New York City Employment Lawyer

Facing a difficult situation at your job can affect every part of your life. When your rights are violated in the workplace, it’s common to feel uncertain about where to turn or what to do next. If you are dealing with unfair treatment, discrimination, or harassment at your New York City job, a discussion with a New York City employment lawyer can be an important step toward understanding your options. 

At Greenberg Gross LLP, our attorneys are dedicated to advocating for employees and holding employers accountable for unlawful conduct. We provide dedicated legal support to clients across the five boroughs, helping them seek justice and a fair resolution.

Why Choose Greenberg Gross LLP for Your NYC Employment Case?

Greenberg Gross LLP is a boutique trial law firm founded by former partners of a large global firm who wanted to create a practice with a distinct sense of mission. For over a decade, we have been the firm of choice for clients in their most significant and high-stakes legal matters. Our reputation for success in the courtroom often encourages opponents to reach a fair settlement before a trial even begins. We believe that every employee deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and we are prepared to stand up for your rights.

Our approach is built on a foundation of readiness and comprehensive preparation. We believe that a litigator who isn't prepared for trial is at a disadvantage from the very start. That’s why we built state-of-the-art courtrooms in our offices to conduct continuous, in-house training.

Here’s what sets the team at Greenberg Gross LLP apart:

• A Trial-Ready Mindset: Every lawyer at our firm is trained from day one to be a trial lawyer. We approach every phase of a case—from initial evidence gathering to depositions—with a clear focus on how to best present the facts in court.
• A History of Success in High-Stakes Cases: Our team has a record of achieving extraordinary results for clients in complex cases. We represent a diverse roster of clients, from top executives to everyday employees, in their most important legal challenges.
• Client-Focused Advocacy: We work closely with our clients to understand their goals and develop a strategy aimed at achieving them. Your fight for justice is our mission.

This commitment means we begin envisioning how your case can be powerfully presented from the first day we take it on. Our lawyers are taught to conduct all pretrial discovery with that single-minded focus, ensuring no detail is missed.

Understanding Your Rights as a New York City Employee

Working in New York City means you are protected by a powerful combination of federal, state, and city laws. These regulations are designed to create a fair workplace and provide legal options when employers fail to meet their obligations. The New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) is one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination laws in the country, offering broader protections than many federal statutes.

Understanding these rights is the first step toward protecting yourself. For example, all employees have the right to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. You also have the right to be paid fairly for the hours you work and to speak up about illegal or unsafe conditions without fear of punishment. When an employer violates these rights, a New York City employment lawyer can help you explore your legal options for holding them accountable.

Types of Cases Our New York City Employment Lawyer Team Handles

Employment law covers a wide range of issues that can arise between an employer and an employee. Our attorneys have the experience and resources to handle complex employment disputes. We are committed to fighting for employees who have been wronged and helping them seek the compensation and justice they deserve.

Workplace Discrimination in New York

It is illegal for an employer in New York to make decisions about hiring, firing, pay, or promotions based on your identity. Federal, state, and local laws identify specific "protected classes." If you believe you were treated unfairly because you belong to one of these groups, you may have a discrimination claim.

The law protects employees from discrimination based on:

• Age
• Race, color, and national origin
• Gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation
• Disability
• Religion or creed
• Pregnancy and marital status

The New York City Human Rights Law provides additional protections, covering characteristics like an individual's arrest or conviction record, caregiver status, and unemployment status. If you were denied a promotion, wrongfully terminated, or subjected to unfair treatment tied to any of these characteristics, our team of employment lawyers can assess your situation.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

No one should have to endure sexual harassment to earn a living. In New York, sexual harassment is considered a form of gender discrimination and is strictly prohibited. It can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Harassment creates a hostile work environment when the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to interfere with an employee's ability to do their job.

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency responsible for enforcing these laws, harassment is unlawful when enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment. A single severe incident or a pattern of less severe incidents can constitute a hostile work environment. An experienced NYC employment attorney can help you understand if the conduct you experienced meets the legal standard for harassment and what steps you can take.

Wrongful Termination Claims

New York is an "at-will" employment state, which generally means that an employer can fire an employee for any reason or no reason at all. However, this rule has important exceptions. An employer cannot terminate you for an illegal reason.

It is illegal for an employer to fire you for any of the following reasons:

• Discrimination: Firing you because of your race, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristic.
• Retaliation: Firing you for reporting illegal activity, participating in an investigation, or filing a complaint for harassment or discrimination.
• Breach of Contract: Firing you in a way that violates the terms of an employment contract you signed.

If you suspect you were fired for an unlawful reason, it is important to document the circumstances surrounding your termination. An experienced employment attorney can review the facts of your case to determine if your employer’s actions were illegal.

Wage and Hour Disputes

You have a right to be paid for all the time you work. Federal and New York state laws establish rules for minimum wage, overtime pay, and meal breaks. Unfortunately, some employers try to cut costs by violating these wage and hour laws.

Common wage and hour violations include:

• Failing to pay overtime to non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours a week.
• Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor to avoid paying benefits and overtime.
• Requiring employees to work "off-the-clock" without pay.
• Illegally withholding tips or commissions.

The New York State Department of Labor enforces these laws and works to protect employee wages. If your employer has failed to pay you what you are owed, you have the right to seek your unpaid wages and potentially additional damages.

Whistleblower and Retaliation Claims

Employees who have the courage to report illegal or unethical behavior in the workplace are protected by law. "Whistleblower" laws are designed to shield employees who expose fraud, safety violations, or other unlawful conduct from being punished by their employer. It is illegal for an employer to retaliate against you for engaging in protected activity.

Retaliation can take many forms, including firing, demotion, harassment, or any other negative action that would discourage a reasonable employee from making a complaint. If you faced negative consequences at work after reporting wrongdoing, an employment lawyer in NYC can help you fight back and protect your rights.

The Role of a New York City Employment Attorney in Your Case

When you are facing a legal challenge with an employer, having a dedicated legal advocate on your side can make a significant difference. Your lawyer serves as your representative, working to build a strong case and pursue a just outcome on your behalf. From the bustling financial firms on Wall Street to the vibrant small businesses in Brooklyn, every employee deserves strong representation.

A New York City employment lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP can assist you by:

• Evaluating Your Claim: We will listen to your story, review any relevant documents, and provide an honest assessment of your legal options.
• Gathering Evidence: Our team will conduct a thorough investigation to collect evidence that supports your claim. This can include obtaining company records, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with other professionals.
• Communicating on Your Behalf: We will handle all communications with your employer and their legal representatives, so you can focus on moving forward.
• Filing Official Complaints: We can help you file a formal complaint with government agencies like the EEOC or the New York State Division of Human Rights.
• Negotiating a Settlement: As our founder Alan Greenberg noted, our reputation for winning in the courtroom often leads opponents to settle early. We will use our negotiation skills to seek a fair settlement that compensates you for your losses.
• Representing You in Court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our trial-tested lawyers are fully prepared to present your case to a judge and jury.

Our goal is to manage the legal process for you, providing guidance and support at every stage. We are committed to making sure your voice is heard and your rights are upheld.

New York City Employment Law FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions that people have when considering hiring a New York City employment lawyer.

Contact a New York City Employment Lawyer at Greenberg Gross LLP

If you believe your rights as an employee have been violated, you do not have to face the situation by yourself. The legal team at Greenberg Gross LLP is ready to listen to your story and discuss how we can help. 

Our firm has offices in California, Nevada, and New York, and we have helped clients across the country achieve extraordinary results in high-stakes cases. Contact us today for a confidential consultation to learn more about your rights and legal options.