Vetoed in 2022, subsequently signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul last year, and rolled out with a delay, New York State's Freelance Isn't Free Act (FIFA) finally goes into effect on August 28, 2024. The legislation is...more
A recently signed state law will soon protect New York freelance and contract workers from wage theft and delayed payments – and require businesses to put certain terms in writing. Businesses across the state will need to...more
On November 22, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York State signed into law the “Freelance Isn’t Free Act” (“Act”), which was modeled after a similar law passed in New York City in 2017. The state law becomes effective on...more
The First Department of the Supreme Court, Appellate Division (the “Appellate Division”) recently issued the first appellate decision interpreting New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act (FIFA). Plaintiffs – a photography...more
On December 4, 2018, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) adopted rules mandating a minimum wage for app-hailed drivers....more
It should come as no surprise that New York City is home to a large number of freelancers—approximately 400,000 according to the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. In order to assist this growing population, the Mayor’s...more
California Legislative and Agency Update - Read about the latest California cities to increase hourly minimum wages, newly expanded transgender protections, criminal background check limitations and other changes in...more
Readers of this space may recall my recent posts highlighting court and legislative changes to employment laws, regulations and policies affecting manufacturers. See e.g. “‘Manufacturing’ Law: Courts Also Move to Fill the...more
Earlier this year, we reported that New York City adopted The Establishing Protections for Freelance Workers Act, also known as the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, (the “Freelance Law”). As explained in our prior blog, under the...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Regulatory rules issued in connection with New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act seek to prohibit arbitration of claims under the Act and class action waivers in contracts covered by the law. U.S....more
New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act goes into effect on July 24, 2017. Anticipated rules to “clarify” the Act, which amend Title 6 of the City’s Rules by adding a new chapter 12, have now been promulgated by the...more
Many workers are leaving the comfort and stability of traditional 9 to 5 jobs in favor of more flexible options. This paradigm shift may be new to the general public, but it certainly does not appear to be a passing fad. In...more
Seniority Matters - There is little doubt that activity in the trading of secondary shares of private companies remains robust. Private companies are staying private longer and there seems to be an unlimited demand to buy...more
This update of May 2017 developments in the area of independent contractor misclassification and compliance highlights three key legislative developments: the enactment of two new laws (one in New York City and the other in...more
The gig economy (on-demand work) is a disruptive factor in many industries, including the housing market (Airbnb, Homeaway), transportation services (Uber, Lyft, Juno, Via), delivery services (Postmates, Caviar, Instacart),...more
The Establishing Protections for Freelance Workers Act, also known as the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, (the “Freelance Law”), which was touted by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio as the first law in the nation aimed at...more
A new law regulating the hiring and payment of freelancers in New York City took effect May 15, 2017. The “Freelance Isn’t Free” Act impacts a large range of industries that routinely rely on independent contractors,...more