Experienced New York Employment Lawyers Help Employees Understand Discrimination Laws

Information is power when facing a potential discrimination

Employment discrimination laws are designed to protect individuals against adverse actions stemming from an employer’s bias. State and federal laws prohibit employers from basing decisions on a number of factors relating to an individual’s race, beliefs and other issues.

The New York employment law attorneys at Hepworth, Gershbaum & Roth advocate strongly against employment discrimination. We provide aggressive and effective representation to individuals who have become the victim of discrimination in the workplace. With 70 years of combined experience, our attorneys have what it takes to obtain favorable resolutions in even the most challenging cases.

What factors are protected against discrimination?

State and federal employment discrimination laws provide protection for a wide range of demographics and world views. Such laws make it illegal to deny employment, services or advancement based solely on an individual’s class status.

There are several classes that are protected against discrimination, including:

• Race: Under state and federal employment discrimination laws, no individual can be denied employment, advancement or services based solely upon their race. These laws protect employers from refusing to hire or promote minorities or specific ethnic groups.

• Age: An individual’s age cannot be considered during the hiring process or while making advancement decisions. Individuals who have been turned down employment or overlooked for a promotion because of their age may have legal recourse.

• Gender: State and federal laws prohibit employers from making employment or advancement decisions based solely on gender. Should a man or woman be denied a job or promotion simply because of their gender, they may have legal recourse.

• Sexual orientation: New York state laws prohibit employers from basing employment or advancement decisions solely on an individual’s sexual orientation. Protected sexual orientation classes include all of the LGBT community.

• Disability: Denying an individual employment or advancement based on a disability is against both state and federal law. Disabled individuals who are qualified for employment or promotion must be treated as equal to any other candidate or employee.

• Religion: An individual’s religious beliefs are protected under state and federal discrimination laws. This means that no employer may deny an individual employment or advancement based solely on their religion, regardless of what that religion may be.

• Pregnancy: Many employers balk at the notion of hiring or promoting pregnant women, in part due to the costs and the amount of time the employee may be absent from work. Denying a woman employment or promotion based solely on her pregnancy is illegal, however.

You have the right to pursue legal action against employment discrimination

Since it comes in so many forms, identifying employment discrimination can be difficult. Pinpointing

Individuals who may have the right to pursue legal action against discriminatory employment practices include those who have been:

• Denied employment based solely on a protected class factor

• Terminated based solely on a protected class factor

• Overlooked for advancement or promotion based solely on a protected class factor

• Demoted based solely on a protected class factor

• Denied services, such as health coverage and other benefits, based solely on a protected class factor

Individuals who have experienced adverse treatment based on an employer’s view of a protected class status have the right to pursue compensation. Available compensation varies from cases to case, with potential rewards including monetary sums or reinstatement to a previously help position.

With the help of a New York employment law attorney discrimination victims may file a case against an employer believed to have violated state or federal discrimination laws.

Discuss your case with an experienced New York employment lawyer

Learning that you have been passed over for a job or promotion can be frustrating, especially if you believe that the decision was made based on a non-work related issue. The New York employment law attorneys at Hepworth, Gershbaum & Roth offer the detailed information you need to understand discrimination laws and your legal options when seeking justice for discriminatory practices.

If you believe you have been the victim of employment discrimination, it is important to speak with an attorney as quickly as possible. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with one of our New York employment lawyers, contact us online or call 212-545-1199 today.