Buffalo Employment Law Attorneys

Buffalo workers are protected by the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), which prohibits discrimination and harassment by all employers regardless of size. The New York Labor Law provides robust wage and hour protections, including higher overtime thresholds than federal law. Federal protections under Title VII, the ADA, and the FLSA also apply. Buffalo workers can file complaints with the NYSDHR Buffalo Regional Office, the EEOC Buffalo Local Office, or pursue lawsuits in state or federal court.

Healthcare is one of Buffalo's largest employment sectors, with Kaleida Health, Catholic Health, and ECMC employing thousands of workers. Healthcare workers experiencing discrimination, harassment, or retaliation have full protections under the NYSHRL and federal law. This includes discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, pregnancy, and religion. Healthcare workers who report patient safety concerns also have whistleblower protections. Contact our Buffalo attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Buffalo workers can file with the NYSDHR Buffalo Regional Office on Delaware Avenue, the EEOC Buffalo Local Office on Niagara Street, the New York State Department of Labor for wage claims, or file a lawsuit in Erie County Supreme Court or the Western District of New York federal court. Each agency has different deadlines and processes, so consult an employment attorney to determine the best approach.

Like many cities, Buffalo sees significant rates of workplace discrimination based on race, gender, age, and disability. The city's large healthcare, education, and public sector workforces generate a substantial number of discrimination claims. Western New York also has a significant manufacturing and industrial base where harassment and unsafe working conditions remain concerns. The NYSDHR Buffalo office receives hundreds of complaints annually from Erie County workers.

New York law requires most employers to pay 1.5x the regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. If your Buffalo employer is failing to pay overtime, requiring off-the-clock work, rounding your hours, or improperly classifying you as exempt from overtime, you may be owed significant back pay. Under New York law, you can recover up to six years of unpaid wages, plus liquidated damages and attorney fees.