Protects certain employees from a reduction of wages due to their involvement in the investigation of a violation of a workplace violence protection program.
Summary
A06612 amends the New York Labor Law to prohibit wage reductions for employees who take part in certain workplace violence protection program activities. Specifically, an employee may not suffer any reduction in wages for accompanying the commissioner during an inspection, participating in a risk evaluation and determination inspection, or taking part in an annual program review. The bill is narrowly focused on protecting workers from financial retaliation when they assist in the enforcement or review of workplace violence protections.
The measure would add a new paragraph to Labor Law section 27-b, which governs workplace violence prevention programs. Its practical effect is to preserve pay for employees who are involved in inspections and reviews connected to identifying and addressing workplace violence risks. The bill takes effect immediately if enacted, and it would apply to the wage treatment of employees engaged in these specified compliance and oversight activities.
Impact
The bill would amend Labor Law section 27-b by creating an explicit statutory protection against wage reductions for employees participating in workplace violence-related inspections and program reviews. This would affect employers covered by New York’s workplace violence prevention requirements, as well as employees who assist the commissioner or participate in risk evaluation and annual review processes. It does not create a new program, but strengthens existing labor protections by ensuring that participation in enforcement or compliance activities cannot be used to reduce pay.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support for the bill. It advanced through the Assembly Ways and Means Committee on a 32-0 vote and then through the Assembly Rules Committee on a 28-0 vote, indicating unanimous favorable committee action. No committee transcript is available, but the recorded votes point to broad agreement that workers should not be penalized financially for helping with workplace violence prevention enforcement.
Contention
No explicit opposition is reflected in the available materials, and the committee votes were unanimous. The main policy issue implicit in the bill is whether employers should be barred from reducing wages when employees participate in inspections or reviews; the bill resolves that question in favor of employee pay protection. Any potential concern would likely come from employers regarding administrative or payroll impacts, but no such objections are documented in the provided record.
Same As
Protects certain employees from a reduction of wages due to their involvement in the investigation of a violation of a workplace violence protection program.