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Category Archives: Workplace Rights

Scrolling Under Surveillance: A New Yorker’s Guide to Bosses, Feeds, and the Law

March 3rd, 2026 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, NY., Syracuse, Workplace Rights |

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

It’s a simple question, with complicated answers: What can my employer do about my social media? Below is a practical overview of the rules that actually exist today—what employers may monitor, the limits on digging into your private accounts, and how other common contract terms (non‑competes, NDAs, training‑repayment clauses) intersect with your online life.

 

1) Monitoring: when New York employers must warn you

Since May 7, 2022, private employers in New York that monitor or intercept employees’ phone calls, emails, or internet use must give prior written notice at hire and post a conspicuous notice in the workplace. The statute—New York Civil Rights Law § 52‑c, covers “any electronic device or system” but excludes system‑maintenance processes (e.g., spam filters) that are not targeted at a particular individual. Employers must advise new hires that calls, emails, or internet access may be monitored at any time by lawful means.

Implication for workers: Electronic monitoring at work is allowed with notice. If you never received a written acknowledgment at hire or can’t find the posted notice, that’s a compliance red flag.

 

2) Your private social media: the password wall

Effective March 12, 2024, New York added Labor Law § 201‑i, prohibiting employers from requesting or requiring access to an employee’s or applicant’s personal social media accounts—including usernames, passwords, “shoulder‑surfing” log‑ins, or compelled reproduction of private content. Retaliation for refusing is barred.

Limited exceptions exist for non‑personal (business) accounts that access employer systems, certain employer‑provided or employer‑paid devices (with advance notice and explicit agreement), compliance with court orders, and viewing publicly available content.

The New York State Department of Labor has published a public fact sheet reinforcing that employers cannot demand personal account credentials or force in‑person access, and clarifying that publicly available information remains visible to employers. [dol.ny.gov]

Implication for workers: You can say no to password requests and coerced access to personal accounts. If you use an employer‑provided device or a BYOD device, access rights must be disclosed in advance and employers must show that you explicitly agreed.

 

3) Off‑duty online activity: statutory protection, unsettled edges

New York’s Labor Law § 201‑d protects employees from adverse action based on lawful, off‑duty political and recreational activities—defined to include hobbies like reading or viewing media—as long as they occur outside work hours, off employer premises, and without employer equipment. The statute’s text is broad; it also protects “political matters,” with specific definitions.

But word to the wise: Court interpretations of the lawful off-duty activities law have not been particularly employee-friendly. Case in point, in Sander v. Westchester Reform Temple, 2025 N.Y. Slip Op. 06958 (N.Y. Dec. 16, 2025), the New York Court of Appeals did not decide whether blogging or social‑media speech is a “recreational activity” under § 201‑d. The case was dismissed on other grounds.

Implication for workers: § 201‑d can protect off‑duty lawful online activity, but protection is not absolute. Expect further litigation.

 

4) NLRA protections for social media: concerted activity still counts

If you and your coworkers discuss wages, taxes, scheduling, or working conditions on social media, that can be protected concerted activity under § 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). But be careful. Disloyal, maliciously false statements can still get you fired. And the decisions of the NLRB (the board that enforces the NLRA) generally reflect the political views of the administration that appointed the board members.

Implication for workers: Discussions with coworkers about workplace terms on social media can be protected.

 

5) Policies employers are allowed to have—and how to read them

  • Monitoring policies with proper notice (see § 52‑c): permissible if they disclose scope and method and are posted as required.
  • Social media policies restricting disclosure of confidential information, harassment, and unlawful conduct: generally lawful, but they must be narrow enough not to chill NLRA‑protected concerted activity.
  • Access to business accounts and employer‑paid devices: prohibited, but exceptions apply under Labor Law § 201‑i if the employer has given advance notice and received explicit consent. Employers may also view publicly available content.

 

6) Related contract terms that affect your online life

  • Non‑competes

Non‑competes in New York are enforced as long as a court finds them reasonable and necessary to protect legitimate interests such as trade secrets, confidential client relationships, or truly unique services. A 2023 bill to broadly ban non‑competes was vetoed; thus, current New York law continues to apply. Federally, the FTC’s 2024 Noncompete Rule is not in effect and was abandoned on appeal in September 2025; the FTC now pursues case‑by‑case actions instead.

Social media angle: If your online activity involves soliciting clients you personally served or trading on confidential lists, your employer (or former employer) may accuse you of violating the clause.

  • NDAs and Confidentiality Clauses

Like non-competes, routine workplace NDAs to protect trade secrets are enforceable in New York when they are reasonable in scope and duration. But if the NDA is part of a settlement package (and yes, notwithstanding new restrictions on NDAs for claims involving discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, it’s still possible for an enforceable NDA to show up in a settlement agreement), you can get sued for violating that clause.

Social media angle: If you’re talking about stuff you agreed not to talk about on your social, the employer might take you to court.

 

7) Practical guidance

  • Confirm notice: If you’re monitored at work, ask for the written notice they are claiming that you acknowledged, and check for the posted policy; lack of notice points to § 52‑c problems.
  • Protect passwords: Decline any request for your personal social media credentials or forced access; Labor Law § 201‑i protects that refusal. Document the request and talk to an attorney about it.
  • Know your NLRA rights: Group discussions with coworkers about wages or conditions—even online—are often protected; discipline for such activity may violate the NLRA.

 

Defend your digital life

Don’t let overreach creep from the employee handbook into your private feed. If a policy goes beyond lawful monitoring, if a manager demands passwords, or if an employer tries to use a contract provision to control your social media activity, push back. The statutes and cases above give you leverage. If you have questions, talk to a workers’ rights attorney in your jurisdiction. Your rights don’t end where your timeline begins.

 

 

Handshake or Handcuffs? A New Yorker’s Field Guide to Employment Contracts

February 24th, 2026 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, NY., Workplace Rights |

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Written for New York workers who want the straight story on written job contracts—what they promise, what they limit, and when the law takes your side.

The baseline in New York: at‑will employment (and what a written contract can change)

New York presumes most jobs are at‑will—either party can end the relationship at any time, for any (lawful) reason, unless a statute or an agreement says otherwise. New York courts have rejected a broad “wrongful discharge” tort and emphasized that only express limits change the at‑will default. Written contracts that specify a fixed term, “just cause” standards, or progressive discipline can meaningfully alter job security; handbooks or oral assurances rarely do unless very specific and not disclaimed. But written contracts come with their own pitfalls, which can literally trap (and we do mean “literally” in its literal sense) the unwary employee.

Pros and cons of written employment contracts

  • Good things about employment contracts can include…
    • Defined term or just‑cause protection: increases job security compared to at‑will.
    • Compensation clarity: duties, pay, bonuses, equity, severance—ambiguity drops, enforceability rises.
    • Dispute forums: venue and governing law provisions can reduce uncertainty, but watch out for anti-worker arbitration clauses and provisions that set the venue in a far-away state.

  • Potential downsides

    • Mobility restraints: non‑competes, non‑solicits, and TRAPs (training‑repayment provisions) can limit future moves or add exit costs. See below for New York’s latest rules.
    • Liquidated damages / penalties: New York courts scrutinize them and may refuse enforcement if disproportionate to harm (penalties are not favored).
    • Forum and law selection: New York generally honors sophisticated choice‑of‑law clauses, but some employment statutes override contract language.
    • One–sided termination provisions: Does the contract allow the employer to end the contract but not you? Does the employer get a longer notice period than the employee?
    • One-sided fee-shifting provisions: Watch out for the attorneys’ fee provisions. They are often written so that the employee pays the employer’s attorneys’ fees, but not vice versa. A more fair option is “loser pays,” which can make both sides think twice before engaging in frivolous litigation.

 

Common contract terms—and how they affect job security and mobility

1) Non‑compete clauses:

New York courts enforce employee non‑competes if they are reasonable in time and geography, necessary to protect legitimate business interests (trade secrets, confidential customer relationships, or truly unique services), not harmful to the public, and not unduly burdensome.

  • Current New York legislative status: In December 2023, Governor Hochul vetoed a near‑total non‑compete ban (S3100A/A1278B). Non‑competes therefore remain governed by New York case law, not a categorical statute.
  • Federal overlay (2024–2025): The FTC’s nationwide non‑compete final rule (issued in 2024) did not take effect; it was enjoined in litigation and, in September 2025, the FTC dismissed its appeals. The agency now states the Noncompete Rule “is not in effect and is not enforceable,” though it pursues case‑by‑case Section 5 actions.
  • What it means: If your contract has a non‑compete, the employer must show it protects legitimate interests and is narrowly tailored. Overbroad covenants—especially those that bar work for a competitor without tying the restriction to sensitive information or unique services—face skepticism.

 

2) Confidentiality Clauses:

  1. B) Workplace confidentiality: Confidentiality clauses can be enforced to protect trade secrets or confidential business information if reasonable in scope and duration under New York’s restrictive‑covenant framework
  • Exception: NDAs that broadly muzzle lawful reporting or whistleblowing face invalidation.
  • Not to be confused with: New York has heavy restrictions on NDAs in severance or settlement agreements taking place in the context of potential or actual litigation involving alleged discrimination or harassment. Beyond the scope of this article, if you are looking at an NDA after reporting discrimination or harassment, take that ish to a lawyer asap.
  • What it means: Routine workplace confidentiality are supposed to be targeted and not suppress lawful rights, but ridiculously broad confidentiality provisions are still pretty common.

 

3) Training Repayment Agreement Provisions (TRAPs) / “Stay‑or‑Pay”: 

As of December 19, 2025, New York enacted the Trapped at Work Act (A584C/S4070B), adding Article 37 to the Labor Law (§§ 1050–1055). The Act declares “employment promissory notes” that require a worker to pay money if they leave before a stated period—including provisions characterizing repayment as training reimbursement—unconscionable, against public policy, and unenforceable.

  • Limited exceptions exist (e.g., repayment of advances not used for training, payment for property sold or leased to the worker, certain sabbatical terms, and collective bargaining programs). The NYSDOL may seek civil penalties of $1,000–$5,000 per violation; workers sued to enforce such notes may recover attorneys’ fees upon a successful defense.
  • What it means: “Stay‑or‑pay” schemes that deter quitting by attaching debt for employer‑provided training are broadly prohibited in New York, but genuine sign‑on bonuses or wage advances not tied to training may remain recoverable under the Act’s exceptions.

 

4) Liquidated damages and penalty clauses: 

  • Liquidated Damages Clauses are designed to hold the other party “in terrorem” (literally, “in terror”) of doing anything to breach the contract. They are a dirty trick in employment contracts, and they’re a real problem when an employer has discretion to determine what constitutes a breach.
  • Anything that says that actual damages “would be difficult to ascertain,” names an amount that does not correspond with any actual loss on the employer’s part (for example, an amount based on the employee’s annual salary), or claims that the amount is “agreed upon” is suspect.
  • Not to be confused with: like NDAs in settlement or severance agreements involving discrimination claims, liquidated damages in those types of agreements are statutorily prohibited.
  • What it means: There’s no reason for these to be in most employment contracts. If your prospective employer is pushing you to accept this kind of term, you’re being threatened with punishment before you’ve ever set foot in the workplace. It’s worth re-evaluating whether you really want to work for these people.

 

5) Arbitration, venue, and governing law: 

Mandatory arbitration clauses in employment contracts can significantly disadvantage workers because they shift disputes out of the public court system and into a private forum controlled by rules that often favor employers. Key concerns include:

  • Low win rates for employees: Studies show that employees prevail in only about 21–34 % of employment arbitration cases—significantly lower than success rates in court litigation, which range from roughly 11 % to 38 %, depending on the data set.
  • Smaller financial awards: Among employees who do win, median arbitration awards are commonly around $36,500, substantially lower than typical court verdicts—which can far exceed six figures.
  • “Repeat-player” advantage: Employers often repeatedly participate in arbitration, leading to repeat-employer–arbitrator pairings. Analyses indicate employees in such repeat settings receive lower win rates and smaller awards, reinforcing systemic bias.
  • Is it legal? New York permits arbitration of many employment disputes, but specific state and federal statutes impose carve‑outs or procedures (e.g., GOL § 5‑336 and CPLR § 5003‑B constraints on settlement terms in discrimination matters). Choice‑of‑law and forum clauses may be honored, but cannot contract around nonwaivable worker protections.
  • What does it mean? The employer is looking for an easy win.

 

6) Jury‑Trial Waiver Provisions

These provisions require employees to relinquish their right to have a jury decide any legal claims (for example, discrimination or retaliation). These provisions can disadvantage employees in several ways:

  • Loss of jury protections: Employees give up the benefits of a jury’s perspective—such as community standards, empathy, and collective decision-making—in favor of a sole judge, who may interpret law and facts more technically. Jurors tend to be pretty favorable to employees (after all, most jurors are employees themselves), so the loss of a jury trial can be a punch in the gut to a legal claim.
  • Enforceability in New York: Courts will uphold jury waivers if they are knowing, voluntary, and explicit. Spoiler alert: if you sign the agreement, that jury-trial waiver is knowing, voluntary, and explicit.
  • What does it mean? Like the arbitration clause, a jury-trial waiver means the employer is looking for an easy win.

 

How the rules play out in real life: security vs. mobility

A fixed‑term contract with a just‑cause clause can improve job security. But that security may come at the cost of post‑employment restrictions (such as non-competes, non-solicitations, and other restrictions), liquidated damages clauses, arbitration clauses, jury-trial waivers, and other nasty items.

Practical Steps Before Signing or Leaving a Job

  • Scrutinize Restrictive Covenants
    Review any non-compete or confidentiality clauses. Ask: Is this tied to specific clients or trade secrets? If it’s overly broad (e.g., bans working in your entire industry), try to negotiate narrower terms—shorter duration, smaller geographic scope, and clear definitions of “confidential information.”
  • Negotiate Limitations on Post-Employment Restrictions
    Push for language that allows you to use general skills and experience in future jobs. If the contract restricts solicitation, ensure it applies only to customers you personally serviced, not the employer’s entire client base.
  • Eliminate “Stay-or-Pay” Clauses
    If you see a training repayment provision or any clause requiring you to pay money if you leave early, request removal. Under New York’s Trapped at Work Act (Labor Law §§1050–1055), these provisions are generally unenforceable. You can point that out during negotiations. If they won’t remove it, get a lawyer asap.
  • Have a Lawyer Review Before You Sign
    Even if the contract looks straightforward, employment agreements often contain hidden risks. A qualified employment attorney can spot problematic clauses—such as non-competes, arbitration requirements, or liquidated damages—and advise you on negotiating better terms.

 

Don’t let overreaching contracts box you in. Employers count on workers signing without question—but you have every right to push back. If a clause looks like a trap, challenge it. If the terms feel one-sided, negotiate. And if the contract threatens your future, get legal advice before you sign. Your career isn’t a bargaining chip—make sure the fine print works for you, not against you.

 

Need help? Contact an experienced employment lawyer in your area to review your contract, explain your rights, and fight back against unfair terms. Protect your future—start with a legal consultation today.

 

Bugged at Work? The Legal Buzz on NY Electronic Surveillance Laws in the Workplace

February 12th, 2026 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, Syracuse, Workplace Rights |

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Overview of Employee Monitoring in New York

New York’s approach to workplace surveillance draws from federal statutes, state laws, judicial decisions, and labor regulations to protect employee privacy. Employers must follow strict notice, consent, and restraint rules to lawfully monitor digital and physical employee activities.

 

  1. Electronic Monitoring: Required Notice & Consent

  • Civil Rights Law § 52‑c (effective May 7, 2022): Requires private employers in New York to provide written notice at hiring (or when monitoring begins) if they monitor emails, phone calls, or internet usage. They must also post conspicuous notices in the workplace and obtain acknowledgment from new hires; existing employees only need workplace postings.
  • Notice must specify that communications on electronic devices may be monitored “by any lawful means”.
  • Violations can lead to enforcement actions by the New York Attorney General, though there is no private right of action.

 

  1. Video, GPS & Biometric Surveillance

  • Video surveillance is permitted in public areas (e.g., store floors, building entrances), but prohibited in private areas like bathrooms, locker rooms, or other spaces where privacy is expected.
  • GPS on company vehicles is allowed with notice, but tracking private vehicles or personal travel without consent is prohibited.

 

  1. Labor & Common Law Protections

  • Labor Law § 201‑d restricts employers from accessing employees’ personal social media accounts without consent.
  • Labor Law § 203‑c echoes the notice requirement for electronic monitoring, reflecting the statutory purpose of enabling informed consent.
  • New York common law supports a “reasonable expectation of privacy” in non‑monitorable settings, although those settings are few and far between in the workplace.

 

  1. Unionized Workplaces & Surveillance Limits

  • Under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and relevant federal decisions, employers cannot implement surveillance that interferes with union activities or chills rights under § 7 of the NLRA.
  • New York’s Taylor Law (for public employees) and related provisions protect collective bargaining rights and prohibit employer actions that interfere with union organizing or representation. Coercive or unequal monitoring tied to union activity may violate these protections.

 

  1. Current & Proposed Legislative Changes

  • Assembly Bill A8917 (2025)—introduced July 16, 2025 and currently in committee—would prohibit employers from using surveillance tools to monitor employees in off-duty private areas, including residences, vehicles, or personal property.
  • Assembly Bill A8931 (2025)—also in committee—would ban the use of electronic monitoring for disciplinary purposes, require “just cause” for discharge, and regulate data use in disciplinary contexts.
  • Both bills are pending in the Labor Committee.

 

  1. What Workers Should Know

  • Employers can legally monitor company-issued devices, communications, and public areas—provided they issue the required notice under § 52‑c.
  • Personal devices, private conversations, and private spaces (bathrooms, locker rooms, residences) are off‑limits for monitoring, absent express consent.
  • Union activity is protected—monitoring aimed at union suppression may violate the NLRA or the Taylor Law.
  • If your employer fails to post notice, obtains recordings improperly, or uses surveillance for discipline without transparency, then talk to your union rep, or a workplace lawyer, or the New York State Attorney General.

 

Don’t let silence become surrender. Surveillance in the workplace isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a question of dignity and rights. New York law gives you leverage: demand notice, challenge overreach, and hold employers accountable when they cross the line. Privacy isn’t a privilege; it’s a legal shield. If your boss is watching where they shouldn’t, speak up, file complaints, and, if necessary, lawyer up. Your workplace is not a panopticon—make sure it stays that way.

 

 

 

Paid Family Leave Isn’t Just for Babies: NY Workers’ Guide to Paid Family Leave Rights

February 4th, 2026 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, NY., Syracuse, Workplace Rights |

Tags: , , , , , ,

 

 

Paid Family Leave Is Available To (a lot of, but not all) NY Workers

New York’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) found at New York Workers’ Compensation Law, Chapter 67, Article 9, § 203-A, provides for certain types of job-protected, paid leave, and prohibits retaliation. It is funded through insurance that the employer purchases, typically a rider on a short-term disability policy, overseen by the Department of Financial Services and the Workers’ Compensation Board.

NY PFL is different from Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, which is unpaid and can be used to cover the employee’s own medical conditions. NY PFL is not available to cover leave necessitated by the employee’s own medical conditions.

PFL provides up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave for:

  1. Bonding with a newly born, adopted, or fostered child.
  2. Caring for a family member (expanded definition includes parents, grandparents, siblings, in-laws, domestic partners, grandchildren) with a serious health condition.
  3. Qualifying exigencies related to active duty by a spouse, child, or parent in the military.

Who Is Eligible—and When

Most private-sector employees in New York are covered, subject to work history eligibility:

  • Full-time (≥20 hrs/week): eligible after 26 consecutive weeks on the job.
  • Part-time (<20 hrs/week): eligible after 175 days worked, which need not be consecutive.

Employees retain eligibility unless they leave that employer. If you switch jobs, you must meet eligibility again with the new employer.

Excluded employees, such as public employees, licensed clergy, top-tier university faculty, and out-of-state employees may be voluntarily covered by employers; public employees are covered only if their employer opts in or through collective bargaining.

Immigration status is irrelevant to eligibility.

What You’ll Get—How Much Is Paid?

Effective January 1, 2025:

  • 67% wage replacement, up to 67% of the New York State Average Weekly Wage (NYSAWW).
  • NYSAWW (2026): $1,833.63, so max PFL benefit: $1,228.53/week, for up to 12 weeks.
  • Check the NYS Paid Leave website for updates: https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/

Funds are drawn from employee payroll deductions (on top of disability insurance):

  • 2026 0.432% of gross wages, capped at $411.91. Check the NYS Paid Leave website for updates: https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/
  • Contributions are after-tax, and calculated including commissions/bonuses.

Employers must carry PFL insurance and collect contributions; they may also pay the premium themselves, though that’s optional.

Your Legal Protections

  • Job Protection: Return to same or a comparable position.
  • Health Insurance Continuity: Your employer must maintain insurance on the same terms as while you were working.
  • Anti-Retaliation: Employers may not discharge or penalize PFL users. If they do, you can file a discrimination complaint with the Workers’ Compensation Board using Form PFL‑DC‑120, or request reinstatement via PFL-DC-119.

The Application Process

  1. Notification: Give your employer at least 30 days in advance, if leave is foreseeable; otherwise ASAP.
  2. Form PFL-1: You fill out Part A; your employer completes Part B within 3 business days.
  3. Supporting documentation:
    • Bonding: Form PFL-2 + birth/adoption/foster paperwork.
    • Caring: Form PFL-3 or PFL-4 (completed by healthcare provider).
    • Military exigency: Form PFL-5 + military documentation.
    • COVID-19: as specified in isolation/quarantine guidance.
  4. Submit to PFL insurance carrier (not your employer or the State) within 30 days of leave start.
  5. Carrier Decision: Must approve or deny within 18 days of receiving a completed claim or first leave day, whichever comes later.
  6. Appeal Rights: You can request arbitration or challenge denials through established processes.

Proposed Changes on the Horizon

As of December 19, 2025, Governor Hochul signed a bill extending PFL eligibility for multi-employer construction workers. This enhances coverage under statute § 203-A. But the change does not take effect until further regulation is completed.

Final Takeaway

NY’s Paid Family Leave is a critical worker right backed by law, not courtesy. Covered workers have the right to:

  • Paid, job‑protected leave for bonding, caregiving, or military exigency.
  • Protections against retaliation.
  • A process governed by statute and regulation.

If your employer denies your claim, penalizes you, or fails to comply, contact an employment attorney to ensure your rights are upheld.

 

 

Cubicles, Clicks & the Quiet Corners: A 2026 Guide to NY Workers’ Privacy

January 27th, 2026 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, NY., Syracuse, Workplace Rights |

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

New York workers have privacy rights at work—just not in all the places you might expect. Here’s a practical overview of current New York laws, regulations, and decisions that shape what your employer can and cannot do regarding your behavior and communications—on the job, online, and off-duty.

 

  • Electronic communications & employer monitoring (email, web, calls)

    • Notice before monitoring. Since May 7, 2022, private employers in New York who monitor employees’ telephone calls, email, or internet use must give written notice at hire, and they have to show that the employee acknowledged receipt. Employers must also post conspicuous notice. The statute defines “electronic device or system” to include computers, phones, and radio systems). But the statute only provides for enforcement by the NY Attorney General; there’s no private right of action for individual employees in the statute. Which means you can report it, but you can’t personally sue it.
    • What doesn’t require notice. Routine processes for system maintenance or protection (e.g., spam filters, firewalls) are exempt if they are not aimed at a particular employee’s communications.
    • Audio recording and “one‑party consent.” New York is a one‑party consent state—recordings are lawful when at least one party to the conversation consents; secret third‑party recording without any party’s consent can be criminal. Recordings are sometimes very helpful in proving workplace discrimination or other labor law violations. But Employees should be mindful that violating Penal Law §§ 250.00 & 250.05 carries criminal exposure.

  • Social media: passwords, forced access, and employer investigations

    • Your passwords are off-limits. Effective March 12, 2024, New York Labor Law § 201‑i prohibits employers from requesting, requiring, or coercing employees or applicants to disclose usernames, passwords, or other credentials for personal accounts, to access personal accounts in the employer’s presence, or to reproduce content from such accounts obtained by prohibited means. Anti‑retaliation protections apply.
    • The carve‑outs. Employers may (1) require access to non‑personal accounts that connect to internal systems; (2) access employer‑provided or employer‑paid devices if prior notice and explicit agreement were given; (3) comply with legal or regulatory mandates (e.g., FINRA/SEC recordkeeping in regulated industries); and (4) view publicly available information or material voluntarily shared for investigating misconduct.
    • NLRB & “concerted activity” on social platforms. Separate from state law, the National Labor Relations Act protects most private‑sector employees when they join together (including online) to discuss wages, benefits, or working conditions. Individual “gripes” are not protected, but posts seeking to initiate or prepare for group action can be. Employer social‑media policies that “chill” these rights may be found to be illegal.

  • Cameras, audio, and other workplace monitoring:

    • While New York has no single omnibus statute banning workplace cameras, secret recording in areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., restrooms, changing rooms) can implicate criminal unlawful surveillance provisions and other liabilities. So employers should not be using cameras in private spaces. Additionally, cameras in unionized workplaces are generally restricted to what the employer and union have negotiated. So if you see a camera, ask your union rep.

  • Off‑duty conduct: politics, recreational activities, cannabis & more

    • Labor Law § 201‑d. New York prohibits employers from discriminating based on certain lawful, off‑duty activities outside work hours, off premises, and without employer equipment. Examples of such activities include political activities, legal recreational activities, and legal use of consumable products (including cannabis under state law). There are pretty overwhelming exceptions that may totally undermine the rule (e.g., material conflict of interest, federal law compliance, loss of federal funding, or collective bargaining restrictions). But that’s not a reason to stop questioning employer activities that appear to be targeting lawful cannabis use.
    • Cannabis: off‑duty is protected; on‑duty impairment is not. The MRTA amended § 201‑d and the NY Department of Labor issued guidance: employers may not discriminate for lawful off‑duty cannabis use, and most marijuana testing is prohibited unless required by law or mandate; odor alone is not proof of impairment. Employers may act if the employee, while working, displays specific articulable symptoms that lessen job performance or undermine workplace safety, or where federal law/funding compels action. Which begs the question: how do you tell the difference between a person who is high and a person who has bad allergies? Watch this space.

  • Reproductive health privacy (on- and off-duty decisions)

    • Labor Law § 203‑e protects employees from discrimination or retaliation based on their (or their dependents’) reproductive health decision-making, and bars employers from accessing such personal information without prior written consent. Employees may sue for damages, reinstatement, fees, and liquidated damages.

  • Proposed legislation (2025–2026) you should know about

    • Restricting off‑duty/home surveillance by employers (pending). A8917 (2025–2026) would add a new section to the New York Labor Law to prohibit employers from using workplace surveillance tools in private, off‑duty areas or a worker’s home, vehicle, or property; it defines terms and sets penalties. Status: referred to Assembly Labor Committee (as of July 16, 2025). It has not passed; watch Albany for movement.

  • Practical steps if you think your privacy rights were crossed

    • Confirm the paper trail. Ask HR for the electronic monitoring notice you acknowledged at hire and the posted version.
    • Document, document, document. Write down dates, times, locations, witnesses, actual words that came out of people’s mouths. Write it in an email (using your personal email account, not the employer’s) and send it to yourself. Keep the email in a folder that you can find later.
    • Social media requests? If you’re pressured to hand over a password, document the request. Save messages and emails. Take that to your nearest workers’ rights attorney ASAP.
    • Concerted activity online. If discipline follows posts about working conditions, talk to your Union rep. If you’re not in a Union, review the NLRB’s guidance and consider filing a charge.
    • Reproductive health privacy. If your employer sought or used your reproductive health information without written consent—or failed to include the required handbook notice—consult counsel about § 203‑e remedies.

  • Quick reference (statutes & official sources)

    • Electronic monitoring notice (private employers): N.Y. Civil Rights Law § 52‑c. [nysenate.gov]
    • Social media access ban: N.Y. Labor Law § 201‑i (effective 3/12/2024). [nysenate.gov]
    • Off‑duty conduct protections: N.Y. Labor Law § 201‑d. [nysenate.gov]
    • Cannabis & the workplace guidance: NY DOL FAQs (201‑d/MRTA). [dol.ny.gov]
    • Reproductive health decision-making: N.Y. Labor Law § 203‑e. [nysenate.gov]
    • NLRB social media rights: NLRB “Social media” page (Section 7 guidance). [nlrb.gov]

Final thought (and caution)

This guide focuses on laws that are current (as of January 2026) in New York. Many issues hinge on context, so industry rules, collective bargaining agreements, and federal contractual obligations can change outcomes. If in doubt, talk to your union rep or a workplace lawyer.

 

 

 

New York State of Mind: What Every Worker Must Know About Their Rights in 2026

January 7th, 2026 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, NY., Workplace Rights |

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Newsflash: Workers still have rights, notwithstanding the news. In the State of New York, there are both federal and state protections that are designed to protect employees from exploitation and help people advocate for themselves and others. But you can’t do it if you don’t know what those rights are.

Here’s a quick run-down of some laws that New York workers should be aware of in the upcoming year.

  1. Minimum Wage Increase: On January 1, 2026, minimum wage increases to $17.00 per hour in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester, and $16.00 per hour for the rest of the state. There are variations for certain industries.
  2. Paid Prenatal Leave Law: Requires employers to provide 20 hours of paid leave per year for prenatal healthcare services, effective January 1, 2025.
  3. Retail Worker Safety Act: Established new rules for workplace violence prevention specifically for retail settings, effective June 2, 2025.
  4. Fashion Workers Act: Regulates model management companies and provides enhanced protections for fashion models, including pay practices and workplace safety, effective June 19, 2025.
  5. Trapped at Work Act: Prohibits employers from enforcing “stay or pay” agreements, which require workers to pay back training costs if they leave before a specified time, effective December 19, 2025.
  6. Increased Salary Threshold for Exempt Employees: The minimum salary threshold for employees to be exempt from overtime pay increased to $1,237.50 per week, with further increases planned for 2026.
  7. Paid Sick Leave Law Amendments: Amendments to existing paid sick leave laws were adopted requiring employers to provide clearer policies and recordkeeping practices.
  8. Temporary Schedule Change Law: Passed in August 2025, this law allows employees to request temporary schedule changes for specific qualifying events.
  9. Cannabis Regulation in the Workplace: Amendments to workplace policies concerning cannabis use were made, clarifying employees’ rights in relation to cannabis use and disciplinary actions.
  10. Employee Privacy Protections: New guidelines were issued regarding surveillance and monitoring in the workplace, emphasizing transparency and employee consent.

In addition to the above, don’t forget the old stand-bys that are still protecting New York workers:

  1. Minimum Wage & Overtime: If workers put in over 40 hours in a week, they are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate.
  2. Paid Family Leave: New York’s Paid Family Leave allows employees to take *paid* time off to bond with a new child or care for a sick relative.
  3. Anti-Discrimination Laws: The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex (including LGBTQIA+), disability, age, marital status, citizenship, domestic violence survival, and several other characteristics.
  4. Workplace Safety: Under New York State Labor Law, workers have the right to a safe workplace. This means employers are supposed to provide the necessary safety equipment and training to keep employees healthy and secure while they work.
  5. Meal and Rest Breaks: If employees in most industries work a shift of more than 6 hours, they are entitled to at least a 30-minute unpaid meal break. Workers in industrial settings are entitled to more frequent breaks. This is a New York, not Federal, law, and there are some variations for particular industries. Ask your union rep or attorney.
  6. Unemployment Insurance: If workers lose their jobs through no fault of their own, they may qualify for unemployment benefits. The amount they can receive is based on their previous earnings during a statutory base period.
  7. Union Rights: Workers have the right to organize, promote, or support labor unions. They have the right to join a union and engage in collective bargaining to pursue better wages and working conditions. It is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for engaging in union activity.

Keep in mind that workplace rights are complex. Internet searches are no substitute for the personalized advice of a union representative or  qualified workplace attorney. So, before making any life-changing decisions regarding your employment, seek guidance from professionals who understand the nuances of labor laws in your jurisdiction.

Stand up, stay informed, and be ready to fight for what you deserve in 2026. We’re right here with you.

Can New York Employers Hit the Mute Button on Your Social Media Posts?

December 15th, 2025 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, Social Media in The Workplace, Syracuse, Workplace Rights |

Tags: , , , , ,

Technically, yes.

While the First Amendment gives you freedom of speech, it doesn’t protect you from private employers. In New York, there are a few legal shields in place.

Your New York Rights: What You Should Know

  1. Off-Duty Conduct Protection: Enjoy your life outside work! Although the law is significantly flawed, New York law technically prevents discipline for lawful off-duty activities like political activism or using legal cannabis. Word to the wise, though: there’s a pretty big exception built into the law, so it might not protect you from a boss who is really interested in getting rid of you.

  2. Political Expression: Feel free to share your political thoughts! New York protects your right to engage in political discourse online, even if the climate gets heated. Same law, though, so same caveat.

  3. Talk the Talk with Co-Workers: Thanks to the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), discussing workplace issues on social media with colleagues can be protected, union or not. Check out our blog post on what constitutes protected concerted activity: https://www.satterlaw.com/speaking-up-on-behalf-of-your-coworkers/

What’s a Worker to Do?

  1. Keep Your Profile Private: Know Your Privacy Rights: New York is among the states that protect your privacy online. Your boss can’t demand your social media passwords or access private accounts. If they punish you for posts discovered through shady means, you might have a case.

  1. Recognize When Unfair Application of Social Media Policies Means Something More: If a workplace social media policy is being applied unevenly, pay attention to who is being targeted. If it appears that the targets all seem to come from one protected class (race, color, creed, national origin, gender, age, ability, union supporters, whistleblowers) – call your workplace lawyer!

  1. Word to the Wise: Tread Carefully!: Even with the protections described above, avoid posting things that could be considered defamation or violate company policies, and don’t forget – these rules are a thin layer of protection. At the end of the day, if the employer can do an end-run around the law, they will, and you’ll be the one in the penalty box.

While New York law provides you the right to express yourself and engage in discussions about workplace issues—but it doesn’t do enough to protect those rights. If it seems like the boss is skating close to the edge, call a reputable workplace lawyer to help you decide how to proceed.

Top Five Ways To Ruin Your Workplace and Why We’re Here For It

November 18th, 2025 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, NY., Syracuse, Women's Rights, Workplace Harassment, Workplace Rights, Wrongful Termination |

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We’ve all figured out that “ruining the workplace” is code for “making your job less of a dumpster fire.” Here are some things you can do to help ruin your workplace:

5. Speak up against discrimination. Whether it’s against you or against your coworkers, don’t let it go by. Lawyer up because they can and will retaliate. Scared you’ll lose your job? It isn’t going to get better if you don’t speak up.

4. Check each and every one of your paystubs and make sure it’s accurate. If it’s not, report it. And if they won’t fix it, report them to the State or Federal Department of Labor. And if it’s a big number, call a worker’s rights attorney.

3. Take your PTO. Take ALL of it. You earned it. It’s part of your compensation package. They are actually paying you less because they’ve subtracted your sick time, vacation, and other leave out of your wages. Take! Your! Vacation!

2. Learn everything you can about workers’ rights in your jurisdiction. Read blogs like this. Educate yourself on the history of employment law in the United States (warning, you’ll need a barf bag for that one). Pay attention to laws being passed in your jurisdiction. Talk to people who know what they’re talking about, like workers’ rights attorneys and union reps. Chances are you’ve got special ways to ruin your workplace that you don’t even know about yet.

1. And the top way to ruin your workplace…??? UNIONIZE IT! That’s right, engage in some collective action and agitate for better wages, safer working conditions, and real action on those discriminatory practices. Get a contract that guarantees a minimum standard for your health insurance, and when they try to take it away, fight like hell.

Look, it’s not that easy to ruin a workplace. You might get yelled at. You might get fired. Some jerk might write an article whining about what you’ve done.

We’ll bring the popcorn.

Pay Transparency: How New York Workers Can Turn Legislation into Lucrative Paychecks

November 6th, 2025 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, Syracuse, Workplace Rights |

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

 

New York workers may have noticed a trend in the past couple years: Posted job opportunities now include wage ranges. This is because of New York’s Pay Transparency Law (Section 194-b of the New York State Labor Law), which requires employers to include minimum and maximum salaries when they advertise new jobs. Enacted to promote fair compensation and empower employees, this law is an underutilized opportunity for workers to negotiate better wages.

How Can You Take Advantage Of This Information?

  1. Do Your Research

Gather the salary transparency information available from job postings, industry reports, and worker testimonials. Organize it and keep track of where that information came from so you can access it quickly. Not a bad idea to include links to web postings in your documentation!

  1. Know Your Worth

Using the data you’ve collected, assess where you fall within the salary ranges, based on your skills, experience, and contributions. Be realistic – don’t underestimate, but don’t just assume you get top-notch wages unless you have put in the time and training. Also, remember that geography dictates wage ranges – if you demand New York City wages from a Plattsburgh employer, your negotiation might not go very well.

  1. Wage Negotiation Strategies

When negotiating your salary, use the data to anchor your discussions. Be prepared to back up your request with data on industry standards, your accomplishments, and your actual and potential contributions to the company.

  1. Utilizing Collective Information

The law encourages candor and sharing of compensation data among employees. You are allowed to have conversations with co-workers about their experiences and the salaries they see advertised. This collective effort can provide additional leverage when entering negotiations. Plus, it can help you pinpoint discriminatory pay practices. The more data you can gather, the better your position.

  1. Hold Employers Accountable

If you notice discrepancies that seem to be based on a protected characteristic, such as gender or race, get in touch with a Workers’ Rights Attorney – ASAP! The attorney is going to want to see your data and understand why you believe the disparity is based on a discriminatory motive. Whether the attorney advises you to take the problem to HR or start a lawsuit, you’re going to need quality, experienced guidance from a lawyer who knows what they’re talking about.

Conclusion

Do your homework, speak up, and demand the wages you deserve. This legislation isn’t just a guideline; it’s your opportunity to transform the way you are valued in the workplace. And if it gets weird, call a Workers’ Rights Attorney. Good hunting!

 

Jingle Bells and Legal Rights: How to Protect Yourself at the Holiday Party

October 28th, 2025 by Sarah Ruhlen

Posted in Ask A Worker's Rights Attorney!, Employment and Labor Attorney, New York, NY., Syracuse, Workplace Rights |

Tags: , , , , , ,

 

Company holiday parties are just around the corner. You might be looking forward to them –for some people, it’s a time to celebrate the year’s achievements, unwind with colleagues, and enjoy some festive merriment. Or you might already be rolling your eyes – it’s bad enough having to work with these people, now you have to socialize with them?! For some employees, company gatherings end up becoming legal nightmares, destroying careers, reputations, and happiness. Here are some tips for safeguarding your rights during the festivities.

Management Is Watching

Surveillance doesn’t stop just because Bing Crosby is singing in the background. Supervisors, HR reps, and cronies are still paying attention, so use your judgment. Anything that is said during the event can (and will) be used as information for later HR investigations. So if you wouldn’t say it during work hours, don’t say it during the party.

Don’t Expect Your Boss To Follow The Rules – But You Still Have To

Word to the wise: supervisors and supervisees are not always held to the same standards. So just because you see the boss getting out of hand doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for you to follow suit. It’s not unheard of for two people to be treated differently for exactly the same conduct – and not all discrimination is legally actionable. Save that raunchy joke for a non-work party, even if the boss just distributed a photocopy of something no one wanted to see. Remember that what might seem harmless to you could be uncomfortable or even taken as inappropriate by someone else.

You have to follow your company’s policies, even if you’re doing it in a reindeer costume. It’s not a bad idea to take a moment to familiarize yourself with codes of conduct, alcohol policies, and harassment guidelines. Give the employee handbook a quick read before the party. It might not put you in a festive mood, but it might save your job.

Monitor Your Alcohol Intake

Please don’t get liquored up and do something dumb. No lawyer can save you if you get violent, sexually harass someone, or barf on the boss’s wife. It may be tempting to indulge, but if you want to keep your job, consider skipping the cocktails. Skip the recreational drugs too, even if they’re legal.

Document Any Unwanted Behaviors

If you experience behavior that feels inappropriate or makes you uncomfortable, trust your instincts. Document what happened, including the date, time, location, and individuals involved. Take that documented record to a workers’ rights attorney the next day. Don’t wait – if there is something legally actionable about the situation, that statute of limitations is unbelievably short.

—

The holidays are already complicated, and company parties can just make them weirder. If you end up at a holiday party at your workplace, keep your wits about you and your professionalism intact. You’ll thank yourself next Monday.

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