Compliance
HR Alert: Overtime Exemptions Update
The federal overtime exemption rule has changed again. On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a technical amendment to the federal overtime exemption regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, commonl…
New York MWBE Regulations: What ESD’s Proposed Changes Mean for Certified Businesses
New York’s Empire State Development (ESD) has proposed significant amendments to the State’s Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) regulations. The proposed MWBE regulations would affect how cer…
HR Alert: Compensation for Integral and Indispensable Work
A recently-published opinion letter from the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) concluded that employees should be paid for activities before their shift if the activities are “integral and indispensable” to their job. Altho…
Trump’s New AI Cybersecurity Executive Order: What Small Businesses Need to Know
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technology issue. It’s a business risk issue. On June 2, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order titled Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security…
Erie County Cracks Down on Biometric Data Use
Businesses that use biometric data are in the crosshairs of local Erie County government. On Tuesday, May 26, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz signed the Biometric Transparency and Privacy Act (BTPA) into law. The B…
HR Alert: EEOC Challenges DEI Hiring Practices
Since the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, the understanding of how Title VII applies to employers was not up for significant debate. Under the current federal administration, though, that appears to be changing. E…
HR Alert: Employment Law Liability & Volunteers
Many organizations rely on the work of volunteers to make meaningful impacts in their communities. But what if a volunteer engages in discriminatory behavior? Even though a volunteer may not be considered an employee, th…
HR Alert: What Employers Need to Know Before Using Credit History
New York employers have another hiring compliance issue to add to the list. Effective April 18, 2026, New York significantly restricts when employers may request, receive, or use an applicant’s or employee’s consumer credi…
HR Alert: What to Know About New York’s “Trapped at Work” Law Amendment
Late last year, we blogged about a new law in New York that prohibits employers from trapping employees by obligating them to repay certain costs if they don’t remain employed for a specific period of time. In February, Go…
HR Alert: Employee or Independent Contractor Status? Navigating the Fed’s 2026 Proposed Rule
As we previously discussed, on February 26, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise its analysis for distinguishing between employees and in…