Sexual Orientation Discrimination

It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against an employee in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

New York State and New York City laws protect employees against sexual orientation discrimination. These laws make it illegal for an employer to treat an employee or prospective employee differently solely because the individual’s sexual orientation. 

All employees, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity 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 sexual orientation discrimination complaints. Laws are designed to permit employees to complain about sexual orientation discrimination without fear of retaliation. 

An employer that retaliates against an employee for making sexual orientation discrimination complaint faces the same damages/penalties that it would for face for discrimination.