Latest news with #NewYorkStateDepartmentofLabor
Fashion United
04-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
What to know about New York's Retail Worker Safety Act
New York's Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA) has officially been mandated after experiencing slight delays in its enactment. The act (S. 8358B/A. 8947C) was signed into law by local governor Kathy Hochul last year, to address increased levels of violence seen among retail stores. From June 2, any store with 10 or more employees that 'sells consumer commodities at retail and which is not primarily engaged in the sale of food for consumption on the premises' will be required to adopt and implement a violence prevention policy, train employees on de-escalation tactics and inform employees of emergency procedures for situations like active shooters. The New York State Department of Labor has been tasked with developing a model risk assessment and training programme focused on de-escalation tactics and active shooter training. This is to be issued in English, as well as 12 commonly spoken languages. Employers to provide standardised de-escalation and violence prevention training This reflects an amendment made to the bill, which was initially slated to be mandated in March, however, was pushed back to reconsider the adoption of a violence prevention policy that was to be distributed to staff. Employers with less than 50 employees will now need to provide training on such matters at the time of hire and every two years following, instead of annually, as previously stated in the law. Requirements will then expand by January 1, 2027, to require New York retailers with more than 500 employees to implement silent panic buttons that alert on-site management or security officers in place of law enforcement. Employers can only install the buttons on employer-provided equipment, and must not use the technology to track employee whereabouts unless in an emergency. The RWSA was spearheaded by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSO), the president of which, Stuart Appelbaum, said retail workers across New York 'will be safer because of this law'. His statement to FashionUnited continued: 'Retail workers should not have to go to work every day in fear; and this law goes a long way towards ending that. The Retail Worker Safety Act provides for preventative measures that will help deter violence and harassment before it starts; and most importantly, will assist workers in getting help quickly in the event of an emergency.'
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Job fair for African migrants held at Bronx Borough Hall
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) – A resource and job fair tailored to help hundreds of African immigrants connect with jobs, health care, insurance and free legal aid was held at Bronx Borough Hall on Tuesday. Ramatu Ahmed, the executive director of the African Life Center, was one of 29 heads of community groups that came together with one mission in mind – to help African immigrants. Originally from Ghana, she is now on a mission to help immigrants in New York City thrive. More Local News Ahmed said the common problems immigrants face right now in the Big Apple include affordable housing, jobs and access to quality education. This event, she said, is a catalyst for change. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson called the event a huge success and said it's part of her push, Future Forward Bronx. Job fairs will be held at Bronx Borough Hall through the end of the year, partnering with the New York State Department of Labor. The Pride in Employment fair will be held at Bronx Borough Hall on May 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find out more by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Kathy Hochul addresses childcare crisis with new proposals in NYS budget
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — As part of the upcoming state budget, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed several ways to better support families when it comes to childcare. It's a topic local industry leaders said now finally has the attention of politicians and folks in the business sector, after years of asking for help – even before the pandemic compounded issues. Hochul proposed more than $100 million in a construction fund for childcare facilities, along with fresh childcare tax credits, a path towards universal childcare, and more. All of these areas, local industry leaders said, have been needed points of attention for years. 'We want to have a coalition of leaders in the community, advocates, unions, tax experts to come together and talk about how can we get the financial security into the system so we can have universal childcare. The governor always says, you know, nobody should ever have to give up a job they love because they can't find good care for their kids, and she's been a wonderful advocate for this,' said Roberta Reardon, commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor. Kristin Perrone is the senior program officer of the Child Care Council, a free referral agency that serves Monroe, Livingston, and Wayne counties. 'In Monroe County, I want to say it's about $21,000 for childcare in one year,' she said. 'This year, [Hochul] is proposing a huge increase in the childcare tax credit. It's the largest increase ever in the history of NYS and it will be really transformational for parents. A child under four, it will go up at least $1,000 a child this year, and for children 4-16, that will go up to $500 a year. Really helpful.' Another plan: Investing in the creation of new centers to the tune of approximately $110 million, which could also be used for repairs. It's a plan that's already garnering local interest. 'We've actually heard it from all three of our counties because there's deserts in all different places. It doesn't necessarily – like if you take a county like Wayne County for example, it's very spread out. There's a lot of different towns. So, one town might have an adequate amount of childcare, but 10 minutes down the road they don't have any at all,' said Perrone. Senate Dems advance legislation to lower costs and increase transparency Another part of the governor's plan is to create a childcare substitute pool statewide, similar to how school districts call in backup when a teacher is not able to be there The New York State budget is due April 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Macy's Greece Ridge mall employees notified of final day. Here's the date
Macy's has informed 50 workers at the store at The Mall at Greece Ridge that their last day of work will be April 11. The date was listed in a New York State Department of Labor Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification posted Thursday to the department's website. A year ago, the struggling retailer said that by 2026, it planned to shut down 150 'unproductive' stores, about a third of its locations, while investing in 350 'go-forward' stores. The plan 'is designed to return the company to sustainable, profitable sales growth,' Macy's said in a statement. Last month, it announced 66 store closings, including the one in Greece. A clearance sale is underway. The Macy's at Eastview Mall in Victor — the only other Macy's in the Rochester market — will remain open. Macy's entered the Rochester market in 2006, when Kaufmann's stores at Greece Ridge, Eastview, Irondequoit's Medley Centre and Henrietta's Marketplace Mall were rebranded as Macy's. The Irondequoit Macy's closed in 2014; the Marketplace Mall store closed in 2017. Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments and has an interest in retail news. Send story tips to mgreenwo@ Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Macy's employees in Greece NY notified of final day. Here's the date
