Covid-19 Updates

There are U.S. and NY State laws to protect employees during the Covid-19 health crisis.

Workers’ Compensation

If you believe you were exposed to Covid-19 at your workplace and cannot work because of the illness, you may qualify for Workers' Compensation.

Unemployment Insurance

If you are unable to work or have lost your job because of the Covid-19 health crisis, you may be able to receive NYS Unemployment Insurance.

For more information, please visit:

• The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance ("PUA") program 
• Get Unemployment Assistance on the NYS website

Please note that on September 5, 2021, some of the federal unemployment benefits, including PUA  and the additional Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”) will expire across the country.

Updated July 20, 2021

Laws that Protect Employees

If you are a crime victim, you have these protections in the workplace:

Time off to go to court

In New York State, it is against the law for your employer to fire you or punish you for missing work to go to court if:

• A prosecutor asks to meet with you
• You got a subpoena (a written order) to go to court
• You are a witness in a court case
• You want an Order of Protection from Family Court.

You must tell your employer the day before you miss work. You may also have to show proof you were in court You have the right to ask the police or prosecutor to help you tell your employer that you need to miss work.

If your employer does not follow this law, it is a crime.

Note:  Your employer does not have to pay you when you miss work to go to court.

Reasonable Accommodations

You may have a disability because of the crime.  Disabilities are long-lasting physical or mental injuries, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

If you have a disability, you have a right to ask your employer for “reasonable accommodations” under both New York State and federal laws.

What is a reasonable accommodation?

A reasonable accommodation is a change in the workplace, policies, or procedures. The change lets you:

• Do your job more easily
• Apply for a job
• Enjoy the same job opportunities as other employees

Examples include:

• Changing your work schedule
• Adjusting how a job is done
• Getting more unpaid time off for medical treatment.

You have a right to ask for accommodations, but they must be reasonable. Your employer does not have to make a change that would be too hard or expensive. That’s called “undue hardship.”

For example, if changing your schedule or giving you time off means other employees can’t do their jobs, this would be an undue hardship for your employer.

Your employer must work with you to see if a different accommodation can help.

Note:  Companies that have few employees may not have to provide reasonable accommodations.

It is important to know that you cannot ask to remove an “essential function” of your job.

Examples of essential functions include:

• Collecting money (cashier),
• Talking to callers (call center representative)
• Driving with passengers sitting behind you (taxi driver).

To find more information about disability rights visit the :

• NYS Attorney General’s website,
• Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission
• NYS Division of Human Rights website.

Other Legal Protections

If you are a victim of domestic violence, New York State gives you other legal protections.

Unemployment Insurance Benefits for Domestic Violence Victims

If you can show you left your job for “good cause,” you may be able to get cash  payments from the state.  These benefits replace part of your salary while you look for a new job.

Note:  You cannot get unemployment benefits if you decide to quit your job without good cause.

What is good cause?

Good cause means a good legal reason. It is also called a “compelling reason.”

Domestic violence can be a compelling family reason  to leave a job. If staying at your job will put you or a close family member in danger, you may have good cause to quit.

I was fired because of domestic violence. Can I get unemployment benefits?

Maybe. You may have to show proof of the abuse. Proof can be:

• A police report,
• An order of protection, or
• A statement from a professional who helped you and knows how the abuse affected you.

Even if  you don’t have proof, you can still apply for unemployment benefits. But you must tell the Department of Labor representative why you do not have proof.

For more information about domestic violence and unemployment benefits, or information about filing an appeal if you are turned down for benefits, please visit the Department of Labor website.

Protection against Employment Discrimination

It is against the law for an employer to discriminate against an employee.  This means, an employer cannot:

• Hire
• Fire
• Fail to promote
• Pay Less, or
• Treat an employee or job applicant differently

because of their:

• Race
• Country of birth
• Gender identity or expression
• Sex
• Religion
• Disability
• Age
• Citizenship status
• Sexual orientation
• Other protected categories.

In NYS, victims of domestic violence have special protections from employment discrimination.

If you think you have been discriminated against, you can file a discrimination claim with the:

• NY Department of Labor
• Division of Human Rights 
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

There are deadlines to file a discrimination claim. You can check these websites to find out about the deadlines.