Associational Discrimination

In Kekovic v. Titan Motor Group LLC, 22-CV-2142, 2023 WL 6385712 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 29, 2023), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claims. Plaintiff, who identifies as a white male, is married to a black, African American man, and thus asserts “associational discrimination” claims based on this marriage.…

Read More “Associational Discrimination” Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Dismissal Against Titan Motor Group
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In Dolac v. County of Erie et al, 2021 WL 5267722 (2d Cir. Nov. 12, 2021), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, inter alia, affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s claim for “associational discrimination” asserted under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The court summarized the general law as follows: [The ADA prohibits, among…

Read More Dismissal of ADA “Associational” Disability Discrimination Claim Affirmed
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In a recent case, Kengerski v. Orlando Harper; County of Allegheny, 2021 WL 3199225 (3d Cir. July 29, 2021), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit revived the plaintiff’s retaliation claim asserted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This decision is instructive as to the claim for so-called “associational…

Read More Title VII “Race-Association” Retaliation Claim, Arising From “Monkey” Comment, Improperly Dismissed on Summary Judgment, Third Circuit Holds
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In a recent decision, Kelleher v. Fred A. Cook, Inc., 18‐2385, 2019 WL 4616715, the Second Circuit held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged a claim for “associational discrimination” under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. (ADA), and vacated the lower court’s decision dismissing the complaint. Here, Plaintiff alleged that he was…

Read More 2d Circuit Overturns Dismissal of ADA “Associational” Disability Discrimination Claim
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Among the different types of discrimination prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act is so-called “associational discrimination.” Specifically, the ADA, inter alia, prohibits an employer from excluding or otherwise denying equal jobs or benefits to a qualified individual because of the known disability of an individual with whom the qualified individual is known to have…

Read More Court Explains 2d Circuit Standard for “Associational Discrimination” Under the ADA
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In Reiter v. Maxi-Aids, Inc., 14-cv-3712, 2018 WL 557864 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 19, 2018), the court, inter alia, upheld a jury’s determination that plaintiff was subject to “associational discrimination” under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In sum, defendant’s principal (Zaretsky) terminated plaintiff shortly after plaintiff advised Zaretsky about an issue concerning his daughter, Bailey, who…

Read More Father’s ADA Claim, Alleging Discrimination by Association With Suicidal Daughter, Jury Verdict Upheld
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In Macchio v. Michaels Elec. Supply Corp., 2017 NY Slip Op 02636 (App. Div. 2d Dept. April 5, 2017), the court held that plaintiff presented sufficient evidence of pretext to survive summary judgment on his discrimination, retaliation, and FMLA claims, but that his hostile work environment claim was properly dismissed. In this case, plaintiff alleged,…

Read More Employment Discrimination (Ancestry, Association, Religion), Retaliation, and FMLA Claims Survive Summary Judgment; Hostile Work Environment Claim Properly Dismissed
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In Graziadio v. Culinary Institute of America et al, 15-888-cv (2nd Cir. March 17, 2016), the Second Circuit vacated a district court’s Order granting defendants summary judgment and dismissing plaintiff’s claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Here are the facts, as summarized by the court: Plaintiff Cathleen Graziadio, an employee at the…

Read More FMLA Retaliation and Interference Claims Survive Summary Judgment; Case Continues Against HR Director as FMLA “Employer”; ADA “Associational Discrimination” Claim Properly Dismissed
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In Anderson v. HotelsAB, LLC, No. 15CV712-LTS-JLC, 2015 WL 5008771 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 24, 2015), plaintiff alleged that defendants discriminated against her in violation of the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) by refusing to hire her because of her relationship with her disabled son. This decision addresses the geographical reach of the NYCHRL. The facts, briefly:…

Read More Court Addresses Geographical Reach of NYC Human Rights Law in Associational Disability Discrimination Lawsuit
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Here is the federal court complaint filed by Philippa Okoye against her employer deVere Group on May 18, 2015. She alleges hostile work environment sexual harassment, gender discrimination, associational race discrimination (in light of her husband, Lawrence Okoye’s, race), religion-based discrimination, and retaliation under the New York City Human Rights Law.

Read More Philippa Okoye’s Employment Discrimination Lawsuit Against DeVere Group
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