New York has always been at the heart of the labor movement, and Labor Day is a proud New York tradition. The very first Labor Day parade was held in New York City in 1882. On that day, 10,000 workers marched from City Hall up Broadway to demand dignity, safety, and fair conditions on the job. After the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, New Yorkers transformed grief into action to push through landmark reforms in fire safety, workplace inspections, and building codes. A witness to that tragedy, and one of the loudest voices calling for reform, was Frances Perkins, who would go on to lead New York’s labor agency and later serve as the first woman U.S. Secretary of Labor. This Labor Day, we honor New York’s proud legacy as the birthplace of the modern labor movement. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) remains proud to carry forward a tradition of protecting workers, strengthening labor rights, and building a fairer future for all. We invite you to watch this Labor Day message from Commissioner Roberta Reardon.
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Click Play to Watch | This summer, 60 educators from across NYS stepped outside their classrooms and into the workplaces shaping our economy. Through the NYSDOL Teacher Ambassador Program, they visited 237 businesses in all 10 statewide economic regions. Educators listened and learned directly from employers about the skills today’s workforce needs and how businesses and schools can partner to support student success. These educators now return to their schools inspired and equipped to prepare students with the skills employers value most, while businesses gain stronger connections to classrooms shaping their future talent pipeline. That’s where you come in. Next July, NYSDOL is inviting even more businesses to open their doors to teacher ambassadors. Hosting your local group of teacher ambassadors is a chance to showcase your industry, share your needs, and directly influence how students are prepared for the workforce. To participate in the 2026 Teacher Ambassador Program or to learn more, e-mail DOLAmbassador@labor.ny.gov. Together, we can build a workforce ready to thrive in every corner of New York State. |
The New York State Department of Labor invites you to join us for our Worker Protection Open Hours webinar series. These webinars will be held quarterly and will feature a topic overview followed by a Q&A session based on audience-submitted questions. These webinars aim to address compliance with new labor laws. The first topic in the series will cover the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Program (WWIRP). Please visit our website for more information about the legal requirements for both employers and employees:
Webinar Details:
Date: October 30th, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Topic: Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Program (WWIRP)
Registration: Register for the virtual Worker Protection Open Hours using the link below. Please make sure to register by September 18, 2025, to receive the webinar access link.
https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/r2012f0d22423a3ec4996bd9e9e224be3
Interpretation Information:
Spanish interpretation will be available, and additional language support can be arranged upon request when registering.
Upcoming Webinar Topics:
- January 2026 – Wage Theft Hub
- April 2026 – Child Labor Laws: Summer Employment
- July 2026 – Farm Worker Labor Laws
- October 2026 – Safety and Health - Best Practices
All webinars will be recorded and uploaded to the NYSDOL website, along with any additional FAQs. |
This year marks the 24th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001. As we pay tribute to those who lost their lives as a result of the attacks, we want to remind everyone of the 9/11 Federal Assistance Program. Pursuant to the 9/11 Notice Act, New York State businesses are required to inform current and former employees who were in the Lower Manhattan and northern Brooklyn exposure zones between September 2001 and May 2002 of federal assistance programs they may be eligible for. - This program is for everyone who was affected, including residents, area workers, students, as well as first responders
- 9/11-health related conditions include chronic disorders, such as asthma, cancers, and mental health, including PTSD
- You do not need a lawyer to participate. Your well-being matters, and New York State can connect you to help.
Your well-being matters, and New York State can connect you to help. For more information and to find out if you are eligible, visit: www.ny.gov/september11. |
| Facing a temporary slowdown? NYSDOL’s Shared Work Program helps businesses avoid layoffs by reducing employee hours (20%-60%) while workers receive a portion of their unemployment benefits. As the employer, you save on payroll, retain skilled staff, and stay ready for growth. Eligible businesses with two or more employees can apply online and receive approval within 48 hours. You’ll also be assigned a dedicated Account Manager to guide you every step of the way. For more information, call (518) 457-2315, e-mail NYSDOLSharedWork@labor.ny.gov, or submit a request to get more information. Keep your workforce strong with the Shared Work Program! |
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Seasonal hiring is gearing up, and our Seasonal Jobs Bank is the perfect tool to help you fill your fall seasonal hiring needs. Our Seasonal Jobs Bank is a terrific, free resource for businesses to help them reach a large audience of job seekers that meet their seasonal and holiday hiring needs. Posting a job is simple and is immediately added to our databank, meaning you won't have to wait for qualified job seekers in your area to start applying. Don’t wait until it feels like fall, start hiring today! Post your open jobs on our Seasonal Job Bank at: seasonalworks.labor.ny.gov.
New York employers with physical retail locations: the Commercial Security Tax Credit now gives businesses a valuable financial incentive to bolster security and deter theft. Eligible small retail businesses can receive up to $3,000 per location to help offset the cost of security enhancements. To qualify, businesses must have spent more than $4,000 per location if they have 25 or fewer employees, or more than $6,000 per location if they have 26–50 employees. Eligible expenses include:
- registered security guards
- surveillance cameras
- alarm systems
- locks
- panic alarms
- access control systems
- exterior license plate readers
- and other approved anti-theft devices
Apply by October 31 each year. Applications are processed in the order received, and the program has a statewide cap of $5 million per calendar year. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your security while reducing costs—visit the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services website to learn more and apply today. The NYS Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) offers a Cannabis Banking Directory—a dedicated resource that connects licensed cannabis businesses with financial institutions ready to support New York's cannabis industry. Whether you’re a business seeking compliant banking services or a financial institution interested in serving this market, this tool helps bridge the gap. The directory is available on the Office’s Social and Economic Equity (SEE) page and may require scrolling to view. View the Directory. Free Cannabis Education Materials for Your Business
The OCM offers free, professionally designed educational materials to help businesses promote safer and more informed cannabis use. Through the Cannabis Education Library, businesses can order printed resources—delivered right to their door—to share with employees, customers, or the wider community. Order yours today! |
| Governor Kathy Hochul is putting more money back into the pockets of New Yorkers. Next month, the maximum amount an individual can receive through Unemployment Insurance will increase significantly. This is happening thanks to the Governor’s historic payoff of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund loan. Scheduled increases to the maximum unemployment insurance benefit have been frozen for years because of the loan, leaving New York's rate at $504 per week. Paying off the loan allows New York to lift the freeze on the maximum benefit rate. Starting next month, the maximum benefit for unemployed workers will increase to $869 per week. This will put New York State on par with other regional state rates, increasing support for job seekers who receive unemployment insurance benefits, and making New York more affordable for everyone. For more information about the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and to calculate an individual’s potential weekly rate, visit: https://dol.ny.gov/unemployment-insurance-ui-trust-fund-faq. |
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| With schools and universities back in session and the holidays soon approaching, now is one of the busiest hiring times for young workers. If there is a minor in your family who is looking to get out into the workforce, it is important that they know their rights before they start applying for jobs. The Youth Worker Bill of Rights builds on Governor Hochul’s commitment to addressing recent trends of increased child labor violations and protecting young people in the workplace. Depending on a young worker's age, there are restrictions and special rules concerning the hours youth workers can work, when they can work, what jobs they can perform, and more. For more detailed information about the Youth Bill of Rights, please visit our child labor law website. |
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