Scott Horton

Scott Horton has practiced labor and employment law in New York for over 20 years. He has represented approximately 500 employers, authored hundreds of articles and presentations, and wrote the book New York Management Law: The Practical Guide to Employment Law for Business Owners and Managers. Nothing on this blog constitutes legal advice. For legal advice specific to your situation, you should consult an attorney.
HR professional reviewing payroll figures with a laptop.

Do you know the 2027 New York minimum wage? As in previous years, different rates apply depending on where employees work and, in some cases, the industry. But this year brings an unusual development: the general minimum wage will remain unchanged on January 1. New York’s inflation-based increase has been paused under an exception in … Read more

New York Personnel Files Webinar Recap

New York employers will soon have new responsibilities for providing access to employee personnel records and managing the information those records contain. Effective November 8, 2026, new Labor Law § 210-b establishes access, notice, rebuttal, and retention requirements affecting both private and public employers. On October 22, 2026, I presented a webinar on the new … Read more

Final paycheck and company property on an office desk during employee offboarding

When an employee leaves a job, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, employers must properly handle the employee’s final pay. Unlike some states, New York does not require employers to hand a departing employee a final paycheck immediately. But employers cannot simply hold earned wages until all outstanding issues with the employee have been resolved. Questions can … Read more