Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Can My Employer Force Me To Take a Pay Cut?
Is your employer asking—or demanding—that you accept a pay cut? It is stressful and frustrating to deal with an employer who wants you to accept less favorable terms. You may be wondering: Is it lawful for an employer to make me take a pay cut? In New Jersey, the answer is “yes”—unless you have… Read More »
Estate Planning: What is a HIPAA Release and Why Do I Need One?
Every adult should have an estate plan in place. A good estate plan is a comprehensive estate plan. A HIPAA release is an important—but often overlooked—estate planning document. At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, we are committed to helping people and families organize and manage their estate planning needs. In this article, our estate planning attorney… Read More »
Employee Cost for Disability, Family Leave Benefits Currently Set to Rise in New Jersey
According to a report from the New Jersey Monitor, the employee share of costs for temporary disability benefits and family leave benefits are set to rise. The increase could become as soon as 2025 as state officials have reported an expected $442 million shortfall in the state’s disability benefits fund. Within this article, our… Read More »
New York Governor Proposes Reform to Scale-Back “Frequency of Pay” Litigation for Manual Workers
On January 15th, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the proposed state budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. Tucked deep within the budget is a proposed provision that would radically scale-back the ability of workers in New York State to file so-called “pay frequency” lawsuits. Here, our New York City employment law attorney… Read More »
Unemployment Rate Picking Up in New Jersey (4.8 Percent in January 2024)
For the first time in nearly two years, unemployment is starting to rise in New Jersey. The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) reports that the statewide unemployment rate for January 2024 is 4.8 percent. With more workers being let go, it is a good time for reminders of how to file for… Read More »
Employer in New York Pays $25,000 to Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
On January 22nd, 2024, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced that T.C. Wheelers—a company doing business as Tonawanda Pizzeria—will pay $25,000 to resolve a case brought on behalf of a transgender employee who was subject to unlawful sexual harassment based on their gender identity. In this article, our New York City sexual… Read More »
New York Governor Vetoes Proposed State Ban on Employee Non-Compete Agreements
In December of 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a state bill that would have effectively outlawed employee non-compete agreements. As such, workplace non-compete remain lawful—assuming they meet existing legal requirements—in the state. Here, our New York City non-compete agreement lawyer explains the law, the veto, and what it means for the future… Read More »
State of Nevada Suing Several Major Social Media Companies for their “Intentionally-Designed” Addictive Nature
On January 31st, 2024 ABC News reported that the Nevada Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against several major social media companies, including Facebook & Instagram (Meta), TikTok, and Snapchat. The complaint compares the social media platforms to a drug and contends that the companies should be held responsible for the damage caused to… Read More »
New Jersey Lawmakers Considering Proposal to Expand Family Leave Protections
According to a report from WHYY, a group of lawmakers in New Jersey are considering a proposal to expand family leave protections in the state. The bill—which still has a number of different steps to go through before it would become law—was introduced in the New Jersey General Assembly. If passed, it would gradually,… Read More »
New York Jury Awards Employee $1.675 Million in Disability Discrimination Case (Significant Punitive Damages)
On February 8th, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) confirmed that a jury in Western New York awarded $1.675 million in financial compensation to a deaf individual who was subject to disability discrimination. Notably, the award includes $1.5 million in punitive damages. Here, our New York City disability discrimination attorney discusses the judgment… Read More »
