As part of Governor Hochul’s commitment to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs flourish in today’s economy, the New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner, Hope Knight, launched the 2024 Small Business tour on June 17 in White Plains.

The Small Business tour provides important information to small business owners on licensing, regulations, taxes, grants, training and more. With the purpose of connecting small businesses and entrepreneurs with no-cost resources and services provide by state agencies, the tour represents another aspect of New York State’s commitment to strengthening small businesses that continue to play an important role in their local communities.
Registration is still open for upcoming stops, including:

• Thursday, June 27, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Interagency Small Business Tour Stop SUNY Broome Community College 907 Front Street, Binghamton, NY, 13905
  Partner Organization: Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce
• Monday, July 8, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Interagency Small Business Tour Stop Locust Grove Estate 2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601
  Partner Organization: Think Dutchess Alliance for Business
• Thursday, July 11, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MWBE Regional Opportunities Expo Event
  Midtown Manhattan, New York City, NY
  Businesses must register to receive event location.
• Friday, July 12, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Interagency Small Business Tour Stop Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building 163 W 125th Street, New York, NY, 10027
  Partner Organization: Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
• Wednesday, July 17 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Interagency Small Business Tour Stop
  The Bulova Building 75-20 Astoria Boulevard S., Queens, NY, 11370
  Partner Organization: Queens Chamber of Commerce
• Monday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Interagency Small Business Tour Stop SUNY Old Westbury 223 Store Hill Road,Old Westbury, NY, 11568
  Partner Organizations: Long Island Association, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, and Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Tuesday, July 23, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Interagency Small Business Tour Stop Suffolk Theater 118 E. Main Street, Riverhead, NY, 11901
  Partner Organization: Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers
• Thursday, July 25, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Interagency Small Business Tour Stop Onondaga Community College 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215
  Partner Organization: CenterState CEO

For more information or to register for an event on the Small Business Tour, please visit: https://dol.ny.gov/SBT
The DOL offers a variety of services to support businesses of all sizes across the state. From workforce recruitment assistance to guidance on tax credits to free HR consultations, we have a host of services that will help our small businesses cut costs and thrive in today’s fast-moving marketplace.

There are some new changes to the Expression of Breastmilk in the Workplace Law that you need to know about.

Beginning June 19, 2024, Labor Law Section 206-c provides all employees with the right to paid break time to express breast milk in the workplace regardless of the size of their employer or the industry they work in. Employers are required to tell employees about their rights regarding breast milk expression by providing them the NYSDOL Policy on the Rights of Employees to Express Breast Milk in the Workplace when they start a new job and annually thereafter.

Providing working parents with paid break time to express breast milk has a number of positive benefits to the workplace. Supporting parents in this way reduces absenteeism, improves morale and productivity, and helps with employee retention. Paid break time creates a positive work culture and benefits both the employees and employers.

For more information, please visit our Breastmilk Expression in the Workplace website.

Last month, Governor Kathy Hochul introduced the Youth Workers Bill of Rights, a landmark initiative designed to enhance protections for the state’s youngest employees. The Bill of Rights provides crucial information on minimum wage, anti-discrimination, and other essential worker protections.

Businesses are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Youth Workers Bill of Rights, which will be distributed with working papers and made available in various formats.

The DOL’s new Youth Worker Information Hub serves as an educational resource, offering detailed information on working hours, minimum wage compliance and prohibited occupations for those under 18. This initiative builds on Governor Hochul’s 2023 measures to combat rising child labor violations, including the establishment of an interagency Child Labor Task Force and the Protect Youth Workers Pledge for businesses.

Visit the Youth Worker Information Hub today for additional information and resources.

According to the National Weather Service, when the heat index is 80 degrees or higher, the risk of occupational heat-related illness and injury increases significantly. With the recent wave of record-setting heat, the DOL strongly encourages all businesses to follow these extreme heat safety tips to protect all workers:

• Allow workers to rest regularly in shaded areas.  
• Encourage workers to drink water frequently, even if they are not thirsty. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that employers provide each outdoor worker with 32 ounces of cool, potable drinking water per hour.  
• When the heat index equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit, establish shaded areas near work sites for rest and meal periods.  
• When the heat index reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, implement standardized rest breaks to keep workers safe.  
• Encourage workers to protect themselves from the sun and heat by wearing light clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunscreen. 

It is also crucial for both workers and employers to recognize the signs of common heat-related illnesses. New and returning workers should be aware that they need to build a tolerance to heat, as those who are not acclimated to working in hot conditions are the most vulnerable.

Our top priority is to keep all workers safe and protected. Please follow these tips to ensure the well-being of your employees.