If you have recently been fired, but don’t know why, you probably have many questions. Besides worrying about where to get your next paycheck, you want to know what your legal rights are, and if you have any recourse. The answers are varied, depending upon your individual circumstances, but there are some standards associated with employment and firing. Employment at Will Employers in the state Continue Reading...
Women’s Equality Act
New York legislators are working to pass a ten-point bill to stop gender discrimination and ensure fairness to women and families for the state of New York. The bill, called the “Women’s Equality Act” promises to defend women’s employment and quality of life rights. The Women’s Equality Act contains ten areas of protection against inequality and gender discrimination. Some simply extend current Continue Reading...
Rights of Seasonal Employees
New Jersey has a bi-annual influx of seasonal workers each year that rely on additional jobs to bolster annual income. Between May and September, the Jersey Shore hires lifeguards, retail workers and restaurant employees to cater to the summer vacation crowd. For the holidays, many New Jersey retailers once again increase their payroll to include additional seasonal workers from October through Continue Reading...
Workplace Privacy Rights
Technology and the internet has a large impact on privacy issues in the workplace. And, as is common with rapid technological advancements, the law has a hard time keeping up. Here we examine typical tool used by employers and explore the rights offered under state and federal laws to protect your privacy. Employers are increasingly utilizing technological surveillance tools to monitor the Continue Reading...
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) Review
The proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, is immersed in controversy. This law would extend the protections already in place against workplace discrimination on the basis of religion, race and age to also cover gender identity and sexual orientation. The bill was passed by the U.S. Senate in early November with bipartisan support: 52 Democrats, 2 Independents and 10 Republicans Continue Reading...
Verbal Abuse in New York Workplace
Verbal abuse in the workplace extends well beyond New York City, contaminating work environments in all fields of industry and all areas of the nation. According to study after study, workers (and people in general) who experience persistent and severe verbal abuse have a tendency to develop depression, dissociation disorders, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and other psychological Continue Reading...
Unpaid Interns and Sexual Harassment
While internships have traditionally been viewed a great way to get a foot in the door for sought-after jobs, a recent court ruling is making many question the practice. New York federal district judge, Kevin Castel, dismissed a case from an unpaid intern claiming sexual harassment against her employer. The court ruled that the intern was not an employee, and was therefore not protected under New Continue Reading...
New York State Human Rights Law
New York stands firm against employment discrimination across the state, and in 1945 it was the first state to enact a Human Rights Law. New York State’s Human Rights Law is a strong piece of legislation addressing discrimination in employment, education, housing, access to public accommodations and credit. The NYSHRL also provides protection to employees against harassment and retaliation. The Continue Reading...
New York Department of Labor Audits – Why They are Happening and What You Can Do
The New York Department of Labor is auditing more and more businesses and issuing fines that can hurt a company’s bottom line. Much like no citizen wants to be audited by the IRS, no employer wants to be on the receiving end of a Dept. of Labor audit. When running a business, most owners think it is just easier to pay the fines and go on with life. That, however, may not be the best plan of Continue Reading...
Doctor Awarded $7M in Gender Discrimination Settlement
Gender discrimination is no small slight, but rather just as significant as any other workplace discrimination or harassment. While we would like to think that gender discrimination is a product of the past, too often we are reminded that it still occurs each and every day across the United States. The case of Warfield versus Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston is a great example to Continue Reading...