Hostile Work Environment

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In Featherstone v. Cornell University, 17-cv-565, 2017 WL 4736738 (NDNY Oct. 19, 2017), the court dismissed plaintiff’s Title VII discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims. Plaintiff had initially asserted her claims at the New York State Division of Human Rights, which – after an investigation – found that there was no probable cause to…

Read More Title VII Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment, Retaliation Claims Dismissed on Collateral Estoppel Grounds Following NYSDHR Dismissal
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In Venezia v. Luxottica Retail North America, Inc., Sunglass Hut Trading, LLC, 2017 WL 4772437 (2d Cir. Oct. 23, 2017) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit affirmed the lower court’s summary judgment dismissal[1]Venezia v. Luxoticca Retail North America Inc., 13-cv-4467, 2015 WL 5692146 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 28, 2015) of plaintiff’s employment discrimination claims. Plaintiff, a white male,…

Read More Discrimination, Retaliation, Hostile Work Environment Claims Properly Dismissed Against Sunglass Hut
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In Lawson v. Homenuk, 2017 WL 4534779 (2d Cir. Oct. 11, 2017) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s disability-based hostile work environment claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State Human Rights Law. From the Order: Although Lawson argues that her coworkers “constantly”…

Read More Hostile Work Environment & Constructive Discharge Claims Properly Dismissed in Light of Contradiction Between Deposition and Summary Judgment Affidavit
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In Shirazi v. New York Univ., 2017 NY Slip Op 32013(U) (Sup. Ct. NY Cty. Index No. 161303/2014 Sept. 25, 2017) – in which plaintiff asserts claims of discrimination based on religion, race, national origin, disability, and retaliation – the court discussed and applied the “continuing violation” doctrine under the New York State and City…

Read More Court Explains and Applies the “Continuing Violation” Doctrine Applicable to Hostile Work Environment Claims Under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws
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From McMahon v. Tomkins County, 16-CV-922, 2017 WL 4443884 (N.D.N.Y. Oct. 4, 2017) (J. Hurd): In determining whether a plaintiff suffered a hostile work environment, [a court] must consider the totality of the circumstances, including ‘the frequency of the discriminatory conduct; its severity; whether it is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive utterance; and whether…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed; Unpleasantness Was Unrelated to Protected Characteristics
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In Southerland v. Phoenix Constructors JV, 2017 NY Slip Op 32027(U) (Sup. Ct. NY Cty. 156005/15 Sept. 26, 2017) (J. Kotler), the court (inter alia) denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s sex-based hostile work environment claim. From the decision: Here, contrary to defendants’ argument, plaintiff has set forth with sufficient particularity that she was subject to…

Read More Sex-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Summary Judgment; Court Noted Co-Worker and Supervisor Called Plaintiff a “Bitch”
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In Pouncy v. Advanced Focus LLC, 2017 WL 428094 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 25, 2017), a race discrimination case, the court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 1981, and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). As…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Was Not “Because Of” Race; Summary Judgment Granted to Defendant
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A recent decision, Dudley v. New York City Housing Authority, 2017 WL 4315010 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 25, 2017), reaffirms the principle that a hostile work environment claim must arise from hostility because of a protected characteristic. In this case, plaintiff alleged that he “was subjected to a hostile work environment in retaliation for his prior protected…

Read More Court Dismisses “Retaliatory Hostile Work Environment” Claims
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In Gracia v. City of NY, 16-CV-7329, 2017 WL 4286319 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 26, 2017) (J. Caproni), the court held that a release signed by plaintiff – a female NYPD officer – to resolve a personal injury slip-and-fall case was broad enough to encompass claims for gender discrimination sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation. In…

Read More Personal Injury Release Held Broad Enough to Cover Employment Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Retaliation Claims
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In Lamarr-Arruz & Ansoralli v. CVS Pharmacy, Inc., 15-cv-04261, 2017 WL 4280690 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 26, 2017), the court denied defendant CVS’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s hostile work environment claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law. Here I will focus…

Read More Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claims Survive Summary Judgment; Court Clarifies Scope of 42 U.S.C. § 1981
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