In 2016, New York City’s Commission on Human Rights experienced a sixty percent increase in complaints relating to discrimination and harassment.
The New York City Human Rights Law is a statute that provides an individual with protections in addition to federal and state regulations. It addresses discrimination in the workplace, housing complexes, public spaces, harassment by law enforcement, and retaliation. Furthermore, it covers employment discrimination against all New York City workers and even interns. Also, it establishes protected classes, which include:
- Age;
- Citizenship status;
- Color;
- Disability;
- Gender;
- Pregnancy;
- Race;
- Religion; and
- Arrest or conviction record, among others.
Individuals in a protected class are afforded safeguards, which include:
- Hiring, firing, and work assignments;
- Salary and benefits;
- Promotions; and
- Performance evaluations; and
- Reasonable accommodations for disabilities and religious observance and clothing, among others.
The New York City Human Rights Law does not hold those filing a complaint to a high burden of proof. In accordance with the law, a person must show that he or she was not treated the same as other due to being part of a protected class. In addition, there are many protections against retaliation by an employer.
New York City does not tolerate employment discrimination and harassment. It has one of the toughest human rights laws in order to protect its employees against intolerable behaviors. If you believe you have faced discrimination or harassment by your employer or have been wrongfully terminated, contact an experienced New York employment law attorney who can ensure that your rights are protected. Call Steven Mitchell Sack at (917) 371-8000 or email him at sms@StevenSack.com.
