NYC.gov — Know Your Worker Rights.Page

Read Workers' Bill of Rights in English (8/2025):Updated translations will be coming soon; please continue to monitor thiswebpage. Read Workers' Bill of Rights in other languages (5/2024): Español(Spanish) |العربية (Arabic) | বাংলা(Bengali) |中文 - 简化字 (Chinese - Simplified) |中文 - 繁體字 (Chinese - Traditional) |Français (French) | KreyòlAyisyen (Haitian Creole) | 한국어(Korean) |Język Polski (Polish) | Pulaar(Pulaar) |Русский (Russian) | ردو (Urdu) | Wolof (Wolof)Employers in New York City must provide their employees with the multilingual"Know Your Rights at Work" poster, which refers them to this Workers' Bill ofRights webpage.Download the multilingual "Know Your Rights at Work" poster: Printer FriendlyVersion |Digitally Accessible VersionWORKERS' BILL OF RIGHTSIf you work in NYC, you have rights regardless of your immigration status.The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) created this overview ofimportant City, State, and federal laws so you know your rights at work.Note: “Employee” and “independent contractor” are different workerclassifications. We indicate when a right at work applies to an independentcontractor.Expand AllCollapse AllRIGHTS AT WORK ENFORCED BY DCWPThis section highlights important NYC labor laws.Note: It is not exhaustive and does not constitute legal advice.No RetaliationIt is illegal to punish, fire, or take any adverse employment action againstworkers for exercising or trying to exercise their rights. Contact DCWPimmediately about suspected retaliation.Contact DCWPTo learn about additional NYC labor laws, ask a question, or file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside NYC) and specify the worker protection lawDCWP will keep your identity confidential unless disclosure is required by lawor you give permission. DCWP will not ask you about your immigration status.Paid Safe and Sick LeaveYou have the right to safe and sick leave and paid prenatal leave.Safe and Sick LeaveYou have the right to up to 40 or 56 hours of leave a year to care for yourselfor anyone you consider family. Use leave for:

• health, including illness or preventive medical care;

• safety because of domestic violence, unwanted sexual contact, stalking, or human trafficking.Paid Prenatal LeaveYou have a right to 20 hours of paid prenatal leave for healthcare for yourselfduring pregnancy.For more information or to file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 and say Paid Safe and Sick LeaveTemporary Schedule ChangesYou have the right to make temporary schedule changes for up to two businessdays per year for certain personal events. This includes the right to takeunpaid time off. Personal events can include:

• child care;

• care for a family or household member with a disability;

• public benefits hearing;

• any use under NYC’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law.For more information or to file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 and say Temporary Schedule ChangeFast Food Worker RightsIf you work in fast food, you must get:

• regular weekly schedules;

• extra pay for schedule changes;

• priority to work new shifts;

• job protection from firing, layoff, or hours reduction.For more information or to file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 and say Fair Workweek LawRetail and Utility Safety Worker RightsIf you work at a retail business store or inutility safety, youmust get your weekly work schedule 72 hours before the first shift.Your employer can’t make last-minute changes.For more information or to file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 and say Fair Workweek LawFood Delivery Worker RightsIndependent contractors who do restaurant deliveries for an app have rights.If you do restaurant deliveries for an app, apps must:

• pay you the minimum pay rate*;

• tell you how much the customer tips for each delivery;

• tell you your total pay and tips for the previous day;

• allow you to limit how far you will go from restaurants and refuse to use certain bridges or tunnels;

• tell you route details before you accept a delivery;

• pay you at least once a week.*Updates to the minimum pay rate happen on April 1 each year.For more information or to file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 and say Delivery WorkersFreelance Worker RightsIf you are an independent contractor (freelancer) in NYC, you must get:

• a written contract;

• timely and full payment for your work.For more information or to file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 and say Freelance WorkersCommuter BenefitsIf you work full time at a business or nonprofit with 20 or more full-timenon-union employees in NYC, your employer must offer you a commuter benefitsprogram.For more information or to file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 and say Commuter BenefitsGrocery Worker RightsIf you work at a grocery store that is sold, the new owner must retain employeesof the previous owner for a 90-day transitional period.For more information or to file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 and say Grocery WorkersHotel Worker RightsIf you work at a hotel in NYC, you have the right to:

• refuse to perform work that may put you in danger and is not normally part of your job;

• report a danger to public health or safety;

• report a suspected violation of Hotel license requirements.The hotel must:

• have someone covering the front desk at all times;

• have a security guard (required if hotel has more than 400 guest rooms);

• provide panic buttons to employees who enter occupied guest rooms;

• directly employ housekeeping, front desk, or front service staff;

• provide human trafficking recognition training to employees.For more information or to file a complaint:

• Visit nyc.gov/workers

• Call 311 and say Hotel ComplaintRIGHTS AT WORK ENFORCED BY OTHER AGENCIESThis section highlights important City, State, and federal labor laws thatprotect employees. It also highlights NYC anti-discrimination worker protectionsthat cover many kinds of workers, including independent contractors.Note: It is not exhaustive and does not constitute legal advice.Minimum Wage and Hour RightsYou have the right to receive at least an hourly minimum wage rate.You may have the right to extra pay in addition to the hourly minimum wage,including:

• Overtime pay: Time and a half pay for working more than 40 hours in a week.

• Call-in pay: Pay for being sent home early.

• Split shift and spread of hours pay: Pay when the beginning of your workday and the end are more than 10 hours apart.

• Uniform maintenance pay: Pay if you clean your own uniform.Your employer must:

• give you a written notice of pay rate when you’re hired;

• give you a detailed wage statement (pay stub) each payday.You have additional rights and protections related to:

• illegal deductions from wages;

• rest and meal breaks;

• paid break time to pump breast milk at work;

• employment of workers under age 18.For more information or to file a complaint, contact: New York State Department of Labordol.ny.gov (search “labor standards”) |888-469-7365Prevailing WageUnder State and City laws, some contractors must pay higher wages or offer morebenefits to certain workers at government-funded worksites. Prevailing wageapplies to:

• construction work on New York City public work projects such as streets, parks, public schools, subway stations, etc.;

• street excavations by utilities such as Con Edison or National Grid;

• building service work such as janitor or doorperson in City office buildings or residential apartment buildings receiving certain property tax exemption benefits;

• food services or temporary office services at City agencies.For more information or to file a complaint, contact: New York City Comptrollercomptroller.nyc.gov(search “prevailing wage”) | 212-669-4443New York State Department of Labordol.ny.gov (search “prevailing wage”) | 888-469-7365Paid Family LeaveYour employer must provide up to 12 weeks of job-protected paid time off to:

• bond with a newly born, adopted, or fostered child;

• care for a family member with a serious health condition; or

• assist loved ones when a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent is deployed abroad on active military service.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:New York State Paid Family Leavepaidfamilyleave.ny.gov | 844-337-6303Family and Medical Leave ActEmployers with 50 or more employees must provide eligible employees up to 12weeks of unpaid family and medical leave.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:U.S. Department of Labordol.gov | 866-4-USWAGE (866-487-9243)Workers' Compensation and Disability BenefitsYou have the right to cash benefits and/or medical care if you become ill orinjured as a direct result of your job.Your employer must also provide temporary disability benefits for off-the-jobinjuries or illnesses, including pregnancy- or delivery-related disabilities.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:New York State Workers' Compensation Boardwcb.ny.gov | 877-632-4996No Forced LaborForced labor, also known as human trafficking, is a serious crime. Victims workagainst their will because of force, fraud, or coercion. For more information or to get help, contact:National Human Trafficking Hotline(U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children &Families)888-373-7888 (24 hours, 7 days a week)New York State Department of Labor Division of Immigrant Policies and Affairs877-466-9757 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)There is a form of immigration relief called the T visa available to certainsurvivors of trafficking.For more information or to get help, contact:Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Immigration Legal Support Hotline800-354-0365 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)Safe and Healthy WorkplaceYour workplace must be free of health and safety hazards. You also have theright to receive information and training about job hazards.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:Occupational Safety and Health Administrationosha.gov | 800-321-OSHA (800-321-6742)You have the right to create a workplace safety committee of workers andmanagers to address workplace safety issues.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:New York State Department of Labordol.ny.gov (search “HERO Act”) | 888-469-7365Discrimination-free WorkplaceCity, State, and federal laws prohibit sexual harassment and employmentdiscrimination. The NYC anti-discrimination law covers employees, independentcontractors, interns, and job applicants.In NYC, it is illegal for employers to discriminate based on protectedcategories, including but not limited to:

• age

• conviction history (in many cases)

• disability

• gender

• immigration or citizenship status

• national origin

• pregnancy

• race

• religion

• sexual orientationReasonable AccommodationEmployers in NYC must provide reasonable accommodations in the workplace basedon:

• disability (physical or mental)

• pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding

• religious observance

• status as victim of domestic violence (including economic abuse), sexual violence, or stalkingReasonable accommodations can include a change to a work schedule, duties,and/or equipment.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:NYC Commission on Human Rightsnyc.gov/humanrights | 311 (sayDiscrimination) or 212-416-0197New York State Division of Human Rightsdhr.ny.gov | 888-392-3644U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioneeoc.gov | 800-669-4000Equal PayYou have the right to equal pay for equal work and to discuss your pay with yourcoworkers.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:New York State Attorney Generalag.ny.gov (search “equal pay”) │212-416-8700 Right to OrganizeYou can join together with your coworkers to improve your working conditions,including organizing a union. Employers can’t take action against you fororganizing or talking with your coworkers about working conditions.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:National Labor Relations Boardnlrb.govhttps://www.nlrb.gov/│844-762-NLRB(844-762-6572)Unemployment BenefitsYour employer must carry unemployment insurance which provides temporary income,up to 26 weeks, if you lose your job through no fault of your own and areactively seeking work. You must have legal authorization to work to qualify forunemployment benefits.For more information, contact:New York State Department of Labordol.ny.gov (search “unemployment”)| 888-209-8124Health InsuranceIf your employer offers health insurance, you may have the right to continuehealth benefits when you lose coverage or change jobs. For more information, contact:U.S. Department of Labordol.gov (search “Employee Benefits SecurityAdministration”) │ 866-444-3272Correct Worker Classification (Employee or Independent Contractor)Many worker rights only apply to workers who are classified as employees.Whether or not you are an employee or an independent contractor depends onseveral factors and the nature of your work arrangement.Misclassification occurs when employers treat workers who should be consideredemployees as independent contractors or pay workers “off the books” withoutpaying taxes. Misclassification denies workers their rights and benefits asemployees. For more information or to report misclassification, contact:New York State Department of Labordol.ny.gov (search“misclassification”) | 866-435-1499JOB APPLICANT RIGHTSThis section highlights important City, State, and federal laws.Note: It is not exhaustive and does not constitute legal advice.The City offers free help for jobseekers who have legal authorization to work.Contact the NYC Department of Small Business Services to learn about Workforce1Career Centers:

• Visit nyc.gov/workforce1

• Call 311 and say Workforce1Pay TransparencyMost employers must state the pay range in a job posting.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:NYC Commission on Human Rightsnyc.gov/humanrights│ 311 (say Salary Transparency)New York State Department of Labordol.ny.gov (search “pay transparency”) |888-469-7365Salary History BanEmployers can’t ask about your salary history during the hiring process.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:NYC Commission on Human Rightsnyc.gov/humanrights │311 (say Discrimination)New York State Department of Labordol.ny.gov (search“salary history ban”) | 888-469-7365Rights When Using an Employment AgencyEmployment agencies must have a DCWP license to operate in NYC.Agencies can’t charge a fee before they place you in a job. Fees can’t be morethan the maximum amount set by State law. If you pay an illegal fee, you candemand a refund. Agencies must give you a contract and receipts.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protectionnyc.gov/workers │311(say Employment Agency Complaint)Automated Employment Decision ToolsEmployers and employment agencies can’t use an automated employment decisiontool (AEDT) in NYC unless they ensure a bias audit was done and provide requirednotices to employees and job candidates.For more information or to file a complaint, contact:NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protectionnyc.gov/dcwp │311 (say AEDT)This page was updated 08/2025.