Are You Paid Unfairly? Our NYC & Long Island Pay Disparity Lawyers Fight for Equal Pay

You have the right to be compensated fairly for your work, based on your skills, experience, and performance—not your gender, race, or other protected characteristics. Pay disparity, or wage discrimination, is a persistent and illegal practice that creates economic inequality and devalues the contributions of hardworking New Yorkers. If you have discovered that you are being paid less than your colleagues for performing substantially similar work, you are not just being treated unfairly; your employer may be breaking the law.

For over 35 years, the employment attorneys at Leeds Brown Law, P.C. have been dedicated to fighting for the rights of workers across New York City, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. We are committed to closing the wage gap, one case at a time. Our experienced team understands the complexities of the **New York Equal Pay Law** and federal statutes, and we have a proven track record of holding employers accountable for discriminatory pay practices. You do not have to accept being paid less than you are worth.

Understanding Pay Disparity and Your Rights Under New York Law

Pay disparity occurs when employees of different protected classes are paid different wages for performing substantially similar work. While the **gender pay gap lawsuit** is the most well-known form of this discrimination, wage gaps can also be based on race, age, national origin, and other protected categories. The core principle of equal pay law is simple: equal pay for equal work.

New York has some of the strongest pay equity laws in the nation. The law prohibits employers from paying an employee a lower wage than an employee of the opposite sex or a different race/national origin for:

• Equal work on a job requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility, performed under similar working conditions.
• Substantially similar work, when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, performed under similar working conditions.

This “substantially similar” standard is a critical protection. It means your job titles do not have to be identical to have a valid claim. If your day-to-day responsibilities and the skills required are alike, you should be paid equally. A knowledgeable **equal pay lawyer on Long Island** can help you determine if your situation meets this standard.

What is a “Legitimate” Reason for a Pay Difference?

An employer can only justify a pay differential if it is based on a “bona fide factor other than sex, race, or other protected status.” These factors can include a seniority system, a merit system, or a system that measures earnings by quantity or quality of production. However, even if an employer presents such a factor, it is not a valid defense if the employee can show that the employer’s practice causes a disparate impact and an alternative practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without the discriminatory impact. This is a high bar for employers to meet, and our **Nassau County wage discrimination** attorneys are skilled at challenging these defenses.

How a Pay Disparity Lawyer Can Help You

Confronting your employer about unequal pay can be intimidating and complex. Proving a pay disparity claim requires careful analysis and strong evidence. The legal team at Leeds Brown Law, P.C. can level the playing field and fight for the compensation you have earned.

1. Case Evaluation and Analysis: We will conduct a thorough and confidential review of your situation. We analyze your job duties, skills, and responsibilities compared to those of your higher-paid colleagues to build a strong foundation for your claim.
2. Evidence Gathering: Proving wage discrimination often requires access to company pay records. As your legal representatives, we can use legal tools to obtain the necessary payroll data and other evidence to substantiate your claim.
3. Negotiation and Litigation: Our **Suffolk County pay equity attorneys** are skilled negotiators who will advocate for a settlement that includes back pay, damages, and interest. If the employer refuses to negotiate in good faith, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for your rights in court.
4. Protection Against Retaliation: It is illegal for your employer to fire, demote, or otherwise retaliate against you for inquiring about your pay or filing a wage discrimination claim. If they do, we can file an additional retaliation claim on your behalf.

Common Scenarios of Pay Disparity

Wage discrimination can be subtle. You may not see a memo announcing discriminatory pay scales. Instead, it often manifests in ways such as:

• A male employee is hired at a higher starting salary than a female employee for the same role, despite similar qualifications.
• A white employee receives larger annual raises or bonuses than a Black or Hispanic colleague in the same position with a similar performance record. This is a key area for a **racial pay gap lawyer**.
• An employer justifies a pay gap based on a predecessor’s salary, a practice that can perpetuate historical wage discrimination.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Pay Disparity Lawsuit?

If you have been a victim of wage discrimination, you may be entitled to significant compensation. A successful lawsuit brought by an **unequal pay attorney** can help you recover:

• Back Pay: The amount of wages you were underpaid, going back up to six years under New York law.
• Liquidated Damages: New York law allows for an additional award of liquidated damages equal to 100% of the unpaid wages, effectively doubling your recovery.
• Interest: Pre-judgment interest on the wages you are owed.
• Attorney’s Fees: The law requires the employer to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees if you win your case.

Why Choose Leeds Brown Law, P.C.?

When you are fighting for fair pay, you need a law firm with a deep understanding of employment law and a history of success.

• Pioneers in Employment Law: With over 35 years of experience, we have been at the forefront of the fight for workers’ rights in New York, recovering over $250 million for our clients.
• Aggressive and Respected Litigators: Our attorneys are known throughout the NYC and Long Island legal communities for their tenacity and skill in the courtroom.

You work hard for your money. Don’t let an employer’s discriminatory practices take it from you. If you suspect you are being paid unfairly, contact the New York pay disparity lawyers at Leeds Brown Law, P.C. today for a free and confidential consultation. Call us at (855) 789-3400 or fill out our online contact form to learn how we can help you fight for the equal pay you deserve.