New York City Prohibits Discrimination Based on Employee Sexual and Reproductive Health Decisions

Effective May 20, 2019, New York City employers with four or more employees cannot discriminate against employees based on their “sexual and reproductive health decisions.” These “decisions” include “any decision by an individual to receive services, which are arranged for or offered or provided to individuals relating to sexual and reproductive health, including the reproductive system and its functions,” and can include abortion, fertility-related medical procedures, sexually transmitted disease prevention, testing, and treatment, family planning services and counseling, use of birth control drugs and supplies, emergency contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy testing.

Employers in New York City should update their anti-discrimination policies and handbooks to include “sexual and reproductive health decisions” on the list of protected categories. Information related to an individual’s sexual and reproductive health should not be a basis for employment decisions.

If you have experienced any kind of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in your place of employment please know that you can take legal action. The attorneys at Vlasac & Shmaruk have decades of experience handling such matters and are dedicated to achieving the best results for our clients. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation.