Hostile Work Environment

In a recently-filed lawsuit, captioned Bliss v. MXK Restaurant Corp. d/b/a Remix et al, 16-cv-02676 (SDNY, filed April 11, 2016), plaintiff – a gay female – alleges that she was subjected to a hostile work environment, gender discrimination, and sexual orientation discrimination. Among other things, she alleges that throughout her employment she was required to work…

Read More Sexual Harassment, Hostile Work Environment, Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawsuit Against Club Remix and its Owner
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In Glenn v. Fuji Grill Niagara Falls, LLC, No. 14-CV-380S, 2016 WL 1557751 (W.D.N.Y. Apr. 18, 2016), the court discussed whether and to what extent a party who has accepted an “Offer of Judgment” in a Title VII discrimination suit may thereafter seek costs, including attorney fees. The answer, unsurprisingly, turns on the terms of…

Read More Accepted Offer of Judgment Did Not Foreclose Attorney Fees in Discrimination/Hostile Work Environment Case
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In a lawsuit filed this week, captioned Villalta v. JS Barkats PLLC and Sunny Barkats, 16-cv-2772 (SDNY filed April 13, 2016), plaintiff asserts claims of gender discrimination and quid pro quo and hostile work environment sexual harassment against a Manhattan law firm and its owner. Plaintiff alleges, among other things: Defendant [Sunny] Barkats exploited Plaintiff, who…

Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Manhattan Law Firm JS Barkats PLLC
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The Southern District of New York’s recent decision in Hiralall v. Sentosacare, LLC, No. 13 CIV. 4437 (GBD), 2016 WL 1126530 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 18, 2016) demonstrates that nepotism – defined here as “favouritism shown to relatives or close friends by those with power or influence” – does not, at least in this case, rise to the…

Read More Nepotism Insufficient to Establish Race/National Origin Discrimination
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In Guzman v. Concavage Marine Constr. Inc., No. 14-CV-8587 (KMK), 2016 WL 1273285 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2016), the court denied defendants’ motion to dismiss/strike plaintiff’s allegation that he suffered a physical workplace injury as a result of his employer’s owner’s racist attitude towards him, in violation of 42 U.S.C. 1981. This decision is instructive as…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Arising From Alleged Racism-Caused Bodily Injury Proceeds
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In Lopez v. Advantage Plumbing & Mech. Corp., No. 15-CV-4507 (AJN), 2016 WL 1268274 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2016), the court held, among other things, that plaintiffs could amend their complaint to add a national origin discrimination (hostile work environment) claim under the NYC Human Rights Law (but not federal or state law) based on defendants’ “English-only”…

Read More “English Only” National Origin Discrimination Hostile Work Environment Claim Plausibly Alleged Under NYC Human Rights Law
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In Alex v. Gen. Elec. Co., No. 12-cv-1021, 2016 WL 1057042 (N.D.N.Y. Mar. 14, 2016), the court dismissed plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claim. From the decision: Plaintiff’s deposition testimony that one or more unidentified co-workers told Plaintiff that Defendant Lanoue had referred to Plaintiff as “N—–” (behind her back) is inadmissible. Specifically, the alleged statements…

Read More Court Dismisses Race Discrimination/Hostile Work Environment Claim; “N-Word” Evidence Was Inadmissible Hearsay
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In Pawson v. Ross, 2016 NY Slip Op 02502 (App. Div. 3d  Dept. March 31, 2016), an upstate appellate court held that defendants should have been granted summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s complaint alleging hostile work environment sexual harassment under the New York State Human Rights Law. After stating the relevant law, the court proceeded to apply…

Read More “Reprehensible” Conduct (Including “Butt Swats” and “Spanking” Comments) Held Insufficient to Establish Sexual Harassment Hostile Work Environment Under NYS Human Rights Law
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In a lawsuit captioned Tomahawk v. 207-215 W 98th St. Condominium et al (NY Sup. Ct. NY Cty. 152509/2016, filed March 23, 2016), the plaintiff – a disabled Native American and Hispanic porter at a Manhattan building – alleges that he was subjected to discrimination based on his disability and Native American heritage. From the…

Read More Disparaging Remarks About Native Americans Alleged in Manhattan Employment Discrimination Lawsuit
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In Day v. City of New York, No. 15CV04399, 2016 WL 1171584 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 22, 2016), the court adopted the Magistrate Judge’s Report & Recommendation as to plaintiff’s discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII, the NYS Human Rights Law, and the NYC Human Rights Law. In brief, the plaintiff (a male grand jury stenographer…

Read More NYC Human Rights Law Discrimination Claim, Based on Alleged Different Treatment of Reciprocal Male/Female Employee Harassment Allegations, Continues
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