Empire State Development releases guidance

Empire State Development releases guidance for determining whether a business is subject to a 75% workforce reduction:https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed an executive order yesterday directing businesses that are unable to implement work from home policies to decrease their in-office workforce by 75 percent. With that said, exemptions to the 75% reduction will be made for essential service industries, including shipping, media, warehousing, grocery and food production, pharmacies, healthcare providers, utilities, banks and related financial institutions, and other industries critical to the supply chain.

Businesses unsure if they are included within in exempt categories but still believe they are providing essential services or functions can request a waiver from these reductions by completing the form attached, also available online:https://esd.ny.gov/sites/default/files/Request%20for%20Designation%20Form_0.pdf