Laura Fant
Associate
As an associate in the Labor & Employment Law Department and co-chair of the Disability, Accommodations & Leave Management Practice Group, Laura Fant frequently counsels on employee leave and accommodation matters involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and related state and local laws. She also provides general employment counseling and has experience reviewing and updating employee handbooks and company policies, as well as providing training on topics such as discrimination and harassment in the workplace, social media, and the accommodation of physical and mental disabilities. Laura is a frequent contributor to Proskauer’s Law and the Workplace blog.
Before joining the Firm, Laura was assistant general counsel to the City of New York's Office of Labor Relations. Prior to that, she was law clerk to Judge Jose L. Fuentes of the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, and a judicial intern to Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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On April 3, 2018, the Antitrust Division of the U.S Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced that it had reached a settlement in a matter involving a “no-poaching” agreement between employers—the first such enforcement action under the Trump Administration. The DOJ’s pursuit of the matter reflects the Department’s continuing scrutiny of employment and hiring agreements between … Continue Reading
The Westchester County, NY Board of Legislators has unanimously enacted legislation that will prohibit employers and their agents from relying on, requiring, requesting, or seeking information about a prospective employee’s wage history during the hiring process. The Wage History Anti-Discrimination Law (the “Law”) will become effective on July 9, 2018. The Law amends the Westchester … Continue Reading
The New Jersey state legislature has passed a new pay equity law which will, among other things, make it an unlawful employment practice to pay employees of any protected class under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) at a lesser rate than other employees who perform “substantially similar work” unless the differential is based … Continue Reading
The New York City Council has passed the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act (the “Act”), a package of bills aimed at addressing and preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. The legislation is now awaiting the signature of Mayor Bill de Blasio. As we previously discussed in an earlier post, the Act would amend the New York City … Continue Reading
On April 12, 2018, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the New York State budget, which, as we previously reported, includes several significant measures directed at both private and government employers regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. The signing of the budget bills triggers the countdown to the effective dates of the various … Continue Reading
The New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo have reached agreement on a $168 billion budget deal for the 2019 fiscal year, which began on April 1, 2018. The budget includes several significant measures directed at both private and government employers regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. Many of the measures mirror legislation that … Continue Reading
In this episode of The Proskauer Brief, senior counsel Harris Mufson and associate Laura Fant discuss the latest developments in Title VII. We will discuss the two recent circuit court decisions concerning the scope of sex discrimination under Title VII, one by the Second Circuit and the other by the Sixth Circuit. In addition, we will highlight some of … Continue Reading
In a unanimous decision in EEOC v. R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes, Inc., a three-judge Sixth Circuit panel has held that discrimination on the basis of transgender status is “necessarily” discrimination on the basis of sex and therefore prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”). Background The case … Continue Reading
The New York City Council will consider a series of bills aimed at preventing and addressing workplace sexual harassment, both in the private sector and in city agencies. The eleven bills, collectively titled the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act, were jointly introduced by the Council Committee on Women and the Committee on Civil and … Continue Reading
In an en banc decision in Zarda v. Altitude Express, Inc., the Second Circuit has become the latest federal appeals court to hold that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”). Background The case involved Donald Zarda, a gay … Continue Reading
The Austin, Texas City Council has enacted a paid sick and safe leave ordinance, becoming the first southern city to pass such a law for private sector employees. The ordinance will take effect on October 1, 2018 for employers with five or more employees; coverage for smaller employers begins on October 1, 2020. Employees who work … Continue Reading
Newly enacted amendments to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) have expanded state anti-discrimination protections in the workplace, housing, and in public accommodations to include individuals who are breastfeeding or expressing milk. The amendments also require employers to provide reasonable accommodation to breastfeeding employees. The amendments took effect immediately upon signing by the Governor … Continue Reading
The New York City Council has passed a bill that will require employers to grant requests for temporary work schedule changes when needed for certain medical and family care purposes. UPDATE: The bill became law on January 19, 2018 after Mayor Bill de Blasio neither signed nor vetoed it. It takes effect on July 18, … Continue Reading
In this episode of The Proskauer Brief, senior counsel Harris Mufson and associate Laura Fant discuss recent amendments to the New York Earned Sick Time Act, which provides paid sick days for eligible employees working in New York City. We will discuss how the recent changes will now both expand the covered reasons for leave under the law, and … Continue Reading
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed into law an amendment to the NYC Earned Sick Time Act expanding the covered reasons for leave under the law, as well as broadening the definition of a covered family member for whom an employee may take leave to provide care. The amendments take effect on … Continue Reading
The New York City Council has passed a bill that would amend the NYC Earned Sick Time Act (“ESTA”) to expand the covered reasons for leave to include situations where an employee or an employee’s family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses, stalking or human trafficking. The bill would also expand the … Continue Reading
With the January 1, 2018 effective date for the New York Paid Family Leave Law fast approaching, the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (“WCB”) has issued model paid family leave (“PFL”) request and certification forms, as well as a model waiver form. The forms are available on the WCB’s New York Paid Family Leave … Continue Reading
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a statewide salary history inquiry law that will largely restrict employers in the state from seeking and relying upon salary history information from applicants during the hiring process. The law, which will go into effect on January 1, 2018 and will apply to all private and public … Continue Reading
On the heels of its recently issued fact sheets, the NYC Commission on Human Rights (the “Commission”) has published a frequently asked questions page on the New York City salary history inquiry law, which goes into effect on October 31, 2017. The FAQs address a number of details about the law, which restricts the ability … Continue Reading
As the October 31, 2017 effective date for the New York City salary history inquiry law fast approaches, the NYC Commission on Human Rights (the “Commission”) has issued two new fact sheets addressing applicants’ rights, and employer responsibilities, under the new law. The first fact sheet is addressed to job applicants, while the second fact … Continue Reading
In this edition of The Proskauer Brief, senior counsel Harris Mufson and associate Laura Fant discuss the challenges and pitfalls surrounding requests for multiple medical leaves of absence. We will talk about the obligation of employers to provide reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and related laws. We will also discuss a recent decision from the Seventh … Continue Reading
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has issued official guidance on several taxability issues relating to the New York Paid Family Leave Law (“PFLL”), which goes into effect on January 1, 2018. Among other details addressed, employee contributions under the PFLL shall be made on an after-tax basis, and benefits paid to … Continue Reading
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed into law an amendment to the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) adding current or prior service in the uniformed services as a protected class under the law. The amendment will take effect on November 19, 2017. As we previously reported, the bill gives veterans and active … Continue Reading
Proskauer senior counsel Harris Mufson and associate Laura Fant provide an overview of New York State’s Paid Family Leave law and give some tips on how to prepare for its implementation. Many of our clients have been inquiring about this new law, set to go into effect in New York on January 1, 2018. The law will … Continue Reading
DOJ Announces First Settlement Under Trump Administration Regarding “No-Poach” Agreement
By Lloyd B. Chinn, Colin Kass, Laura Fant and Myra Din on Posted in Hiring/Background Checks, Non-Competes and Protection of Corporate Assets
Westchester County, New York Enacts Salary History Inquiry Law
New Jersey Legislature Passes New Pay Equity Bill
New York City Council Passes the Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act
By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Meika Freeman on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Governor Cuomo Signs New York State Budget Anti-Harassment Provisions Into Law
By Allan Bloom and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
New York State Budget Includes Workplace Anti-Sexual Harassment Measures
By Allan Bloom, Laura Fant and Bassam Gergi on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
[Podcast]: Recent Developments in Title VII
Sixth Circuit Holds Discrimination Based on Transgender Status is Prohibited Under Title VII
By Allan Bloom and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
NYC Council to Consider Series of Bills Aimed at Addressing Workplace Sexual Harassment
By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Meika Freeman on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Second Circuit Rules Sexual Orientation Discrimination Is Prohibited Under Title VII
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
Austin, Texas Enacts Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law
By Allan Bloom, Laura Fant and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Leaves of Absences
New Jersey Enacts State Anti-Discrimination Protections for Breastfeeding
UPDATE: NYC Council Passes Bill Requiring Accommodation of Temporary Schedule Changes for Certain Medical and Family Care Purposes
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Accessibility & Accommodation
[Podcast]: Recent Amendments to the New York Earned Sick Time Act
By Harris Mufson and Laura Fant on Posted in The Proskauer Brief Podcast, Vacation policy
Bill Expanding Coverage Under the NYC Earned Sick Time Act Signed Into Law
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Leaves of Absences
NYC Council Passes Bill to Expand Coverage Under the Earned Sick Time Act
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Leaves of Absences
Model Leave Request, Certification and Waiver Forms Issued for the New York Paid Family Leave Law
By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Leaves of Absences
California Enacts Statewide Law Restricting Inquiries into Applicants’ Salary History
By Tony Oncidi and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks
UPDATED: New York City Commission on Human Rights Publishes FAQ Guidance on NYC Salary History Law
Fact Sheets for Employers and Applicants Issued on NYC Salary History Inquiry Law
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, Hiring/Background Checks
[Podcast]: The Proskauer Brief: The Challenges and Pitfalls Surrounding Requests for Multiple Medical Leaves of Absence
By Harris Mufson and Laura Fant on Posted in The Proskauer Brief Podcast
Guidance Issued on Taxability of Contributions and Benefits under New York Paid Family Leave Law
By Evandro Gigante, Laura Fant and Arielle E. Kobetz on Posted in Leaves of Absences
NYC Human Rights Law Amended to Prohibit Discrimination Against Uniformed Servicemembers and Veterans
By Evandro Gigante and Laura Fant on Posted in Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation
[Podcast] The Proskauer Brief: New York State’s Paid Family Leave Law
By Harris Mufson and Laura Fant on Posted in Leaves of Absences, The Proskauer Brief Podcast
