New York State Department of Labor

The Empire State of New York is home to nearly 20 million people, per a 2008 estimate. With a gross state product of $1.1 trillion, New York boasts an economy around the size of the entire country of Turkey. New York City, New York serves as the epicenter of business and finance in the western hemisphere. From tourism to entertainment to livestock to chemical production to import-export services, New York supports a gargantuan and multi-facetted economy.

The New York State Department of Labor manages harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and wage and hour violations. The DOL handles unemployment and insurance questions, workforce development training, worker protection, and other key services. In addition, the DOL puts out press releases, publishes information for workers online and offline, holds public meetings and hearings, and files annual reports about various worker’s rights issues.

Per the DOL’s website, the agency’s mission is to offer assistance to the unemployed, connect employers with people who need work, diligently ensure the safety of New York workers and the public, and help law abiding employers get a fair deal.

Despite New York City’s great wealth, the city is home to incredible inequalities. Numerous prominent New York City restaurateurs, for instance, have grievously underpaid their workers, violated wage and hour laws, disobeyed rules against harassment and discrimination, and retaliated against workers who’ve alleged unfair practices.

If your New York City employer has been treating you unfairly, and you believe you may have a case, contact Joseph, Herzfeld, Hester & Kirschenbaum LLP for a free, confidential assessment.