Protect Your Rights with the Help of an Experienced Albany Employment Lawyer
As an employee in Albany, you have clear legal rights. These rights protect your ability to work, your ability to receive appropriate compensation, and your ability to do your job in an environment free of harassment and discrimination. Unfortunately, employers violate their employees’ rights far too often—and this means that many employees find themselves in need of an experienced Albany employment lawyer who can take legal action on their behalf.
Do you need an Albany employment lawyer? If you believe that your rights have been violated, you should speak with a lawyer promptly. At Bell Law Group, we have more than 100 years of combined experience fighting for employees’ rights. Our lawyers can help you determine if legal action is warranted; and, if so, we can take appropriate action to seek the remedies you deserve.
Understanding the Laws that Protect You
Understanding your legal rights as an employee starts with understanding the laws that protect you. While individual circumstances vary, the laws that generally protect employees in Albany include:
Federal Employment Laws (Including Anti-Discrimination Laws)
The federal government has enacted several laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace. While some of these laws only apply to employers with 15 or more employees, others apply across the board. An Albany employment lawyer at Bell Law Group can determine which law (or laws) apply in your specific circumstances. Some of the laws we most frequently use to take legal action on behalf of our clients include:
- Title VII and Section 1981 – Title VII and Section 1981 protect covered employees from many forms of discrimination in the workplace. If you have experienced discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation, one or both of these laws may apply.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – The ADA prohibits discrimination based on employees’ disabilities. It also requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled employees who request them. We handle disability discrimination and reasonable accommodation claims under the ADA. - Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) – The ADEA prohibits age-based discrimination against employees who are 40 years of age and older. While discrimination against older workers is particularly common in certain industries, we have experience handling age discrimination claims against a wide range of businesses.
- Equal Pay Act (EPA) – The EPA requires covered employers to compensate men and women equally for equal work. If you believe that you are being unfairly compensated because of your sex or gender, an Albany employment lawyer at our firm can determine if you have grounds to pursue a claim under the EPA.
- Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) – The PWFA is one of the newest federal anti-discrimination laws that protects employees. While pregnancy-based discrimination is prohibited as a form of sex-based discrimination under Title VII (as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act), the PWFA requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers as well as those who have recently given birth or lost a pregnancy.
To be clear, these are not the only federal anti-discrimination laws that protect employees in Albany. Additionally, other federal laws—such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)—provide employees with clear legal rights in circumstances not involving workplace discrimination as well.
When you contact us for a confidential consultation, one of our lawyers will provide a comprehensive assessment of your legal rights. If you have any grounds to pursue a claim against your employer under federal law, we will rely on our experience to seek all appropriate remedies on your behalf. Depending on the circumstances, this may include seeking reinstatement, placement, back pay with interest and/or other forms of financial compensation.
The New York State Human Rights Law
In addition to assessing your rights under federal law, our lawyers will assess your rights under New York law as well. Multiple state laws protect employees in Albany—including the New York State Human Rights Law (SHRL).
The New York SHRL applies to all employers regardless of size, and it protects employees against several types of prohibited employment practices. These include (but are not limited to):
- Discrimination in employment
- Harassment in the workplace
- Retaliation against employees who speak up
Under the New York SHRL, employees can file claims if they experience discrimination or harassment based on their “age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, or status as a victim of domestic violence.” We have extensive experience representing employees in claims under the New York SHRL, and we are intimately familiar not only with the protections that apply, but also with what it takes to secure the remedies our clients deserve.
The New York State Labor Law
The New York State Labor Law provides important protections to employees in Albany as well. At Bell Law Group, we have decades of experience using the New York State Labor Law to hold employers accountable for violations such as:
- Paying below minimum wage
- Failing to pay overtime
- Unpaid wages and illegal deductions
If you believe that you have been paid less than you deserve or your employer is withholding monies you are owed, our lawyers can assess your legal rights under the New York State Labor Law and take appropriate legal action on your behalf. In many cases, when employees have claims under the New York State Labor Law, they will have claims under Title VII, the Equal Pay Act and/or the New York SHRL as well.
Types of Employee Rights Cases We Handle in Albany, NY
These laws (among others) give employees clear legal rights in an extremely wide range of circumstances. With this in mind, the following are some examples of the types of employee rights cases we handle in Albany:
Discrimination
We represent employees in Albany who are victims of all forms of employment-related discrimination. This includes victims of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, religion and other protected characteristics.
Discrimination can take many forms; and, if you believe that you may be a victim of discrimination, it is important that you speak with an Albany employment lawyer about your legal rights promptly. We handle cases involving all types of discriminatory employment practices, including:
- Candidate screening and hiring
- Job placement and compensation
- Pay raises and promotions
- Task assignments and work locations
- Termination
Regardless of the type of discriminatory employment practice you have experienced, it is important that you take action promptly. Unnecessary delays can lead to unnecessary challenges in some cases. Again, our lawyers can explain everything you need to know, and we can take legal action on your behalf immediately if necessary.
Sexual Harassment
We also handle sexual harassment claims for employees in Albany. Sexual harassment is classified as a form of sex-based discrimination under both Title VII and the New York SHRL. These laws prohibit all forms of sexual harassment in the workplace, including:
- Inappropriate sexual comments and messages
- Sexual advances and requests for sexual acts
- Non-consensual physical contact that is sexual in nature
- Nonconsensual sexual acts
- Creating a sexually charged hostile work environment
Sexual harassment perpetrated by supervisors, managers, coworkers and others can justify claims under Title VII and the New York SHRL. While there are thresholds for establishing an actionable claim for sexual harassment (i.e., in “hostile work environment” cases under Title VII, the harassment must be severe or pervasive enough to cause discomfort, embarrassment or fear), we strongly encourage you to contact us if you have experienced any form of sexual harassment on the job in Albany.
Wage and Hour Claims
Wage and hour violations are exceedingly common. While many violations result from employers’ unfamiliarity with the law, we regularly see cases in which employers have intentionally violated their employees’ rights as well. Regardless of whether your employer’s violation was inadvertent or intentional, you are entitled to an adequate remedy under the law. We handle wage and hour violation cases involving:
- Minimum wage, overtime, unpaid wage and illegal deduction claims
- Improper classification of employees as independent contractors
- Improper classification of non-exempt employees as exempt
- Equal pay violations involving sex- or gender-based pay disparities
- Unpaid internship claims involving interns who should be classified (and paid) as employees
If you believe that you may have a compensation-related claim against your employer, you will want to try to keep as much documentation as possible. This includes recent pay stubs, work logs, W-2s or 1099s, and any other forms or communications you have received from your employer. Any documentation you can provide will assist our lawyers with assessing your legal rights as quickly as possible.
Employment Contract Disputes
We represent employees in employment contract disputes as well. If you have an employment contract, both you and your employer must comply with its legally enforceable terms. If your employer has breached your contract, or if your employer has accused you of breaching your employment contract, it will be important for you to discuss your situation with an experienced Albany employment lawyer as soon as possible.
At Bell Law Group, we handle all types of employment contract disputes for current and former employees in Albany. Whether you are dealing with a dispute regarding your compensation, your obligations as an employee or your rights upon severance, we can help. We represent employees in mediation, arbitration and litigation—including litigation in both state and federal court.
Retaliation Claims
Our lawyers also represent employees who are victims of retaliation. If you have been fired, demoted, reassigned or experienced any other form of adverse employment action after reporting discrimination in the workplace or any other violation of state or federal law, you have clear legal rights in this scenario as well. Our lawyers can explain your legal rights and pursue appropriate legal action on your behalf—whether this means seeking reinstatement, damages or both.
Again, these are just examples. If you have questions about your legal rights as an employee in Albany under any circumstances, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. An Albany employment lawyer at our firm will be more than happy to provide a thorough case assessment so that you can make informed decisions about your next steps.
What an Albany Employment Lawyer Can Do to Help
Let’s say you need to take legal action to enforce your rights as an employee. What can an Albany employment lawyer at Bell Law Group do to help? Here are just some of the ways we help our clients:
1. Thoroughly Explain Your Legal Rights
When you contact us, one of the first things we will do is thoroughly explain your legal rights. We will arrange for you to sit down with one of our lawyers one-on-one, and you and your lawyer will discuss your situation in complete confidence. Based on the information you provide, your lawyer will go over the state and federal laws that may apply, and your lawyer will explain the remedies that these laws make available to employees in your situation.
2. Discuss the Options You Have Available
After explaining your legal rights and gathering any additional information that is needed, your lawyer will then discuss the options you have available. Understanding all of your options is critical for making informed decisions with both your immediate and long-term best interests in mind.
3. Help You Make Informed Decisions About Your Next Steps
While it is up to you to decide what to do (if anything), you do not have to make this decision on your own. Your lawyer will also help you make informed decisions about your next steps. Should you try to resolve the situation informally? Or, should you proceed with filing a formal complaint? These are critical questions that an Albany employment lawyer at Bell Law Group can help you answer with confidence.
4. Deal with Your Employer on Your Behalf
In many (but not all) cases, it will make sense to try to work out a resolution with your employer that avoids the need for formal legal action. If we can help you secure a favorable resolution quickly and without incurring the additional costs that come with filing a formal complaint, this will most likely be the best approach. We have extensive experience dealing directly with employers of all sizes; and, as a result of this experience, we are familiar with the risks and concerns that matter most to employers.
5. File a Formal Complaint if Necessary
While we work to resolve our clients’ employment-related disputes informally when possible, we do not hesitate to take formal legal action when necessary. If we need to take formal action to protect your legal rights, we will work quickly to prepare and file a complaint on your behalf. We represent employees in formal legal proceedings involving:
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – The EEOC handles complaints involving violations of federal employment laws. In many cases, employees must file a complaint with the EEOC to obtain the right to file a lawsuit in court. Our team is intimately familiar with the EEOC’s investigative and dispute resolution procedures.
- New York Division of Human Rights – The New York Division of Human Rights handles complaints filed under the New York SHRL. If you have an employment discrimination claim under state law, our lawyers can represent you before the Division of Human Rights and respond to your employer’s defenses on your behalf.
- New York Department of Labor – The New York Department of Labor handles complaints involving wage and hour claims under state law. We have extensive experience handling these claims as well, and we can use our experience to your advantage.
- State or Federal Court – We also represent employees in discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, employment contract, and retaliation cases in state and federal court. If going to court is what it takes to protect your legal rights, our lawyers are more than ready to fight for your rights at trial. We have a long track record of success in state and federal employment cases, and we are passionate about using our experience to protect our clients’ legal rights by all means available.
So, what can we do to help you? If you need help protecting your legal rights as an employee (or former employee) in Albany, or if you have questions about the options that are available to you, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. Regardless of your situation, you owe it to yourself to ensure that you are making informed decisions, and this starts with getting an experienced Albany employment lawyer on your side.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation with an Albany Employment Lawyer Today
If you are a victim of discrimination, sexual harassment or any other unlawful employment practice, you deserve better. Our lawyers are prepared to do what it takes to secure a just outcome on your behalf. To discuss your legal rights with an experienced Albany employment lawyer in confidence, call 516-530-9936 or tell us how we can reach you online today.
