The Southern District of New York’s recent decision in Eisner v. City of New York, 15-cv-1888, provides a good overview of how courts analyze discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). It also reaffirms the principle that, absent the critical element of causation, merely…
Read More Court Dismisses Attorney’s Disability Discrimination ClaimsIn a lawsuit captioned Batista v. Best Buy Stores, NY Sup Ct Index 151565-2016 (filed 2/25/16), plaintiff – a member of Best Buy’s “Geek Squad” – alleges that she was subjected to discrimination based on her gender and race. She asserts claims of gender discrimination, hostile work environment, constructive discharge, and retaliation. She alleges, among other things,…
Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Best BuyIn a Brooklyn federal lawsuit, captioned Cox v. 5Linx Enterprises, Inc. et al, 16-cv-00611 (EDNY filed 2/5/16), the plaintiff alleges that she was subjected to sexual harassment and then retaliation for complaining about it, in violation of various statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, she alleges (among other things)…
Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against 5Linx Enterprises Inc. et alIn Febrianti v. Worldwide, No. 15-CV-0635 (JMF), 2016 WL 50202 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 8, 2016), the court dismissed plaintiff’s retaliation, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge claims. Here, plaintiff, who identifies as a Southeast Asian non-Chinese speaker, worked for defendant as a cleaner in the Union Square W Hotel. She alleged, among other things, that she…
Read More Hotel Cleaner’s Retaliation, Hostile Work Environment, Constructive Discharge Claims Insufficiently AllegedIn Collazo v. Cty. of Suffolk, No. 12-CV-2196, 2016 WL 660856 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 17, 2016), the court summarized various ways in which a Title VII plaintiff can demonstrate the requisite “inference of discrimination” as part of the prima facie case element of a discrimination claim: An inference of discrimination can be found in circumstances that include: (1)…
Read More Discrimination Claims Proceed as to Some, But Not All, Alleged Adverse Employment ActionsBy now you’ve probably heard/read about Dr. Anjali Ramkissoon, who was caught on a now-viral YouTube video attacking an Uber driver. Reports indicate that her employer, Jackson Health System, has placed her on administrative leave. The video suggests that Dr. Ramkissoon was not working or “on the clock” during the incident. This raises the question of whether, and to what…
Read More Off-Duty Conduct and TerminationA Summary Order issued today by the Second Circuit (in Kirkweg v. New York City Department of Education) includes language helpful to plaintiffs asserting retaliation claims. Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in Burlington N. & Sante Fe Ry. Co. v. White, 548 U.S. 53, 68−70 (2006) and Second Circuit precedent, the Second Circuit explains: In granting dismissal,…
Read More Second Circuit: Pecuniary Injury Not Necessary for “Adverse Action” for Retaliation ClaimIn Lekettey v. City of New York, No. 15-1169-CV, 2016 WL 482109 (2d Cir. Feb. 8, 2016), the court affirmed a lower court’s dismissal of plaintiff’s complaint alleging sexual harassment. There are generally two theories of sexual harassment recognized under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: (1) “quid pro quo” sexual harassment,…
Read More Sexual Harassment Allegations Insufficiently Alleged, Notwithstanding Assertion of “Fondling”In Novak v St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hosp. Ctr., Inc., 2016 NY Slip Op 00762 (App. Div. 1st Dept. Feb. 4, 2016), the court affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s “healthcare whistleblower” claim under New York Labor Law § 741. From the decision: Plaintiff alleges that defendants had retaliated against her for lodging a complaint with defendant supervisors regarding the…
Read More “Healthcare Whistleblowing” Claim Dismissed; Abandonment of Post Was Reason for TerminationIn a recent complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, Moore v. Despont Studios LLC et al, 15-cv-00619, plaintiff – an architect and former employee of Despont Studios LLC d/b/a The Office of Thierry W. Despont, Ltd. – asserts claims of gender discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, and retaliation. From her complaint: In stark contrast to its progressive…
Read More Lawsuit: Pregnancy/Gender Discrimination, FMLA Retaliation Allegations Against Despont Studios LLC d/b/a The Office of Thierry W. Despont, Ltd.