New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A08336

Introduced
5/13/25  
Refer
5/13/25  
Refer
1/7/26  
Report Pass
3/31/26  

Caption

Enacts the "faithless servant reform act", creating a rebuttable presumption of retaliation or discrimination for certain actions of an employer; provides that the employer maintains the burden of proof in certain actions against an employee; limits an employer's remedy of forfeiture against an employee's compensation.

Impact

The bill mandates that employers bear the burden of proof when asserting claims of disloyalty against an employee. This radically shifts the dynamics of disputes, as employers must demonstrate with clear and convincing evidence that the employee's actions merited compensation forfeiture. Furthermore, the bill specifies that any such forfeiture cannot include minimum wage or overtime payments, thus safeguarding a fundamental level of employee earnings against employer claims of disloyalty.

Summary

Bill A08336, also known as the "Faithless Servant Reform Act," seeks to amend labor and executive law to protect employees from retaliatory actions by employers in employment disputes. The principal aim is to ensure that claims of employee disloyalty are substantiated and narrowly defined, preventing employers from taking unfounded actions against employees. Notably, the bill introduces a rebuttable presumption of retaliation when an employer threatens or takes action to forfeit compensation following an employee's claim for unpaid wages or benefits.

Contention

The proposal has sparked debate regarding the balance of power between employees and employers. Proponents argue that it enhances employee protections and reduces ambiguous retaliatory practices that could stem from vague claims of disloyalty. Conversely, critics express concern that it could overly restrict employers' ability to manage their workforce and protect their interests if an employee engages in unethical behavior. This contentious aspect lies at the heart of discussions, as stakeholders wrestle with the potential implications of these legal shifts on workplace accountability.

Companion Bills

NY S07776

Same As Enacts the "faithless servant reform act", creating a rebuttable presumption of retaliation or discrimination for certain actions of an employer; provides that the employer maintains the burden of proof in certain actions against an employee; limits an employer's remedy of forfeiture against an employee's compensation.

Previously Filed As

NY S07776

Enacts the "faithless servant reform act", creating a rebuttable presumption of retaliation or discrimination for certain actions of an employer; provides that the employer maintains the burden of proof in certain actions against an employee; limits an employer's remedy of forfeiture against an employee's compensation.

NY S07453

Provides protection to employees and former employees from retaliatory actions by employers for the reporting of illegal or dangerous business activities.

NY S07437

Prohibits agreements between employers that directly restrict the current or future employment of any employee; allows for a cause of action against employers who engage in such agreements.

NY S0959

Protects bullying/psychological abuse in workplace inflicted upon employees by employers/co-employees/provides civil remedies to affected employees/fines against employers/imprisonment/fines against co-employees.

NY S2502

Protects bullying/psychological abuse in workplace inflicted upon employees by employers/co-employees/provides civil remedies to affected employees/fines against employers/imprisonment/fines against co-employees.

NY H8505

Protects bullying/psychological abuse in workplace inflicted upon employees by employers/co-employees/provides civil remedies to affected employees/fines against employers/imprisonment/fines against co-employees.

NY HB5423

Labor: discrimination; employees who are victims of certain crimes; prohibit employers from discriminating against because of. Creates new act.

NY SB744

Labor; prohibiting employers from taking certain adverse actions against certain employees. Effective date. Emergency.

NY SB744

Labor; prohibiting employers from taking certain adverse actions against certain employees. Effective date. Emergency.

NY SB396

Labor and Industrial Relations; retaliatory actions by certain employers against certain employees for disclosing potentially unlawful activities; prohibit

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.