Laws have been passed under both New York and federal governments which prohibit discriminating on the basis of defined protected characteristics. Employers in the city of New Paltz, whether public or private, may be held liable under federal and state laws depending on the type of trait first prompted the discrimination.

How Does Employment Discrimination Occur?

Employment discrimination occurs if an employer treats you wrongly because of your membership in a legally protected category. Employers are prohibited from using specific traits to evaluate you such as national origin, religion, race, age, familial status, or gender. To prove employment discrimination in New Paltz, New York, the plaintiff needs to be able to show that the employer's intent to treat them unfairly was motivated by their protected status.

How can Employment Discrimination be Proven in New York?

This may be proved when there is a history of the employer treating members of the class similarly, or if witnesses testify about the employer's statements which would constitute bias as understood by a reasonable person. Moreover, an employer who fires someone or otherwise retaliates because of a discrimination lawsuit is in clear violation of the law.

Pursuing an employment discrimination claim can often be complicated, because they involve filing your claim with specific agencies. A New Paltz, New York lawyer can help you file in a timely manner, and while your case is pending, they can assist you in pursuing any available remedies.