N.Y.
Labor Law Section 1050
Definitions
1.
“Employer” means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, trust, government or government subdivision, or any organized group that hires or contracts with a worker to work for the employer. For the purposes of this article, this term shall also include any subsidiary of an employer and any individual, partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, trust, government or government subdivision, or any organized group associated with an employer that provides training to workers.2.
“Worker” means an individual who is permitted to work for or on behalf of an employer. The term “worker” includes an employee, independent contractor, extern, intern, volunteer, apprentice, sole proprietor who provides a service or services to an employer or to a client or customer of an employer on behalf of such employer, and an individual who provides service through a business or nonprofit entity or association. “Worker” does not include an individual, even if the individual performs incidental service for the employer, whose sole relationship with the employer is as a vendor of goods.3.
“Employment promissory note” means any instrument, agreement, or contract provision that requires a worker to pay the employer, or the employer’s agent or assignee, a sum of money if the worker leaves such employment before the passage of a stated period of time. “Employment promissory note” includes any such instrument, agreement, or contract provision which states such payment of moneys constitutes reimbursement for training provided to the worker by the employer or by a third party.
Source:
Section 1050 — Definitions, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/LAB/1050 (updated Dec. 26, 2025; accessed Jan. 24, 2026).
