It is illegal to punish you for standing up for your rights or for speaking up about wrongdoing. We represent employees who were retaliated against after complaining about discrimination, and whistleblowers who reported illegal or dangerous conduct. Retaliation claims are often stronger than the underlying complaint, because the timing tells the story.
Whistleblowers
New York's whistleblower law, Labor Law Section 740, was expanded in 2022. It now protects employees, former employees, and independent contractors who report, or threaten to report, conduct they reasonably believe:
Violates any law, rule, or regulation, whether federal, state, or local.
Poses a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
You are protected even if you turn out to be mistaken, as long as your belief was reasonable. In most cases you only need to make a good-faith effort to alert your employer first, and some situations don't require that at all. Public employees have separate whistleblower protections under the Civil Service Law.
Retaliation for complaints
You may also have a claim if, after you:
Complained about discrimination or harassment.
Requested an accommodation or medical leave.
Took part in an investigation or filed a charge.
What retaliation looks like
Being fired, written up, demoted, moved to a worse shift, denied a promotion, cut from assignments, or suddenly treated as a problem employee after you spoke up.
Talk to an employment lawyer today
Every case depends on its facts and deadlines. Call (718) 360-0527 or contact us to schedule a confidential consultation.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page provides general information, not legal advice.