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If you’ve faced harassment, discrimination, or retaliation in a tech company or startup, you have legal rights under New York and federal law. Our sexual harassment lawyer represents employees in the tech industry with discretion and strategic precision.

New York is home to one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing tech industries in the country. But behind the innovation and ambition, many workers, especially women, nonbinary individuals, and marginalized employees, face a serious problem: sexual harassment in the workplace.

At Megan Thomas Law, we represent employees across the tech industry who have experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation at work. Whether you’re a software engineer, UX designer, startup founder, or contract worker, you deserve a safe, respectful, and professional work environment.

If you’ve experienced inappropriate conduct, unwanted advances, or retaliation after speaking up, our firm is here to help.

Sexual Harassment Is Still Widespread in Tech

The tech world is often celebrated for its forward-thinking culture, but when it comes to workplace harassment, the industry has a well-documented history of:

  • Male-dominated leadership teams
  • Lack of HR infrastructure, especially at startups
  • Power imbalances between investors/founders and employees
  • “Bro culture” or normalized inappropriate behavior
  • Heavy use of messaging apps, where harassment may go undocumented

From Silicon Alley in Manhattan to tech hubs in Brooklyn and Queens, these environments can lead to widespread underreporting of harassment due to fear of career sabotage or being labeled “difficult.”

What Counts as Sexual Harassment in a Tech Workplace?

Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome sexual conduct in the workplace – whether physical, verbal, digital, or emotional. In tech workplaces, this can include:

  • Inappropriate comments on Slack, email, or other workplace platforms
  • Unwanted physical contact during meetings, conferences, or office events
  • Sexual jokes, leering, or intrusive questions
  • Requests for dates or sexual favors, especially from people in power
  • Retaliation for reporting harassment or supporting someone who did
  • Harassment from coworkers, managers, clients, or even investors

In New York, the law does not require the conduct to be “severe or pervasive,” only that it goes beyond a petty slight or trivial inconvenience.

Your Rights Under New York Law

New York offers some of the strongest legal protections for victims of sexual harassment in the U.S. Thanks to updates to the New York State Human Rights Law, you have the right to:

  1. Be protected even if your company has only one employee
  2. Report harassment without fear of retaliation
  3. File a claim even if you’re a contractor, freelancer, or startup advisor
  4. Take action whether the harasser is a coworker, supervisor, or third party (e.g., client, investor)
  5. Seek justice even if you’ve since left the job or industry

You have 3 years to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights or a civil lawsuit, and we can help you determine the best path forward based on your situation.

Why Tech Workers Don’t Always Speak Up

Many victims of harassment in tech stay silent — not because they aren’t suffering, but because they fear the career consequences of reporting:

  • Being pushed out of their team or project
  • Damage to their professional reputation
  • Loss of access to mentors, promotions, or funding
  • Being labeled a “troublemaker” in a tight-knit community
  • Facing retaliation from leadership or colleagues

At Megan Thomas Law, we help clients protect their careers while pursuing accountability. Whether your goal is a confidential resolution or a public stand, we tailor our legal strategy to your priorities.

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Who Can Be Held Liable?

Sexual harassment claims in tech often involve complex dynamics. You may be able to hold multiple parties accountable:

  • Your direct employer (startup, tech firm, SaaS company, etc.)
  • Founders, managers, or team leads who enabled or ignored the behavior
  • Clients or investors if your employer failed to intervene
  • Third-party platforms or coworking spaces, in certain cases

If your employer failed to train staff, implement a sexual harassment policy, or act on complaints, that strengthens your case.

How Megan Thomas Law Can Help

We help workers in New York’s tech sector understand their rights, protect their jobs, and take action after experiencing workplace harassment. Our approach includes:

  • Reviewing messages, emails, and other digital evidence
  • Advising on internal reporting and documentation
  • Filing claims with the New York State Division of Human Rights or EEOC
  • Pursuing civil litigation when appropriate
  • Protecting you from retaliation
  • Exploring confidential settlement options

Whether you’re still at the company or have moved on, we can help you hold the right people accountable while safeguarding your future.

Damages You May Be Able to Recover

In a successful sexual harassment case, you may be entitled to:

  • Lost wages and benefits
  • Damages for emotional distress
  • Reinstatement or a neutral job reference
  • Punitive damages in certain egregious cases
  • Attorney’s fees and legal costs

Our goal is to get you meaningful compensation while sending a message that harassment in New York’s tech industry is unacceptable.

Areas Served

  • Albany
  • Ithaca
  • Mount Vernon
  • New Rochelle
  • Schenectady
  • Syracuse
  • Troy
  • Utica
  • White Plains
  • Yonkers
  • 12202
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Speak with a Tech Industry Harassment Lawyer in New York

You worked hard to break into this industry — and you shouldn’t have to endure inappropriate behavior, intimidation, or retaliation to stay there. At Megan Thomas Law, we fight for tech workers facing sexual harassment across New York.

Whether you work at a major tech company or a scrappy startup, your rights matter — and we’re here to help you defend them.

*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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I work at a startup without an HR department — can I still file a claim?

Yes. New York law protects workers at companies of all sizes, including small startups and solo ventures. Even if there’s no HR team, your employer still has a legal duty to protect you from harassment.

What if I’m a freelancer or 1099 contractor — do I have rights?

Absolutely. In New York, independent contractors, freelancers, and even interns are protected under the Human Rights Law. If you’re being harassed while performing work for a company, you may be able to bring a claim.

Can I report harassment that happened in Slack or over Zoom?

Yes. Harassment doesn’t have to happen in person to be unlawful. Many tech workers experience inappropriate behavior through messaging platforms, virtual meetings, and emails. These can often provide useful documentation for your claim.

What if I signed a nondisclosure agreement (NDA)?

An NDA does not prevent you from reporting sexual harassment to the authorities or filing a legal claim. New York law limits the use of NDAs in sexual harassment settlements unless it is the victim’s preference.

I’m worried about retaliation if I speak up — what can I do?

Retaliation is illegal under both New York and federal law. If your employer demotes you, cuts your hours, excludes you from meetings, or otherwise punishes you for reporting, you may have a separate legal claim for retaliation. We can help you plan a safe reporting strategy.