As a high-level professional in New York City, you’ve worked tirelessly to build your career. But despite your achievements, discrimination in the workplace can threaten everything you’ve worked for. Whether it’s gender bias, pregnancy discrimination, pay inequality, leave interference, or retaliation for speaking up, you shouldn’t have to fight this battle alone. You deserve a New York City employment discrimination lawyer who understands the unique challenges women in leadership face and can aggressively advocate for your rights.
For a free consultation, please reach out online today.
Discrimination Is Still Prevalent in NYC Workplaces
Workplace discrimination is not just frustrating—it’s illegal. Yet, many women, for example, in executive and senior roles still experience unequal treatment. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), gender-based discrimination claims remain one of the most common workplace complaints.
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL), employers cannot discriminate based on gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin/race, age, caregiver status, or other protected characteristics. However, enforcement often requires strong legal representation. This is where a New York City discrimination lawyer can make a difference.
D’Andrea Law PLLC—Your Advocate in Workplace Discrimination Cases
At D’Andrea Law PLLC, this Firm focuses on employment discrimination cases, particularly for women in managerial, executive, and senior roles. I understand the nuances of workplace bias and the unique obstacles women face in corporate environments.
Our firm provides:
- Strategic legal counsel. I evaluate your case, explain your rights, and outline the best course of action.
- Aggressive representation. I fight for justice in negotiations and, if necessary, in court or arbitration or at an agency level.
- Confidential support. I recognize the sensitivity of these cases and prioritize discretion to protect your reputation and career.
With over a decade of employment law experience, I have litigated and resolved thousands of cases in New York and New Jersey. As a first-generation college and law school graduate who has experienced her share of unfair workplace practices, I am fearless in representing your rights. Having spent my career representing New York City and private employers, I know how the other side thinks—critical knowledge when fighting for workplace justice.
How a New York City Employment Discrimination Lawyer Can Help You Fight Discrimination
If you believe you’ve been subjected to workplace discrimination, here’s what you should do:
- Document everything. Keep a detailed record of discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory actions, emails, voice messages, internal company chat communications, text messages, performance reviews, and other related documents.
- Report internally (if safe to do so). Many companies have HR procedures to address discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. When you report internally, do so in writing, or if you make a call, memorialize in writing, and save a copy for yourself outside of your work email.
- Consult a NYC discrimination lawyer. Before taking any major steps, speaking with a qualified attorney ensures you understand your options.
- File a formal complaint. If your employer refuses to resolve your claims, you may want to engage in litigation. Depending on your case, this may be with the EEOC (as entrance to federal court), state court, the New York State Division of Human Rights, or the New York City Commission on Human Rights. If you signed an arbitration clause, then your claims may be required to be brought in an arbitration forum instead.
A New York City employment discrimination lawyer can walk you through the best course of action to get the results you deserve and help you gather the necessary information to make a strong case.
Common Forms of Workplace Discrimination
Women in leadership roles often face multiple forms of discrimination that can undermine their professional success and financial stability. Workplace discrimination takes many forms, from overt mistreatment to more subtle, systemic barriers, gaslighting, and microaggressions that hold women back.
Some of the most common types of discrimination women experience in professional settings include:
- Gender pay disparities. Despite the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the New York State Equal Pay Act, women historically earn significantly less than their male counterparts in similar roles. The pay gap persists even in executive and senior positions, often requiring legal action to address.
- Pregnancy and caregiver discrimination. Employers may pass over pregnant employees or employees just returning from family leave or who are caregivers for promotions, reduce their responsibilities, or terminate them unfairly. In some cases, women returning from parental leave face obstacles that hinder their career growth.
- Sexual harassment and retaliation. Women who report harassment can experience retaliation, including negative performance reviews, demotions, or even job termination. This illegal practice discourages victims from speaking out and allows toxic workplace cultures to persist.
- Glass ceiling bias. Many women experience roadblocks to promotions and leadership positions due to systemic biases. Even when highly qualified, employers often overlook women for executive roles in favor of male colleagues.
- Age discrimination. Women over 40 are disproportionately affected by age-related biases that limit advancement opportunities. Employers may assume that older women are less adaptable, making it harder for them to secure promotions or new opportunities.
- Race and intersectional discrimination. Women of color often face compounded biases that create additional challenges in the workplace. They may experience discrimination based on both gender and race, leading to a more significant wage gap and fewer career advancement opportunities.
- Disability discrimination. Employees with disabilities may face workplace bias, lack of reasonable accommodations, or even wrongful termination. Employers are required to provide reasonable adjustments to help disabled employees perform their job duties effectively.
Recognizing these issues is the first step toward taking action. If you’ve encountered any of these, it’s important to know that you have legal options available.
The Legal Protections Available to You
Several key laws protect employees from discrimination, including:
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended—prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, and pregnancy, for example;
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act—protects employees from discrimination due to current, past, or potential pregnancy and related medical conditions;
- Pregnancy Workers Fairness (PWFA) Act—provides reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers and new mothers with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions;
- New York State Human Rights Law—provides broad protections against discrimination in employment;
- New York City Human Rights Law—a comprehensive anti-discrimination law offering additional protections beyond federal and state laws; and
- Equal Pay Act of 1963—requires equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender.
Understanding these laws can help determine whether you have a valid claim and what steps to take next.
Speak with a New York City Discrimination Lawyer Today
This firm has successfully represented high-level professionals in workplace discrimination cases, securing settlements that have protected careers and financial futures. Clients trust this Firm because I understand how to challenge systemic biases and hold employers accountable.
No one should have to tolerate workplace discrimination. If you believe your employer violated your rights, don’t wait. Contact D’Andrea Law PLLC online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced NYC discrimination lawyer. I’ll help you take the next steps toward justice and career protection.
Your career is worth fighting for. Let this Firm fight for you.
Resources:
- Office of the New York State Attorney General, Equal Pay (2025), link.
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, link.
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Equal Pay Act of 1963, link.
Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. Please do not act or refrain from acting based on anything you read on this site. Attorney websites, such as this one, are considered attorney advertising. No prior result in a case guarantees a future result that is the same. Each case this Firm handles is individual with different facts and therefore every case is different. This Firm cannot guarantee any specific result in your case.