Financial Services Industry Discrimination

Work Environments Should Be Free of Discrimination and Harassment

From offices in New York City and Stamford, Connecticut, the lawyers of Outten & Golden LLP advocate for male and female financial services professionals dealing with discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in New York, in Connecticut, nationwide, and globally.

Battling Gender Discrimination on Wall Street

At Outten & Golden LLP, our employment law attorneys have a national reputation as advocates for women working on Wall Street. The perception that the famous financial district is a "man's world" is stereotypical but warranted. Although some women have ascended to positions of responsibility and respect, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against women still exist. Gender should be an irrelevant factor for job status and performance for financial services professionals. If you have experienced gender discrimination in the workplace, we encourage you to contact us for knowledgeable advice and skilled legal counsel.

Discrimination Has No Place in Financial Services or Any Industry

Promotions should be based on performance. Salary should be based on experience and accomplishments. At no time should gender, sexual orientation, age, race, national origin, ethnicity, or religious affiliation become a factor. Moreover, many employees considering a discrimination claim fear retaliation from their employers. Our firm can help you take the appropriate steps to protect your rights and your career standing.

Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation

Financial services professionals may face a variety of actions, including unlawful harassment and retaliation, by their supervisors and their firms that violate their rights under applicable anti-discrimination laws.

For example, women, older employees, and members of racial, ethnic or religious minorities who work on Wall Street may face stereotypical views of what their role should be or unfair limitations impacting their careers and professional life. You do not have to allow harassment or discrimination of any type to become a part of your daily work life.

Employers and supervisors sometimes retaliate against Wall Street employees who complain about discrimination. Outten & Golden’s attorneys represent individuals who have suffered loss of pay, termination of employment, or other retribution after bringing to light unlawful discrimination in the workplace. Such conduct can support retaliation claims that are separate, and in addition to, any underlying complaints of discrimination.

Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Whistleblower Claims

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 prohibits publicly-traded U.S. employers from discharging, demoting, suspending, threatening, harassing, or otherwise discriminating against any employee who engages in certain protected activity. This protected activity can consist of (a) complaining or providing information regarding certain improper conduct or (b) assisting in an investigation of such conduct.

The procedural and other rules for these types of claims are complex. Those seeking the protection of the SOX statute must assert their claims before the Department of Labor and, in many instances, in court or arbitration as well. Attorneys at Outten & Golden help their clients navigate through the challenges of asserting Sarbanes-Oxley claims before the Department of Labor, in court, and in arbitration. Outten & Golden also assists employees (including those who have suffered retaliation in violation of SOX) in negotiations with their employers, if that is an appropriate step before litigation or as an alternative to litigation.

Contact New York City, NY or Stamford, CT employment attorney