Summaries of, and commentaries on, selected court and administrative decisions and related matters affecting public employers and employees in New York State in particular and possibly in other jurisdictions in general.
On October 22, 2025, New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang announced the sentencing of Jodi Drygula, of Amsterdam, NY, and Anthony Camou, of Las Vegas, NV, for their roles in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain more than $250,000 in unemployment insurance benefits intended to support New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supreme Court rejected Plaintiff's petition seeking to vacate an arbitration award which resulted in the termination of Plaintiff's employment by Department of Education of the City of New York [Respondent] and granted Respondent's cross-motion to dismiss the Plaintiff's petition. Plaintiff appealed.
The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the arbitrator's determination that Plaintiff's teaching performance was deficient during the relevant three-year period, that it was supported by adequate evidence, which included the testimony of school administrators and documentation.
Finding that the determination was rational, and not arbitrary and capricious the Appellate Divisions' decision noted that the record included written observational reports and testimony from school administrators and an independent peer evaluator demonstrating Plaintiff's inadequate teaching, Respondent's efforts at remediation, and Plaintiff's lack of improvement over the three-year period.
The Court opined that the evidence "showed that [Plaintiff] was "unwilling or unable to implement suggestions" despite substantial professional development opportunities.
Citing Matter of Pell v Board of Educ. of Union Free School Dist. No. 1 of Towns of Scarsdale & Mamaroneck, Westchester County, 34 NY2d 222, the Appellate Division concluded that under the circumstances, termination was "not shocking to one's sense of fairness".
Click HERE to access the Appellate Division's decision posted on the Internet.
The New York State Department of Civil Service has published Policy Bulletins 25-01 and 25-02, updating the Governor's Programs to Hire Individuals and Veterans with Disabilities (See Civil Service Law Sections 55-b/c).
Text of Policy Bulletins 25-01 and 25-02 will be found at:
Updates to the Governor's Programs to Hire Individuals and Veterans with Disabilities (Civil Service Law Sections 55-b/c).
Policy Bulletins 25-01 and 25-02, in pdf format will be found at:
Updates to the Governor's Programs to Hire Individuals and Veterans with Disabilities (Civil Service Law Sections 55-b/c) - PDF.
To view previous Policy Bulletins issued by the Department of Civil Service, visit: https://www.cs.ny.gov/ssd/Manuals/SPMM/
The New York State Workers' Compensation Board continues its webinar series for employees next week, and there is still time to register!
On the dates listed below, the Board’s Advocate for Injured Workers will present on the basics of the workers’ compensation system, including employees’ rights if they become injured or ill on the job. The updated presentation will also cover:
The sessions are free and there will be time at the end for questions.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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Updates to the CJIS Security Policy - What You Need to Know November 3, 2025 12:00 PM PT / 3:00 PM ET. Duration: 60 minutes Can’t make it to the live event? Register here for this Complimentary Webinar. Can’t make it to the live event? Register and a link to the recording will be sent to you as soon as it’s available.
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