New York State lawmakers had a busy 2023 and have ushered in many new measures that will take effect throughout 2024. As New York employers look toward the new year, they should keep the following key dates in mind:

  • January 1, 2024 – The minimum wage rate in New York will increase to $16/hour in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties and $15/hour in the rest of the state. Additionally, this will cause an increase to the exempt salary threshold for administrative and executive employees — to $1,200/week or $62,400/year in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties and $1,124.20/week or $58,458.40/year in the rest of the state.
  • February 15, 2024 – The statute of limitations for filing administrative claims of unlawful discrimination under the New York State Human Rights Law extends from one year to three years (running from the date of the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice). Claims of sexual harassment are already subject to this three-year limitations period.
  • March 12, 2024 – New York employers will be prohibited from requesting or requiring that an employee or applicant disclose any username, password, or other means for accessing a personal account through specified electronic communications devices as a condition of hiring, employment status, or for use in disciplinary actions. The law provides exceptions, including for accounts used for business purposes and devices paid for by the employer.
  • May 20, 2024 – An amendment to the New York Labor Law goes into effect which sets forth wage and job protections for freelance workers (defined in the law as workers hired as an independent contractor for at least $800). The law requires companies that engage covered freelancers to enter into written agreements with such workers, which agreements must contain certain minimum requirements. This includes the name and mailing address of both parties, an itemization of services to be provided, the value of the services, the rate and method of compensation, the date on which payment must be made, and the date by which a worker must submit a list of all services rendered to meet any payment processing deadlines.