Experienced New York City Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Last updated on February 4, 2026

In 2023, New York enacted significant changes to its sexual harassment laws, expanding the rights of employees and holding employers to higher standards of accountability.

At Sutton Sachs Meyer PLLC, we understand how distressing sexual harassment can be. Our team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to providing the legal guidance you need to protect your rights and hold harassers accountable.

What Is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a form of unlawful discrimination that creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive work environment. This misconduct may occur between colleagues, supervisors, subordinates or even third parties such as clients or vendors. Importantly, harassment does not have to be directed at a specific person to be unlawful – it can be pervasive behavior that contributes to a toxic work culture.

Examples of sexual harassment include:

• Unwelcome physical contact such as touching, groping or brushing up against someone
• Sexual comments or jokes that are inappropriate or offensive
• Requests for sexual favors in exchange for job benefits or promotions
• Sharing sexually explicit materials, including emails, images, videos or printed materials
• Repeated and unwelcome romantic advances, even after being rejected
• Sexual innuendos, suggestive remarks or offensive questions about an individual’s sex life or appearance
• Threatening or retaliating against someone who rejects sexual advances or reports harassment

Harassment can affect anyone, regardless of gender and can occur between colleagues, supervisors or even third parties like clients. The inappropriate behavior does not have to be aimed at a specific person – it can still be considered harassment if it impacts an employee’s ability to work.

Types Of Workplace Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment in the workplace falls into the following categories:

• Hostile work environment: This occurs when unwelcome sexual conduct is so severe or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or offensive work environment.
• Quid pro quo: When a supervisor or someone in a position of power requests sexual favors in exchange for job benefits or protection from negative employment actions.
• Unwelcome sexual advances: Persistent and unwelcome romantic or sexual overtures, especially after the recipient has made it clear they are not interested.

We can help assess your case, gather evidence and file a complaint with the appropriate agencies or courts.

What To Do If You Have Experienced Sexual Harassment In New York

If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, follow these steps:

• Document the harassment
• Report the harassment
• Gather supporting evidence such as emails, text messages or witness statements
• File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the New York State Division of Human Rights
• Consult an attorney experienced in workplace sexual harassment cases to help you understand your rights and legal options

Our attorney can guide you through each step, helping ensure you take the appropriate legal action while protecting yourself from retaliation.

Recent Updates To New York’s Sexual Harassment Laws

New York Labor Law Section 201-g(1)(b) mandates that employers adopt the model sexual harassment prevention policy or develop a compliant alternative. The model policy is updated every four years, resulting in the following key changes:

• Expanded definitions: Harassment now includes gender identity and expression.
• Harassment standards: It clarifies that behavior does not need to be severe or pervasive to be considered illegal.
• Bystander intervention: New methods for bystander intervention are outlined to assist witnesses of harassment.
• Remote harassment: Harassment occurring through virtual platforms is recognized as creating a hostile work environment.
• Updated examples: An updated list of examples of sexual harassment is provided, though it is not exhaustive.

These changes were designed to provide employees with more options when facing workplace harassment and to hold employers accountable for creating safe environments.

Sexual Harassment FAQs

Our New York sexual harassment attorneys have encountered several questions, and these answers can help clarify sexual harassment.

What evidence do I need to report sexual harassment in the workplace?

When employees experience harassment, one of the first concerns is whether they have enough evidence to come forward. A New York sexual harassment attorney can explain that you do not always need overwhelming proof to begin reporting workplace harassment. However, the more documentation you have, the stronger your case can be.

Common forms of evidence may include:

• Written communication, such as emails, texts or social media messages, that show inappropriate behavior or patterns of misconduct.
• Notes or journals where you record incidents of harassment, including dates, times and any witnesses present.
• Testimony from coworkers or colleagues who observed the behavior or can confirm your account.
• Workplace documents such as HR reports or copies of formal complaints that demonstrate how the issue was handled.

A skilled workplace harassment lawyer in New York can review what you have and guide you on additional steps to strengthen your claim. Even if evidence seems limited, you still have New York sexual harassment rights and should not be discouraged from seeking legal support.

How do I report sexual harassment in New York?

In New York, employees can report harassment internally to HR or a supervisor, but they also have the right to file a complaint with outside agencies. A sexual harassment lawyer can guide you through these options and explain which path best protects your interests.

Employees may:

• File a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights.
• Submit a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
• Work with a New York sexual harassment attorney to pursue legal remedies in court if internal processes and agency complaints do not resolve the matter.
• Request an independent investigation if the employer’s response seems biased or incomplete, ensuring the complaint receives fair attention.

Each case is different, so securing legal help for harassment is often the safest way forward. We can help ensure deadlines are met and your rights are enforced.

Contact A New York City Sexual Harassment Lawyer

If you’ve experienced sexual harassment at work, Sutton Sachs Meyer PLLC is ready to help. Our team offers dedicated support and guidance through every step of the process. Call us at 212-884-9727 or reach out online to schedule a consultation with a skilled New York City sexual harassment lawyer today.