Employment Law Attorneys Onondaga, NY

Onondaga Employees Are Tired of Being Treated Like a Number

Day in and day out, you clock in and work hard. But sometimes it feels like that effort barely earns a look, let alone respect. If you're feeling overlooked, silenced, or undercut at your job in Onondaga, you're not alone, and you're not powerless. You have rights. You have options. Let's make sure you're seen.

Our employment law attorneys help people like you hold employers accountable, whether it's unfair treatment, wage issues, wrongful firing, or retaliation. Let’s find your voice, and let’s make sure it gets heard.

You Have Rights After Speaking Out: Onondaga Whistleblower Laws

Maybe you flagged unsafe conditions. Maybe you pointed out inaccurate time records. Or maybe you simply said something needed to change. And then…things changed. Suddenly schedules shift, your assignments dry up, or you’re feeling watched.

That’s retaliation, and here's the good news: it’s against the law. Under New York Labor Law § 740 and federal whistleblower protections (like those in Title VII and OSHA), you’re protected when you report misconduct, internal or external.

If your hours dropped, your reviews turned sour, or you got demoted out of nowhere, timing tells a story. That story could qualify for protection. And that protection could mean back pay, job restoration, or even additional compensation. You just need someone to stand beside you. That’s where we come in.

Fired With No Warning? Onondaga’s Wrongful Termination Realities

Getting fired out of the blue stings. But being fired for the wrong reason, that can wreck your life. New York follows at-will employment, which means employers don’t need a reason to let you go. But they also can’t fire you for illegal reasons.

If you were fired after reporting wrongdoing, complaining about harassment, or taking protected leave like FMLA, your termination may be wrongful. If firing you breaks federal or state protections, or your employer’s own policies, you could be owed compensation, including pay, reinstatement, or damages.

Discriminatory Firings

Letting you go because of your race, religion, gender identity, age, or disability isn’t just cold, it’s illegal. Employers who fire someone because of their identity are violating both Title VII and New York Human Rights Law. These cases often leave a trail: emails, performance reviews, jokes or comments that suddenly turned into justification. You don’t have to prove it alone. We help uncover what’s hiding under the surface.

Still Working Without Overtime? Onondaga Wage and Hour Checks

You clock the hours. You do the extra shifts. But when payday comes, it’s like no one noticed. Employers in Onondaga don’t get to “forget” your overtime or shortchange your tips. That’s your money—and the law says it belongs to you.

Under both the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York Labor Law:

• You must be paid 1.5× your rate after 40 hours—unless your duties meet clear exemptions.
• All time worked—including prep, cleanup, or late-night texts—counts toward pay.
• If your employer isn’t tracking your hours correctly, they’re responsible for the shortfall.

Tipped Employees

Working in a tip-based role comes with different rules—but not less protection. Employers:

• Can’t include managers or back-office workers in tip pools.
• Must make sure tips bring your total wage to at least minimum wage.
• Must keep detailed, accessible records of hours and tip income.

If you’ve been shorted, whether through misclassification or tip pool manipulation, we can dig into your hours, statements, and more. Don’t assume you’re stuck with less.

Filing a Complaint: Where Onondaga Workers Can Go

Deciding to file a claim feels big. But once you understand the steps, it becomes manageable. You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Administrative Filing Options

Most complaints begin with an agency—especially for discrimination, wage violations, or leave denial. Here’s where you may go:

• EEOC: Handles federal claims for discrimination and retaliation. Deadline is usually 180 days.
• NYS Division of Human Rights: Offers a one-year window for discrimination under state law.
• New York Department of Labor: Oversees wage complaints and tip-related issues. Claims here often allow up to six years.
• OSHA and Labor Law § 740: Cover whistleblower complaints involving safety and health violations.

Once filed, you may be asked for more info, offered mediation, or see an investigation launched. And if they stall? We’ll be ready to escalate.

Contracts You Shouldn’t Sign Blindly: Onondaga Legal Review

Too often, employees are told to sign first and ask questions later. But employment contracts, NDAs, non-competes, and arbitration agreements carry real legal weight. Signing the wrong document could limit your future, silence your voice, or block your right to sue.

Some employers in Onondaga embed restrictions so deep, you don’t even know they’re there. You might be waiving claims, accepting arbitration, or agreeing never to work for a competitor, even if they’re just across town.

We’ll review your agreements and look for risky or unfair language. And if your employer crossed the line, we’ll help push back, with negotiation or legal action.

FMLA and Paid Leave in Onondaga: Making Sense of Time Off

Whether you’re recovering from surgery, having a baby, or helping a sick parent, your job shouldn’t be at risk. Federal and state law offer leave protections that many workers don’t realize they qualify for.

Under FMLA, you’re entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave if you meet the work hour and employer size requirements. New York’s Paid Family Leave offers additional benefits, paid time off to bond with a child or care for relatives with serious health needs.

If your employer denied your request, failed to inform you of your rights, or punished you for using your time, that could be a violation. And we can help set it right.

Harassment Isn’t Just Awkward: Onondaga Workplace Protection

It starts with a joke. Then maybe it’s a text. Then suddenly it’s daily dread, what will happen next? When you’re harassed at work, it affects your focus, your sleep, your health. And it’s not just “bad behavior," it may be unlawful.

Key harassment examples protected by law:

• Verbal insults or offensive jokes based on race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
• Unwanted touching, pressure, or messages—especially from someone in power.
• Hostile work environments where repeated behavior creates emotional or physical harm.

Title VII and the New York Human Rights Law don’t just protect your job, they protect your dignity. If HR ignored your complaint or took your side only on paper, you still have options.

How Horn Wright, LLP Stands for You in Onondaga

Workplaces shouldn’t feel like pressure cookers. When your rights are ignored, or your voice is overlooked, you deserve to be heard.

Our employment law attorneys have been recognized nationally for employment law. We’ve helped individuals in Onondaga get respect, justice, and real compensation. It’s not just law. It’s your life, your dignity, and we work tirelessly to defend both. Tired of feeling like a number at work? Contact Horn Wright, LLP, today to reclaim respect, rights, and results in Onondaga.