If you are a parent, your employer cannot penalize you because you have children under age 18. Under New York law, parents are entitled to the same treatment as their co-workers without children.
If you work for an employer in New York State, or are applying to work for one, then you are covered.
You are also covered by the law if you are an independent contractor.*
*New York State law defines “non-employees” as contractor, subcontractor, vendor, consultant or other person providing services pursuant to a contract in the workplace or who is an employee of such contractor, subcontractor, vendor, consultant or other person providing services pursuant to a contract in the workplace.
It means your employer cannot discriminate against you because you have children under 18.
It can include refusing to hire or promote you, harassment, paying you less, or taking some other negative action against you just because you have children. For example:
Yes. If you work in New York City, it is illegal for employers to discriminate against you if you provide direct or ongoing care to:
To download the full New York Working Woman’s Pocket Guide as a PDF, click here.