NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Steven Mitchell Sack, “The Employee’s Lawyer,” has announced that he has been named to the list of Employment Law Trailblazers by the National Law Journal. This list honors those legal professionals who have made significant marks on the practice, policy and technological advancements in their sector.

Mr. Sack has been an employment attorney for more than 39 years. He is known for successfully representing a group of waiters in Samiento v. World Yacht Inc. The landmark New York Court of Appeals decision made it more difficult for restaurants and caterers to keep gratuities intended for their wait staff.

From 1984 to 1996, he served as a commercial arbitrator in breach of contract, entertainment and employment-related disputes for the American Arbitration Association. During his career, he served as general counsel to numerous sales representatives’ associations. From 1996 to 2001, he hosted a nationally syndicated radio talk show called “Steven Sack: The Employee’s Lawyer.”

Mr. Sack is a sought-after employment attorney, having been interviewed by Newsday, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Oprah, CNN, Fox News and Good Day New York. For more than 40 years, he has represented clients in cases involving breach of contract, discrimination and sexual harassment cases. He is the author of The Employee Rights Handbook, which has been called a “first-aid kit” for current and prospective employees, giving them the information they need to understand their job rights and protect and assert themselves to collect what is due; telling his readers and clients that “every firing is negotiable.” He served as plaintiffs’ counsel on behalf of three women who were wrongfully terminated when their employer discovered they were pregnant. A Bronx Supreme Court jury awarded the plaintiffs $6.2 million.

In addition to his work as an attorney, Mr. Sack is a lecturer and conducts corporate seminars for sales representatives and companies throughout the U.S.

The list will appear in the publication’s July/August issue.

“I am pleased to be named to this prestigious list,” Mr. Sack said. “It is nice to be recognized by an important publication that is one of the top legal trade magazines in the country. This honor showcases the four decades of work I have done helping workers stand up for their rights and obtain the benefits they deserve.”

For more information, call (917) 371-8000 or visit www.theemployeeslawyer.com.

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About Steven Mitchell Sack

Steven Mitchell Sack, “The Employee’s Lawyer^®,” has been enforcing workplace rights of employees, executives, and sales representatives for more than 39 years. He is a practicing attorney concentrating in employment law, as well as an author of 19 books, a lecturer and syndicated radio talk show host. Together with attorney Scott A. Lucas, they obtained a $6.2 million jury verdict in 2015 on behalf of three pregnant employees, as well as a favorable Court of Appeals decision for a group of waiters who were denied their fair share of tips that were held back by a caterer. For more information, visit www.theemployeeslawyer.com.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Steven Mitchell Sack, “The Employee’s Lawyer,” says the state’s establishment of a virtual portal to report any workplace violations will allow employees to do so privately and without retribution.

On April 7, 2021, the New York State Legislature passed the state budget. One of the highlights of the budget is the creation of a virtual portal in which employees can privately file complaints against companies that are in violation of state employment law. Some of these include wage/hour violations, racial and/or sexual discrimination and harassment and retaliation, among others.

Those who wish to file a complaint can do so by visiting ny.gov. Reports may remain anonymous.

“The virtual portal is an excellent idea,” Mr. Sack says. “Workers may not file a complaint with the human resources department out of fear of retribution. There is also the conference in which it’s your word against your supervisor’s. By filing a complaint through the virtual portal, workers don’t have to worry about being harassed or intimidated. Rather, they can submit their complaints without their supervisor’s knowledge. If you are unsure whether to file a complaint anonymously, consult an employment lawyer immediately.”

For more information, call (917) 371-8000 or visit www.theemployeeslawyer.com.

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About Steven Mitchell Sack

Steven Mitchell Sack, “The Employee’s Lawyer^®,” has been enforcing workplace rights of employees, executives, and sales representatives for more than 39 years. He is a practicing attorney concentrating in employment law, as well as an author of 19 books, a lecturer and syndicated radio talk show host. Together with attorney Scott A. Lucas, they obtained a $6.2 million jury verdict in 2015 on behalf of three pregnant employees, as well as a favorable Court of Appeals decision for a group of waiters who were denied their fair share of tips that were held back by a caterer. For more information, visit www.theemployeeslawyer.com.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — With COVID-19 infection rates decreasing and more people getting vaccinated, companies are beginning to reopen their offices and bring their employees back in. But could an employee refuse to return to the office and decide to work remotely instead? Steven Mitchell Sack, “The Employee’s Lawyer,” says the answer is not that simple when considering such factors as employee classification, state employment laws and what their employment contract says.

“If your company deems you to be an ‘essential’ worker, you must report to the office,” Mr. Sack says. “On the other hand, your employer must be sure that their workers are properly classified as essential, or else they will face serious fines. If you don’t believe that your job functions define you as an essential worker, please consult with an employment attorney.”

If the employee is concerned about contracting the virus at work, Mr. Sack says, that should be addressed with their supervisor immediately. “Anyone who has a compromised immune system may be excused from working in person,” he says. “If you tell your boss that you don’t want to come in because you are afraid of getting sick, that may not be a valid excuse.”

Mr. Sack says some workers may try to defy the workplace edict, which might not be wise. “Before refusing to come into work, they should check the state’s employment laws to see what their rights are,” he says. “Some states, such as New York, are at-will states. That means, if you refuse to show up for work, you can be fired immediately. The only exception is if the employee belongs to a union; then they have protections that preclude them from termination.”

In the event the employee is terminated, Mr. Sack emphasizes that every firing is negotiable. “See if you can get an extension on health coverage, severance pay and retention of benefits, as well as cashing in unused sick and vacation days, pension plans, 401(k)s and unpaid commissions,” he says.

Mr. Sack said, while employees may be responsible to come into work, their employers should be sure that all infection control protocols are put in place. “Workplace safety is key,” he says. “It is the company’s responsibility to protect their workers from becoming seriously ill. That means setting up desks six feet away, making sure masks are worn — especially in open workspaces — and there is an abundant supply of hand sanitizer. It is important to keep their employees safe during these trying times.”

For more information, call (917) 371-8000 or visit www.theemployeeslawyer.com.

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About Steven Mitchell Sack

Steven Mitchell Sack, “The Employee’s Lawyer^®,” has been enforcing workplace rights of employees, executives, and sales representatives for more than 39 years. He is a practicing attorney concentrating in employment law, as well as an author of 19 books, a lecturer and syndicated radio talk show host. Together with attorney Scott A. Lucas, they obtained a $6.2 million jury verdict in 2015 on behalf of three pregnant employees, as well as a favorable Court of Appeals decision for a group of waiters who were denied their fair share of tips that were held back by a caterer. For more information, visit www.theemployeeslawyer.com.