Wage Theft: Recognizing and Addressing Unlawful Pay Practices
Wage theft is a pervasive problem affecting workers in various industries in New York. These unlawful practices occur when employers deprive employees of their rightful wages. This can involve unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, and illegal deductions.
Despite federal and state laws protecting workers against wage theft, you need...
Whistleblower Protection: Reporting Wrongdoings Without Fear of Retaliation
Whistleblowers play a vital role in exposing unethical and illegal practices that harm the public interest. However, speaking up about wrongdoing often comes at a cost, as whistleblowers frequently face retaliation from their employers.
Fortunately, both federal and state laws offer protections for whistleblowers...
Age Discrimination in Hiring and Promotion
Age discrimination is a persistent problem in workplaces in New York and around the country. Fighting back against unfair treatment based on your age is challenging because employers have the upper hand in making decisions about hiring and promotions. Let’s look at age discrimination in hiring and promotion and what to...
Steps to Take If You’re Involved in a Vacation Pay Dispute
As an employee, you work hard and look forward to the time off that comes with your well-deserved vacation. However, what happens when you're involved in a vacation pay dispute and your employer fails to provide the compensation you're entitled to?
In New York, there are specific laws in...
Understanding Unconscious Bias in the Workplace
Fairness and equal opportunities are essential for fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. However, unconscious bias can thwart this goal, creating discriminatory hiring and promotion practices. This blog discusses how to identify unconscious bias in the workplace, strategies employers can use to mitigate its effects, and remedies for job applicants and...
Microaggressions and Subtle Forms of Harassment in the Workplace
Fostering an inclusive work environment free from harassment is essential for employee well-being and productivity. While blatant forms of harassment are easy to spot, more subtle and often unintentional behaviors or comments can marginalize individuals based on their protected characteristics.
These subtle acts, or microaggressions, can significantly impact employees...
New York’s Ban On Non-Compete Agreements: What Employers and Employees Need To Know
In a significant development, the New York State legislature recently passed a bill prohibiting non-compete agreements for all workers, regardless of their salary level or job function. When/if Governor Hochul will sign the measure into law remains to be seen, given that the legislative session has ended. Let’s look at the...
Recognizing the Signs of Disability Discrimination
In today's diverse and inclusive society, it is crucial for employers to create a workplace that respects and accommodates individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, disability discrimination continues to be a pressing issue that affects many disabled employees and job applicants.
Recognizing the signs of disability discrimination is the first step...
What Are An Employer’s Responsibilities in Preventing a Hostile Work Environment?
Employers play a crucial role in fostering a safe, healthy, and productive work environment free from harassment. A paramount aspect of this responsibility involves preventing a hostile work environment. Employers that fail to do so can be held liable, and victims have a right to take legal action.
The...
Understanding the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: A Comprehensive Guide
In the rapidly evolving world of employment law, it's crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest legislative changes. Among these, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) stands out as a particularly significant development. Enacted to reinforce and enhance protections for pregnant workers, the PWFA addresses long-standing concerns about discrimination and workplace...