Starting on January 1, 2023, New York City employers that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) decision-making tools in their hiring practices will need to provide notice to applicants of the technology and conduct independent bias audits to ensure that these tools do not have a discriminatory impact on candidates

Full article at: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/navigating-new-york-city-s-artificial-1566015/

Not very long ago, New York’s physicians and other health care workers were cheered as heroes for their efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. They risked their lives for their patients. They risked the lives of their loved ones as they provided this care.

Many physicians were sickened, and some died. Countless physicians continue to wear the emotional scars from these overwhelming circumstances.

However, the cheers are long forgotten.

Now, the physicians of New York face a potential new disaster, due to a well-intentioned – but egregiously harmful – bill recently passed by the New York State Legislature.

Read the full article here

Employers with workers who test positive for COVID-19 should follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including its guidelines on quarantining and isolation, to minimize safety and legal risks, even though the guidance is somewhat complex.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) looks to the CDC as a source of guidance on what employers should do to keep workplaces safe, noted Jonathan Segal, an attorney with Duane Morris in Philadelphia and New York City. "OSHA could conclude that failure to comply with CDC guidance on isolation and quarantine violates OSHA's general duty clause," he said.

Further, to the extent that an employer's failure to comply with OSHA guidance results in employee anxiety or fear, this could contribute to the risk of union activity, he added. "Union activity is accelerating, and health and safety is definitely a union-organizing issue," Segal said.

In addition, an employee could bring a personal injury claim if the individual contracts COVID-19 at work due to close contact with an employee who should have been out of work based on CDC guidance. "While workers' compensation should bar the claim, the answer may vary from state to state," he said. "At a minimum, there is the cost and reputational risk of ugly litigation."

Read the full article here

In March 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation amending the New York State Human Rights Law to establish a sexual harassment hotline directly to the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR). The hotline (800-HARASS-3), which is now active, is intended to be staffed by pro bono lawyers experienced in counseling individuals on sexual harassment. Contact with the hotline does not constitute the filing of a harassment complaint, and individuals intending to file a complaint with the NYSDHR would still be required to follow existing procedures for doing so.

Although further guidance to employers will be forthcoming, the amendment requires the NYSDHR to work with the Department of Labor to ensure that “information on the hotline is included in any materials employers must post or provide to employees.” Consequently, in addition to including information on workplace postings, employee policies and handbooks will need to be revised to inform employees of the hotline and its provision of free legal advice and counsel.

The extent to which legal advice and counsel is provided remains to be seen, although the law prohibits the volunteer lawyers from soliciting individuals, who contact the hotline, for further representation.

We will keep you informed on further developments related to this issue once further guidance is issued.

Link to article here

New York City health commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan joined PIX11 on Wednesday to provide updates on the battles against both monkeypox and COVID-19.

See the update on the PIX11 News YouTube channel here. 

The global breast reconstruction market is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of 6.7% from 2022 to 2030, per research conducted by Grand View Research. This was announced after the market was valued at $465.3 million in 2021.

Growth in the industry comes from the increasing number of breast cancer patients and the availability of reimbursement policies on procedures. An increase in breast reconstruction procedures, as well as technological advancements, is expected to increase the market growth. 

Read the full article here on 

In March 2021, former Governor Cuomo signed legislation providing up to four hours of paid leave for New York employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, (codified as New York Labor Law Section 196-C). New York employers should be aware that Section 196-C was recently extended to remain in effect through December 31, 2023. Accordingly, all New York employers should review their COVID vaccination leave policies to ensure that they apply through the new expiration date. Furthermore, New York employers should advise their managers and HR professionals of their New York employees' continued right to this paid leave.

Read the full article by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP on Lexology.com here

Lexology is a web-based service that provides company law departments and law firms with the practical intelligence. By collaborating with commercial law firms, the service offers tailored information sources to the desktops of business lawyers on a daily basis

Apyx Medical Corporation announced the FDA approval of the Renuvion APR Handpiece for use in subcutaneous dermatological and aesthetic procedures to contract and improve the appearance of lax (loose) skin in the neck and submental region. The FDA’s approval now mean that Renuvion is the only device on the market that is FDA-approved for contraction procedures to reduce lax or loose skin on the neck and chin.

Read the whole article publised on medestheticsmag.com by Rebecca Lane here

"Effective November 1, 2022, New York City will make it an “unlawful discriminatory practice” for employers with four or more employees, and at least one employee in New York City, to post job advertisements, internal promotions, or transfer opportunities without disclosing salary ranges. The ranges may not be open-ended and must include a minimum and maximum salary for the position."
Access the full article by  here

This time two weeks ago, the five boroughs of NYC were among 667 U.S. counties deemed high-risk for community COVID spread by the CDC. This week, they're five of 1,353.

The number of U.S. counties meeting the CDC's high-risk threshold for COVID spread soared another 18% in the last week and is up a stunning 102% over the last two, marking a four-fold increase in that top threat category in roughly the last month as the so-called "worst version" of omicron yet strengthens its footing in America and the tri-state area.

Read the full article here