2024 Updates to New York State Minimum Wage

New York State Department of Labor has recently published the minimum hourly wage increase to become effective January 1, 2024. They have also released regulations for the corresponding increase to the salary exempt threshold for those exempt from overtime under the administrative or executive exemption, which is expected to be finalized.    NY State Minimum … Continued

I-9 Compliance Considerations

  Much has already been written about changes in the I-9 verification form.  The well-known form is used to “verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.”  This is one of the most important onboarding documents and completing it correctly is crucial, as penalties for non-compliance are steep – … Continued

6 Steps to Developing an Effective Succession Plan

    Owning and operating a business is no easy feat. Many business owners want to see their business thrive long after they retire. To ensure this happens, business owners and leaders need to engage in succession planning. Whether you’re a family-owned enterprise or a large corporation, having a well thought-out succession plan in place … Continued

Cybersecurity is Everyone’s Business

  Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in every aspect of an organization, including the Human Resources department.  As HR departments handle sensitive employee data, it is crucial to ensure the protection of this information from cyber threats and maintain the privacy and confidentiality of employees. Employee Data Protection HR departments maintain a huge amount of … Continued

Considerations for Managing Leaves of Absence

The process of managing leaves of absence can be a challenge for small businesses.  Job protected leaves of absence include Paid Family Leave (PFL), Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Statutory and Short-Term Disability, and in some cases, Long Term Disability. Some companies often adopt a casual approach to their employees’ filing claims for state and federal … Continued

ESC’s Compliance Blog Series – Part 6

This blog is the final edition to our compliance series. In this piece, we have added some new additional considerations for employers to be aware of. Additional Compliance Considerations There are a few compliance updates that New York has recently announced. Listed below are new updates that each business should be aware of: Additional Compliance … Continued

ESC’s Compliance Blog Series – Part 5

To remain compliant in New York State, it is crucial to maintain accurate and organized employee records. These records can range from Employee applications to employee medical records and everything in between. Storing these confidential records in a secure and safe place is crucial to ensure the security and confidentiality of employee information. Keeping detailed … Continued

ESC’s Compliance Blog Series – Part 4

Keeping track of multiple employees on leave can become a challenging and disorganized task. Employers and managers have full schedules, and adding the additional task of leave management can become overwhelming. Creating a standardized process will help employers and managers efficiently track employee sick leave, PFL, and other applicable leaves. Leave Management When offering leave … Continued

ESC’s Compliance Blog Series – Part 3

  Hiring new employees brings some considerations for employers. Having a well-defined onboarding process helps employers and hiring managers navigate the process with ease, and ensures new hires are effectively integrated into their new roles. During this phase, employee handbooks are crucial to the new hire to understand company policies and expectations.   Employee Onboarding … Continued

ESC’s Compliance Blog Series – Part 2

  Job seekers view salary as one of the most appealing factors of a job posting. Recently, more and more states have adopted pay and wage transparency. This action has caused some frustration for employers who may not know how to navigate the process of implementing this in their job postings. This is the second … Continued