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New York (NY) Labor and Employment Laws

September 19th, 2006 Posted by Marilyn

There are many strict laws, which must be adhered to in NY. The state takes employment issues seriously and employers are held to high standards when it comes to workplace operations. The Department of Labor is in place to make aware of and enforce such rules and regulations. Labor laws in some way or another affect almost every one and the safety and well being of the states workforce is in everyone’s best interest.

Many New York (NY) labor and employment laws are to benefit the employee. The state minimum wage is $6.00 an hour and is going to increase to $7.15 as of January 1, 2007. That is two dollars more than the federal minimum and any time the federal minimum rate goes up NY will increase the state minimum as well. New York is one of few states that has laws requiring breaks be offered. Any person employed in connection with a factory should be allowed a lunch hour, or noonday meal period. The noonday meal period is recognized as the time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. If a person is employed between the hours of 1 p.m. and 6 a.m. and scheduled to work 6 or more hours in connection with a factory, they should also be entitled to at least 60 minutes for a meal period. Those employed in other occupations should be given forty-five minutes midway between the start and end of their shift.

Probably the strictest and most heavily enforced New York (NY) labor and employment laws pertain to workplace safety, especially with regard to minors in the workforce. Anyone under 18 is required to obtain a work permit before they may begin work. There are restrictions as to the jobs that minors may hold as well as the length of time and the hours they may work.