news stories Tagged “Benefits and Administrative Services”
Equitable Compensation Grant applications for January to June 2025 are now available
September 17, 2024 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Commission on Equitable Compensation has issued guidelines and application forms for salary grants to local churches for the period January to June 2025. Salary grants are available only to churches with a pastor under full time appointment. To apply for salary assistance from the Equitable Compensation Fund, applicants should review the policies and procedures in the application document for guidance, and then complete the application according to the …more
Susan Latessa to leave role as Director of Human Resources and Benefits
July 31, 2024 / By Shelby Winchell, UNY Director of Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Susan Latessa, Upper New York’s Director of Human Resources and Benefits is vacating her role to pursue other work in ministry. Susan joined the Upper New York Conference in 2017. “I’m leaving to answer a new call to ministry. I’ve been praying for a while to become closer to Jesus and I feel like He answered my prayers with this new opportunity,” …more
NYS paid breastfeeding breaks
June 18, 2024 / By Susan Latessa, Director of Human Resources and Benefits / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
On Monday, June 17, 2024, the New York State (NYS) Department of Labor (DOL) released its guidance on paid breaks for breastfeeding. Beginning on June 19, 2024 and as part of the state budget passed earlier this year, paid breastfeeding breaks become law and take effect. Click here to read the full guidance. The guidance provides some much-needed clarification, particularly on the following points: An employee is entitled to as …more
UNY Archives Hires Archives Assistant
February 22, 2024 / By Tara Barnes, UNY Commission on Archives and History member / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The Upper New York Commission on Archives and History (UNYCAH) is excited to welcome Reilly Callahan as Archives Assistant to help with the important work of keeping the historical records of our churches. Reilly graduated summa cum laude in May 2023 from Syracuse University with a master’s degree in information studies. She worked as an archives intern at the university’s Special Collections Research Center and is a …more
New York State Minimum Wage / Salary Increase, Effective January 1, 2024
January 11, 2024 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, New York State increased the minimum wage for hourly (non-exempt) employees as well as the minimum salary amount for salaried (exempt) employees. The new amounts for New York State (excluding New York City, Long Island, and Westchester) are: HOURLY (Non-exempt): $15.00/hour SALARY (Exempt): $1,124.20 per week / $58,458.40 per year Employers within the Upper New York Conference, regardless of the number of employees, must pay non-exempt staff the minimum wage. …more
New Legislation regarding written notice of unemployment benefits and personal account information disclosure
October 19, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
There is new legislation regarding written notice of unemployment benefits and personal account information that takes effect in November 2023 and March 2024. Written Notice of Unemployment Benefits In relation to the notice of eligibility for unemployment benefits, New York State Senate Bill S4878-A/A. 398-A amends Section 590 of the Labor Law. Under this new legislation, employers must provide written notice of eligibility for unemployment benefits …more
New York State Minimum Wage Increase effective Jan. 1, 2024
September 28, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, UNY Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The New York State minimum wage is changing starting in 2024. New York State Minimum Wage Increase Effective Jan. 1, 2024, New York State (NYS) minimum wage will increase to $15.00 per hour. In 2025 and 2026, NYS minimum wage will increase by $0.50 annually. Beginning in 2027, and each year thereafter, increases to the minimum wage will be indexed based on inflation by the U.S. Department of Labor consumer price index. The minimum …more
NYS Wage Transparency Law
September 6, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Effective Sept. 17, 2023, all private sector employers with four or more employees must post a range of pay on job advertisements pursuant to New York State (NYS) Wage Transparency Law. In addition, pay ranges must be placed on all advertisements for promotions or transfers. The wage range requirement applies to postings that are both internal and external to the employer. The wage range must be included on all postings for jobs …more
Updated Form I-9 effective August 1, 2023
July 28, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist
On Aug. 1, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will publish a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (PDF, 899.28 KB). Employers may continue to use the older Form I-9 (Rev. 10/21/19) through Oct. 31, 2023. After that date, employers will be subject to penalties if they use the older form. The new version will not be available for downloading until Aug. 1. The U.S. Department …more
Human Resources legal updates
July 7, 2023 / By Tracy Rickett, Human Resources Generalist
Pregnant worker fairness The federal government has passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), went into effect on June 27, 2023. This law requires employers to offer reasonable accommodations to workers for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, absent an undue hardship to the employer. Although the language of the Act is similar to that of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodations under the PWFA are available to pregnant workers …more