October 2026

Important Information on NYS Unemployment Insurance

Register for the Next Business Services Webinar

Doing business in New York is getting easier.  On Tuesday, October 19, at 1:00 PM, the NYSDOL Business Advocacy Office invites you to a special Virtual Office Hours event featuring a preview of our Unemployment Services System Upgrade.  This upgrade introduces modern tools and enhanced functionality designed specifically to improve your user experience and streamline operations.  As your dedicated partner at NYSDOL, the Business Advocacy Office is here to help your business succeed.  Join us to see how these new features will benefit your organization.  Please register receive the webinar link (hosted on Zoom).

Paid Time Off to Vote

Early voting starts this month, but if your employees are unable to vote early, they may be eligible for two hours of paid time off on Election Day through New York State's Voting Leave.  All New York State employees are eligible for up to two hours of paid time off to vote if they do not have "sufficient time to vote."  An employee is deemed to have "sufficient time to vote" if:

• They have four consecutive hours to vote from when polls open to the start of their work shift, or;
• They have four consecutive hours to vote between the end of their shift and the closing of polls.

Election Day is November 3, and early voting is happening from October 24 through November 1.  Talk to your employees to make sure they know their rights.

Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month

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October is New York State Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month (DREAM).  On average, the employment rate among working-age people with disabilities is less than half of what it is for people without disabilities.  This month, we are highlighting the rights of people with disabilities and continuing discussion on how to increase the employment rate for individuals with disabilities throughout New York State.  Employers are encouraged to sign the Employability Pledge.  Taking the pledge shows a commitment to the philosophy of inclusivity and serves as a promise to create a work environment that meets the accessibility needs of all staff and customers.  Businesses that sign the pledge will appear on the Employability Honor Roll on the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) website.  Businesses will also receive a digital badge that can be posted on their own website.  Taking the pledge is a great way to demonstrate to your customers and community that your business is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace.  For more information about all the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, please visit OPWDD’s EmployAbility toolkit.  Let’s celebrate inclusivity and highlight the uniquely talented individuals who deserve a chance to thrive in today’s workforce.

Worker Protection Open Hours Webinar Series

The New York State Department of Labor’s Worker Protection Division 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.  Our webinars aim to address compliance with new labor laws.  The upcoming topic in the series will cover Asbestos Control & Boiler Safety.  Please visit our website for more information about the legal requirements for both employers and employees:

• Asbestos Control Bureau
• Boiler Safety Bureau

Webinar Details:

• Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
• Time: 2:30 PM
• Topic: Asbestos Control & Boiler Safety
• Registration: Register for the virtual Worker Protection Open Hours.  Please make sure to register by Thursday, October 29, 2026, to receive the webinar access link.

All webinars will be recorded and uploaded to the NYSDOL Worker Protection Open Hours website, along with any additional FAQs.