Disability Discrimination Violates New York and New Jersey Law

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and New Jersey, New York State and New York City law, it is illegal for employers to discriminate against an employee because he or she is disabled.  If you have a physical or mental disability that does not prevent you from performing your job, then your employer cannot discriminate against you because of it.  

The law also prohibits discrimination based on a perceived disability or a record of a disability.  In other words, your employer cannot discriminate against you because it incorrectly believes you have a disability, or based on the fact that that you had a disability in the past.

A Disability Does Not Have to Be Severe to Be Protected

In both New York and New Jersey, a physical or mental impairment does not necessarily have to be severe or debilitating to be considered a disability.  As a result, while disabilities like blindness, paralysis, and confinement to a wheelchair are disabilities, other physical and mental impairments like learning disabilities, depression and anxiety, and cancer in remission are all considered disabilities and protected by anti-discrimination laws.

If you have experienced disability discrimination at work, your rights have been violated.  Contact us online or call us at 201 487-2700 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced employment law attorneys.

Employees Are Entitled to Reasonable Accommodations For Disabilities

Disabled employees are legally entitled to reasonable accommodations from their employers to allow them to perform the essential functions of their jobs.  Your employment law rights have been violated if you have been fired or otherwise harmed because your employer refused to provide you a reasonable accommodation for your disability.  More information is available on our reasonable accommodations page.

Employers Are Prohibited From Harassing You Because of a Disability

Like with every other form of unlawful discrimination, it is unlawful for your employer to harass you against you because you are disabled.  For example, it could be unlawful for your boss to tease you about your disability, make jokes about your physical or mental limitations, or to go out of the way to make it difficult for you to do your job because you are disabled.

If you have experienced harassment at work because you are disabled, or any other form of disability discrimination, we can help.  Contact The Nirenberg Law Firm to learn more about your employment law rights.