As a high-achieving professional, you’ve worked hard to get where you are. But no matter how accomplished you are, workplace injustices—such as discrimination, harassment, or unfair treatment—can threaten your career and well-being.
You do not have to face a hostile work environment, wrongful termination, or wage disputes alone. A New York City employment lawyer can help you navigate these challenges and fight for the respect and compensation you deserve.
At D’Andrea Law PLLC, I understand the unique challenges employees in executive and leadership roles face. Whether you’re dealing with gender discrimination, negotiating an employment contract, or addressing workplace retaliation, this Firm provides strategic, fearless advocacy to protect your career and future.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out today for a free consultation.
The Importance of Hiring an Employment Lawyer
Navigating workplace disputes can be overwhelming, especially when facing legal complexities and employer pushback. Working with an experienced New York City employment lawyer ensures you fully understand your rights, the laws that protect you, and the best action to achieve justice.
Here’s why hiring an employment attorney is crucial:
- Legal knowledge. Employment laws are intricate and constantly evolving. A skilled attorney stays current with federal, state, and city employment laws to provide you with the most effective legal strategies.
- Protection against employer retaliation. Many employees fear retaliation when standing up for their rights. An employment lawyer can take legal steps to safeguard you from unfair treatment or wrongful termination.
- Negotiation power. Whether settling a dispute, negotiating a severance package, or reviewing an employment contract, a lawyer ensures that the terms benefit you and protect your career interests.
- Litigation support. If legal action is necessary, an employment attorney will build a strong case, gather evidence, and represent you in court to secure the best possible outcome.
Working with an experienced NYC employment lawyer gives you a powerful advocate who prioritizes your rights and career success.
The Challenges Women Face in the Workplace
Both men and women in leadership positions frequently encounter challenges beyond the standard workplace disputes. Even in executive roles, gender bias, unequal pay, and exclusion from key opportunities remain prevalent. According to a 2023 McKinsey & Company report, women in senior roles continue to experience higher rates of microaggressions and are less likely to receive promotions to C-suite positions.
Having an NYC employment lawyer on your side is critical when these challenges escalate into unlawful treatment, such as workplace discrimination or retaliation. At D’Andrea Law PLLC, this Firm stands by your side, ensuring your rights are protected and your voice is heard.
How NYC Employment Lawyer D’Andrea Law PLLC Can Help
With over a decade of experience in employment law, I have successfully litigated and resolved thousands of workplace disputes. Having represented both employers and employees, I understand how companies defend themselves against claims and use that knowledge to my clients’ advantage. I am ready to fight for you whether you need legal representation in court or strategic advice on workplace negotiations.
Areas This Firm Covers
At D’Andrea Law PLLC, I assist clients with a wide range of employment law issues. Here are a few of the areas I can help you with.
Discrimination
Discrimination in the workplace occurs when an employer takes adverse action against an employee based on protected characteristics such as race/national origin, gender, age, disability, pregnancy, or caregiver status, to name a few. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law, employees are protected from such unlawful actions. If you believe an employer treated you unfairly due to your protected characteristic, I can help you seek justice.
Hostile Work Environment and Harassment
A hostile work environment can make it unbearable to perform your job. Whether it’s sexual harassment, racial slurs, or gender-based exclusion, unwelcome behavior that affects your ability to work is illegal.
Under New York State and New York City’s gender- and race-based laws, employees have broad protections against workplace harassment. If you’re experiencing a toxic work environment, an employment lawyer in NYC can help you take legal action.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome advances, inappropriate remarks, and other behaviors that create an intimidating or offensive work environment. New York State’s and New York City’s sexual harassment prevention laws and policy protects employees and apply to all employers, regardless of company size. If you’re facing harassment, this Firm can help you hold your employer accountable.
Workplace Retaliation
Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who assert their rights, report misconduct, or support colleagues facing workplace issues. Retaliation can take the form of demotions, negative performance reviews, or wrongful termination.
Under the New York Labor Law Section 740, employees are protected from retaliation. An employment attorney can help you take action if an employer unfairly punished you for speaking up.
Whistleblowing Protections
Whistleblowers play a vital role in exposing unethical or illegal corporate practices. However, coming forward isn’t always easy. If you have reported wrongdoing and faced backlash from your employer, you have legal rights under New York’s expanded Labor Law Section 740. This Firm can help protect you from retaliation and pursue damages if your employer has acted unlawfully against you.
Leave of Absence Rights
Whether you need time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), New York Paid Family Leave (PFL), and/or as a disability accommodation, your employer must comply with state and federal leave protections. If you’ve been denied leave or faced retaliation for taking or requesting time off, this Firm can help you enforce your rights.
Wage and Hour Disputes
Employers must pay workers fairly under New York Labor Laws (NYLL) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If your employer has withheld wages, refused to pay overtime, misclassified your employment status, or paid you biweekly when you should have been paid weekly as a manual worker, you may have a case. A labor lawyer in NYC can help you recover the wages you’ve rightfully earned.
Employment Agreements and Contract Negotiations
Understanding the terms of your employment contract is crucial, especially when accepting a high-level role. Non-compete clauses, severance packages, and other contractual terms can impact your career mobility. Before signing any agreement, consult a lawyer to ensure your contract serves your best interests.
Separation Negotiations
Negotiating the right exit terms is essential if you’re facing termination, a layoff, or a mutual separation. From severance pay to non-disparagement clauses, this Firm ensures your departure is handled fairly and professionally. Employment lawyers like Theresa D’Andrea can help you secure a favorable outcome.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Employment Claims
It’s essential to act quickly if you are considering legal action for workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or wage disputes. Employment claims are subject to strict deadlines known as statutes of limitations. Failing to file within the required time frame can result in losing your right to seek compensation or justice.
The length of time you have depends on the type of claim you are filing. This is not legal advice and you should consult with an employment attorney regarding your specific claims.
Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims
Before suing under federal Title VII laws, an individual must file a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 300 days of the most recent discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory act. The EEOC issues a “Right To Sue” letter giving the employee 90 days to file their claims in federal court.
An employee could instead choose to file their New York State and New York City legal claims in state court within three years of the most recent discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory act.
Finally, an employee could choose to file a charge of employment discrimination with the New York State Division of Human Rights within three years of the discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory act. If the incidents occurred in New York City, an employee could file with the New York City Commission on Human Rights within one year of the discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory act.
Wage and hour claims
Employees seeking unpaid wages, like minimum wage, overtime pay, or recordkeeping claims, under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) have two or three years to file a claim, depending if the violation was willful. For New York State Labor Law claims, employees have six years to file for wage disputes.
Whistleblower protections
Under New York’s Whistleblower Protection Law (New York Labor Law Section 740), employees generally have two years to file a claim if they were retaliated against for disclosing or threatening to disclose any activity, policy, or practice of the employer that they reasonably believed is in violation of any law, rule, or regulation.
Family Medical and Leave Act (“FMLA”) and New York State Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) Violations
If your employer has denied your right to take job-protected leave, discouraged you from taking such leave, or retaliated against you for requesting or taking it, you have two years to file a claim or three years for willful violations. PFL has its own set of detailed rules.
Understanding these deadlines is crucial to protecting your rights. Consulting with a lawyer as soon as possible ensures you meet all legal requirements and maximize your chances of success.
Take the Next Step: Contact a New York City Employment Lawyer
You’ve worked too hard to let workplace injustices threaten your career and financial stability. If you’re facing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or contract disputes, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. At D’Andrea Law PLLC, I can provide the legal acumen and strategic advocacy you need to take control of your career.
Take the first step today. Contact the Firm for a free, confidential consultation with a trusted employment lawyer. Your rights, career, and future matter—and I’m here to protect them.
Resources:
- New York City Human Rights Law Law, link.
- NYC Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights Law, link.
- New York State, Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, link.
- Retaliatory action by employers; prohibition, Labor Law Section § 740 (2022), link.
- U.S. Department of Labor, Family and Medical Leave Act, link.
- New York State, New York State Paid Family Leave, (2025), link.
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 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.