2016

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In Kamdem-Ouaffo v. Pepsico, Inc., 133 A.D.3d 825, 21 N.Y.S.3d 150, 152 (N.Y. App. Div. 2015), the Appellate Division, Second Department dismissed plaintiff’s claim brought pursuant to New York’s “whistleblower law”, codified at Labor Law § 740. Plaintiff alleged that his employment was terminated, his contract was not renewed, and he was not offered a…

Read More Court Dismisses Labor Law § 740 (Whistleblowing) Lawsuit Arising From Termination Following Formaldehyde Complaint
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Singh v. Covenant Aviation Sec., LLC, 131 A.D.3d 1158, 1159-60, 16 N.Y.S.3d 611 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dept. 2015) illustrates the difference between the New York State Human Rights Law, on the one hand, and the broader New York City Human Rights Law, on the other. Plaintiff, who identifies as Indian, worked for defendant as…

Read More Plaintiff Fired for Sleeping on the Job Survives Summary Judgment on NYC Human Rights Law (But Not NYS Human Rights Law) Claim
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In Febrianti v. Worldwide, No. 15-CV-0635 (JMF), 2016 WL 50202 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 8, 2016), the court dismissed plaintiff’s retaliation, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge claims. Here, plaintiff, who identifies as a Southeast Asian non-Chinese speaker, worked for defendant as a cleaner in the Union Square W Hotel. She alleged, among other things, that she…

Read More Hotel Cleaner’s Retaliation, Hostile Work Environment, Constructive Discharge Claims Insufficiently Alleged
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In Collazo v. Cty. of Suffolk, No. 12-CV-2196, 2016 WL 660856 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 17, 2016), the court summarized various ways in which a Title VII plaintiff can demonstrate the requisite “inference of discrimination” as part of the prima facie case element of a discrimination claim: An inference of discrimination can be found in circumstances that include: (1)…

Read More Discrimination Claims Proceed as to Some, But Not All, Alleged Adverse Employment Actions
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In Locorriere v. NBTY, Inc., No. 13CV7277, 2016 WL 625618 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 17, 2016), the court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of race/ethnicity and national origin discrimination, disability discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, and constructive discharge. Plaintiff, a female of Mexican national origin, worked for defendant as an inspector. She alleged,…

Read More Citing Lack of Remarks or Different Treatment, Court Dismisses Mexican Woman’s Discrimination Claims
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In Brailsford v. Zara USA, Inc., No. 14 CIV. 6999 (LGS), 2016 WL 626560 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 16, 2016), the court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s employment (race) discrimination claims, asserted under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, against Zara. In sum, plaintiff alleges that while working…

Read More Court Dismisses Race Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment Claims Against Zara
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By now you’ve probably heard/read about Dr. Anjali Ramkissoon, who was caught on a now-viral YouTube video attacking an Uber driver. Reports indicate that her employer, Jackson Health System, has placed her on administrative leave. The video suggests that Dr. Ramkissoon was not working or “on the clock” during the incident. This raises the question of whether, and to what…

Read More Off-Duty Conduct and Termination
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In Sangaray v West Riv. Assoc., LLC, 2016 NY Slip Op 01002 (N.Y. Ct. App. Feb. 11, 2016), New York’s highest court interpreted NYC Administrative Code 7-210, which (generally speaking) shifts liability from the city to the owners of abutting property. The court held that summary judgment should not have been granted in favor of defendant property…

Read More Location of Alleged Defect Alone Does Not Dictate Liability in Sidewalk Defect Trip/Fall Case, Court of Appeals Holds
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In Village of Freeport v. Barella (decided February 16, 2016), the Second Circuit addressed whether “‘Hispanic’ describes a race for purposes of 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and Title VII.” In this case – which resulted in a $1.35 million jury verdict for plaintiff – plaintiff alleged (in sum) that defendant Village’s former mayor Andrew Hardwick did…

Read More Second Circuit: “Hispanic” is a “Race” For Purposes of Federal Antidiscrimination Laws
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A Summary Order issued today by the Second Circuit (in Kirkweg v. New York City Department of Education) includes language helpful to plaintiffs asserting retaliation claims. Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Burlington N. & Sante Fe Ry. Co. v. White, 548 U.S. 53, 68−70 (2006) and Second Circuit precedent, the Second Circuit explains: In granting dismissal,…

Read More Second Circuit: Pecuniary Injury Not Necessary for “Adverse Action” for Retaliation Claim
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