“Sexual harassment” is one type of unlawful discrimination based on “sex” under various statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The term “quid pro quo” is a Latin phrase that means “this for that”. In the context of employment discrimination/sexual harassment law, it has a specific meaning. “Sexual harassment claims are…
Read More What is “Quid Pro Quo” Sexual Harassment?A specific New York state law, N.Y. CPLR § 5252, prohibits discrimination against employees and prospective employees based on wage assignment or income execution. One commentator explains the purpose of this law: CPLR 5252 was added to discourage employers from dismissing employees solely because of income executions or wage assignments served on the employer. An…
Read More New York Law Prohibits Discrimination Because of Wage Assignment or Income ExecutionIn Irons v. Bedford-Stuyvesant Cmty. Legal Servs., No. 13-CV-4467 MKB, 2015 WL 5692860 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 28, 2015), the court dismissed a male plaintiff’s claims of sexual harassment/hostile work environment, gender discrimination, and retaliation. Here I’ll discuss one aspect of the case – namely, the court’s decision to grant defendants summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of…
Read More Court Dismisses Male Employee’s Sex Discrimination ClaimsIn Parker v. Workmen’s Circle Ctr. of the Bronx, Inc., No. 14CV5327-LTS, 2015 WL 5710511 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 29, 2015), the Southern District of New York held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged her gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment claims. The Facts The court summarized plaintiff’s allegations, as set forth in her federal complaint, as…
Read More Retaliation, Hostile Work Environment, Gender Discrimination Claims Sufficiently Alleged Against Workmen’s Circle Center of the BronxIn a recent lawsuit, Kaplan-DiNola v. NYC Dept. of Education, 15-cv-8139 (SDNY filed 10/16/15), elementary school teacher Rosanne Kaplan-DiNola alleges that she is a homosexual female who “has been forced to work in an environment of blatant homophobia and discrimination perpetrated by her immediate supervisors.” She alleges, for example, that defendants berated her for her…
Read More Teacher’s Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawsuit Against NYC Dept. of EducationThe New York City Human Rights Law is a broad statute that can be of enormous benefit to a plaintiff alleging, for example, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation. That is, of course, when it applies. As illustrated by Lambui v. Collins, No. 14-CV-6457 JS AYS, 2015 WL 5821589 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2015), the NYCHRL’s…
Read More Court Dismisses Sexual Harassment Lawsuit, Citing NYC Human Rights Law’s Limited Geographic ReachIn Velasquez v. MTA Bus Co., 2015 NY Slip Op 07536 (App. Div. 1st Dept. Oct. 15, 2015), the court unanimously affirmed Supreme Court Judge Arlene Bluth’s Order granting plaintiff – an injured bicyclist – summary judgment on the issue of liability. In reaching its decision, the court cited to Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 1122[a] and 1128.…
Read More Plaintiff Bicyclist Entitled to Summary Judgment in Bus Accident Personal Injury CaseIn Rubin v. Abbott Labs., No. 13 CIV. 8667 CM, 2015 WL 5679644 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 23, 2015), the court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State Human Rights Law, but denied it as to her…
Read More Complaining of Harassment Only to Harasser Provides Employer With Defense to Harassment Claim Under NY State Discrimination LawIn Hardwick v. Auriemma, 2015 NY Slip Op 31836(U) (Sup. Ct. NY Cty. Sept. 25, 2015), an employment discrimination case, the court granted plaintiff’s motion to amend her complaint, pursuant to CPLR 3025(b), to add former NBA Commissioner David Stern as a party defendant and to add a claim for constructive discharge. (Here is plaintiff’s…
Read More Plaintiff Permitted to Amend Employment Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Complaint Against the NBAIn New York, particularly New York City, employees are protected against discrimination (including sexual harassment and retaliation) by various laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law. Although these laws are similar in some respects, they differ…
Read More Individual Liability For Sexual Harassment Requires Participation, Court Holds