Business owners, are you ready to sponsor a registered apprenticeship?  During National Apprenticeship Week (April 26 – May 2), New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) Commissioner Roberta Reardon traveled across the state to meet with educators, business owners, and future apprentices to hear their stories about how registered apprenticeships are making a difference to their businesses and careers.  New York State registered apprenticeships are a fantastic way for employers to create and sustain a pipeline of highly skilled workers tailored to the specific needs of their business.  The benefits of sponsoring a registered apprenticeship include:

• Pipeline: Supply of skilled workers
• Cost Savings: Increased productivity and reduced turnover
• Quality Work: Structured training leads to a highly skilled workforce
• Happy Workers: Increased worker retention and attendance, and good-paying jobs
• Reputation: Become an industry leader in high-quality employment and training opportunities
• Credibility: National industry recognition

New York State has one of the largest registered apprenticeship programs in the country, with over 18,000 active apprentices, 600 sponsors, and 900 programs.  From jewelers to piano builders to line workers, we have helped businesses implement successful apprenticeships across a diverse set of industries.  If you are ready to see how sponsoring a registered apprenticeship will help your business thrive, we can make it happen.  To learn more about the registered apprenticeship program, please visit our Registered Apprenticeship Webpage.

At NYSDOL, we know how important it is for youth workers to have a safe and enjoyable entry into the workforce.  Year after year, through job assistance programs, youth worker resources, and enforcement of labor protections, we remain dedicated to protecting minors in the workplace.  In 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul tasked NYSDOL with creating the Protect Youth Workers Pledge.  Employers who take the pledge commit to the following:

• Protecting New York youth workers by educating themselves and their employers about labor rights and human trafficking.
• Not employing minors in prohibited occupations or exploit their youth or labor.
• Always considering the safety and wellbeing of minors as employees, future employees, or members of our community.
• Reporting suspected violations to the Child Labor Task Force.

Employers who take the pledge receive a sticker to display in their businesses to show their commitment to protecting youth workers in the workplace.  In 2024, NYSDOL and the NYS Department of Education (NYSED) created the Youth Worker Bill of Rights.  This document contains clear, accessible language explaining that all workers have rights in New York.  It covers 10 essential rights and points to the resources available if they are violated.  In 2027, the Department will provide digital working papers for youth workers ages 14-17.  Once implemented, all employment certificates will be issued electronically through an online database.  Employers and minors can register through the database by providing the necessary information.  For more information on youth working papers, please see our webpage.

This month, in honor of Mother’s Day, NYSDOL wants to remind you how New York State supports working mothers.

Paid Family Leave
A nation-leading Paid Family Leave policy provides eligible employees with job-protected, paid time off to:

• Bond with a newly born, adopted, or fostered child
• Care for a family member with a serious health condition
• Assist loved ones when a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent is deployed abroad on active military service

Paid Prenatal Leave
Paid Prenatal Leave provides employees with 20 hours of paid leave time per year to be used for prenatal healthcare service appointments during pregnancy or related to pregnancy.  This covers physical examinations, medical procedures, monitoring and testing, and discussions with a health care provider related to the pregnancy.  Have you or one of your employees benefited from Paid Prenatal Leave?  Tell us your story: Paid Prenatal Leave Testimonial Survey!

Paid Breaks for Breast Milk Expression
All employers, by law, are required to provide 30 minutes of paid break time for the purpose of pumping breast milk at work, in addition to their regular mealtime and any other paid breaks.  New York labor law grants parents the right to express milk at work for up to three years following childbirth.  Employers must provide a private, designated space for pumping, which:

• Cannot be a restroom or toilet stall
• Must have a functioning lock or sign warning the location is in use and not accessible to others
• Must contain a chair and small table or other flat surface
• Be well lit
• Provide an electrical outlet
• Be close to accessible, clean water
• Must be shielded from view and inaccessible to other employees, customers, or the public while in use

Employees are not required to use the designated space, but employers must still provide an appropriate private area.  For more information on employee rights related to breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and expressing milk in the workplace, visit health.ny.gov/supportbreastfeeding.  NYSDOL also has a variety of programs available to support mothers as they re-enter the workforce or elevate their careers, including Career Centers that provide counseling to help workers find a fulfilling and family-sustaining career and a Salary Negotiation Guide which is available to help workers and job seekers advocate for themselves in the workplace.

Instead of laying off skilled operators and crews, Our Shared Work Program lets you temporarily reduce hours by 20%-60% while your employees receive a percentage of their unemployment benefits to help make up the difference.

This innovative approach offers significant advantages:

• Secure Your Talent: Keep your experienced and trained employees on staff, ready to ramp up when business booms.
• Maintain Productivity: Share the available work amongst your crew without the need to recruit, hire, and train new members.
• Pump-Up Employee Morale: Demonstrate your commitment to your team, fostering loyalty and reducing turnover.
• Optimize Operations: Lower the financial burden of layoffs and unemployment claims while maintaining efficiency.

Blueprint a Shared Work strategy for your business.  It's simple to apply and plans are generally approved within two business days.

Ready to explore how Shared Work could benefit your operation?  To speak with a representative about the program call 518-457-2315 or click the button below: