Fair Workweek Laws in NYC: Can My Employer Add or Cancel My Shift Without My Written Consent?
In many cases, New York City employers cannot freely add, cancel, or change your shift without following specific Fair Workweek rules. NYC’s Fair Workweek Law requires certain employers, particularly in the fast food and retail industries, to provide advance notice of schedules and, in some situations, obtain written consent before making changes....
New York Drug Testing Laws & Employee Rights
Employers in New York City can legally conduct drug testing only in specific situations, such as pre-employment screening (with limited marijuana exceptions), reasonable suspicion, post-accident investigations, or safety-sensitive roles. However, both New York State and New York City laws impose important limitations on when and how testing can occur.
Recognizing Intersectional Discrimination in NYC Employment Law
Intersectional discrimination occurs when an employee experiences unfair treatment based on a combination of protected characteristics rather than just one. In New York City, employment law recognizes that bias often operates at the intersection of identity factors such as race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or caregiver status. Understanding how intersectional discrimination...
Workplace Rights of Undocumented Immigrants in New York City
Undocumented workers in New York City are protected by many of the same workplace laws as other employees, including laws governing wages, discrimination, and retaliation. Immigration status does not eliminate an employer’s obligation to follow labor and employment laws. NYC and New York State provide strong protections that allow undocumented workers to...
Appearance-Based Discrimination and New York’s Height & Weight Law
New York City law prohibits employment discrimination based on height and weight, making appearance-based bias unlawful in many workplace decisions. Employers may not deny jobs, promotions, or opportunities simply because an employee’s body size or physical appearance does not fit subjective preferences. This protection is separate from disability law and applies...
LGBTQ+ Discrimination and Harassment in Today’s Workplaces
LGBTQ+ employees remain protected from discrimination and harassment in the workplace, even as some employers reassess or scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In New York City, strong local and state laws prohibit unequal treatment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, regardless of an employer’s internal policies....
How Employment Mediation Works in NYC and When to Consider It
Employment mediation is a structured process that allows employees and employers to resolve workplace disputes without going to court. In New York City, mediation is commonly used to address issues such as discrimination, retaliation, wage disputes, and wrongful termination. While mediation is voluntary, it can offer a faster and more flexible path...
From the Supreme Court to Nike: What the Rise of Reverse Discrimination Claims Means for NYC Workers
The New Frontier of Caregiver Discrimination in NYC Workplaces
Caregiver responsibilities are increasingly part of working life, and New York City law provides clear protections against discrimination based on those responsibilities. Employees who care for children, aging parents, or family members with disabilities may face unfair treatment at work because of assumptions about availability, commitment, or reliability. Under the New York...
Non-Compete Bans and Executive Contracts: What’s Changing in New York
Non-compete agreements remain enforceable in New York, despite the increasing legal scrutiny. Executives and senior employees are frequently asked to sign restrictive covenants that limit where and when they can work after leaving a company. At the same time, federal regulators and New York lawmakers have questioned whether broad non-competes unfairly...