Working in New York can be a pressure cooker, but that does not mean employers have the right to take advantage of their employees. There are conditions that no worker should accept, whether due to physical hazards or unfair financial treatment.
If your rights have been violated, a Brooklyn employment lawyer may be able to help. The right attorney could shield you from a wide range of abusive practices, including unsafe work environments, harassment, and wrongful termination.
There are several important protections in place for workers in Brooklyn, starting with the New York Human Rights Law. This statute prevents employers from discriminating against a worker based on factors like age, sex, military status, or gender identity. It also makes it illegal to terminate a person’s employment based on these factors or for filing a complaint with the government as part of an investigation into violations of this law.
There are also federal protections covering specific aspects of workers’ rights, from discrimination to safety conditions. Some of the most common examples include the following:
An employer’s violation of these laws can serve as the basis for a civil suit. An employment attorney in Brooklyn could provide insight into when these violations occur.
Being unfairly fired is one of the most common reasons Brooklyn residents hire an employment lawyer. It is important to note that most people are employed at will, meaning the law allows their employers to fire them for virtually any legal reason, at any time. However, there are no protections for companies that terminate someone based on illegal reasons.
Workers have the opportunity to seek compensation if they are fired after:
Any of these violations could provide grounds for legal action against an employer.
State and federal law prohibit all forms of sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace. This type of discrimination often includes the creation of a hostile work environment or sexual harassment. A hostile work environment is one where suggestive or harassing statements, propositions, or the distribution of inappropriate material go unchecked and unpunished.
In some instances, an owner or superior might make quid pro quo demands, expecting sexual favors in exchange for advancement in the workplace. Quid pro quo harassment might also involve threats to terminate a person’s employment or demote them if they do not comply.
It is also unlawful for companies to create a hostile work environment by allowing sexual harassment to occur, even when the owner or supervisor does not directly participate.
Sexual harassment and discrimination should never be tolerated at work. When it occurs, an experienced Brooklyn attorney could help workers hold their employer accountable.
If you believe your rights have been violated in the workplace, seek help from experienced legal counsel. The support of an attorney who understands the law, can answer your questions, and advocate on your behalf could make a huge difference in your case. Contact a Brooklyn employment lawyer today to discuss your options during a private consultation.
