New York Equal Pay, Sexual Harassment and Pregnancy Accommodations: Handbook Statements Added, Updated

Author: Melissa Gonzalez Boyce, XpertHR Legal Editor

On January 19, 2016, several New York laws affecting employees' rights in the workplace become effective. As a result, XpertHR has updated the New York handbook as noted below:

• The Pregnancy Accommodation Handbook Statement: New York has been added to reflect the requirement that employers must provide reasonable accommodations to employees with pregnancy-related conditions provided such employees may reasonably perform the activities involved in the job or occupation sought or held.
• The Discussion of Wages Handbook Statement: New York has been added to reflect amendments to the New York Equal Pay law that clarify the circumstances under which a wage differential is permitted and protects employees who inquire about, discuss or disclose their wages or the wages of another.
• The Equal Employment Opportunity Handbook Statement: New York has been updated to prohibit employers from engaging in employment discrimination based on familial status and to allow employees to bring claims of sexual harassment against their employer regardless of the employer's size.

The Table of Contents for the New York handbook has been updated accordingly.