Gender Discrimination

It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee in the workplace on the basis of gender.  Federal, New York State and New York City laws protect employees against gender discrimination.  These laws make it illegal for an employer to treat an employee or prospective employee differently solely because the individual is a woman or a man. 

These laws protect employees against sexual harassment, unequal pay, discriminatory promotions, pregnancy discrimination, and marital or parental status. There can be no dispute that males and females must be treated equally in the workplace.  

Males and females should be subject to the same terms and conditions of employment, including the same policies and practices concerning recruiting, hiring, firing, placement, promotion, advancement or work opportunity, job training, job assignment, working conditions, compensation, benefits, layoffs and other terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

It is illegal for an employer to terminate or mistreat an employee for making gender discrimination complaints. Laws are designed to permit employees to complain about gender discrimination without fear of retaliation.  An employer that retaliates against an employee for making a gender discrimination complaint faces the same damages/penalties that it would for discrimination.