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DCWP Kicks Off Week of World Cup Action With Small Business Education Campaign

June 8, 2026

Commissioner Levine Reminds Businesses of NYC Workplace Laws; Gets the Ball Rolling on New Inspection Program to Protect Worker Rights

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) launched an education campaign aimed at reminding businesses of their worker and consumer protection obligations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With over one million visitors expected throughout the next month, the agency sent more than 77,000 warnings to city-licensed and permitted businesses—such as restaurants, hotels, pedicabs, and more—reminding them of their core responsibilities under local laws, including the Protected Time Off Law, the Fair Workweek Law for Fast Food and Retail Workers, and the Consumer Protection Law. DCWP also kickstarted a new inspection program, under which City enforcement officers will check that businesses prominently display worker rights signs, ensuring that employees can readily access, understand, and exercise their rights on the job.

“Small businesses are the backbone of New York City’s economy, but we know that navigating all of our laws can take a lot of leg work. That’s where DCWP steps in. Before any of the players hit the pitch at MetLife, DCWP is doing everything we can to support, educate, and empower the small business owners that will be welcoming the world to our city,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “It’s a new era for economic justice in New York City, and we are no longer watching from the sidelines. The Mamdani Administration is wasting no time leveling the playing field for small businesses, issuing red cards to bad actors, and making clear that compliance with the law is not optional.”

Anticipating a surge in consumer activity and the increased demands placed on workers across industries, DCWP is taking action to deliver affordability for New Yorkers and tourists alike. The compliance reminders underscore key obligations for businesses, including:

Fair Play for Consumers

  • Under New York City’s Consumer Protection Law, businesses are prohibited from engaging in false advertising, phony sales, and special offers with hidden conditions.

Keeping Workers in the Game

  • Under the Protected Time Off Law, New York City employees are guaranteed 32 hours of unpaid protected time off from the beginning of employment.
  • Employees can take protected time off for many reasons, including childcare, illness, medical appointments, and more.

No Last-Minute Lineup Changes

  • Under the Fair Workweek Law for Fast Food and Retail Workers, New York City workers must receive their work schedules 72 hours before the first shift on the schedule.
  • Employers cannot punish, penalize, retaliate, or take any action against employees that might stop or deter them from exercising their rights under the law.

For the first time starting this month, DCWP inspectors will also begin enforcing businesses’ legally required display of Know Your Rights at Work and Protected Time Off posters in an area easily visible to all workers. This new initiative reflects DCWP's broader commitment to education-first enforcement. The agency encourages businesses to utilize its Visiting Inspection Program (VIP), which helps operators proactively identify and address potential issues before an inspection. Small business owners can also access resources and learn more about their obligations under New York City consumer and worker protection laws by visiting DCWP's Resources for Businesses page at nyc.gov/dcwp.


The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.


Media Contact: 
Milo Fink Gringlas
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection 
(646) 772-0331
press@dcwp.nyc.gov