Changes to NYS Rules on Employee voting time

Are you earning the correct 2019 minimum wage?

As of December 31, 2018, businesses with 10 employees or less must pay a minimum wage of $13.50/hour, and employers with 11 employees or more must pay minimum wage rise of $15.00 /hour. Minimum wage increased to $12.00/hour for workers in Long Island and Westchester, and $11.10/hour for workers in the remainder of New York State.

Fast food workers, who are subject to a higher minimum wage, were also entitled to a pay increase to $15.00/hour in NYC and $12.75/hour in the rest of the state.

Also as of December 31, 2018, hospitality employers with service employees or food service workers became entitled to an increase in the tip credit that can be taken against an employees’ minimum hourly wage, provided that the weekly average of tips meets the specified hourly tip threshold (for service employees only) and the total of tips received plus wages equals or exceeds the basic minimum wage.

Effective December 31, 2018, the salary basis threshold for executive and administrative employees to be classified as exempt increased to $1,012.50 per week ($52,650 annually) for New York City employers with 10 or fewer employees, and $1,125.00 per week ($58,500 annually) for New York City employers with 11 or more employees.

For employees working for businesses in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, the salary basis threshold increased to $900 per week ($46,800 annually). For all other employers in the state of New York, it rose to $832.00 per week ($43,264 annually). 

If you are not earning at least the correct amount, you should contact your employer, your union or seek legal advice.

Voting Rights during Working Hours

With important elections coming up on November 6, 2018, employees should be aware of the rights to exercise their right to vote. New York Election Law was amended in the 1970’s to ensure that employees will not be disenfranchised simply because their working hours prevent them from getting to the polls to cast a ballot.

Up to Two Hours of Paid Leave. Any employee who does not have time to vote before or after work, is entitled to take least two hours of paid leave during the work day. Those who do not have time to vote include employees with fewer than four consecutive non-working hours between the time that polls open (6:00 am) and when they close (9:00 pm).

For instance, employees who work 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, would have fewer than four hours before work, or after work to vote and would normally be entitled to two hours of paid leave.

Advance Notice Requirements. Employees are expected to give at least two days advance notice that he or she needs time off to vote.

Employer’s obligation to post a notice. New York Election Law requires employers to inform employees by posting a notice that describes all of the employees’ rights to vote during working hours. The notice must be in a conspicuous location and posted at least ten working days before the election, and remain posted until the polls close. If there is no notice posting, an employee might have a persuasive argument that two days advance notice is unreasonable.

Penalties for infringing employees’ rights to vote. Any person or corporation who refuses to allow the employee the right to vote, could be guilty of a misdemeanor under Election Law Section 17-118, including imprisonment up to one year, and a fine.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to this Web site or any of the e-mail links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.

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