recovered for our employment law cases
Whether you’ve been treated poorly because of your race, sex, religion, or any other trait, workplace discrimination can be demoralizing and exhausting, preventing you from thriving in a job you once enjoyed.
The Queens workplace discrimination lawyers at Joseph & Norinsberg have deep experience with employment law matters and are passionate about fighting for the underdog. We represent employees in Queens and throughout New York City who have received unequal treatment at work, helping them hold their employers accountable and get the justice they deserve. Contact us online today for a free consultation.
Table of Contents
- What Is Workplace Discrimination Under New York Law?
- Types of Workplace Discrimination Cases We Handle in Queens
- What Compensation Can You Recover in a Queens Discrimination Case?
- Do I Have a Valid Workplace Discrimination Claim?
- How Our Queens Workplace Discrimination Lawyers Can Help
- Our Successful Workplace Discrimination Case Results
- What Our Workplace Discrimination Clients Are Saying
- Your Rights Matter – Speak With a Queens Discrimination Lawyer at Joseph and Norinsberg Today
What Is Workplace Discrimination Under New York Law?
Unfavorable treatment based on a worker’s protected characteristics is considered illegal workplace discrimination under federal, state, and city law. You don’t need to lose your job to be a victim of workplace discrimination: Pay discrepancies, bias in hiring, harassment, and other inequalities can also qualify.
Protected categories under Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 include race, national origin, sex, religion, disability status, pregnancy status, and more. New York’s state and city human rights laws are even stronger, explicitly including protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, and weight.
Types of Workplace Discrimination Cases We Handle in Queens
Our experienced Queens workplace discrimination lawyers handle all types of cases, including the following:
Race and National Origin Discrimination
Discrimination based on race or national origin can take the form of bias in hiring, promotion decisions, pay rates, and other employment practices. Workplaces with less diversity may also be vulnerable to hostile work environments, where minority employees face offensive language, frequent harassment, or ostracization.
Religious Discrimination
Queens employers are required to accommodate their employees’ religious beliefs, such as providing reasonable breaks or flexible scheduling to allow for observances.
Gender Discrimination
Under state and federal law, gender-based discrimination can take many forms, including pay disparities and hiring, firing, and promotion practices. Even exclusion from meetings or training opportunities might constitute discrimination. In addition, sexual harassment is considered gender discrimination.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination
New York state and city laws include specific protections against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. While Title VII doesn’t explicitly prohibit LGBTQ discrimination in the workplace, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that its protections against sex-based discrimination apply to gay and transgender workers.
Age and Disability Discrimination
Federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on age for workers aged 40 and over, and New York laws protect against age-based discrimination for all adults. Employers in Queens also cannot refuse to hire disabled workers or reject requests for reasonable accommodations.
Pregnancy Discrimination
Employers cannot legally ask job applicants or employees if they plan on having children, nor can they retaliate against them for being or becoming pregnant. Under federal law, companies must treat a pregnancy like any other medical condition and provide reasonable accommodations to employees.
Weight Discrimination
The New York City Human Rights Law expands state and federal workplace protections by banning any discrimination based on aspects of a worker’s physical appearance, including their weight.
Retaliation and Hostile Work Environment
A hostile work environment, or a workplace where harassment and offensive behavior are rampant, can be considered illegal discrimination if affected employees are targeted based on protected characteristics. An employer that tolerates a toxic workplace may also retaliate against workers for speaking up about harassment or discrimination, which is illegal under federal law.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Queens Discrimination Case?
You can recover a variety of damages and remedies to compensate for workplace discrimination, including back pay and reinstatement if you left or lost your job. Additionally, you can receive “front pay” for lost income and opportunities if reinstatement isn’t an option. Punitive damages and attorney fees may also be available.
You may be entitled to compensatory damages for emotional distress, though federal law caps the amount you can recover for workplace discrimination depending on the size of your employer. If you’re suing under New York State law, there is no cap on compensatory damages.
Do I Have a Valid Workplace Discrimination Claim?
A valid workplace discrimination claim requires the victim to prove they faced unfavorable treatment at work that was primarily motivated by a protected characteristic, such as race, sex, or disability status. Direct confessions of discriminatory intent are rare, so most cases must rely on circumstantial evidence to prove workplace discrimination.
If you believe you’ve experienced workplace discrimination in Queens, consult with a knowledgeable attorney for a case evaluation. Your lawyer can help determine whether you have a valid claim and explain your legal options to you.
How Our Queens Workplace Discrimination Lawyers Can Help
The trusted Joseph & Norinsberg team has a deep understanding of New York state and NYC discrimination laws, helping us meticulously prepare cases to give our workplace discrimination clients the best chance of success.
Our tenacious Queens workplace discrimination lawyers can guide you through the complex legal process, providing professional legal advocacy and compassionate, individualized support every step of the way. When other firms are at the end of their rope, we tie a knot and keep fighting to get you justice.
Our Successful Workplace Discrimination Case Results
We win 98% of our cases through our relentless work ethic, top-notch trial skills, and an empathetic approach to every client. We’ve recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for our workplace discrimination clients, including the following:
- $3 Million: Our client was a hedge fund executive who was terminated due to disability discrimination. We were able to substantially increase his severance offer due to the threat of arbitration.
- $1.425 Million: Our client faced repeated racial discrimination and workplace mockery. He was ostracized by management, suffered a significant drop in earnings, and was denied an extension of his work visa—all while being restricted by a non-compete agreement.
- $1.35 Million: We represented 12 individuals facing discrimination and retaliation based on race and gender in the workplace.
What Our Workplace Discrimination Clients Are Saying
Our tenacious Queens workplace discrimination attorneys fight relentlessly to protect the rights of vulnerable workers. Here are some testimonials we’ve received from clients we’ve helped:
Your Rights Matter – Speak With a Queens Discrimination Lawyer at Joseph and Norinsberg Today
If you’re experiencing discrimination in the workplace, you may feel like no one has your back—but we do. Our Queens workplace discrimination lawyers can provide the relentless representation you deserve, fighting hard to hold your employer accountable and get you justice for what you’ve endured.
Contact us online or call 212-227-5700 today for a free consultation.
An extensive track record of success has resulted in Jon becoming 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).