In a recent decision, Russell v. New York University, 2018 WL 3115795 (C.A.2 June 25, 2018) (Summary Order), the court affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim. This case is instructive as to when an alleged harasser’s conduct may be “imputed” to an entity defendant/employer. The law: To prevail on a hostile work…
Read More Alleged Hostile Work Environment Not Imputable to NYUIn Collymore v. City of New York et al, 16-cv-8270, 2018 WL 3014093 (S.D.N.Y. June 14, 2018), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s sexual harassment claim. “Title VII recognizes two forms of sexual harassment: direct discrimination (or ‘quid pro quo’) and ‘hostile workplace environment.’ … In addition to pleading abusive or offensive conduct, it is…
Read More Sexual Harassment Claim Dismissed; Touching Was Not “Because Of” SexFrom Matter of Stellar Dental Mgt. LLC v. New York State Div. of Human Rights, 2018 NY Slip Op 04483 (App. Div. 4th Dept. June 15, 2018): We conclude that there is substantial evidence to support the determination that petitioner discriminated against each complainant by subjecting her to a sexually hostile work environment (see Matter of Father…
Read More Court Upholds State Division Findling of Hostile Work Environment Sexual HarassmentIn Kimball v. Village of Painted Post, 2018 WL 2944337 (2d Cir. June 11, 2018) (Summary Order), the court, inter alia, affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim. In discussing plaintiff’s allegation of a hostile work environment based on pornography in the office, the court explained: [Plaintiff] has failed to establish that any…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Properly Dismissed; Allegations re Pornography InsufficientIn Kobos v. Target Corporation et al, 15–cv-5573, 2018 WL 2943575 (E.D.N.Y. June 12, 2018), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim. The court explained the legal standard: To establish a claim for a hostile work environment, a plaintiff must show “that the complained of conduct: (1) is objectively severe or pervasive—that…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed; “Unprofessional” and “Upsetting” Conduct InsufficientIn Mondesir v. North Shore-Lij Health System, 2018 WL 2722866 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. No. 150572/2017 June 6, 2018), the court dismissed plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment employment discrimination claim.[1]Plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal on June 8, 2018. Specifically, the court rejected plaintiff’s contention that a racially hostile work environment was created by her supervisor’s reference…
Read More Court Dismisses Hostile Work Environment Claim Based on Use of the Word “Girl” Towards Black WomanIn Mayo-Coleman v. American Sugar Holdings, Inc., 14-cv-79, 2018 WL 2684100 (S.D.N.Y. June 5, 2018), the court, inter alia, held that a $1.7 million jury verdict in plaintiff’s favor on her sexual harassment/hostile work environment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State Human Rights Law should…
Read More Court Remits Jury Award of $1.7M to $500,000 for Emotional Damages in Sexual Harassment CaseIn Watkins v. New York City Health and Hospitals Corp., 2018 NY Slip Op 31054, 2018 WL 2445548 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Index No. 152836/2013, May 11, 2018), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s hostile work environment claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. Here I will focus on the court’s assessment of…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claims Dismissed; Negative Comments InsufficientIn Krause v. Kelehan, 17-CV-1045, 2018 WL 2021484 (N.D.N.Y. April 26, 2018), the court – applying the “continuing violation doctrine” – held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged a timely hostile work environment claim against the defendants.[1]The court also held, inter alia, that plaintiff’s discrimination claims survive dismissal. From the decision: Like Plaintiff’s discrimination claim, her hostile…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Dismissal; Court Applies the “Continuing Violations Doctrine”In Campbell v. national Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (2d Cir. 17-1820 May 25, 2018) (Summary Order), the court affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s Title VII gender discrimination claim. Initially, the court rejected plaintiff’s attempt to establish discrimination by comparing herself to male co-workers: We affirm for substantially the same reasons given by the district court…
Read More 2d Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Gender Discrimination, Rejects “Cat’s Paw” Theory