A law signed by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul on September 14, 2023, requires New York State employers to provide a written notice of the right to file for unemployment insurance benefits to any employee whose employment has been terminated or whose scheduled working hours have been reduced. The law will take effect on November 13, 2023.
Specifically, the law provides that employers must notify employees of their right to file an application for unemployment insurance benefits “at the time of each permanent or indefinite separation from employment, reduction in hours, temporary separation, and any other interruption of continued employment that results in total or partial unemployment.” In this regard, the notification requirement is not limited only to separations from employment, but also includes situations where a reduction in hours might entitle a worker to partial benefits.
The law contemplates that the written notice be furnished on a form developed by the New York State Department of Labor.
If you have any questions regarding the content of this alert, please contact Megan Bahas, of counsel, at mbahas@barclaydamon.com, or another member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Area.