Bill > A00218

This bill establishes a new legal framework for flexible working arrangements in New York, providing employees with the right to request changes to their work schedule or location. Under the bill, a "flexible working arrangement" is defined as intermediate or long-term changes in an employee's work pattern, such as modified hours, work-from-home options, or job-sharing, but excluding vacation or routine shift scheduling. Employees can submit requests in good faith, and employers must consider these requests carefully, evaluating them against nine specific business considerations like cost, operational impact, and staff reorganization potential. Employers must respond to such requests within 45 days, providing a written explanation if the request is partially or fully denied. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who exercise these rights and allows the commissioner to take legal action and impose $500 fines for violations. Importantly, the bill does not require employers to accept flexible work arrangements and does not override existing collective bargaining agreements. The new law will take effect 120 days after becoming law, giving employers time to prepare for the new requirements and potentially develop more comprehensive flexible working policies.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A218