New York Employment and Labor Law Attorneys
Protecting & Defending Businesses in the NYC Metro Area Since 1979




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:
- Workplace Discrimination & Harassment
- Wage & Hour Litigation & Compliance
- US/NYS Department of Labor Investigations & Proceedings
- Retaliation/Whistleblower Claims
- Employment Law/Human Resources Consulting
- Employment & Severance Agreements
- Union Grievances/Arbitrations & Collective Bargaining
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
Fox News Embroiled in Discrimination Lawsuits
Recently, Fox News has been high profile in the media for discrimination lawsuits brought by employees who are alleging sexual harassment and racial discrimination. The most shocking news report that hit the media and rocked the nation was about the firing of Bill O’Reilly due to sexual harassment allegations.
Bill O’Reilly Discrimination Lawsuits Based on Sexual Harassment
According to The New York Times , Fox settled complaints brought by five women who alleged Bill O’Reilly had sexually harassed them. The network launched an investigation into O’Reilly and discovered multiple women had reported inappropriate behavior that involved him.
The Murdoch family, which controls 21st Century Fox, decided the outcome, and in particular, Rupert Murdoch and his sons James and Lachlan arrived at their decision after the internal investigation. They paid $13 million to settle the women’s complaints.
What Is the New York Women’s Equality Agenda?
In October 2015, New York passed eight bills that were known as the Women’s Equality Agenda. Seven of the provisions of this law went into effect on January 19, 2016. As an employer, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities under this new equal pay law in New York.
What Are the Main Changes in the Women’s Equality Agenda that Affect Employers?
One aspect of the Women’s Equality Agenda increases women’s protection against pay differentials based on sex by replacing the current “any other factor than sex” exception, which typically referred to seniority, merit, or a quantity/quality of production system and other non-sex related factors. The law replaces the “any other factor than sex” with “a bona fide factor other than sex, such as education, training or experience.”
Court’s Decision Favors Employers in Case EEOC Brought Against a Wendy’s Franchise
Recently a federal district Court in Tennessee ruled that the EEOC could not force a Wendy’s restaurant franchisee to turn over broad information based on a single discrimination charge.
Bloomberg BNA reported about the decision in this case, which was a victory for employers.
Details of the Case EEOC Brought Against a Wendy’s Franchise
An employee at Southeast Food Services, a Wendy’s franchise, filed an EEOC complaint that alleged the franchise unlawfully retaliated against her because as a condition of promotion, she refused to sign a general release of past claims. The EEOC issued a subpoena for the franchise to submit all contact information for its employees since 2014, including employees who were promoted and who signed releases. The information was to include job titles and hiring and termination dates.












