New York Employment and Labor Law Attorneys

Protecting & Defending Businesses in the NYC Metro Area Since 1979

“The Queens Botanical Garden has been successfully represented in labor and employment-related matters by Stephen D. Hans & Associates for fifteen years, and I highly recommend this firm. The dedication, knowledge and experience that they bring to a not-for-profit employer like us is very comforting during difficult situations. They have helped us to successfully resolve difficult legal issues with their talent, negotiating skills, personal care and attention.”

– Susan Lacerte
Executive Director, Queens Botanical Garden

Practice Areas

Union-grievances-arbitration-collective-bargaining

human-resources-consulting-&-employment-law-compliance

Practice Areas

Employment-Law-Alerts

Sexual Harassment Complaint Hotline Has Gone Live

Employers should take note and understand how the hotline works

New York State now offers a sexual harassment complaint hotline for employees. Workers complaining of workplace harassment can call, and their conversation will remain confidential. Read more

Protecting & Defending Businesses in the NYC Metro Area Since 1979

At Stephen D. Hans & Associates, P.C., our attorneys represent small and mid-sized businesses in a broad range of labor and employment matters. Our practice areas include:

Affordable Legal Help

In today’s business climate, employment-related litigation is often an unfortunate reality for employers and a necessary cost of doing business in New York. At Stephen D. Hans & Associates, we know the frustration and disillusionment employment lawsuits and investigations can cause. We understand your situation and the pressures that you are under, and offer affordable legal representation and flexible billing options.

Employment Law Expertise

For more than three decades, our firm has represented New York businesses involved in labor disputes, employment lawsuits and employment-related government agency investigations. Our attorneys have demonstrated expertise in employer counseling, and development of employment policies and procedures designed to reduce exposure to costly and time-consuming lawsuits.

Our practice extends beyond litigation to all areas of employment law and human resources consulting, including negotiation and preparation of employment and severance agreements, creation and implementation of individualized HR policies and procedures, conducting internal investigations and representing management in union-related matters.

Our attorneys have a proven track record of successfully defending countless commercial enterprises and individual business owners in both New York State and Federal courts. The positive results we have achieved for our clients also include representation in administrative proceedings before government agencies, such as the NYS Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board and the NYS Division of Human Rights.

Labor & Employment Lawyers

If you are a small or mid-sized business owner facing an employment lawsuit or investigation, or if you need legal help to avoid costly and distracting employment disputes, call our law firm at (718) 275-6700 to arrange a consultation. We look forward to working with you to resolve your existing employment issues and to prevent future ones from arising.

Conveniently located in the main business district of Long Island City, Queens, our office is easily accessible by car or public transportation from Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Long Island and Westchester.

Recent Blogs

The Aging Workforce: What to Expect and the State of Age Discrimination

by Stephen Hans | Jul 17, 2018 | age discrimination

How Extensively Has Age Discrimination Changed in the Past 50 Years?

Most employers are aware of the ADEA (Age Discrimination in Employment Act) passed in 1967. The law has been in existence for decades. What many employers may not be aware of is the fact that age discrimination continues to be an issue, and in some cases a growing issue. How likely are you to be sued for age discrimination? Are the statistics on your side or against you?

Consider the following facts reported this year by the EEOC in a statement about the state of age discrimination and older U.S. workers.

What Employers Should Know About Retaliation Claims

by Stephen Hans | Jul 11, 2018 | Employment Defense Attorney, Retaliation Claims

Retaliation Claims May Include Emotional Distress Damages

A precedent has been set in relation to retaliation claims brought against employers.

Two courts of appeals, the Sixth and Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals had both ruled that employees have the right to recover for emotional distress damages in retaliation claims brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA).

The National Law Review reported that a third court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals also delivered the same ruling regarding damages for emotional distress.
What Are the Case Details in This Third Ruling?

Guidelines for Classifying Workers as Independent Contractors or Employees

by Stephen Hans | Jun 19, 2018 | Employment Defense Attorney, Misclassifying Workers as Independent Contractors

Why is worker classification important?

If a worker is an employee, you as the employer must withhold income taxes and pay Social Security, Medicare taxes and unemployment tax on the wages paid to the worker. Workers who are independent contractors are responsible for paying their own Social Security and Medicare taxes, which is called self-employment tax. The employer pays half of the employee’s self-employment tax and the employee pays the other half. Independent contractors pay the full amount of self-employment tax themselves.
What Factors Determine Whether a Worker is an Independent Contractor or Employee?

According to the IRS website, the three main factors that help an employer decide whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor are:

Behavioral control
Financial control
Relationship