Investigates allegations of: discrimination due to an individual's race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, age, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics or prior arrest or conviction record retaliation for opposing unlawful discriminatory practicesTo file a complaint: Download a complaint form Click here. Follow instructions and mail to the Division's nearest regional office. No filing fee; do not need to retain private counsel Call to request a form: 888-392-3644 if visually impaired, 718-741-8332, or [email protected] for a Braille form in English or Spanish

* Responsible for enforcing labor laws. Child labor laws. Family Medical Leave Law. Wage garnishment. Fair Labor Standards Act. Federal minimum wage/overtime. Immigration and Nationality Act - Aliens employed in the United States.

Offers family, community, commercial, and special mediation (custody/visitation, family issues, landlord/tenant, consumer/merchant, and special education). Provides arbitration and small claims court mediation.

Supports, advocates for and seeks to empower people treated unfairly at work or faced with critical poverty, discrimination, health care or other social and economic issues. Activities include: The Workers' Rights Hotline (607-269-0409 [email protected] or walk-in) provides advocacy with and on behalf of workers who receive unfair treatment at work. The Workers' Center works with people to correct problems, end workers' rights violations, improve conditions and set standards of employer behavior. It can also help with filings to regulators (for example for wage theft, safety violations, discrimination, etc.), workforces interested in forming a union, or other strategies for making positive changes in the workplace.Living Wage Employer certification provides recognition to employers that voluntarily pay all employees at least the Tompkins County Living Wage.Organized labor partnerships support and coordinate shared activities with local and regional labor unions.The Workers' Rights Handbook and Restaurant Owners Manual contain comprehensive information on labor rights and employer responsibilities, free to the public. The "Workers' Edge" newsletter covers important labor issues active in the Tompkins County community.Community organizing through the Workers' Center empowers grassroots leaders' organizing skills to create change in their own and others' lives at work and in general.Community education increases knowledge and standards of economic rights and employer behavior through networking, coalition-building and solidarity.

Established as an independent agency to define law and procedures to insure New York State public employees their rights provided by the Taylor Law. Also represents public employees without representation in a given proceeding.

Provides mediation programs to help people solve their problems, no matter the situation or setting. Mediation can: - Help couples looking to get divorced and or separated - Help landlords and tenants work out issues - Help parents and schools agree on special education matters - Help employees and employers resolve conflict - Help neighbors restore harmony in the community - Help families handle issues with teens, siblings, and aging adults - Help parents work out custody and visitation arrangements - Help parties with legal issues who are looking for an alternative to court Services are offered virtually, over the phone, and in person. In addition to mediation programs, the Center collaborates with local civil legal services providers to offer holistic legal services for victims of crime in Erie, Niagara, and Genesee counties. Center staff will work with victims to identify legal issues and to discuss pathways to achieving justice. The Center also offers Education and Training workshops that provide skills-based trainings, consultation, and coaching services.

Provides administration and enforcement of federal labor laws dealing with minimum wage, overtime, child labor, family medical leave, farm labor, government contracts, etc. Investigates on behalf on complainants, provides technical assistance and guidance to employers and employees.

Responsible for the staffing needs of various town departments screens candidates and makes recommendations to the Town Board posts and circulates information on job availability within the Town and manages labor relations and benefits to current employees and retirees.

CALLERS CAN APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ONLINE AT: the Workforce office http://www.labor.ny.gov/home at any of Workforce's community or partner agencies**Job assistance to individuals and groups, such as: access to job listing sources free monthly work-related workshops job/career counseling resource center with computers for searches and resume work resume, cover letter and application assistance job interview coaching; help in job search techniques and placement networking events and job/career fairs access to special skill training Job Link program for young people 16-21 years old (jobs and skills assistance) military veterans program specialized employment program for ex-offenders support for 50+ job seekers on-site disability specialist knowledge of community resources and job programs for referrals unfair labor practices (contact labor services representative supervisor) intensive services for individuals with difficulty finding employment, such as assessments and funding assistance for training and skill development.The center works with local employers to: provide information about accommodations, hiring incentives and connecting with qualified job seekers with disabilities help employee recruitment access employee training opportunities, workplace incentives and labor market information**ACCES-VR, TST BOCES, TC DSS, Office of Employment & Training, Experience Works, TC Office for the Aging, Tompkins Community Action, Women's Opportunity Center, Challenge, NYS Dept. of Labor and Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Mediation services are designed as an alternative to court to handle civil or minor criminal issues and disputes such as family conflicts, neighbor-to-neighbor disputes, consumer-merchant problems, landlord-tenant complaints and student-to-student or student-to-teacher disputes. Settlements are intended to avoid future conflict without placing blame or guilt. Agreements are binding and enforceable by courts. Special eviction prevention program assists landlords and tenants before the court on eviction petitions. Provides consultation and training to schools for conflict resolution curriculum and peer mediation programs.

Assists employees, employers and union members to file a complaint and Investigates the complaints of unfair labor practices.