January 25, 2024

Law360 Quotes Senior Associate Alex Berke in Article Covering Gov. Hochul’s Recent Proposal to Initiate Prenatal Leave

Law 360 covers the recent proposal by Governor Hochul to expand New York State’s paid family leave policy and provide time off for prenatal medical appointments and care. Senior Associate Alex Berke shared her thoughts on the benefits this policy would have with the article’s author, Anne Cullen. The article highlights other recent steps taken to cater towards pregnancy-related workplace protections and describes the importance this policy could have as a catalyst for reforms in other states. Ms. Berke believes the implementation of is policy would be a smooth transition for employees and employers alike. For employees, the process would not prove too difficult as it would resemble the established paid family leave process, and since the compensation could be deducted through payroll, “it’s not an insurmountable ask for employers.” Click here to read the full article and learn more about the proposed changes. 

Federal Family and Sick Leave for Covid-19 Expanded by New York District Court

August 14, 2020
Leave
Paid Family Leave
Pregnancy Discrimination
FMLA
S.D.N.Y. Judge Paul Oetken invalidated parts of the Department of Labor’s interpretation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in a lawsuit brought by New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

The First Recession for Women

August 11, 2020
Gender Discrimination
There is a new feature to the pandemic-induced recession that has decimated employment, manufacturing, child care, education, and just about every other facet of life. It is women, not men who are the most greatly affected by the force of the shutdown.

New York State Human Rights Law Invoked in Sexual Harassment Arbitration Case

August 11, 2020
Sexual Harassment
A split has appeared in how to handle sexual harassment cases with a New York trial judge ruling recently that the state’s Human Rights Law prevents companies and employees from entering arbitration over sexual harassment. This contradicts an earlier ruling in New York’s Southern District where a judge ruled that arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) supersedes New York’s statutory prohibition against arbitration.

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