Understanding unpaid intern rights begins with recognizing that these workers exist in a unique legal gray area where their employee status depends entirely on who benefits most from the arrangement. Under federal law, unpaid interns may or may not qualify as “employees” based on the Department of Labor’s primary beneficiary test, which evaluates seven specific…
If you’re pregnant and wondering about your workplace rights, you’re protected by multiple overlapping laws that guarantee job-protected leave, reasonable accommodations, and freedom from discrimination. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for pregnancy, childbirth, and bonding with a new child. Additionally,…
New York City’s Fair Chance Act serves as one of the nation’s most comprehensive “ban-the-box” laws, fundamentally changing how employers can conduct criminal background checks during the hiring process. This groundbreaking legislation prohibits employers from asking about criminal history until after making a conditional job offer, ensuring that qualified candidates receive fair consideration based on…
When your work life suddenly takes a turn for the worse after filing a complaint or reporting wrongdoing, you might wonder: “Is this retaliation, or are there legitimate performance concerns?” The timing and context of disciplinary actions are the key factors that differentiate workplace retaliation from genuine poor performance issues. While employers have the right…
Chronic illness workplace discrimination occurs when employers treat employees unfavorably because of their medical conditions like diabetes, lupus, Crohn’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you’re protected from workplace discrimination if your chronic condition substantially limits major life activities. The good news? Federal law provides strong protections, and in 2024…
Mental health accommodations at work are reasonable adjustments to job duties, workplace environments, or company policies that help employees with mental health conditions perform their essential job functions effectively. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state laws, mental health conditions qualify as disabilities when they substantially limit major life activities, making workplace accommodations…
Federal whistleblower laws provide comprehensive protection for employees who report corporate misconduct, offering both legal safeguards and financial rewards. These laws protect workers from retaliation while incentivizing the reporting of fraud, safety violations, and financial misconduct through programs that have awarded over $2.2 billion to whistleblowers since 2011. Understanding your rights under federal statutes like…
If you’re experiencing pay discrimination in New York City, you have access to some of the strongest equal pay protections in the nation through a comprehensive three-tier legal framework. NYC equal pay claims can be filed under the NYC Human Rights Law, New York State Equal Pay Law, and Federal Equal Pay Act, providing multiple…
Many employees wonder whether they can express their political views at work without facing consequences. The answer largely depends on where you work and how you express those views. While you might assume the First Amendment protects your political speech everywhere, private employers generally have broad authority to restrict political expression in the workplace. However,…
LGBTQ harassment at work remains a serious problem affecting nearly half of all LGBTQ employees nationwide. Recent statistics show that 47% of LGBTQ workers have experienced discrimination or harassment in their workplace, with 22% reporting sexual harassment specifically. The good news? Federal law now clearly protects LGBTQ employees from workplace discrimination thanks to the landmark…
