New York State and New York City Anti-Discrimination Laws
New York State and New York City "Human Rights" Laws protect pregnant
women who work for employers with at least 4 employees (including employees
not covered by federal law because they work for employers with less than 15
employees). These laws require employers to "accommodate" pregnant
employees to the same extent as any other temporarily disabled workers.
The New York State Law, which prohibits employers from treating pregnant
women differently, also prohibits employers from requiring maternity leave
while an employee can still perform the essential functions of her job.
The New York City Law covering employees who work in one of the five
boroughs, affords pregnant women broader remedies than the coverage
provided by New York State and federal law. Tuckner, Sipser utilizes the power
of this statute to full effect, bringing city law claims, when appropriate, even
when litigating matters in federal court.
