The NYS Department of Labor of today came as a direct result of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, which took place on March 25, 1911.

[4] Generally, eligibility follows federal guidelines, where examples of quitting for good cause include domestic violence, immediate family with illness or disability, spousal employment location changes, where the DOL determines that pay and/or hours of work were reduced substantially, or where the DOL determines the employer did not address a safety hazard.

[8][9] Workers' compensation ensures financial and medical benefits for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, funded by employer insurance or self-insurance.

The commissioner has the authority to investigate whether minimum wages are sufficient for adequate maintenance and health and can appoint wage boards consisting of employer, employee, and general public representatives who have the power to conduct hearings and investigations with the ability to issue subpoenas.

The Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) is responsible for administering the adjudicatory and conciliation provisions of SERA and the Taylor Law.

[23][24] The NYSDOL makes this labor market data available to public, policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders, supporting informed decisions about economic and workforce development in New York State.

In 1913, reorganization of the Department of Labor led to the creation of the Industrial Board,[30] an advisory board tasked with increasing awareness of and enforcing the NYS Industrial Code, a set of rules and regulations with the force of law that affects the health, safety and comfort of workers.

The Triangle and Binghamton tragedies gave impetus to labor legislation, and the state constitution was amended on November 4 to permit a workers' compensation law.

In 1929, Frances Perkins is appointed by the newly elected New York governor Franklin D. Roosevelt as the inaugural industrial commissioner.

[44][45] The National Manpower Program ended in 1946, and control of the Employment Service was returned to New York State.

The State Labor Department retains responsibility where no federal standards apply and enforces safety and health regulations in the public sector.

In 1997, welfare reform legislation authorized DOL to administer New York Works, NYS's  $400-million welfare-to-work program, leading to the formation of the Welfare-To-Work Division, and DOL began testing Claims by Phone, which was the beginning of the current Unemployment Insurance Telephone Claims Centers.

In the wake of the September 11th terrorist attack, DOL mobilized to work with state, federal and NYC agencies to aid in the relief and recovery efforts.

With $25 million in National Emergency Grant Funding, NYSDOL was able to provide essential services to victims and dislocated workers.

In its first year of existence, the Fair Wage Task force completed more than 400 investigations and found more than $5.3 million due to nearly 5,100 underpaid workers.

[22] In 2013, Governor Cuomo announced sweeping reforms to New York State's Workers Compensation and Unemployment Insurance programs, which were designed to save employers $1.2 billion.

This law created a new standard for determining whether a driver of commercial vehicles who transports goods is an employee or independent contractor.

[56] According to an audit released in June 2014 by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, the Department of Labor did not complete many of its wage theft investigations in a timely manner.

[63][64] Effective December 31, 2015, the department adopted amended codified regulations (12 NYCRR part 146) implementing the report and order.

[65] In 2015, Roberta Reardon, a former AFL–CIO and SAG-AFTRA official, was nominated as the state labor commissioner, and was confirmed by the Senate on June 15, 2016.

[66][67] In 2016, as part of the 2016–17 State Budget, Governor Cuomo signed legislation enacting a incremental statewide $15 minimum wage plan.

[68] In 2020, tip allowances for employees under the Miscellaneous Wage Order were reduced by 50% by end of June, and eliminated entirely by December 31 (for all industries except hospitality, farmworkers and building service).