Alert
Alert
With 2025 in full swing, many employers are using this time to review their employment practices and update their employee handbooks. New York employers in particular have a lot to keep track of this year. Below, we break down the New York employment law updates to note for this year and the future.
Minimum Wage Increases
Like many other states, New York raised its minimum wage for hourly workers. The last increase took effect on January 1, 2025, with another set to happen on January 1, 2026, followed by a formula for potential continued annual bumps tracking inflation.
As of the first of this year, the minimum wage for hourly workers in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County is $16.50 per hour, and the rest of New York is set at a minimum of $15.50 per hour. New York employers should ensure that they are in compliance with these new minimums and prepare for the increases that are coming in 2026. As of January 1, 2026, the minimum wage for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County will be $17.00 per hour and the rest of New York will have a minimum of $16.00 per hour. These increases do not apply to tipped service workers in the food and hospitality industries or to home healthcare workers.
Overtime Exemption Salary Threshold Increase
Recently planned federal increases in salary thresholds for overtime exemption were not implemented as a result of a court injunction (as discussed here). New York, however, has increased its state...
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