This Practice Note provides an overview of the numerous ways that New York employment-related laws are more favorable to employees and impose more requirements and restrictions on employers than comparable federal laws and many other states' laws. This Note addresses substantive and procedural differences between federal and state law, including expanded protections against discrimination and harassment under the New York State Human Rights Laws (NYSHRL), hiring requirements and restrictions, mandatory sexual harassment training and policies, compensation and benefits, employee leave and accommodations, workplace safety and health, litigation processes and remedies, and more. This Note applies to private companies with business operations or employees located in New York State. For additional laws and protections applicable to employees in New York City, see Practice Note, Employment Law Issues for New York City Employers.