Farm Labor Laws Change in 2020 What You Need to Know

Understanding any government document is challenging enough, but deciphering New York's Farm Labor Law may be similar to splitting atoms. Several CNY ag groups including Cornell Cooperative Extension and Farm Credit East will hold a pair of meetings to get you up to speed.

New York's Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practice Act signed by Governor Cuomo has new several regulations involving employees. Among the items addressed in the legislation are; overtime pay, a day of rest, disability, paid family leave and other wage and hour laws, and even regulations regarding provided housing.

Representatives from the NY Department of Labor will attend the meetings to explain the laws and answer any questions. A new tool developed by Cornell's Dyson School will also be unveiled. It will assist with calculating overtime

Meetings are planned for:

• Farm Credit East in Cooperstown Wednesday, December 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension's offices in Morrisville Thursday, December 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

.While the meetings are free, pre-registration is required by December 17.  Register for the Farm Credit East meeting online or the Cooperstown session online. You can also register for either meeting by calling Nicole at 315-867-6001 or e-mail nt375@cornell.edu.

If you can get away for the meetings, Farm Credit will also host a webinar on the changing laws Thursday, December 12 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Register for the webinar at Farm Credit East's website.