Military Status Discrimination
Veterans’ Rights Under the Anti-Discrimination Laws
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reports that there has been an increase in the percentage of veterans who report having service-related disabilities, either those that were incurred in, or aggravated during, military service. Various laws protect veterans from discrimination in the workplace. These include: The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, 38 U.S.C. §…
Read More Veterans’ Rights Under the Anti-Discrimination Laws2d Circuit: Plaintiff Lacked Standing to Pursue USERRA Claim
In a recent decision, Lovell v. Consolidated Edison Company of New York, 2019 WL 1311128 (2d Cir. March 22, 2019) (Summary Order), the court held that the plaintiff lacked standing to pursue a federal claim of employment discrimination under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”). The court provides a summary of the…
Read More 2d Circuit: Plaintiff Lacked Standing to Pursue USERRA Claim“Soldiers are Babies” Comment Supports PTSD Disability Discrimination Claim Under the NYC Human Rights Law
In Gorman v. Covidien, LLC, No. 13 CIV. 6486 (KPF), 2015 WL 7308659 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 19, 2015), the court dismissed most of plaintiff’s employment discrimination claims, but permitted his disability discrimination claim under the NYC Human Rights Law to continue. This case, like all employment cases, arises from a complex tapestry of facts that, for…
Read More “Soldiers are Babies” Comment Supports PTSD Disability Discrimination Claim Under the NYC Human Rights LawDefendants May Amend Answer to Assert the “After-Acquired Evidence” Defense in Discrimination Case Where Plaintiff Recorded Phone Conversations With Supervisor
In Gorman v. Covidien Sales, LLC, decided December 31, 2014, the Southern District of New York discussed the affirmative defense based on the so-called “after-acquired evidence” doctrine/defense. In this employment discrimination case, plaintiff sought “damages for alleged discrimination on the basis of military status and medical disability, retaliation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress during his…
Read More Defendants May Amend Answer to Assert the “After-Acquired Evidence” Defense in Discrimination Case Where Plaintiff Recorded Phone Conversations With SupervisorRetired Marine States Military Status, Race, and National Origin Discrimination Claims
In Lapaix v. City of New York (decided Aug. 12, 2014), the Southern District of New York held that plaintiff – a retired Marine Colonel – adequately pleaded various employment discrimination claims. Here’s plaintiff’s complaint. Initially the court held that plaintiff stated military status discrimination claims under the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the New…
Read More Retired Marine States Military Status, Race, and National Origin Discrimination ClaimsHappy Memorial Day!
Happy Memorial Day. According to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website, Memorial Day commemorates those who died in military service. It is a day of remembrance and reflection. Keep in mind that there are laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act, that provide protections to family members of military members. The New York…
Read More Happy Memorial Day!Military Status Discrimination in Employment
Today is Veterans Day, an official holiday to honor American veterans of all wars. One day is hardly enough to honor and recognize the sacrifices (in many cases, the ultimate sacrifice) made by U.S. soldiers. While it is unfathomable that those who have faced the threat of imminent death on the battlefield may return home…
Read More Military Status Discrimination in EmploymentU.S. Supreme Court Clarifies “Cat’s Paw” Liability Theory
In Staub v. Proctor Hospital, 131 S.Ct. 1186 (2011), (slip opinion here), the Supreme Court clarified the circumstances – under the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), 38 U.S.C. 4311 – under which an employer may be held liable for employment discrimination based on the discriminatory animus of an employee who influenced, but did not…
Read More U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies “Cat’s Paw” Liability Theory