New York Employment Law Attorneys

Stand Up for Your Rights at Work

You deserve to feel safe, respected, and fairly paid at your job. But if you’re dealing with workplace harassment, unpaid wages, retaliation, or even wrongful termination, that security can disappear fast. We represent employees across New York who’ve been mistreated, fired illegally, or denied the pay they earned.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our employment attorneys fight. We help employees push back when workplace laws are broken. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure what to do next, or afraid to speak up, we’re here to take that weight off your shoulders. 

Understanding Your Rights as an Employee

Employment law protects workers from mistreatment, discrimination, and wage theft. In New York, most employees work "at will," meaning your employer can fire you for almost any reason. But they cannot fire you for an illegal reason. That includes discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or speaking up about unlawful conduct.

You're also protected against being treated unfairly based on characteristics like:

• Race or national origin
• Sex or gender identity
• Pregnancy or parental status
• Age (40+)
• Disability or medical condition
• Religion or sexual orientation

When should you talk to an employment lawyer? If your boss mistreats you after you file a complaint, your paycheck is missing hours, or you feel forced out of your job for speaking up, these aren’t just bad workplace dynamics. They might be illegal.

Underpaid and Overworked? We Handle Wage and Hour Disputes

Many workers in New York aren’t paid what they’re owed. If your final paycheck never arrived, or your overtime hours seem to disappear, you’re not alone. Wage theft happens often, and we hold employers accountable.

We commonly handle cases involving:

• Unpaid final paychecks
• Overtime violations hidden behind “flat salary” labels
• Misclassification as exempt or independent contractor
• Denied or discouraged meal/rest breaks

If your paycheck looks wrong, talk to us. We help you get the money you earned.

Harassed at Work? We Help Stop Toxic Workplaces

Sexual harassment takes many forms. It can be a manager who pressures you for sexual favors. Or coworkers making repeated, offensive jokes. Maybe it's unwanted touching or inappropriate texts.

Legally, there are two main categories:

• Quid pro quo harassment: Your job, raise, or promotion depends on accepting advances
• Hostile work environment: The atmosphere becomes intimidating, abusive, or offensive

Once you report harassment, your employer has a legal duty to act. Ignoring complaints or retaliating can lead to serious liability. Sadly, retaliation is extremely common and often overlaps with wrongful termination claims.

Treated Differently Because of Who You Are? That’s Discrimination

Discrimination isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, it shows up in who gets hired, promoted, disciplined, or let go.

We help workers facing:

• Unequal pay or promotion denials based on sex
• Racial slurs or discriminatory discipline
• Ageist comments or pressure to retire
• Pregnancy-related job cuts or denial of accommodations

Discrimination often leads to a hostile work environment, especially when complaints are ignored or dismissed.

Fired for Speaking Up? That’s Retaliation and It’s Illegal

Retaliation happens when your employer punishes you for asserting your rights. That includes:

• Reporting discrimination, harassment, or wage theft
• Filing complaints with HR or government agencies
• Taking protected family or medical leave
• Refusing to participate in illegal conduct

Wrongful termination means you were fired for an illegal reason. Some employees are forced to quit because the environment becomes unbearable, called constructive discharge.

Wage & Hour Violations: Protecting Your Paycheck

Working Overtime but Still Underpaid? Here’s Why It Happens

Many New York workers are shortchanged on their paychecks, especially in food service, retail, and construction. If your hours don’t match what you’re paid, that’s a red flag.

Some employers tell workers to come in early or stay late off the clock. Others label someone a “manager” just to avoid overtime laws, even when that worker doesn’t supervise anyone. Working over 40 hours a week without seeing time-and-a-half is a clear warning sign.

Keep detailed records:

• Save paystubs and schedules
• Track time logs and shift changes
• Screenshot texts or emails assigning unpaid work

Are You Being Called a “Contractor” to Avoid Paying You Overtime?

Some employers misclassify workers as independent contractors to dodge overtime and benefits. Others incorrectly label employees as "exempt" from overtime even if their job doesn't meet the legal test.

These misclassifications can cost you access to:

• Overtime pay
• Health benefits
• Unemployment insurance
• Legal workplace protections

We’ll help determine your true employment status and whether your employer owes you additional compensation.

How We Fight Back When Employers Shortchange Workers

We begin by reviewing your job duties, pay history, and classification. Then we investigate pay records, compare job descriptions, and calculate what you’re truly owed. If others at your job are also underpaid, we may pursue a group or class action.

You may be entitled to:

• Unpaid wages and overtime
• Liquidated damages (double what you’re owed)
• Attorney’s fees and legal costs

Harassment, Discrimination, and Hostile Work Environment

Tired of Inappropriate Comments or Pressure at Work? Know Your Rights

Sex-based harassment doesn’t always involve physical contact. Repeated comments about your body, unsolicited texts, or a workplace culture that tolerates offensive jokes can all add up to an illegal environment.

When harassment comes from someone with decision-making power, a supervisor, owner, or executive, the legal risks to the employer increase. But even peer-to-peer harassment, if left unchecked, can violate your rights.

Steps you should take:

• Document incidents and dates
• Save emails, texts, or screenshots
• Record your reports to HR or managers

Discrimination Based on Race, Age, or Pregnancy? We’ve Seen It All

Discrimination can look like being passed over for promotion, singled out for discipline, or shut out of team decisions. We’ve helped clients pushed out with talk of needing a “younger image,” pregnant workers whose schedules were suddenly slashed, and professionals who faced coded racial comments at meetings.

Whether subtle or explicit, this behavior has no place in New York workplaces.

Rude Boss or a Hostile Work Environment? Here’s the Legal Difference

Not every unpleasant situation qualifies as a hostile work environment. But when offensive conduct becomes severe, ongoing, or clearly tied to your race, sex, or other protected status, it can cross the legal line.

Watch for patterns like:

• Constant derogatory remarks or jokes
• Repeated exclusion from meetings or work assignments
• Threats or intimidation that make you feel unsafe

Even if there’s no single “smoking gun,” the overall pattern matters.

Punished for Telling the Truth? Retaliation Should Never Be Tolerated

Workers who report violations often face punishment. You might suddenly receive bad performance reviews, get fewer shifts, or be left out of meetings you previously led.

Forms of retaliation include:

• Unjustified write-ups
• Demotions or reduced hours
• Termination soon after complaints

This kind of retaliation can take many forms, some subtle, some blatant, but all of it is illegal.

Wrongful Termination and Forced Resignations

Fired for the Wrong Reasons? That’s Not Just Unfair: It’s Unlawful

While New York is an “at-will” employment state, your boss still can’t fire you for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons. If you were fired shortly after speaking up about mistreatment, there may be a direct link.

Wrongful termination also covers firings connected to your race, sex, pregnancy status, or after refusing to participate in unlawful practices.

Did Your Boss Suddenly Turn on You? It Might Be Illegal

Some warning signs include:

• Poor reviews after a spotless record
• Policy changes that target only you
• Colleagues treated differently under similar circumstances

Our legal team compares your timeline to the employer’s explanations to expose the real reason behind your termination.

How We Uncover the Truth Behind Wrongful Firings

We start by reviewing every detail, your timeline, job history, communications, and performance reviews. We investigate whether your employer’s stated reason was just a cover story.

Whether we pursue negotiation or trial, we build your case with strategy and determination.

What to Do If You Think Your Rights Were Violated

If something feels off at work, start collecting proof:

• Write down what happened and when
• Save emails, texts, or screenshots
• Keep paystubs, schedules, and performance reviews

If you report the issue to HR, make a record of what you said and their response. Most importantly: Don’t sign anything without legal advice. Severance agreements often include waivers that can block you from bringing a claim later.

New York law has strict filing deadlines (sometimes as short as 180 days) so reach out promptly.

Our Process: How We Help Employees

Free Consultation, No Risk

It starts with a conversation. We ask key questions:

• What happened?
• Who was involved?
• What do you have documented?
• Are you still working there, or were you let go?

Everything you tell us is 100% confidential. No obligation, no pressure.

What Does It Cost? Less Than You Think

We handle most employee claims on a contingency basis, meaning:

• No fees unless we win
• No upfront costs
• Clear explanations of case expenses before you proceed

Why Choose Horn Wright, LLP, for Your Employment Case

We’ve spent over two decades standing up for workers in New York. From unpaid wages in Flatbush to race discrimination in Midtown offices, we know how employers operate and how to hold them accountable.

• Proven results: six-figure settlements and hard-fought verdicts
• We know New York’s labor laws inside and out
• We keep you informed, you’ll never wonder where your case stands
• We’re local: familiar with NYC courts, agencies, and employers

Clients trust us because we treat every case with urgency, care, and grit. Your job is a big part of your life. When it’s taken from you unfairly, we help you get justice.