Employment Law

Understanding reasonable accommodations for neurodiverse employees is essential for creating inclusive workplaces that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A reasonable accommodation is any modification to the work environment, job duties, or application process that enables a qualified individual with a disability to perform their job effectively. Neurodivergent conditions like autism spectrum disorder,…

When customers sexually harass your employees or vendors create a hostile work environment, your business faces serious legal exposure. Under federal and state employment laws, employers can be held liable for harassment committed by non-employees—including customers, clients, vendors, contractors, and delivery personnel—against their workers. The legal framework differs significantly from traditional co-worker harassment cases. While…

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…

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…

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,…

Age discrimination in New York City affects workers as young as 18, offering significantly broader protection than federal law. Unlike the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) which only protects workers 40 and older, the NYC Human Rights Law shields employees aged 18 and up from workplace age bias. This comprehensive protection makes New…