New York City Publishes Workers’ Bill of Rights

Randi W. Kochman, Marissa A. Mastroianni, and Nicholas J. Cardoso

May 13, 2024

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New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (“DCWP”) unveiled its Workers’ Bill of Rights website on March 1, 2024. The Workers’ Bill of Rights outlines rights and protections for employees, independent contractors, and prospective employees in New York City as dictated by federal, state, and city laws. Specifically, the Workers’ Bill of Rights includes information regarding laws enforced by the DCWP, such as Paid Safe and Sick Leave, the Temporary Schedule Change Law, and the Fair Workweek Law, along with background on laws enforced by other federal and state agencies. Notably, the Workers’ Bill of Rights also describes how to file complaints against employers.

The following changes will go into effect starting on July 1, 2024:

Employers must provide each current New York City employee with a copy of the Know Your Rights at Work poster and new hires must receive that poster on their first day of work
Employers must prominently post the Know Your Rights at Work poster in a visible and accessible location for employees
If employers use online platforms or mobile applications to communicate with employees, the poster must be made available through these channels
The distribution and posting is required to be done in English and any other language spoken by at least 5% of employees, if translations are available

Employers that fail to comply with the posting requirements face a potential $500 penalty per violation. First-time offenders will be given a 30-day grace period to rectify any violations.

As the law continues to evolve on these matters, please note that this article is current as of date and time of publication and may not reflect subsequent developments. The content and interpretation of the issues addressed herein is subject to change. Cole Schotz P.C. disclaims any and all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this publication to the fullest extent permitted by law. This is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Do not act or refrain from acting upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining legal, financial and tax advice. For further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to your firm contact or to any of the attorneys listed in this publication.