Long Island Employment Law Lawyer

Your Long Island Employment Lawyer Will Fight for the Justice You Deserve

Do you believe that you have received unfair or unequal treatment at work? Let us help you put your life back together.

Because you need a job, some employers think they hold all the cards and can treat workers or job applicants any way they want. They may appear to have an advantage in the short term. Employment laws protect workers from this kind of treatment from happening long-term.

Your Employment Law Case’s Details Will Determine What We Need to Do for You

At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP we will take your side in an employment dispute and stand up to your employer (or others) that has violated your rights. Our attorneys pursue every course of action available to obtain the best available outcomes for our clients.

It is important that your rights are fully protected. Our lawyer who is familiar with state and federal laws and agencies can take actions for your benefit. You could pursue compensation or other types of relief based upon the facts in your case.

Securing benefits that you are eligible to receive and seeking justice in cases of illegal discrimination or harassment in the workplace is our priority. We meet our goal by providing:

• Information about your case
• Tips and insights found in our free survival guide for the newly unemployed

Our Team Will Level the Playing Field for You; Laws Protect You

The employee-employer relationship in New York is governed by hard-fought rules and regulations put in place at the federal and state levels. Many workers remain at a disadvantage when disputes arise at work, despite laws like:

• The New York State Human Rights Law
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
• The Fair Labor Standard Act
• The Occupational Safety and Health Act
• The False Claims Act

Employees who have been treated improperly by an employer may have the law on their side. However, it is not likely—nor should it be expected—that they have enough knowledge of employment law to properly defend themselves.

Types of Employment Law Cases We Have Familiarity with and Can Handle for You

The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP LLC pursues employment claims for Long Island, NY, workers who have been wronged. Our lawyers protect those who seek to provide their work and services for a fair wage and proper treatment. You are not out of luck just because you don’t understand employment law.

If you believe you have been treated unjustly in the workplace or while applying for a job, our employment discrimination attorneys could help you. We assist clients from Long Island and nearby areas in blue collar, white collar, labor, management, and executive level positions. Our team takes on cases related to:

• Racial discrimination
• Sex or gender discrimination
• Age discrimination
• Sexual harassment
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations (wages, hours, and overtime pay)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violations
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) violations
• Unlawful retaliation
• Wrongful termination
• Whistleblower and Sarbanes-Oxley Act case

Get Answers to Your Legal Questions About Your Treatment at Work

Our firm can give you specific answers to your questions about your situation. Below are general answers to some common questions about employment law claims.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me with My Employment Law Claim?

The right attorney can make the difference between the success and failure of your claim. Every case is unique, and there are many laws and agencies that may be involved in sorting out your situation and getting justice. Some employment law matters will be resolved in civil court, specifically discrimination claims.

What Qualifies as Employment Discrimination?

These are cases in which an employee has suffered a prohibited form of discrimination, including discrimination based on:

• Religion
• Country of origin
• Sexual orientation
• Gender
• Age
• Being pregnant

Examples of discrimination in a workplace could include:

• An employer firing a woman because she shared her pregnancy news and the employer believes it will impede her ability to do her job
• A hiring manager not giving a Sikh man that wears a turban a job due to his religion
• A job firing an older employee, despite the fact that they were performing well in their position

Other cases may involve wage and hour claims. These matters are resolved through the U.S. Wage and Hour Division, a section of the U.S. Department of Labor.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Discrimination in the workplace is defined by federal, state, and sometimes local laws. Generally speaking, it is unlawful for employers to make decisions about hiring, firing, job assignments, or job promotions based on many factors.

Which laws apply to your particular situation could depend on various factors. These could include who your employer is, where you work, and what type of work you do.

What Constitutes a Wrongful Termination?

If you are terminated from your job, and the employer’s decision to terminate you was based on discrimination, the termination may be unlawful. You are protected in your employment concerning your:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Pregnancy
• National origin
• Age
• Disability
• Genetics
• Military status
• Domestic violence victim status

It is also unlawful to fire a worker:

• In violation of a valid contract
• Because a worker filed a workers’ compensation claim
• If the worker participated in a complaint under a civil rights law
• To avoid paying bonuses, benefits, or other compensation that the worker has already earned
• To intimidate other employees

What Are Some Examples of Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment in the workplace may involve a wide range of unwanted behavior, from comments or advances to actual sexual assault or abuse. Others who were not the intended targets of the behavior can also face negative results.

Some common examples of sexual harassment in the workplace include:

• Displaying inappropriate sexual images
• Telling lewd jokes
• Sending sexually suggestive notes, emails or letters
• Sharing pornographic videos with co-workers
• Making sexual comments about someone’s appearance or clothing
• Asking sexual questions
• Making comments about someone’s sexual orientation
• Staring in a sexually suggestive manner or whistling at someone

If I Quit, Can I Collect Unemployment, Even After Filing a Complaint?

You may very well be able to collect unemployment compensation if you voluntarily quit your job due to being a victim of sexual harassment. The law provides for those who must quit their jobs for a “good cause” to collect unemployment benefits.

A good course of action to take would be to consult our New York employment law attorney first. This way, you can have some peace of mind knowing that you can leave your job and collect unemployment benefits. Your team can pursue your sexual harassment case on your behalf while you collect benefits.

If you believe that you are being sexually harassed by a co-worker or employer at work, or even after work hours, we are here for you.

Am I Protected Under the Fair Labor Standards Act?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) protects workers from various types of unfair treatment by employers related to:

• Minimum wages
• Overtime pay
• Recordkeeping
• Child labor
• Family leave and medical leave
• Protections for migrant workers
• Guest workers
• Construction contracts
• Other similar work-related issues

For example, simply calling someone a bartender does not entitle the employer to pay that person a bartender wage if that person is waiting tables, polishing silverware, and bussing tables. Also common in the restaurant area, tip splitting is not only done between employees but the employer demanding a cut of the tips, which is illegal. Workers are also entitled to breaks and lunch.

If your Long Island, NY, employer fails to pay you as promised, pay you extra wages for overtime, or incorrectly classifies your employment status, you could file a claim. Our employment law lawyers can investigate to learn more.

What Should I Do if My Employer Has Violated FLSA Rules?

If you believe your employer has violated FLSA rules, your first step is to retain a lawyer. Our attorneys can review your situation and advise you about how to pursue the money you are owed. In many cases, your attorney fees are paid upon winning the case, and it is well worth your while to get professional counsel to assist you.

I Reported My Employer for Illegal Activities. What Are Whistleblower Protections?

Employers are prohibited from intimidating, threatening, blacklisting, firing, or discriminating against any person who has acted as a whistleblower. You could have your job or pay reinstated and back wages paid if you face retaliation for reporting your employer’s illegal activities.

As Someone with a Disability, Am I Legally Protected in the Workplace?

Workers with disabilities are protected from discrimination by the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You could have legal remedies available if you are a victim of discrimination. If you have concerns about wages being paid at the correct level as determined by law, we could look into this.

What Should I Do if My Employer Retaliates Against Me?

Employers are specifically prohibited from retaliating against employees who:

• Have reported wrongdoing or illegal actions (whistleblowers)
• Have reported some type of discrimination to a manager, supervisor, or owner

Unfortunately, some employers choose to retaliate by making up a reason to fire the employee who has made a complaint. An employer might also reduce working hours or fail to give an expected raise or bonus as a “punishment.”

These acts are all illegal. Employees who suffer this type of activity may have the right to seek justice and compensation. Your employee status may be restored and you could obtain:

• Seniority
• Lost wages
• Damages
• Attorney fees

You Deserve Support in This Difficult Time; Employment Issues Can Be Stressful

Our firm is aware that your situation could be incredibly upsetting and chaotic. You need a job to pay for your daily expenses, after all. Our team is ready to serve your needs, though. We have done the same for many other clients, like:

• “Richard Jaffe… has earned a reputation for treating all of his clients with courtesy and respect. I know this first hand- as the attorney for my case, he obtained excellent results. The high standards and passion he displayed was very evident…” – Carly
• “… They were a great support. The results of my case were above my expectations and a direct result of their hard work and tireless efforts…” – Lynda
• “I had a great experience here. Very welcoming and reassuring when I had my first meeting with the lawyer. Everyone is so hard working and very polite…” -Ricardo J.

Employment Lawyers from Our Firm Can Be Your Employment Advocates

If you believe your Long Island, NY, employer (or a potential employer) has treated you unfairly, the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, is here to help you. You could retain an employment law lawyer from our team for their knowledge and experience.

Our objective is to protect your rights and see that you are treated fairly under the laws of New York and the U.S. If this includes compensation for the way you have been treated, we will pursue it on your behalf. Find out how we can help you today. You can reach our team at (866) 878-6774.