Workplace Discrimination in New York

We all have a right to a workplace free from discrimination. You should be able to go to work, do your job, and feel safe and protected from various means of discrimination.

According to the New York State General, forms of workplace discrimination can include discrimination based on several protected attributes such as;

  • Race
  • Color
  • Sincerely held practice of religion
  • Disability
  • National origin
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity and expression
  • Military status
  • Sex
  • Age
  • Marital status
  • Domestic violence victim status
  • Arrest or conviction record

And more

Protection at the Federal Level

Employers in New York with 15 or more employees must adhere to federal anti-discrimination laws, barring a few exceptions. Some exceptions include discrimination by age for employers with 20 or more employees, equal pay for women and men, which is protected for all employees no matter the size of the company, and citizenship status that applies to all employers with four or more employees.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is the agency that governs and regulates workplace discrimination on the federal level.

If you feel that you have been discriminated against in your workplace regarding one of the protected attributes outlined above, you may have grounds for a federal case against your employer.

What Can Discrimination Look Like?

Discrimination can come in many forms. Below is a list of common forms of discrimination in the workplace and a summary of examples.

Wrongful termination – suppose that you were terminated at work for no realistic reason, and you later determine that the cause may have been related to your age, sex, religious affiliation, or otherwise; you may have grounds to seek legal recourse.

Discluding select individuals – if it appears that a select group of people at work are being dismayed from activities, events, or more, it may be discrimination.

No chance to excel – if you are being denied a raise or bonuses at work due to being a certain age, race, sexual orientation, or more, this may be discrimination.

Denied employment – if you have done well at your interview and are qualified for the position but are denied employment and feel it may be based on your marital status, criminal background (barring exceptions), or otherwise, it may be a form of discrimination.

Specific Laws in Place to Protect Us From Discrimination

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 protects individuals over the age of 40 from being discriminated against solely based on their age. Some aged employees find it difficult to advance in their career or gain employment and find that it’s based on their age. There are federal laws in place to protect against this. It’s important to note that New York City law protects against discrimination of any age group in the workplace.

The 1973 Rehabilitation Act protects those with disabilities against discrimination in the government workplace.

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 ensures that wage differentials based on sex are prohibited.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy, related medical conditions, and childbirth.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from discrimination based on religion, sex, race, or national origin.

Hostile Work Environments

A hostile work environment exists when a supervisor, boss, or manager creates a workplace that suppresses or targets a specific group of people via their behaviors or particular actions. An example would be if a boss or manager was explicitly rude to men and only allowed women to excel in the workplace through bonuses or raises.

A supervisor or boss may also require overtime from certain people, such as the younger employees, or require those with religious affiliations to be allowed only to work in a specific building area.

A hostile work environment can also exist through examples of harassment that others in the same area are exposed to. If an employee or group of employees is being harassed due to their race or sex and others witness it, it may consist of a hostile work environment.

Employees who feel they may be in a hostile work environment can seek legal recourse, even if they are not in the group being discriminated against or targeted. It’s essential to speak with professional legal help for discrimination in Brooklyn immediately if you are experiencing this type of environment.

Tireless Advocacy: Fierce Protection

None of us should ever feel as if we are being harassed, targeted, or otherwise discriminated against for being who we are. Several laws have been put in place to protect each of us on the federal and state levels and beyond.

If you feel that you or a coworker are experiencing discrimination in the workplace or a hostile work environment, call our office at (314) 648-2586 today.

Though our firm has grown over the years, we never lost sight of our goal, which was to protect our fellow New Yorkers. We review and treat each case, big or small, as we would treat our own families and ensure that each of us is treated equally in and out of the workplace.

We are respectful, patient, and work tirelessly for our clients. We are also not shy of being fierce protectors for those clients who need it the most.

Don’t settle for discrimination of any kind in the workplace. Whether it is you or a coworker who is experiencing harassment or other forms of discrimination, you have the right to your protection. Call us immediately to discuss your concerns and learn what your options are.