims …
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BLOG / 11.15.19 /Jack Malleyand
Medical Documentation Under the ADA: Consider Now or Pay Later
A client recently presented our firm with an interesting and complex question regarding employers’ rights to request medical documentation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The inquiry gave us the opportunity to review the law on this subject and to offer two important points that all employers should consider when addressing ADA-related issues. First, …
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BLOG / 10.23.19 /Jack Malley
Decision in Favor of Nike Highlights Factors that Defeat Retaliation Claims
Although the termination of an employee after he/she has complained to the employer about discrimination is often prohibitively risky, there are common factual scenarios that diminish that risk. Among these scenarios are a clear record of poor performance established prior to an employee’s discrimination complaint and a termination by a manager who is unaware of …
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BLOG / 10.15.19 /Emanuela LupuandJack Malley
Co-op and Condo Boards Must Pay Overtime to Live-In Supers
In our practice, we have seen an uptick in lawsuits by live-in superintendents and other full-time employees against cooperatives, condominiums, homeowners associations (HOAs), and even managing agents (who are defined as employees under federal regulations). These lawsuits are frequently commenced after the employee has been terminated, and they typically allege that the employer failed to pay overtime wages …
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BLOG / 09.13.19 /Jack Malley
Why have a well-drafted handbook? Let a federal court answer that question . . .
A Third Circuit decision on August 22, 2019, which upheld FedEx’s termination of two employees, demonstrates the value of well-drafted employee handbook policies.[1] FedEx’s employee handbook included a code of conduct that prohibited workplace violence. Among other things, the code barred “gestures and expressions” and “oral and written statements” that communicate a direct or indirect …
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BLOG / 07.19.19 /Jack Malley
Judge’s Decision Shows Why HR Professionals Must Train Supervisors On FMLA Procedures
Last month, in Moore v. GPS Hospitality Partners [i] , an Alabama judge granted a Burger King restaurant shift supervisor partial summary judgment on her FMLA interference claim. Lashondra Moore prevailed because her supervisors did not recognize that her initial requests for leave triggered her FMLA rights and did not understand how FMLA claims should …
BLOG / 06.26.19 /Jack Malley
New York State Joins The Trend Prohibiting Salary History Inquiries
Last week the New York State Legislature approved a bill prohibiting employers from soliciting prior salary information from job applicants. Governor Cuomo is expected to sign on. The new law continues a trend in the state as New York City, Albany County, Westchester County and Suffolk County have previously enacted similar laws. The New York …
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BLOG / 05.09.19 /Jack Malley
Summer’s Almost Here! Welcome to the Unpaid Intern Conundrum
Summer is approaching and employers are now considering whether to bring on unpaid interns for the season. This article discusses the parameters that employers should follow to properly classify workers as unpaid interns instead of employees entitled to minimum-wage and overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and/or New York Labor Law (“NYLL”). …
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BLOG / 03.21.19 /Jack Malley
U.S. Department of Labor Rejects New York Law Regarding Wages Paid To Live-In Superintendents
On March 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “U.S. DOL”) issued an opinion that resolves a conflict between federal law and the New York Department of Labor Building Service Industry Minimum Wage Order (the “NY Wage Order”). Although U.S. DOL opinion letters are not binding law that courts must follow, courts often give great weight to the guidance set forth in them, and employers can rely on such guidance as a good faith defense to a wage claim arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act (the “FLSA”).
BLOG / 03.08.19 /Jack Malley
New Employment Laws Alert
Please be aware of the following new laws that are effective this month:
Westchester County Paid Sick Leave Law & NYC Mandates Workplace Lactation Rooms
BLOG / 02.22.19 /Jack Malley
Tiffany Beats Religious Discrimination Claim
On February 11, 2019, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed an employee’s claim for religious discrimination against the world renowned luxury jewelry retailer, Tiffany and Company.
BLOG / 01.30.19 /Jack Malley
Jury Awards $21.5 Million To Dishwasher Who Was Fired For Requesting A Religious Accommodation
On January 14, 2019, a Florida federal court jury found a Hilton affiliated hotel liable for retaliation after it terminated the plaintiff dishwasher for seeking a religious accommodation, and awarded her $21,000,000 in punitive damages, $500,000 for emotional pain and mental anguish, and $36,000 in lost wages and benefits.
BLOG / 01.03.19 /Jack Malley
Subway Franchisee Called to Task by EEOC for Sexual Harassment of Job Applicants
On November 29, 2018, the EEOC and Draper Development, LLC, a Subway franchisee operating 24 Subway restaurants in the Albany area, entered into a Consent Decree arising from texts sent by a Schenectady store manager seeking sexual favors from two 17-year-old job applicants.
BLOG / 11.30.18 /Jack Malley
Ninth Circuit Finds Employer Not Liable For Employee’s Alleged Groping Of Co-Worker
In Robello v. Mandalay Corp. the plaintiff, Deborah Robello, a bartender employed by the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, alleged that a male bartender, Jesse Estrada, groped her breast while Robello handed him several bottles of wine. Estrada denied Robello’s allegation. Robello subsequently sued the casino for creating and tolerating a hostile work environment based on sexual harassment. The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada dismissed Robello’s claim against the casino and she appealed.
BLOG / 10.26.18 /Jack Malley
Deadline For New York State Employers To Provide Sexual Harassment Training Extended To October 9, 2019
Please be advised that the state has announced that the deadline to provide the training has been extended to October 9, 2019.
BLOG / 10.05.18 /Jack Malley
Judge Dismisses Warner Wolf’s Age Discrimination Claim Against Imus
On September 27, 2018, Hon. James E. d’Auguste dismissed the age discrimination lawsuit that Warner Wolf commenced against Don Imus earlier this year in Supreme Court, New York County.
BLOG / 09.20.18 /Jack Malley
New York Employers Required To Provide Sexual Harassment Training By January 1, 2019
As we previously reported, the New York State Sexual Harassment Law passed in April 2018 required all employers to:
Adopt the policy prohibiting sexual harassment in the form promulgated by the New York State Department of Labor (the “NYSDOL”) in consultation with the New York State Division of Human Rights, or adopt another policy that equals or exceeds the standards set by NYSDOL; and
Provide annual sexual harassment training for all their employees.
BLOG / 08.10.18 /Jack Malley
Columbia U. Professor Awarded $1.25 Million For Retaliation After Her Report Of Sexual Harassment
On July 27, 2018, former Columbia University finance professor, Enrichetta Ravina, was awarded $750,000 by a SDNY jury to be paid by the University and Geert Bekaert, the professor who allegedly harassed her, and $500,000 in punitive damages to be paid by Bekaert only.
BLOG / 07.20.18 /Jack Malley
Third Circuit Decision Sustaining Sexual Harassment Claim Influenced By Impact Of #MeToo Movement
On July 3, 2018, the Third Circuit issued a decision indicating that the #MeToo Movement has caused judges to be more cognizant of the fear of retaliation that victims of sexual harassment frequently feel.
BLOG / 07.02.18 /Jack Malley
Wal-Mart Prevails Against Sympathetic Reasonable Accommodation Plaintiff
Sophisticated employers are well-schooled in their obligations to engage in an interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation can be provided to an employee with a disability. And some employers will err on the side of providing an accommodation even if the employee cannot perform an essential function of the job.
BLOG / 06.08.18 /Jack Malley
Supreme Court Opens Door For Employers To Require Employee Class Action Waivers
In a long awaited and hotly contested case, the United States Supreme Court has upheld an employer’s right to require employees to waive their right to commence or join class and collective action lawsuits against their employer. This decision, in Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, provides a powerful mechanism for an employer to reduce the risk of costly and time-consuming multi-plaintiff litigation.
BLOG / 05.30.18 /Jack Malley
Employment Law Update
All employers should be concerned about the recently passed New York State Sexual Harassment Law. The law requires all employers to comply with the following new requirements by October 9, 2018…
BLOG / 04.09.18 /Jack Malley
Jury Awards Age Discrimination Claimant $200,000 For Retaliation
The verdict last month in Konsavage v. Mondalez Global, LLC, Case No. 3:15-cv-01155 (M.D. Pa.) provides another example of the difficulty in predicting the outcome of a retaliation claim – even where the underlying discrimination claims appear to be weak.
BLOG / 03.13.18 /Jack Malley
Jury Hits Hospital With $3.8 Million Verdict For Failing To Protect Employee From Harassment
On March 2, 2018 a Hawaii jury awarded a nurse $3.8 million on her claim that her employer, a hospital, ignored her reports of racial discrimination and harassment. The incidents occurred after the nurse reported a coworker for failing to safely care for patients in the intensive care unit. The nurse received a retaliatory note that contained racially charged language, including the “N” word. After the two people suspected of planting the note were interviewed by the hospital, a picture of a noose was taped to the nurse’s locker.
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