Paid Vaccination Leave, Expanded Whistleblower Protection, and Paid Family Leave – Another Round of New Employment Laws and Guidance for New York Employers

In yet another round of legislation and administrative decision-making, New York State recently expanded its paid vaccination leave requirements, whistleblower protection laws, and paid family leave requirements. New York employers should immediately review their employment policies and practices to ensure compliance with these new employment protections, which go into effect at the times described below.

Effective Immediately – Paid Vaccination Leave for Booster Shots

On October 12, 2021, the New York State Department of Labor (“NYDOL”) updated its guidance (the “Vaccination Guidance”) regarding paid leave time for COVID-19 vaccinations under Section 196-c of the New York Labor Law (“NYLL”), which requires New York employers to provide up to four (4) hours of paid leave per vaccine injection.

Specifically, the Frequently Asked Questions portion of the Vaccination Guidance was updated to provide that, in addition to being entitled to up to four (4) hours of paid leave for each shot of the initial COVID-19 vaccination series, employees must also receive up to four (4) hours of paid leave for each vaccine booster shot. As a result, New York employers should immediately begin providing such paid leave to any employee who wishes to receive a COVID-19 booster shot.

Effective January 26, 2022 – Expanded Whistleblower Protection

On October 28, 2021, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation (S.4394A/A.5144A) amending Section 140 of the NYLL, which prohibits retaliation by employers against whistleblowers. The amendments, which go into effect on January 26, 2022, dramatically expand both who is protected by the law and what constitutes protected activity.

1. Expanded Scope of Protected Activity

Prior to these amendments, the types of activity protected by Section 140 of the NYLL were construed narrowly. Namely, Section 140 formerly prohibited retaliation against employees who reported an “activity, policy or practice that is in violation of law, rule or regulation” (i.e., reporting an actual violation was required to receive whistleblower protection) and only when such violation “create[d] and present[ed] a substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety” or concerned healthcare fraud.

Under the new law, the scope of protected activity is expanded in two (2) ways. First, an employee no longer must report conduct that “is in violation” of a law, rule, or regulation and need only disclose what they “reasonably believe” to be a violation of law, rule, or regulation to receive whistleblower protection. Second, the alleged violation does not need to pose “a substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety” or concern healthcare fraud to be protected.

2. Expanded Definitions

Additionally, the amendments to Section 140 of the NYLL expanded various definitions, thereby conveying whistleblower protection to additional individuals and activities that were not previously covered. Some of the more significant changes include:

  • In addition to current employees, former employees and current and former independent contractors are now included under the definition of “employee” and will receive whistleblower protections under the law.
  • The definition of “law, rule or regulation” is expanded to include executive orders and any judicial or administrative decision, ruling, or order.
  • The definition of “retaliation” includes any action or threat that would adversely impact a current or former employee’s current or future employment.

3. Additional Noteworthy Changes

The law also makes the following significant changes to Section 140 of the NYLL:

  • The statute of limitations for a retaliation claim increases from one (1) year to two (2) years.
  • Section 140 of the NYLL does not protect employees who report an alleged violation to a public body without first making a good faith effort to notify their employer and give the employer a reasonable opportunity to rectify the issue. The amendments now create certain exceptions to this rule when: (1) the employee reasonably believes that the supervisor is already aware of and will not correct the alleged wrongdoing or (2) if first reporting the alleged wrongdoing to the employer would result in (i) the destruction of evidence or concealment of the illegal activity, (ii) endangerment of a child, or (iii) physical harm to the employee or any other person.
  • Whistleblower plaintiffs are now entitled to a jury trial under the law.
  • The amendments contain new explicit remedies and penalties that include front pay, reinstatement, injunctive relief, compensation for lost wages and benefits, a civil penalty of $10,000, attorneys’ fees, and punitive damages.
  • Employers must now post a notice of employees’ rights under the new law in a conspicuous, well-lighted, and easily accessible place that is customarily frequented by employees and applicants for employment.

Given the substantial and material nature of the changes to Section 140 of the NYLL, employers should begin taking steps to prepare for an increase in internal complaints and potential whistleblower claims by reviewing anti-retaliation policies and practices and providing training for supervisors in properly responding to employee complaints.

Effective January 1, 2023 – Expanded Paid Family Leave

On November 1, 2021, Governor Hochul signed legislation (S.2928-A/A.06098-A) amending the New York Paid Family Leave Law to allow for leave to care for “siblings”. Under the New York Paid Family Leave Law, eligible employees are provided with job-protected, paid leave to care for a “family member” with a serious health condition. Since January 1, 2021, eligible workers have been entitled to take up to twelve (12) weeks of leave at 67% of their pay, up to a cap set by the State.

Currently, “family members” include an employee’s spouse, domestic partner, child (including a biological, adopted or foster child, step-child or child of a domestic partner, legal ward, or one whom the employee stands in loco parentis), parent (including a biological parent, adoptive or foster parent, step-parent, parent-in-law, legal guardian, or one who stood in loco parentis to the employee as a child), grandparent, or grandchild. Effective January 1, 2023, the amendment will expand the definition of a “family member” to include an employee’s biological, adopted, step, and half-sibling(s).

As the law continues to evolve on these matters, please note that this article is current as of date and time of publication and may not reflect subsequent developments. The content and interpretation of the issues addressed herein is subject to change. Cole Schotz P.C. disclaims any and all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this publication to the fullest extent permitted by law. This is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Do not act or refrain from acting upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining legal, financial and tax advice. For further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to your firm contact or to any of the attorneys listed in this publication.

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