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Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP’s national practice focuses on complex civil litigation.
More About UsWe fight for employee rights
For over 30 years, Faruqi & Faruqi has been at the forefront fighting for employee rights. Our highly qualified team has extensive experience representing employees nationally in individual and class action lawsuits.
If you believe you have not been paid properly or have been otherwise mistreated at work, please contact our attorneys today for a free and confidential consultation.
(877) 476-7797
685 Third Avenue, 26th Floor New York, NY 10017
Practice Areas
Unpaid Wages and Overtime Violations
We fight to ensure that employees are properly compensated for all time worked. Most employees are required to be paid at least the minimum wage, on time and in full. In addition, they are entitled to 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 in one workweek. Employers often misclassify their employees as “exempt” from these compensation requirements and refuse to pay them in accordance with federal and state laws.
Misclassification of Independent Contractors
Misclassification of employees is rampant in our “on demand” society. Employers classify workers as “Independent Contractors” or “1099 Contractors” in order to circumvent the extensive protections afforded to employees under federal and state laws. Because Independent Contractors are considered “self-employed,” they are not entitled to receive minimum wage, overtime compensation, workers compensation benefits, unemployment insurance, and other wage benefits that are required in a standard employer-employee relationship.
Failure to Properly Pay Tips
Tip misappropriation is an epidemic in today’s cash driven service industries. While federal and state laws emphasize that tips are the sole property of the employee, these laws allow employers to use a portion of earned tips to offset the minimum wage owed to the tipped employee. Employers often take advantage of this “tip-credit” under impermissible circumstances or fail to comply with the extensive legal requirements of its use.
Discrimination and Harassment
As one of the largest minority-owned firms in New York State, Faruqi & Faruqi is deeply invested in protecting employees from discrimination and harassment. Employees have the right to a workplace free of derogatory, abusive, and discriminatory treatment.
Retaliation
It is illegal to retaliate against employees for reporting unlawful or discriminatory employment policies and practices. Such practices often include wage violations, harassment or discrimination. To be protected under federal and state retaliation laws, an employee need only have a good faith belief that they are reporting unlawful practices, even if their belief turns out to later be unfounded.
Wrongful Termination
Most employment arrangements are on an “at-will” basis, meaning that an employee may be discharged without cause and even under circumstances that seem unfair. However, a termination becomes wrongful if it violates the law, is motivated by discrimination, or is in breach of an employment contract.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Violations
Faruqi & Faruqi, a family operated firm, has long championed the rights which the FMLA is designed to protect. Whether you need a leave of absence to care for a chronically ill family member, the birth of a new addition to your family or your own serious medical condition, the FMLA allows qualified employees up to 12 weeks off per year when one of these life-changing events arises.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Violations
The ADA prohibits private employers and governmental entities from discriminating against qualified individuals with real or perceived disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other privileges of employment. The ADA makes it illegal for employers to limit or classify employees in ways that adversely affect their employment status based on an actual or perceived disability.
Our Team
Innessa M. Huot
Partner
685 Third Avenue 26th Floor, New York, NY 10017
(877) 476-7797
ihuot@faruqilaw.com
Shawn R. Clark
Of Counsel
685 Third Avenue 26th Floor, New York, NY 10017
(877) 476-7797
sclark@faruqilaw.com
Alexa N. Salazar
Associate
685 Third Avenue 26th Floor, New York, NY 10017
(877) 476-7797
asalazar@faruqilaw.com
Take the First Step Towards Workplace Justice
Don’t face workplace injustice alone. Our team is ready to listen, advise, and fight for your rights. Contact us today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Learn how to protect your rights
Can I be asked about my prior pay in an interview?
Do I have to share my tips?
What are the basic rules on how I should get paid?
How is overtime calculated if I am paid a salary?
Is my employer allowed to round my time down?
Am I supposed to be paid spread of hours?
Am I supposed to be paid overtime?
Is it okay that I am paid less than other employees because I am not a citizen?
Am I entitled to paid parental leave or other leaves of absence?
What rights do freelancers have in New York City?
What is a tip credit?
Do I have to be paid for my lunch break?
What is the difference between an independent contractor and an employee?
Is my employer required to grant me a reasonable accommodation for my disability?
Am I entitled to prevailing wages?
What are my rights under the FMLA?
What are the deadlines for bringing wage claims?
Is it alright for my employer to pay me late?
Can I be fired for complaining about unlawful activities?
What should I do if my employer is withholding my final paycheck?
Do I have to be paid for pre-shift or post-shift work?
Latest from Our Office
Client Testimonials
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, is the best company to represent any individual against the Big Guys, that think that hard working individuals are just numbers and can be easily replaced. Innessa Huot gave her 100% and above, to win my case. A million thanks to her and to Faruqi & Faruqi for the tremendous win!
It was a pleasure working with Alex on my case. He was always very responsive and worked hard to get me a great settlement. Thank you for everything.
I would like to greatly express my gratitude to Innessa Huot and your firm, Faruqi & Faruqi. Outstanding work in this matter. Innessa, I appreciate the time, effort, and patience for keeping all of us apprised of every detail in the case. Also, an absolute pleasure and pain free experience dealing with you guys in this matter. Thank you so very much everyone.
Thank you for the kindness, professionalism and help during last year. I do not know what I would have done without your firm’s help and guidance. I definitely would recommend your law firm to anyone I know that needs legal help. Thank you again for everything.
Alex was extremely helpful throughout the entire process. Always responded way before my expectations and explained everything.
My experience with the firm was exceptional. I was reassured, helped, and communicated with on a regular basis. The level of transparency and attentive to my case helped me to trust the process especially after such a traumatic work experience.
First rate experience. I was kept informed at every stage and all questions were fully answered promptly.
Alex Hartzband was so professional, patient, and awesome.
I want to thank you for all that you did while working on my case. Your constant attention and ability to keep me informed every step of the way, from the litigation to the trial and even during the appeal kept me at ease. You were always there to address any of the needs I had and explained the litigation so that I could understand. This friendly approach with understanding to my needs made me feel safe. You always responded to my calls and never left me feeling like I was on my own. I will recommend you to anyone in need of not just a lawyer, but of a great, compassionate, determined, caring, strong-minded, extremely intelligent and fight-till-there’s-no-more-fight lawyer.
“I chose Mr. Hartzband at Faruqi & Faruqi based on a trusted friend and associate’s personal recommendation and now I can see why. My experience was just as successful from the relationship to his professional guidance through a positive outcome. I am compelled to share my experience for the next person who may find themselves in an intimidating position to require legal representation, which, let’s face it… can be a little scary. Alex Hartzband has special expertise in his practice area and great compassion for his clients. He is honest, straightforward, professional, and readily available for his clients, which I really appreciated. I found him to be very patient in explaining the details, answering questions, open to discussion, and highly responsive to any inquiries. Mr. Hartzband practices with great integrity and is extraordinary in building relationships with not only his clients, but with opposing counsel and all involved, which inspires trust and makes the process both smooth and collaborative, resulting in positive outcomes. I am grateful I found Mr. Hartzband and highly recommend his services.”
“Taylor Crabill is the best attorney and I worked with attorneys. He is attentive and on point. He keeps me up to date with my case at all times. I was skeptical about attorneys considering the environment that I worked at but I have a different perspective now.”
“I honestly thought any legal action would be the worst experience, but Alex Hartzband & the firm made it so, so much easier. Their professionalism, focus on detail, and follow up was impressive. More so than that, they were so kind and affirming of my experience in what was an awful work environment. They were not only attorneys but advocates. I could not more highly recommend Alex and this law firm – truly was a gift during such a difficult time.”
“Faruqi & Faruqi, specifically Alex Hartzband, is an absolute pleasure to work with. Alex and the firm are professional, responsive, and give their clients full transparency. Alex helped me navigate a very tumultuous termination and made sure I received all I was due. He didn’t just do what I asked – he had suggestions, resources, and sound advice for my next steps. I wholeheartedly recommend Alex and the firm for anyone dealing with discrimination or a wrongful termination.”
Absolutely excellent. Attention detailed, exceptional explanations and personable. Always kept in communication. Would highly recommend.
Hartzband, Camilo and Stanley. The “Treacherous Trio”, is the name I have given my Attorney’s, which they have undeniably earned…with their strong and firery approach to defend their client and prove their innocence. Faruqi & Faruqi Law Firm was highly recommended by another Law Firm and a relative, who yielded positive results. I was informed this firm was excellent and I should be quite pleased with the outcome. The initial conversation I had with Attorney Hartzband, solidified my decision to retain this firm. His high level of interest, understanding and expertise in wrongful termination cases, made it clear and quite evident, I was in the best hands and justice would be served. The continuous open lines of communication every step of the way was golden, so welcomed and greatly appreciated! There was never a moment of silence, when I wasn’t aware of how the case was progressing. All were always available…everyday if I had any questions, which was often. What a blessing they all were and are! I would like to personally thank my “Treacherous Trio”, for being absolutely wonderful, kind, understanding to my circumstances, extremely knowledgeable in their profession and so down to earth. My mind was at complete ease, knowing I was being represented by the best of the best. I will be forever grateful for their dedication and service to their clients…as choosing Law Firm Faruqi & Faruqi has changed my life!