NY S01209

Requires employers to allow employees to work remotely when schools or day care centers close due to state or local disaster emergencies, if the employee's job functions can be performed remotely and the purpose is to supervise or provide care for their school-aged or day care-aged child.

Establishes a rebuttable presumption that an employee can work remotely if they have already done so for two consecutive pay periods or two weeks (whichever is less) during the current or immediately preceding calendar year.

Allows employees to request flexible working arrangements (including modified hours, schedules, or job-sharing) when schools or day care centers close during disaster emergencies, and requires employers to respond within 14 days with written explanation if denied.

Prohibits employers from discharging, threatening, penalizing, or retaliating against employees who exercise rights under this section, with civil penalties of $500 per violation recoverable by the labor commissioner.

Takes effect 30 days after becoming law, though employees may begin requesting remote work or flexible arrangements immediately upon enactment.