OVER
recovered for our employment law cases
Pervasive harassment and discrimination can create a toxic, hostile workplace that can leave you dreading each day at the office. However, New York and federal laws include protections for employment discrimination based on protected characteristics, including measures prohibiting harassment and hostile work environments.
If you’re facing illegal discrimination in the workplace, take matters into your own hands and get the legal help you need. The experienced NYC employment discrimination lawyers at Joseph & Norinsberg will fight relentlessly to protect your rights and get justice for what you’ve experienced. Contact us online or call 212-227-5700 today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Joseph & Norinsberg As Your NYC Discrimination Lawyers?
Our award-winning employment law attorneys have more than 75 years of combined experience defending the rights of New York workers. Thanks to hard work, meticulous preparation, and extensive legal knowledge, we win over 90 percent of our cases.
We provide relentless representation with empathy for each and every client. When other law firms are at the end of their rope…we tie a knot and keep fighting to get you justice.
Our skill and dedication get results for our clients. Our notable employment discrimination wins include a $725,000 settlement for 25 workers who alleged unpaid overtime, discrimination, and retaliation at a New York-based commercial cleaning company.
We’ve also won $1.25 million awards against an international biotech company in a failure to accommodate suit and against a luxury fashion brand in a racial discrimination case.
- $1,250,000 – Failure to Accommodate and Discrimination – Verdict against an international biotech company
- $1,250,000 – Racial Discrimination – Settlements against a luxury brand in the fashion industry
- $725,000 – Unpaid Overtime, Discrimination, and Retaliation – Settlement for a group of 25 cleaners who worked for a New York-based commercial cleaning company
Why Should I Trust the Lawyers at Joseph & Norinsberg with my Employment Discrimination Case?
We’re not afraid to take on powerful corporations or handle difficult cases other firms want to avoid. We understand the pain employment discrimination inflicts on its victims, and we are passionate about fighting tenaciously for their rights. We fiercely advocate for each client while providing personalized attention, care, and compassion.
In a recent case, Managing Partner Bennitta Joseph represented 10 workers in a NYC employment discrimination suit against a “ridiculously ruthless” bus company. The suit accused the company of vile racial and sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, threatening violence against a departing employee, and more.
Client Testimonials
What Are the Most Common Types of Workplace Discrimination?
Joseph & Norinsberg’s NYC employment discrimination lawyers handle various types of discrimination claims, including the following:
Which Federal Laws Help Protect Employees from Workplace Discrimination?
For decades, landmark federal laws have helped protect workers from hostile work environments and other forms of workplace discrimination. These laws include:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the original federal law banning most employers from employment discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, sex, or religion.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, requires most employers to give equal consideration to employees with disabilities and grant them reasonable accommodations in the workplace.
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act, or ADEA, bans employers from discriminating against workers who are 40 or older based on their age.
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, or PDA, bans workplace discrimination based on pregnancy status and requires employers to treat pregnancy as a temporary disability in certain circumstances.
Which New York Laws Help Protect Employees from Workplace Discrimination?
New York state and city laws mostly mirror federal anti-discrimination laws but also apply to more employers and include additional protections for certain groups as follows:
- The New York State Human Rights Law was recently amended to include protections for gender identity and expression and now applies to all employers in the state.
- The New York City Human Rights Law also bans discriminatory practices in housing and lending and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for religious observance and other acts.
What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Discrimination in the Workplace?
If you’ve experienced workplace discrimination, immediately documenting your experiences will help create a trail of evidence to back up your claims. Take notes after any incidents of harassment or discriminatory behavior.
Preserving any workplace communications relating to your experiences is crucial. Keep copies of relevant emails, messages, memos, or other documents. If any co-workers were present, ask them for witness statements and contact information. Such corroborating evidence is particularly valuable.
How to File a Discrimination Claim in New York
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces federal employment discrimination laws. The agency handles federal administrative discrimination charges against most employers, depending on the type of claim and number of employees. For instance, Title VII applies to employers with at least 15 employees, while the ADEA covers employees with at least 20 workers.
You have 180 days following a discriminatory incident to file a claim with the EEOC, though the deadline extends to 300 days if you dual-file your charge with a state or local agency.
To pursue a discrimination action under federal law, you must first file a charge with the EEOC. The EEOC will try to mediate a voluntary settlement between you and your employer. If mediation doesn’t work or your employer refuses, the EEOC will investigate the charges. The agency will give you a Notice of Right to Sue if they can’t determine if your workplace violated the law or if you can’t reach a settlement with help from the EEOC. You must receive such a notice to file a federal lawsuit.
New York state agencies like the Department of Human Rights, or NYSDHR, have agreements allowing claimants to cross-file state and federal claims concurrently. Workers have three years to file an employment discrimination complaint with the NYSDHR and can do so by filling out an online form.
You can file a complaint with state or federal agencies in any order. However, if you want to file with the New York City Commission on Human Rights, or NYCCHR, you must do so before filing a discrimination complaint with another agency.
A knowledgeable NYC workplace discrimination attorney can help you navigate the claims process, identify the appropriate agencies with which to file, and ensure your complaint is strong enough to prevail.
What Damages Can I Get Compensation For in a New York Discrimination Case?
New York employment discrimination victims can seek compensation for various damages, such as the following:
- Back pay
- “Front pay” when reinstatement or similar remedies aren’t feasible
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages as a penalty for severely negligent or malicious conduct
- Attorney fees and court costs
Our NYC workplace discrimination attorneys can identify all damages you may be entitled to and fight to maximize your compensation.
Contact Joseph & Norinsberg For Your Employment Discrimination Cases
The skilled NYC employment discrimination lawyers at Joseph & Norinsberg are ready to defend your right to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. If you have experienced employment discrimination, harassment, or a hostile work environment, we will work around the clock to hold your employer accountable and win you the compensation you deserve.
Contact us online or call 212-227-5700 today for a free consultation.
New York City Employment Attorney Profiles
Bennitta Joseph
Managing Partner
Jon L. Norinsberg
Managing Partner
Michael Minkoff
Partner/ Chief of the Wage & Hour Division
John J. Meehan
Partner/ Chief of the Pre-litigation Division
Jitesh Dudani
Partner / COO World Trade Center Office
Diego O. Barros
Senior Counsel
Erica Meyer
Senior Counsel
Caitlin Duffy
Senior Litigation Counsel
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.
- New York Age Discrimination Lawyer
- New York Disability Discrimination Lawyer
- New York Gender Discrimination Lawyer
- New York Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer
- New York Race Discrimination Lawyer
- New York LGBTQ Employment Discrimination Lawyer
- New York Weight Discrimination Lawyer
- New York Religious Discrimination Lawyer
Increased client’s severance for being discriminated against for their disability.
Defended 12 individuals facing discrimination and retaliation based on race and gender in the workplace.
Race discrimination case against a luxury brand in the fashion industry (confidential).
