New York City Employment Discrimination Lawyers

Were you discriminated against at work? Perhaps you didn’t get a job due to your race, or were denied a promotion because you have a disability. Maybe you were repeatedly harassed on the job for your religious beliefs. Whatever the case, New York City employers are forbidden from treating you poorly based on a “protected class.” When this occurs, it is known as employment discrimination—and victims may be entitled to compensation from the offending employers.

Employment Discrimination does not just affect your professional life – it can destroy your self-esteem and have negative social and psychological effects for years to come. At the Arcé Law Group, our New York City attorneys have helped countless employment discrimination victims across Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens. Put our experience and dedication to work for you. Call today for a free initial consultation with one of our employment discrimination attorneys.

In New York, most employees are hired “at will,” meaning your employer can fire you at any time for any reason or for no reason at all. However, there are notable exceptions, such as when you have been the victim of employment discrimination based on a protected class. So, how do you know if you have been discriminated against?

That’s often difficult question to answer because “outright” discrimination is rare. Most employers won’t directly say, “I’m not hiring you because you are black,” or “You’re not getting this promotion because you are gay.” Cues are usually more subtle and employees frequently don’t even realize they are being discriminated against at first.

However, according to New York City and State law, you cannot be discriminated at work against based on the following protected classes:

In New York City, workers are protected by the New York City Human Rights Law and the New York State Human Rights Law. Federal law – specifically Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act — might apply in your case as well, but it is not as inclusive as the local laws. For example city and state laws apply to employers with four or more employees, while federal law only covers companies with 15 or more employees. Additionally, Title VII doesn’t cover certain “protected traits,” such as credit history or arrest record.

According to the Law, “discrimination” applies to all aspects of employment, including:

To sum up, your employer cannot treat you differently or make any decisions about your employment based on your race, religion, sex, disability, or other inclusion in a “protected class.”

If you have questions about how the law applies to your case, consult with an NYC attorney at the Arcé Law Group to learn more about your employment rights.

Examples of employment discrimination are endless, but some specific instances include:

• Excluding certain types of applicants during the recruitment process
• Terminating an employee for taking maternity leave
• Promoting a less qualified applicant because they are white, versus a more qualified and experienced black employee
• Paying equally qualified women less money than men in the same positions
• Harassing someone on the job because of their disability, religion, or other protected trait
• Refusing to let a person take time off for religious observance
• Sexually harassed someone at work
• Asking questions about your age during a job interview
• Issuing you a bad performance review after you took disability leave

What should I do if I have been a victim of employment discrimination in New York City?

If you have been discriminated against, you have many legal options. Your first step should be to call a lawyer to learn more about what courses you can pursue. At the Arcé Law Group, our New York City attorneys believe in upholding justice on behalf of our clients while working towards obtaining maximum compensation for their lost wages, emotional distress, lost benefits, and more.

Here are some legal actions you may be able to take against your employer or former employer after a discriminatory act has taken place:

• File an administrative charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• File a lawsuit in federal court
• File a lawsuit in municipal or state court
• Report the incident(s) to the New York City Commission on Human Rights
• Report the incident(s) to the New York State Division of Human Rights

Let one of our qualified New York City employment discrimination attorneys help you decide on which legal path to chose. We treat every client as an individual, not a case number. Our New York City employment lawyers want to ensure you get every single protection the law affords.

To learn more about the New York City and State Human Rights Acts, Title VII, and your rights, speak with an experienced NYC employment discrimination lawyer at the Arcé Law Group today. Contact us today at 212-248-0120 to talk to an employment law attorney about your New York discrimination case. You can also contact us online.

From our office in Manhattan, we serve employees throughout the five boroughs, including the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Our employment discrimination attorneys also help clients in New Jersey and Philadelphia.