Yonkers Employment Discrimination Lawyer

Morelli Law Firm believes in the mantra of a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work for everyone. No one should have to suffer discrimination or harassment on the job for any reason.

Our Yonkers employment discrimination lawyers can work with you to ensure equal treatment in the workplace by evaluating your circumstances, corroborating your case, and guiding you through state and federal anti-discrimination investigations.

Our aggressive pursuit of pre-litigation demands and post-proceeding judgment collection allows you to prioritize your mental and professional wellness. You don’t deserve to feel less valued as a person. Our team of Yonkers personal injury lawyers has over 40 years of experience putting an end to discriminatory workplace practices.

What Is Illegal Discrimination?

Virtually all employers in New York must comply with a range of federal and state statutes prohibiting discrimination or harassment in the workplace. The laws cover both employees and applicants.

The best-known anti-discrimination law is the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Since that time, other categories of discrimination have been added, including:

• Age
• Disability
• Equal Pay/Compensation
• Genetic Information
• Harassment
• Pregnancy
• Retaliation
• Sexual Harassment

Under state and federal law, you may be entitled to compensation, including damages, if an employer treats you differently in hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, benefits, or much more.

Claiming Discrimination

You may have a claim of discrimination if you fall into certain “protected classes” as defined by state and federal law. Discrimination also applies in instances where you might face a hostile work environment characterized by sexual harassment, racial harassment, or violence.

The burden of proving discrimination initially falls on you as the employee. If you are successful in showing a “prima facie” case of discrimination, then the burden shifts to the employer.

You can work with an employment lawyer to gather the data needed to make your case. We can serve as your Yonkers employment discrimination attorneys, protecting your legal rights and guiding you through the maze of laws to aggressively seek fair compensation and restore your rights.

New York State Laws for a Fairer Workplace

Employees in New York are also protected from discrimination under the landmark New York State Human Rights Law, one of the first state laws of its kind.

The Human Rights Law offers a broader set of protections. It makes discrimination illegal in employment, housing, credit, places of public accommodations, and non-sectarian educational institutions.

Protected classes under the Human Rights Law include:

• Age
• Race
• National origin
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity or expression
• Marital status
• Disability
• Military status
• Pregnancy-related condition
• Predisposing genetic characteristics

The law is enforced by the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR), which fields, investigates, and prosecutes complaints about unlawful discrimination. Our Yonkers employment discrimination lawyers can guide victims of discrimination like you through both the federal and state processes to ensure your claim is handled promptly and fairly.

Types of Financial Compensation in Employment Discrimination

Being discriminated against is a terrible experience. The court system is designed to allow you to recover two types of damages to compensate for being singled out by your employer.

The first is compensatory damages. The purpose of compensatory damages is to make you whole for what you lost as a result of the discrimination, such as expenses for doctor’s visits or finding a new job. You’re also able to recoup for “emotional harm” – the humiliation tied to discrimination or the mental pain of facing a hostile work environment, for example.

Punitive Damages in Employment Discrimination Cases

Depending on the severity of the discrimination, you may also be able to seek punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the employer for especially egregious conduct.

Some cases also become a positive force for change. A court may order employers to halt their discriminatory practices or require them to allow a monitor on-site to ensure the discrimination is stopped.

Morelli Law Firm handles cases in which victims pursue just compensation for unfair treatment. Anyone questioning whether or not they’ve faced punishable discrimination may use our contact form to request a free case evaluation with our labor & employment attorneys. The legal advice you receive during a free consultation does not obligate you to pursue a case against your employer.

Move Quickly to Seek Compensation

If you feel you have suffered discrimination, do not wait to consult a Yonkers employment discrimination lawyer. Federal law includes strict deadlines for filing complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

In general, you have 180 calendar days to file a charge with an EEOC. Under certain circumstances, you may have up to 300 calendar days to file if you live in a state such as New York with a state agency dedicated to the same mission. (Things are a little more complicated when the claims involve age discrimination.) You must file a complaint with the EEOC before filing your own litigation.

Under the state Human Rights Law, you have up to a year to file your claim with the Division of Human Rights.

The team at Morelli Law Firm can navigate the various state and federal processes for seeking redress for employment discrimination. We can help you build a strategy for the best way to resolve your claim, including filing litigation in state or federal court.

Consider a Yonkers Employment Discrimination Lawyer Today

If you have suffered discrimination, unfair treatment, or harassment in the workplace, we will fight for your rights as your advocate. Our employment discrimination attorneys in Yonkers don’t balk in the face of complicated cases and can help you draft:

• Disability discrimination claims
• Religious discrimination claims
• Sexual orientation discrimination claims
• Gender discrimination claims
• Pregnancy discrimination claims
• Age discrimination claims

Are you ready to work with an experienced legal professional? Our team is on standby. Contact Morelli Law Firm for a free case evaluation.