What Laws Protect New York Employees from Workplace Discrimination?

Three primary laws protect New York employees from workplace discrimination: the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York City Human Rights Law, and laws enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) laws.

How do these laws affect you in the workplace and what do you need to know about them?

New York State Human Rights Law

The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, education, and credit based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or genetic predisposition. The law also prohibits discrimination on the basis of citizenship status and military status.

The law protects:

“The opportunity to obtain employment without discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, marital status, or disability, is hereby recognized as and declared to be a civil right.”

New York City Human Rights Law

NYC has a similar law to the state law. The city’s law is even more comprehensive than the state law.

The NYC Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit, and public accommodations based on:

• Race
• Creed
• Color
• National origin
• Sex
• Age
• Disability
• Marital status
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity or expression
• Genetic information
• Citizenship status
• Military status

The law also prohibits retaliation against people who complain about discrimination or participate in an investigation or lawsuit. It also provides information about how to resolve violations of the law, as well as the investigation, mediation, and civil and criminal penalties associated with violations.

Federal Laws Enforced by EEOC

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces federal laws regarding discrimination against job applicants or employees related to:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, and sexual orientation)
• National origin
• Age (40 or older)
• Disability
• Genetic information

Businesses with at least 15 employees or more are covered by EEOC laws. The law also applies to the majority of labor unions and employment agencies. The EEOC investigates accusations of discrimination against any employer to which the law applies.

EEOC protection laws apply in all types of work situations, including:

• Hiring process
• Training
• Termination
• Promotions
• Harassment
• Wages
• Benefits

EEOC laws prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, and retaliation. These laws apply to all employers with 15 or more employees throughout the United States.

If you believe that you have been the victim of workplace discrimination in New York, you should contact an experienced employment discrimination attorney to discuss your case.

We have experience working with employees who have faced discrimination. We understand how difficult your situation is and how important it is to resolve it as quickly as possible. This includes helping you evaluate which state and federal laws affect your situation.

For more information or to schedule a consultation to discuss your situation, contact Borrelli & Associates, P.L.L.C. to schedule a free consultation.