Refusing to hire, discharging or in any other way discriminating against a victim of domestic violence in the workplace now violates New York State law. Being a victim of domestic violence or being perceived as a victim of domestic violence has joined age, race, creed, color, national original, sexual orientation, military status, disability, genetic characteristics and marital status as a protected classification.
The victim and perpetrator may be married, living together or dating; they may be in a traditional or non-tradition family; they may be gay or straight.
However, the law, an amendment to Executive Law Section 292, applies to employment only -- not, for example, housing or education.
