Does the City law protect freelancers, independent contractors and interns?
Yes. “The protections of this chapter relating to employees apply to interns, freelancers and independent contractors” (Admin. Code § 8-107(23)). Interns are covered whether or not they are paid. Being paid on a 1099 does not put you outside the City law.
Who does this apply to?
Interns, paid or unpaid, freelancers and independent contractors working in New York City, and domestic workers.
The rules
- Same protections as employees (§ 8-107(23)).
- Interns are defined to include unpaid interns (§ 8-102).
- Contractors count toward the four-person minimum for the business that uses them (§ 8-102).
- Harassment by a contractor. An employer is liable for discrimination by an independent contractor it uses only if it had actual knowledge and acquiesced (§ 8-107(13)(c)).
What should I gather?
- Your contract or engagement letter, invoices and 1099s.
- Where you did the work.
- Who at the business you dealt with, and what they said or did.
Get an estimate
The New York employment case evaluator reviews your answers and documents the way I review a new matter and gives you a realistic pre-suit estimate. It charges only the actual cost of running the analysis, never more than $5. Afterwards you can choose whether to send it to me for review.
Your rights under the NYC Human Rights Law: the full guide
This page is general information about New York City, New York State and federal law, last reviewed September 2026. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. The City law is amended often, and which parts of it cover you depends on facts this page does not know. If a deadline may be close, speak with a lawyer now.