Takeways Winter 2026
So You Know What to Ask to Avoid Employer Pitfalls
After a sleepy fall, New York State has expanded employment laws yet again with a ban on most worker repayment agreements, express recognition of the disparate impact theory for providing discrimination claims, and a ban on checking job applicants’ and employees’ credit histories. The state is also stepping up workplace violence prevention. New York City has expanded its sick leave law beyond that of most jurisdictions, and will be requiring its largest employers to begin reporting annual pay data by gender, race and ethnicity. Throughout the tri-state area, minimum wage levels have all increased with the new year. New Jersey has added its own recognition of the disparate impact theory for proving discrimination and prohibited employer “captive audience” meetings. Connecticut expanded FMLA to private schools, and the federal government is defending Americans against national origin discrimination and preparing to challenge state laws regulating AI.
