Blog | Page 4 of 29 | Bell Law Group

7 Important Mistakes to Avoid if You Have a Claim Against Your Employer

If you have a claim against your employer for discrimination, harassment or any other violation of your rights as an employee, taking legal action starts with making informed decisions. In this scenario, there are both steps you need to take and mistakes you need to avoid—and, if you aren’t careful, you could lose the ability to seek the remedies you deserve. What Not to Do if You Have a Claim for Discrimination, Harassment or Another Violation of Your Legal Rights With this in mind, what shouldn’t you do if you are a victim of discrimination, harassment, or any other violation of your legal rights in the workplace?

What Qualifies as “Substantially Similar” Work in an Equal Pay Claim?

While equal pay laws used to require employers in New York to provide equal pay for equal work, this is no longer the case. New York law now requires employers to provide equal pay for “substantially similar” work, and the federal Equal Pay Act has been interpreted as requiring equal pay for “substantially equal” work as well. With this in mind, when can (and should) you file an equal pay claim?

7 Common Misconceptions About Employees’ Rights in New York

Employees in New York have clear legal rights. Along with rights under federal laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), employees in New York have rights under state laws (and, in many cases, local laws) as well. As an employee, understanding your legal rights is important.

NDAs: What Employees in New York Need to Know

Companies routinely use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to protect their confidential and proprietary information. Along with requiring contractors and vendors to sign NDAs, companies frequently require their employees to sign NDAs as well. If you have been asked to sign an NDA (or if you have already signed an NDA), what do you need to know?

When Can (and Should) You File an Equal Pay Claim in New York?

In New York, employees have the right to equal pay for substantially similar work. While employers are allowed to make pay-related decisions based on seniority and certain other factors, they are not allowed to pay employees less simply because they are members of a minority group or another “protected class.” As a result, if you are being paid less than your coworkers and there isn’t a clear (and legal) reason why, you could have an equal pay claim. New York’s equal pay protections are significantly broader than those afforded by the federal Equal Pay Act, and this means that more employees in New York can file equal pay claims under more circumstances.

What Are the Remedies for Employment Discrimination?

If your employer has discriminated against you in violation of New York or federal law, you are entitled to remedies for your employer’s violation. Laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the New York State Human Rights Law (SHRL) all entitle employees to remedies for discrimination in the workplace. But, what specific remedies can (and should) you seek?