Free HR Audit for New York Employers (2025 Edition)

What is a New York HR Audit — and Why You Need One

Doing business in New York? You’re operating in one of the most heavily regulated employment environments in the U.S. From statewide mandates like paid sick leave and salary transparency to city-level laws like New York City’s Local Law 144 on automated hiring tools, compliance is critical to avoiding penalties and protecting your business.

A New York HR audit is a structured review of your company’s HR policies, documentation, and practices to uncover compliance risks at both the state and local level. Our free HR audit tool for New York employers helps small businesses proactively meet legal requirements in major markets like NYC, Buffalo, and Rochester.

Several New York jurisdictions have employment laws that go beyond state mandates, including:

  • New York City:
    • Requires salary transparency in job postings
    • Mandates annual sexual harassment training
    • Enforces Local Law 144, which requires bias audits for automated hiring tools and AI-powered screening platforms
  • Buffalo & Rochester:
    • While less regulated than NYC, both cities enforce local human rights ordinances and may adopt emerging workplace protections (e.g., discrimination laws, public hiring transparency)
  • Westchester County:
    • Has its own paid sick leave ordinance
    • Expands upon New York State’s Human Rights Law
  • Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk Counties):
    • Collaborates with state regulators on strict wage and hour enforcement, especially for hospitality, retail, and healthcare industries

If your business operates in multiple cities or counties, you must comply with statewide laws and local requirements simultaneously, making an HR audit essential.

What the Free New York HR Audit Covers

Our Free HR Audit Tool evaluates key compliance areas tailored to New York's unique legal landscape:

  • Wage & Hour Rules: Ensures adherence to minimum wage laws: $16.50/hour in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester; $15.50/hour elsewhere in the state.
  • Worker Classification: Assesses proper classification of employees vs. independent contractors, crucial under New York's strict labor standards.
  • Leave & Benefits: Reviews compliance with state-mandated leaves, including paid sick leave and the new 20-hour paid prenatal leave effective January 1, 2025.
  • Mandatory Trainings: Checks for completion of required annual sexual harassment prevention training for all employees, as mandated by both state and NYC laws. 
  • Labor Law Posters & Notices: Verifies that all required workplace postings and new hire notices are up-to-date and properly displayed.
  • NYC-Specific Regulations: Evaluates compliance with local laws, such as Local Law 144, requiring bias audits for automated employment decision tools. 

How Our Free HR Audit Tool Works

Designed with small businesses in mind, our tool is quick and user-friendly:

  1. Answer Questions: Spend 5–10 minutes responding to prompts across five key HR categories.
  2. Receive a Compliance Score: Get an instant overview of your current compliance status.
  3. Obtain Actionable Insights: Receive tailored recommendations to address any identified gaps.
  4. Download a Custom Report: Access a detailed report to guide your next steps or share with advisors.

Who Should Use the New York HR Audit Tool?

This tool is ideal for:

  • Small Businesses (1–250 Employees): Especially those without in-house HR expertise and operating in NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, or across multiple NY counties.
  • Startups: Preparing to hire their first employees.
  • Business Owners: Seeking to proactively manage HR compliance and reduce risk.

Start Your Free HR Compliance Audit for New York

Don't let HR compliance challenges catch you off guard. Our Free HR Audit Tool helps you identify potential issues before they become costly problems.

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Disclaimer: This tool is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a qualified HR or legal professional.

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