If you’ve faced sexual harassment or retaliation at work, you have the right to take action. Our New York employment lawyer will walk you through your options, protect your confidentiality, and help you move forward with confidence.
No employee should have to choose between their livelihood and their dignity. Across New York, many workers still encounter unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate comments, or intimidation that disrupts their careers and undermines their well-being.
Workplace harassment takes more than a professional toll, it erodes your sense of safety and control. On both a personal and legal level, we understand what you’re going through.
At Megan Thomas Law, PLLC, our mission is to help you reclaim your power through decisive legal action.
New York has some of the nation’s strongest workplace protections. Both federal and state law make sexual harassment illegal, and New York law goes further by removing outdated barriers that once made it harder for victims to prove their cases.
The law recognizes two main categories of sexual harassment.
This occurs when a person in power uses their position to demand sexual favors in exchange for workplace benefits or threatens negative consequences if those advances are refused.
Examples include:
Even a single incident of quid pro quo harassment violates the law. Employers are automatically responsible when supervisors engage in this behavior.
This form of harassment occurs when workplace behavior is offensive, intimidating, or degrading such that it interferes with your ability to work. It may come from supervisors, coworkers, clients, or vendors.
Since 2019, New York law no longer requires harassment to be “severe or pervasive.” Behavior that is more than a “petty slight” or a “trivial inconvenience” constitutes sexual harassment. The intent of the offender is not relevant, but the impact on the victim is.
One of the strongest features of New York law is that it protects employees regardless of the size of the company. Even if you work for a small business with only one employee, you still have rights.
The New York State Human Rights Law provides:
This makes New York one of the most worker-friendly states in the country when it comes to sexual harassment protections.
In addition to state law, employees are also protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or more employees. It is enforced through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Key points to know about federal protections include:
Our firm often helps clients pursue both state and federal remedies to maximize protections and strengthen their claims.
Every employer in New York has legal duties designed to prevent and address sexual harassment. These include:
Employers who fail to comply with these requirements can face serious legal consequences. If your employer neglects these obligations, it not only puts you at greater risk but also creates stronger grounds for holding them accountable.
Many employees hesitate to call a lawyer because they fear overreacting or damaging their careers. In reality, reaching out to an attorney can be the difference between continued harm and taking back control of your future. It is never too early to call. It is always a good idea to understand your rights.
Some red flags that signal you need to consult a lawyer include:
Not every uncomfortable situation requires legal action, but if you are experiencing any of these red flags, consulting with an attorney quickly can protect your rights and preserve your options.
Sexual harassment cases have strict deadlines. Missing them can cost you your ability to recover compensation. Important time limits include:
Our firm ensures all complaints and filings meet these deadlines so your claim is protected from the start.
Human Resources departments are designed to protect the company, not the employee. While HR may investigate your complaint, their priority is minimizing employer liability.
Common HR tactics include:
Knowing HR’s limitations helps you take strategic steps to protect yourself. We help clients navigate these internal processes while safeguarding their legal rights.
Owner and founder, Megan Thomas, has personally experienced harassment and discrimination in the workplace. That lived experience drives our firm’s commitment to clients. For us, this is more than just legal work. It is personal.
We provide:
Our strategies may include filing agency complaints, negotiating with employers and insurers, or taking your case to trial. We fight for financial compensation, workplace policy changes, personal protections, and justice that restores your dignity.
Taking legal action can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process brings clarity.
Your confidential consultation is a safe space. We listen to your story, evaluate the strength of your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. There is no obligation.
Often, our Firm alerts the employer of the legal violations and attempts to negotiate on your behalf.
If negotiations are not fruitful, we handle filings with the EEOC or the New York State Division of Human Rights. We also notify your employer, preserve evidence, and take protective measures to stop ongoing harassment.
We investigate thoroughly by interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents, taking depositions, and consulting experts. We know where employers hide damaging information and how to uncover it.
Most cases resolve through settlement. We negotiate for compensation, workplace changes, and protections tailored to your needs. If a settlement is not possible, we are prepared to go to trial. Our reputation for litigation often motivates stronger settlement offers.
You can take important steps today to strengthen your case:
Also consider your well-being: seek counseling, keep medical documentation, build a support system, and remember that harassment is never your fault. Seeing a therapist can be very helpful during this process.
Misunderstandings about sexual harassment create barriers for many employees who might otherwise seek justice.
By addressing the most common myths directly, you can better understand how the law actually works and recognize that your situation may qualify for legal protection.
Many people hesitate to pursue claims because of harmful myths.
Dispelling these myths is critical. Your case is measured by the facts and the law, not by stereotypes.
At Megan Thomas Law, we combine extensive courtroom experience with personal insight into workplace discrimination. We know how deeply harassment affects not only your job, but your confidence and mental health.
Our mission is to help you move forward with strength, compensation, and dignity.
Sexual harassment can happen anywhere, but you don’t have to face it alone. The law is on your side, and so are we.
Harassers or negligent employers shouldn’t control your future. With Megan Thomas Law, our mission is to transform terrible workplace experiences into opportunities for justice and fresh starts.
We help you leave toxic situations with compensation, protection, and dignity intact. Contact Megan Thomas Law today.
Discover how our sexual harassment law firm can help you reclaim your power and secure the justice you deserve.
*The information provided in this post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Viewing this post, commenting, or engaging with it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
"*" indicates required fields
