Benefits for paid family leave, workers’ comp. in N.Y. to rise in 2025

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ALBANY — With 2025 now underway, the state says the new year includes increased workers’ compensation and paid family leave benefits for workers, along with some “savings for businesses.” As of Jan. 1, 2025, the minimum weekly benefit for workers’ compensation and the maximum weekly benefit for paid family leave will both go up, while […]

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ALBANY — With 2025 now underway, the state says the new year includes increased workers’ compensation and paid family leave benefits for workers, along with some “savings for businesses.”

As of Jan. 1, 2025, the minimum weekly benefit for workers’ compensation and the maximum weekly benefit for paid family leave will both go up, while the workers’-compensation assessment rate for employers drops, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Dec. 31.

Paid family leave

New York’s paid family leave provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of job-protected, paid time off to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or to help loved ones when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service, according to the governor’s office.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, New Yorkers taking paid family leave may receive up to $14,127.84 in total benefits, representing an increase of more than $300 from 2024. Employees taking paid family leave receive 67 percent of their average weekly wage, up to a cap of 67 percent of the current New York State Average Weekly Wage (NYSAWW), which is $1,757.19 for 2025.

This means the maximum weekly benefit will be $1,177.32, and the total possible benefit to an employee is $14,127.84.

Employees will contribute 0.388 percent of their gross wages per pay period to pay for paid family leave in 2025, with a maximum annual contribution of $354.53 (0.388 percent of the NYSAWW). Employees earning less than the NYSAWW will contribute less than the annual cap of $354.53, consistent with their actual wages.

Workers’ compensation

The state’s workers’-compensation system provides financial and medical benefits for workers who are injured or become ill as a result of their jobs, while “protecting employers from costly lawsuits,” Hochul’s office said. Employers pay an annual assessment to the operating system.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, the minimum workers’ compensation weekly benefit will increase to $325 per week, in accordance with a bill that Hochul signed in September 2023. That’s up from $275 per week in 2024.

Prior to Jan. 1, 2024, the minimum weekly benefit had been $150 per week for more than a decade, Hochul’s office noted.

On July 1, 2026, the minimum weekly benefit will be indexed to the NYSAWW. The imposition of annual increases in the minimum weekly benefit, and eventual indexing to the NYSAWW, will ensure the minimum weekly benefit is more equitable to injured workers going forward, the governor contends.

Savings for businesses

Additionally, as of Jan. 1, 2025, the workers’-compensation assessment rate for employers will be 7.1 percent of the standard premium or premium equivalent — a 22 percent decline from 2024 — which is expected to save businesses in New York state about $191 million, Hochul’s office said.

The employer-assessment rates are determined by the New York State Workers’-Compensation Board’s need and budgeted statewide premium, per the governor’s office. The rate is calculated by dividing the board’s total estimated annual expenses by a base of total estimated statewide premium. Insurers are required to apply the assessment rate to their premium or premium equivalent.

The assessment rate has been steadily declining in recent years, largely due to prudent management in accelerating the runoff of special workers’ compensation liabilities — known as special funds — which are funded by the assessments, the governor’s office contends. The 2025 rate of 7.1 percent reflects a more than 43 percent decline since 2019, when the assessment rate was 12.6 percent.

Syracuse mayor appoints chief administrative officer

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Position oversees Department of Human Resources, among others SYRACUSE — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Jan. 13 announced the appointment of Corey Driscoll Dunham as chief administrative officer of the City of Syracuse. In this role, Dunham will be responsible for the oversight of the Department of Finance, the Office of Management and Budget, the

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Position oversees Department of Human Resources, among others

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Jan. 13 announced the appointment of Corey Driscoll Dunham as chief administrative officer of the City of Syracuse.

In this role, Dunham will be responsible for the oversight of the Department of Finance, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Human Resources, the Municipal Violations Bureau, the Bureau of Research, and the Office of Analytics, Performance and Innovation. She will oversee the team completing the city government timekeeping and payroll-modernization project.

Dunham has served the City of Syracuse as chief operating officer since 2018. In that role, she worked closely with the Departments of Public Works, Engineering, Parks, Recreation & Youth Program, and Water. Dunham also oversaw Cityline, the city’s fleet operation, and served as primary lead in labor relations for the Syracuse Mayor’s Office. She managed coordination between operating departments, particularly dealing with investments in infrastructure, including road reconstruction, parking garages, water-main replacement and Dig Once projects.

“Corey is widely respected across City government for her expertise in operations management and innovation. Her longstanding dedication and proven track record of effective municipal government operations provide the foundation necessary for successful leadership as Chief Administrative Officer,” Walsh contended in the announcement. “I am confident that Corey is the right choice to continue transformative work underway in the administrative portfolio.”

As chief operating officer, Dunham led the effort to implement SYRCityline, powered by SeeClickFix, to create a more accessible and responsive city government and address quality of life issues more effectively and efficiently. She also worked to establish the Supplemental Sidewalk Snow Removal Program, addressing a long-standing community concern, as well as helped to create the Municipal Sidewalk Program, prioritizing pedestrian safety and promoting walkability. Dunham worked to overhaul the city’s sanitation operation and promote a safer work environment for DPW employees and create a cleaner Syracuse. She led labor negotiations on behalf of the mayor, ensuring that for the first time in decades, all unions in the city were operating under current contracts.

Dunham holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany and bachelor’s degrees in political science and English from St. John Fisher University. She also graduated from Nottingham High School.

Community Bank recognized by AHA for commitment to workforce health

Banks & Credit Unions, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

DeWITT — The American Heart Association (AHA) recently awarded Community Bank N.A. its silver recognition in the 2024 Well-being Works Better Scorecard, honoring the bank’s commitment to the health of its workforce and the community, the bank announced. The Scorecard honors organizations at four levels — bronze, silver, gold, or platinum — based on their

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The Scorecard honors organizations at four levels — bronze, silver, gold, or platinum — based on their adherence to the AHA’s recommended practices in areas including health equity, burnout prevention, compensation and benefits, and more.

The association recognized Community Bank for its commitment to “promoting and sustaining a healthy work culture that empowers employees to reach their full potential.” This is the first year the bank completed the Well-being Works Better Scorecard, which evaluates factors such as leadership support, organizational policies and environment, community partnerships, and health equity. Evaluation results provided insights into areas where the bank is excelling while also identifying areas in need of improvement.

“We’re proud to recognize organizations like Community Bank that have made bold moves to build workplaces where everyone can thrive,” American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown said in a statement. “By completing the Well-being Works Better Scorecard, these leaders have shown an incredible dedication to the health of their businesses and communities, and their contributions are helping us bring to fruition a world of longer, healthier lives for all.”

The Well-being Works Better Scorecard helps leaders assess their health and well-being strategy based on leading best practices. Upon completion, organizations receive access to a results dashboard with industry benchmarking data and resources for continued learning and improvement.

“Our employees are the heart of our culture, and we know that when they’re healthy, our business is, too,” Community Bank Chief Human Resource and Administration Officer Maureen Gillan-Myer said. “The Scorecard gives us an in-depth look at our well-being strategy with valuable insights to help us best support our workforce and stay competitive among our peers.”

Community Bank is the banking subsidiary of Community Financial System Inc. (NYSE: CBU) and operates about 200 branches across New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Massachusetts.

ANDRO adds new senior contracts manager

Manufacturing & Engineering, Mohawk Valley, Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

ROME — ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC recently appointed U.S. Air Force veteran and Rome native Chris Yager as senior contracts manager for the firm’s research and engineering services division. Yager’s government-contracting experience includes areas related to global Air Force logistics and aircraft maintenance. After starting his military career in mechanics working on fighter and attack

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Yager’s government-contracting experience includes areas related to global Air Force logistics and aircraft maintenance. After starting his military career in mechanics working on fighter and attack aircraft, he became a contracting officer’s representative for the remotely piloted aircraft enterprise, according to an ANDRO news release. In that role, Yager managed a contract-oversight team to ensure contractor compliance with federal regulations and played a pivotal role in contract source-selection processes administering the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement on behalf of item procurement and acquisition.

Later in his Air Force career, Yager moved into a senior-leadership position, where he oversaw a portfolio of contracts related to aircraft communications and maintenance support, ANDRO said. Most recently, he served as the senior enlisted leader for a large logistics hub, where he managed international contracts spanning five countries.

“We are excited to welcome Chris in his new role at ANDRO and thank him for his service to our nation,” ANDRO President Andrew Drozd said in the release. “As a dedicated Air Force veteran, he brings exceptional discipline and a meticulous eye to detail that will further enrich our ANDRO team in all aspects of contractual management. His military experience has equipped him with strong leadership and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for managing intricate contracts. His commitment to excellence aligns seamlessly with ANDRO’s mission to provide services for our clients. We are confident in Chris’ crucial role in supporting our ongoing growth, exploring new opportunities, improving our operational efficiency, and achieving our strategic goals.”

Yager holds a bachelor’s degree in occupational education with a focus on the interpretation of regulatory standards and compliance from Wayland Baptist University and an associate degree in general studies from Mohawk Valley Community College.

ANDRO, based in Rome, provides research, engineering, and technical services to defense and commercial industries in advanced-spectrum exploitation, secure wireless communications, software-based waveform development, and more.

ACCESS Federal Credit Union names AVP of risk management

Banks & Credit Unions, Mohawk Valley, Subscriber Only

CLINTON — ACCESS Federal Credit Union — a credit union serving eight Central New York counties — announced it has recently promoted Alyssa Lawrence to assistant VP of risk management. In her new role, she manages the credit union’s security program, serves as chairperson of the Safety Committee, and supervises its card-services processor and electronic-service

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OPINION: Time To Drain The Swamp With The MERIT Act

Opinion, Subscriber Only

You cannot drain the swamp, unless you can fire the swamp. That is why Representatives’ Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13) proposing the federal MERIT Act is so important. No, it isn’t a wholesale elimination of civil-service protections against political firings; in fact, it is a fairly tame change in the federal-government employment

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You cannot drain the swamp, unless you can fire the swamp. That is why Representatives’ Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13) proposing the federal MERIT Act is so important.

No, it isn’t a wholesale elimination of civil-service protections against political firings; in fact, it is a fairly tame change in the federal-government employment law. At its core, all it does is allow an expedited process for firing incompetent, recalcitrant, or lazy federal employees.

The current system rewards the worse employees in the federal government and punishes the best and even the average. But the MERIT Act would change that.

According to the bill’s summary, “The MERIT Act repeals the Chapter 43 special process for acting against poor performers and bad actors, which is unnecessarily time-consuming, and streamlines the Chapter 75 process for removal or suspension of employees and supervisors. The MERIT Act also permits agencies to remove a senior executive from the civil service for performance reasons, rather than merely demoting the individual to a non-Senior Executive Service (SES) position.”

Because it is currently next to impossible to fire a federal civil-service employee, managers have to choose when confronted by a bad employee on whether to endure an often multi-year long process of failed performance-improvement plans, endless human-resources meetings, and other remediations in order to fire someone.

The natural result is that managers often choose to just isolate the bad employees, not giving them anything to do and paying them anyway. It simply isn’t worth it to risk failing to meet your performance expectations because you are spending so much time and energy on employees who have zero interest in doing their job.

The net result is that other employees end up doing their own job and part of someone else’s. And the only people who benefit are the government-employee union lawyers who keep their jobs, human-resources staff that deals with these problems as their job, and the person who is effectively stealing money from the U.S. taxpayer.

Creating an expedited system to fire the worse employees simply makes sense.

The MERIT Act fits perfectly in this new world where government systems are being evaluated to determine the best ways to create efficiencies and maximize taxpayer value.

Representatives Loudermilk and Luna are doing the right thing by being the point of this spear, and the American people look forward to the MERIT Act’s reintroduction and it will be up to the new Congress to make this common-sense reform happen.

Rick Manning is president of Americans for Limited Government, a nonprofit organization advocating for reducing the size and scope of government to maximize individual freedom.

Barclay Damon adds insurance litigation partner

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Insurance & Financial Services, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Barclay Damon recently announced that Erin Tyreman has joined the law firm as a partner in its torts & products liability defense and professional liability practice areas. Her primary office location is Syracuse. With nearly 15 years of experience trying cases in state and federal courts, Tyreman represents clients in a wide range

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OPINION: New Wetlands Regulations: Another Overreach from Albany

Opinion

Headline-chasing environmental policies that lack common sense and fiscal awareness continue to inhibit progress in New York state. In addition to a completely unworkable green-energy

Operating engineers union to get more than $85M in federal funding for pensions

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Fund will receive an $85.5 million pension fix from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The federal money will restore full pension benefits for more than 6,400 union workers and their families across upstate New York from Buffalo to the Capital Region, the office of U.S.

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The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Fund will receive an $85.5 million pension fix from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The federal money will restore full pension benefits for more than 6,400 union workers and their families across upstate New York from Buffalo to the Capital Region, the office of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) announced on Jan. 13. He was Senate majority leader when the law passed.

The IUOE Fund covers union construction engineers from Buffalo to Syracuse to Albany. The funding comes from the Special Financial Assistance, or SFA, program, per the announcement.

Schumer’s office said the announcement comes “after years of advocacy to secure relief for ailing multiemployer pension plans for union workers.”

After the 2008 financial crash, many union workers’ in multiemployer pension plans were in danger of collapse “due to out-of-control speculation on Wall Street,” Schumer contended.

Multiemployer plans are created through agreements between employers and a union, with plans typically involving multiple employers in a single industry or related industries. “Countless” families and workers faced the prospect of losing out on retirement savings “through no fault of their own,” the New York senator said.

“Upstate New York’s operating engineers union members work hard every day to ensure our buildings, roads, highways, and bridges are safe. These are the men and women who operate heavy equipment, like bulldozers, backhoes and graders on construction sites, who worked hard, played by the rules and paid into pension plans that — through no fault of their own — were at-risk of being drastically cut or even completely disappearing. So I’m very proud to deliver over $85 million in federal relief to help almost 6,500 union construction workers across Upstate ensure their hard-earned pension benefits remain intact for many years into the future and ensure they can retire after a lifetime of hard work,” Schumer said in the announcement.

His office says the senator fought to include the Butch Lewis Act in the American Rescue Plan — securing pension solvency — in his first major bill as Senate majority leader. Before the American Rescue Plan, more than 200 multiemployer plans were on pace to become insolvent in the near term, risking benefits for millions of workers and their families.

The law created the Special Financial Assistance program administered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to protect benefits for millions of workers, reverse pension cuts, and put existing plans on a path to solvency through 2051. To date, the program has provided billions in federal assistance to support thousands of construction-industry workers, per Schumer’s office.

SU to use donation to create endowed chair in engineering and computer science

Education & Training, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — A 1980 graduate has made a donation to Syracuse University (SU) that is “designed to be transformative” for school’s College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) “and the region.” The donation from William (Ted) Frantz will establish the William T. Frantz Endowed Chair in Engineering and Computer Science, SU said in its Dec.

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The donation from William (Ted) Frantz will establish the William T. Frantz Endowed Chair in Engineering and Computer Science, SU said in its Dec. 20 announcement.

The school will partially match the donation through the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program. SU didn’t disclose the dollar amount of the Frantz donation.

Frantz earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from SU’s ECS. He has donated annually to the school “for many years,” SU noted.

“The idea for this gift has been simmering for nearly 20 years,” Frantz said in the SU announcement.

The engineer-turned-investor — who has studied and invested in many promising concepts and companies — says his newest investment in ECS as part of the Forever Orange campaign was a “matter of just-the-right timing,” SU said.

“The timing is ideal, coming on the heels of Micron Technology’s $100 billion commitment to the region,” Frantz said, noting the partnership opportunities between the technology company and SU are a “boon” for students, faculty and the wider community. “It’s a great time to invest in the University, the expansion of the engineering program and in the region. These things tend to build on each other.”

Frantz draws similarities to the success of Silicon Valley, where he once worked for Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ)

“I witnessed the growth of Silicon Valley and how nearby universities like Stanford, Berkeley and Santa Clara provided the intellectual expertise, engineering and research,” he says.

Forward-looking investors seized opportunities brought about by the region’s dynamic partnerships and ingenuity, he added.

Investing in new ideas has always held appeal for Frantz, who has provided capital for companies exploring new computer technologies and biotech firms developing new therapeutics for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and other diseases, SU said.

“It’s the challenge of seeing something grow and make a go of it, get off the ground and get bigger,” Frantz said.

“Ted is a visionary in his approach to philanthropy,” Cole Smith, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, said in the SU announcement. “His background as both an engineer and investor allows him to look far into the future, to see where technology and creativity can take the next generation of engineers and computer scientists. His generosity is literally helping us shape the future of our program as we address the challenges facing our globe.”

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