Hinman Straub Memos Provide Information on New Sexual Harassment Hotline, Extended COVID-19 Vaccination Paid Leave Requirement

Two new memos from LeadingAge NY counsel Hinman Straub provide information for members on the recent launch of the New York State Division of Human Rights’ (DHR) toll-free, confidential workplace sexual harassment hotline, as well as the recent extension of the requirement for paid leave for employee COVID-19 vaccinations through Dec. 31, 2023.

By way of background, the DHR sexual harassment hotline was established as part of an amendment to the Executive Law that was signed by Governor Hochul on March 16, 2022. Beginning July 19, 2022, individuals experiencing workplace sexual harassment may call the hotline to seek counsel relative to issues of workplace sexual harassment at 1-800-HARASS-3, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the absence of guidance from DHR and the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) requiring employers to notify employees of the hotline, the first memo advises employers to post a notice of the hotline in a conspicuous location in the workplace and include reference to the same in their sexual harassment prevention policy. A proposed notice and sample policy language are provided in the memo.

With regard to employee vaccinations, the original requirement for public and private employers to provide up to four hours of paid leave per COVID-19 vaccination per employee was established in legislation signed by then-Governor Cuomo on March 12, 2021. As noted in the second memo, that requirement, due to sunset on Dec. 31, 2022, has been extended through Dec. 31, 2023 by way of legislation signed by Governor Hochul on June 28, 2022.

Please contact LeadingAge NY if you have any questions on these developments.