Law Applies to Certain Employers
The New York State Division of Human Rights has issued a regulationthat prohibits discrimination against an individual because of his or herknown relationship or association with a member of a protected class under the state Human Rights Law.Background
Under state law, it is generally an unlawful discriminatory practice for an employer with 4 or more employees to refuse to hire or employ or to bar or to discharge from employment an individual or to discriminate against an individual in compensation or in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of an individual's age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability,predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status, or domestic violence victim status (collectively referred to as "protected classes").
Note: The prohibitions against sex discrimination (in all areas of jurisdiction where sex is a protected category) also prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or the status of being transgender.
New Regulation
Where the term "unlawful discriminatory practice" is used in the Human Rights Law, it is construed to prohibit discrimination against an individual because of his or her known relationship or association with a member (or members) of a protected class covered under the relevant provisions of the Human Rights Law.
The new regulation is effective as of May 18, 2016. Click here to read the text of the new rule. The text of the New York State Human Rights Law is available here.
ORIGINALLY POSTED BY HR360
