New York City Workers Afforded Additional Protection
The state of New York has a long history of protecting employee rights, including the rights of workers to report illegal or unethical activity by employers, or to engage in governmental investigations of employer wrongdoing. Under both the New York Labor Law and the New York Human Rights Law, workers may have redress if they have been subjected to retaliation by employers for engaging in protected activities. Workers in New York City have additional protections, as New York City law also bans such conduct.
The Protections Available to New York City Workers after Workplace Retaliation
As a part of its Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), the city of New York provides broad protections to workers whose employers have engaged in retaliatory conduct. Specifically, the New York City law allows employees to:
- Report instances of harassment or other types of workplace discrimination
- Actively oppose actions that employees in good faith believe constitute harassment or discrimination
- Request reasonable accommodations based on personal disabilities
- Participate in any governmental or legal investigation of an employer, either as a party or a witness
What Activities Does New York City Prohibit by Employers?
A company or its agent may not engage in any of the following acts in response to protected employee behavior:
- Termination
- Denial of pay increase or reduction of pay
- Demotion or reassignment to undesirable work
- Increased scrutiny
- Shift changes or denial of access to benefits
- Hostile, abusive or harmful conduct
What Remedies Are Available to Workers When New York City Employers Engage in Wrongful Retaliation?
The NYC Human Rights Law allows multiple remedies to employees who have been victims of retaliation:
- Monetary compensation—A worker may be entitled to back pay, future lost pay and compensation for any workplace benefits lost. The claimant may also seek reimbursement or payment of legal fees.
- Emotional harm—The law permits a worker to seek damages for emotional or mental distress caused by the retaliatory conduct
- A worker may ask the court for reinstatement to the job
- Punitive damages in the event of reckless or malicious behavior
Let Stephen Hans & Associates Protect Your Rights with Respect to Employees in New York City
At Stephen Hans & Associates, we have successfully advised and represented many New York City employers for years, helping them meet employment law requirements and protecting their rights in employment litigation, including workplace retaliation allegations. Susan Lacerte, executive director of the Queens Botanical Garden has lauded us for our “dedication, knowledge and experience” and for helping the Botanical Gardens “successfully resolve difficult legal issues with [our] talent, negotiating skills, personal care and attention.”
Our experienced attorneys are glad to answer your questions and provide legal advice. Our offices are conveniently located in Long Island City with easy access from Manhattan.