There
are several new laws taking effect in 2019 for New York
businesses.
Foam:
As of January 1,
2019, New York City stores, food service establishments, and
mobile food commissaries may no longer offer, sell or
possess single-use foam food containers such as foam takeout
clamshells, cups, plates, bowls and trays. Additionally,
manufacturers and stores may no longer sell or offer for
sale loose fill foam packaging (“packing peanuts”) in the
city. There are
several exemption: Foam containers used for prepackaged food
that have been filled and sealed prior to receipt by the
food service establishment, mobile food commissary, or
store. Foam
containers used to store raw meat, pork, fish, seafood or
poultry sold from a butcher case or similar retail
appliance; Foam
blocks used as protective packaging in shipping are not
covered under this law.
The new law is effective on Jan. 1, however, the city
will not start fining vendors until July 1.
Paid Time Off:
Under the New York
State Paid Family Leave act, which the governor signed in
2016, workers will now get 10 weeks of paid time off to bond
with a newborn, adopted or fostered child; to care for
family members with serious health conditions; or to address
issues related to a family member’s military deployment.
The law is part of a gradual increase in salaried
time off that began in 2018, when workers were eligible for
eight weeks of paid family leave.
The increases will end in 2021, when New York
residents will get 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Sexual Harassment Training:
NYC requires all
private NYC employers with 15 or more employees to conduct
annual anti-sexual harassment training.
[New York City Int. 0632-201823]
Sick
Leave: Westchester
requires covered employers to allow eligible employees to
accrue one hour of earned paid sick time for every 30 hours
worked up to 40 hours per year.
[Westchester County Local Law 1062324]
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