New York Employment Lawyer

According to data comprised by the New York State Comptroller’s office, in the year 2016, there were over nine million employed workers which were the highest amount since 2008. The unemployment rate, and the total amount of unemployed individuals, were the lowest they had been in nine years. The New York Division of Labor Standards, the body that enforces New York’s labor laws, enforces the following protections for anyone employed in the state of New York: 

• Wages and Hourly Minimums and Restrictions
• Unlawful Deductions
• Tips Received by Cash or Credit Card
• Child Labor Laws
• Maternity Laws and Standards for Mothers in the Workplace
• Apparel and Nail Salon Industry Standards
• Farming Labor Laws
• Permits, Registrations, Licensing, and Certifications
• Employment Agencies
• Professional Employer Organizations
• Retaliation
• Mandatory Overtime Requirements
• Posting Notifications

If you feel that your employment rights have been violated, then it’s important to speak with a New York Employment Lawyer about your case. The New York City and state government have outlined regulations to protect its workforce and having a skilled and adept attorney with the wherewithal in New York Employment Law can ensure your rights are protected. 

New York Employment Law

Each state outlines employment protections for its residents. New York laws include guidelines that exceed the federal laws in anti-discriminatory policies, accommodations for mothers and pregnancies, health care coverages, and higher minimum wage. New York workplace safety laws align with guidelines set forth by the federal government’s Occupational Safety Hazards Association. 

New York City has outlined its own Worker’s Bill of Rights that offers each employed worker undeniable rights by law. The Worker’s Bill of Rights offers each New York City resident the right to:

• Paid Safe and Sick Leave: If you work for more than 80 hours in a year, then you can earn up to 40 hours of leave per year to be used for yourself or anyone you consider to be family.
• Right to Organize: You have the right to join with other workers to address your employer and determine if you want to be represented by a worker’s union. 
• Minimum Wage: You have the right to be paid for each hour of work that you complete and the minimum rate that your employer can pay is $15 per hour. There are special rates for individuals who make their income with tips. 
• Overtime Pay: If you work more than 40 hours per work, then you have the right to be paid 1.5 times your income for all of the hours that you work over 40. 
• Discrimination-free Workplace: The law prohibits the discrimination of employees based on their age, gender, race, disabilities, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, color, citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, family and marital status, genetics, credit history, unemployment status, and more. 
• Freelance worker rights: If you work as a freelancer or independent contractor, then you have the right to a written contract, timely payment, and the right to sue in order to seek damages. 
• Safe and Healthy Workplace: Your workplace must be free of known safety or health hazards, and you have the right to information about health hazards, and training on occupational hazards. 

Workplace Specific Protections

All workplaces aren’t created equally and the New York Employment Law offers exceptional standards for the following industries:

• Building Service Law: If you work in certain types of buildings New York employment law stipulates that you may be able to make more than minimum wage, and the Displaced Building Service Worker’s Act states that employers must retain pre-existing service workers for a 90-day transitory period. Employers also must maintain your employment if your performance is determined to be satisfactory. 
• Construction Workers: You may be entitled to damages if you’re a construction worker that is considered an employee by the law, but being treated as an independent contractor. 
• Domestic Workers: According to the Domestic Worker’s Bill of Rights you are entitled to three days of paid leave per year, a day of rest each week, overtime pay, and protection from discrimination and harassment. 
• Government Contractors: Certain businesses, contracted to do business with the government, should pay their workers a living wage rate or prevailing wage rate that may be higher than the minimum wage. If you’re an employee of a business dealing in contracts, then you may be entitled to higher wages. 
• Grocery Store Workers: If you’re an employee of a grocery store that has been sold, then according to the law, your new employer must continue to employ you for 90 days. After the 90 days your new employer has the right to terminate your employment contract.
• Minors: New York employment law outlines certain industries and work that minors can do and certain work that they cannot. 
• Nail-Salon Workers: A Worker’s Bill of Rights for Nail Salon Employees was drafted to protect their rights to fair pay, and safety. 
• Tipped Workers: The law outlines special guidelines for workers who make tipped wages, and the employer must give their employees notice of their usage of the tip credit, and are unable to take any part of your tips. 

If you work in a specific industry and think your rights may have been violated, then speak with a New York Employment Attorney about your rights. 

New York Labor Lawyer

If you work in New York City and could be the victim of discrimination, illegal workplace practices, harassment, and unfair employment practices then you may be entitled to damages. A New York Employment Lawyer could help you review your severance package, represent your labor union, offer counsel on your welfare or pension plan, arbitrate a workplace dispute, and make sure you get the rights, as well as wages, guaranteed to you by the law. Employee benefits attorneys can offer assistance for retirees seeking their retirement benefits as well. 

If you are a victim of being wrongfully discharged from your employment, sexual harassment,  discrimination, an employer not accomodating your pregnancy, theft of your wages, or illegal retaliation, then contact an adept employment attorney today with the knowledge of New York employment law.