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There are numerous laws governing an employer’s actions in the workplace. From laws against sexual harassment and discrimination to laws that govern fair wages and workplace safety, employers must maintain compliance if they wish to avoid legal action and fines.

However, if an employer does violate these laws and an employee reports the issue many employers may be tempted to “punish” or “penalize” the employee in some way. This may constitute retaliation, and both federal and New York State laws protect

Most workers in New York are offered protections for unpaid wage claims. If you believe your employer is not paying you properly, you may file a claim for unpaid wages. Employers are required to pay most workers at least minimum wage. In New York, minimum wage for most employees of employers with fewer than 11 employees is $10.50 per hour; those employers who have more than 11 employees should be paying a minimum wage of $11.00 per hour.

Fast food workers

Most people never give a second thought to changing jobs. However, if you are working for any company located in New York, you may have signed a non-compete agreement. Under New York law, non-compete agreements are fully enforceable; however, in some instances, employers may be abusing the use of these agreements.

Understanding Non-Compete Agreements

In some instances, an employee who has access to trade secrets, client lists, or the future marketing plans of a company may be asked to sign a non-compete

Last month, a North Carolina federal court gave conditional certification to a class-action lawsuit brought against Uber by several of its drivers under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Now, plaintiffs in the case can seek out other drivers who feel they have been wronged by the company and who have opted out of their arbitration agreement with Uber to join the class, giving the plaintiffs 18,000 drivers, and potential recruits, to choose from. Paul B. Maslo, an attorney for

Where the Department of Labor Stands

As part of an ongoing investigation, the United States Department of Labor believes extensive data exists that shows women at Google face “systematic compensation disparities” compared to their male counterparts.

As is the case with many Silicon Valley companies, Google is very wary of disseminating internal data of any kind. Yet from the data the Department of Labor has been able to receive, top officials within the Department concluded that pay discrimination against women at

In today’s labor market, where short-term contracts and freelance work are far more common than in the past, the correct classification of workers is crucial in determining whether or not a worker will receive benefits normally provided to employees. At the same time, in an effort to save on labor costs in a tough economy, employers are increasingly misclassifying employees as independent contractors, as doing so would save the company a great deal of money in benefits, overtime wages, and

New York City took a bite out of the gender pay gap this year by dismantling a destructive employment practice that encourages pay disparities between men and women. Mayor Bill de Blasio took a crucial step in doing this in May when he signed a new bill that makes it unlawful for an employer to ask an applicant what he or she makes or has made at a prior position. This action, according to de Blasio, “fixes a broken history”

The Rise of Age Discrimination

According to recent news articles, age discrimination is on the rise. While there are many reasons for this, our practice has noted a certain “perfect storm” of market factors contributing to this trend. With many middle-aged Americans facing greater financial uncertainty in retirement, the need to receive a paycheck past the normal age of retirement is becoming necessary to make ends meet.

Yet in the present labor market, where tech-savviness is valued and age is seen as

The unfortunate problem of unpaid wages affects many New York workers today. This problem is one that a team of handymen from Queens decided they’ve had enough of. George Fan of K. Peng Realty Corp. is facing a New York unpaid wage dispute for nearly a quarter of a million dollars for refusal to pay wages to a father and son who worked for 35 years and six years without pay, respectively.

Father-Son Handyman Team Remained Unpaid for 35 Years

Victor Polanco

When terminated from a job in New York, a severance agreement may be offered. While a severance package may look great at first, it’s important to critically review the document before signing. You may be able to negotiate better terms to help bridge the gap as you search for another job. Here are a few of the most crucial things to consider negotiating in a New York severance agreement.

How Much Your Severance Pay Will Be

The most significant of all terms