NYC Retaliation Lawyer
OVER
recovered for our employment law cases
Fear of retaliation is the top reason employees suffer sexual harassment in silence. Especially when dealing with manager-employee harassment in New York City, harassed employees don’t want to lose their jobs, suffer a demotion, or make their situation more difficult by filing a claim against someone for harassment. Most workers know there are laws protecting them from workplace harassment, but they don’t realize there are also laws protecting them from retaliation.
If you or someone you know is facing sexual harassment at work, or any form of illegal discrimination, such as age, race and disability, don’t let the fear of negative consequences stop you from speaking out. A New York City workplace retaliation lawyer from Joseph & Norinsberg LLC can help protect your rights.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Joseph & Norinsberg for Your Retaliation Case?
- How Much Is My NY Retaliation Case Worth?
- Qualities To Look for in a NY Retaliation Lawyer
- What Does the Law Say About Workplace Retaliation in NYC?
- How To Build a Retaliation Case With an NYC Workplace Retaliation Lawyer
- How Do You Prove Retaliation in the Workplace?
- Examples of Retaliation in the NY Workplace
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact Joseph & Norinsberg LLC Today
Why Choose Joseph & Norinsberg for Your Retaliation Case?
You need strong legal representation from a New York attorney for your retaliation case. Our team of experienced attorneys and paralegals is dedicated to fighting passionately and aggressively for every client who walks through our doors, no matter what the size of their case may be. We understand workplace retaliation’s emotional and financial toll and are committed to providing personalized and compassionate legal representation to help you navigate this challenging time.
We are proud of our five-star Google rating, which reflects our clients’ high level of satisfaction with our services. We treat all our clients like family, and they regularly stay in touch with us long after their cases are resolved. We frequently receive unsolicited client testimonials, such as the following:
Our founders, Bennitta Joseph and Jon Norinsberg, bring a wealth of experience to the firm. Bennitta has previously worked as a prosecutor in the New York District Attorney’s Office. Meanwhile, Jon became passionate about fighting for plaintiffs’ rights during his time at the New York City Law Department and was once featured on the front page of the New York Law Journal for his civil rights litigation practice. The firm was also recently named “Best Litigation Attorneys in NYC” by expertise.com.
Case Results:
- Joseph & Norinsberg defended 12 individuals facing discrimination and retaliation based on race and gender in the workplace and obtained a settlement of 1.3 million on their behalf after just one year of litigation.
- Joseph & Norinsberg obtained a $725,000 settlement for a group of cleaners who worked for a New York-based commercial cleaning company over allegations of unpaid overtime, discrimination, and retaliation. After litigating the case for more than two years, our firm successfully resolved the allegations of all 25 plaintiffs we represented.
How Much Is My NY Retaliation Case Worth?
The value of a retaliation case can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Factors that can impact the potential value include the severity of the retaliation, the extent of damages suffered, such as lost wages, emotional distress, or damage to reputation, and the strength of the evidence supporting the claim.
In a successful retaliation case, a plaintiff may be able to recover various types of damages, such as the following:
- Back pay: Compensation for lost wages and benefits from the retaliatory action through the resolution of the case
- Front pay: Compensation for future lost wages and benefits if reinstatement is impossible
- Emotional distress damages: Compensation for the psychological impact of the retaliation, such as anxiety, depression, or humiliation
- Punitive damages: Additional damages intended to punish the employer for particularly egregious or malicious behavior
- Attorney’s fees and costs: Reimbursement for the expenses incurred in pursuing the retaliation claim
To better understand the potential value of your specific retaliation case, consult a qualified New York retaliation lawyer who can assess the facts of your situation and provide guidance on your claim’s strengths and weaknesses.
Qualities To Look for in a NY Retaliation Lawyer
When seeking legal representation for a workplace retaliation case in New York, it is important to find an attorney who possesses the following qualities:
- Experience handling retaliation cases in New York: Look for a lawyer with a proven track record of successfully representing clients in retaliation cases and familiarity with the nuances of New York employment laws.
- Knowledge of state and city employment laws related to retaliation: Your attorney should deeply understand the laws protecting employees from retaliation, such as the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law.
- Track record of successful outcomes for clients in retaliation lawsuits: Ask about the lawyer’s history of securing favorable settlements or verdicts for clients in retaliation cases.
- Ability to provide personalized and compassionate legal representation: Choose a lawyer who takes the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and develop a legal strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.
What Does the Law Say About Workplace Retaliation in NYC?
Multiple laws protect your rights as a harassed employee in New York City. Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 expressly prohibits retaliation when employees complain about sexual harassment or discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected characteristics. The law covers complaints to an employer’s internal department, a government agency such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or an attorney. Even if an investigation determines the claim is unfounded, the employer can’t retaliate.
Employees who face hostile or uncomfortable work environments because of sexual harassment or discrimination can file complaints without fear of negative actions. If an employee doesn’t feel safe speaking with someone in the workplace, they can go directly to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission district office in NYC or contact a New York City workplace retaliation lawyer for legal advice.
Retaliation laws protect employees who come forward about sexual harassment or other forms of illegal discrimination such as age, race and disability, those involved in a discrimination proceeding, and those who oppose discrimination or others. The law considers any adverse action taken against those employees to be retaliation. Retaliation victims can pursue a claim for compensation. An NYC workplace retaliation lawyer can gather evidence of retaliation and prepare a case to win compensation for damages.
How To Build a Retaliation Case With an NYC Workplace Retaliation Lawyer
If your employer has retaliated against you or refuses to address retaliation, speak with a New York City workplace retaliation attorney at Joseph & Norinsberg LLC. We’ll gather evidence establishing a link between your complaint of sexual harassment or discrimination and your employer’s retaliatory action or conduct. Evidence can include pay cuts, demotions, job transfers, or further harassment because of filing a complaint.
Victims of retaliation can receive recovery for lost wages, wages they would have received had they not missed a raise or promotion due to retaliation, job reinstatement if terminated, payment for mental anguish if the discriminatory acts were damaging, and money for attorneys’ fees. It’s worth filing a claim if you’re suffering retaliation for speaking against sexual harassment. Joseph & Norinsberg LLC is passionate about helping victims in the workplace, and our attorneys are skilled professionals. Contact us today for a free initial case consultation.
How Do You Prove Retaliation in the Workplace?
To prove that you experienced workplace retaliation, start building a case against the responsible party as soon as possible. Simply stating that you were terminated or demoted due to your race, religion, sex, or because you engaged in a legally protected activity is not enough. You have to be able to show a link between the adverse action and the protected category or activity.
Keep any emails, voice messages, texts, and handwritten notes to substantiate your claim. Whenever harassing behavior occurs, make a detailed note of it, including the date and time. If there are witnesses to the behavior, ask if they will support your claim.
Examples of Retaliation in the NY Workplace
Let’s say that your boss terminates you because you have repeatedly asked him to stop sexually harassing you. This example clearly shows retaliation, but proving the termination was retaliatory can be challenging. Your boss may claim to have fired you due to underperformance or because you are always late. An experienced workplace retaliation lawyer can help.
Other examples of workplace retaliation in NY include:
- Failure to hire
- Demotion
- Unfavorable shift assignment
- Reduction in pay or benefits
- Hostile work environment
If your employer retaliates against you because you reported or threatened to report harassment based on race, class, religion, sex, disability, or membership in another protected class, you may be entitled to substantial compensation in a workplace retaliation lawsuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Retaliation Illegal in New York?
Yes, workplace retaliation is illegal in New York under state and federal laws. Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who engage in protected activities, such as reporting discrimination or harassment, participating in investigations, or opposing unlawful practices.
What Makes a Strong Retaliation Case?
Solid evidence is your best bet for winning a retaliation case. Employers will claim to have fired or demoted you due to poor performance or another legitimate reason rather than admitting to discrimination. Therefore, any evidence of discrimination or your exemplary job performance will be invaluable in a retaliation case.
Examples of useful evidence include positive performance reviews, witness statements, employment policies that contradict the employment action taken against you, emails, voice messages, or other types of communication showing discrimination.
What Are the Signs of Workplace Retaliation?
If you have recently complained about or reported some type of employment discrimination, workplace retaliation could take any of the following forms:
- Exclusion from work events
- Unfavorable shift or department assignments
- Reduction in pay or benefits
- Hostile work environment, including employee-employee harassment
- Unexpectedly poor performance review
- Demotion
- Termination
Contact Joseph & Norinsberg LLC Today
If you have been a victim of workplace harassment, retaliated against by your employer, or both, our skilled legal team can help. Contact us online or call 212-227-5700 for a free consultation about workplace retaliation in NYC and your specific case.
Having over 25 years of experience and a proven track record of success, Jon has become one of the top civil rights litigators in New York City. A true trial lawyer, he is not intimidated by the intense challenges complex civil rights and constitutional law cases present.
A lawsuit proved employer misappropriation of tips. Court awarded employees unpaid tips, damages, fees after bench trial.
Wage and hour settlement on behalf of residential superintendents.
After getting the defendant to agree to mediation, settled for a class of construction workers who were not paid their overtime properly.
