Here is the complaint, captioned Kaoru Parker v. Seiko Corporation et al. (NY Sup. Ct. NY Cty. 152365-2015), recently filed by plaintiff Kaoru Parker against Japanese watchmaker Seiko. Plaintiff alleges, among other things, that she was ordered not to appear at work due to her status as a Japanese woman, in violation of the New…
Read More Race and Sex Discrimination Lawsuit Against SeikoIn Overbeck v. Alpha Animal Health, P.C. (App. Div. 2nd Dept. Jan. 28, 2015), the Appellate Division, Second Department reversed the lower court’s order granting summary judgment to defendants on plaintiff’s sex discrimination and retaliation claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. This decision illustrates that even “voluntary” sexual conduct –…
Read More Evidence of Intimidation Into Sexual Relationship Overcomes Summary Judgment for Defendants on Sex Discrimination and Retaliation ClaimsWhen many people think of sexual harassment, they likely think of a man sexually harassing their female subordinate. However, sexual harassment works both ways – i.e., the harasser, as well as the victim. That was the case in Hasper v. County of Suffolk, decided by the Eastern District of New York on Feb. 25, 2015. There,…
Read More Treating Male and Female Sexual Harassment Victims Differently Creates Factual Issue on Title VII Gender Discrimination ClaimIn a federal court complaint captioned Pereyra v. Toys “R” Us Property Co. et al., 15-cv-00048 (SDNY Jan. 6, 2015), plaintiff alleges discrimination on the basis of sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, retaliation, and constructive discharge. Plaintiff alleges, among other things, that his supervisor harassed him by calling him a “fag” and saying making…
Read More Discrimination Lawsuit Against Toys “R” UsThe U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Seapod Pawnbrokers have entered into a consent decree resolving a lawsuit, EEOC v. Seapod Pawnbrokers, Inc. et al., EDNY 14-cv-4567. (Here is the EEOC press release.) In its October 2014 amended complaint, the EEOC alleges that defendants violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by subjecting female employees to…
Read More $300K Consent Decree in EEOC’s Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Seapod PawnbrokersIt was recently reported that actress Charlize Theron was able to negotiate a $10 million pay raise for her work in the movie “Snow White and The Huntsman”, in order to put her pay on par with that of her co-star Chris Hemsworth. This information was apparently revealed as a result of the Sony email…
Read More Equal Pay: Not Just For CelebritiesHere is the complaint, filed in the Southern District of New York on Jan. 30, 2015 and assigned index number 15-cv-00688, alleging various claims – namely, pregnancy discrimination, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, national origin discrimination, race discrimination, and retaliation – against Mergermarket.
Read More Lawsuit: Sexual Harassment (etc.) at “Boys Club” MergermarketIn Carter v. Verizon, decided January 20, 2015, the Southern District of New York dismissed all of plaintiff’s gender and age discrimination claims, except for his gender discrimination / hostile work environment claim under the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). After dismissing plaintiff’s federal and state law claims, the court proceeded to assess plaintiff’s…
Read More Male Employee (Barely) Survives Dismissal of Hostile Work Environment Claim Under the New York City Human Rights LawIn Burhans and Rivera v. The State of New York (Sup. NY Index 152906/14), New York Supreme Court Judge Wooten held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged sexual harassment/hostile work environment (but not sex discrimination) claims against the defendant State. Plaintiffs allege in their complaint that, under the New York State Human Rights Law, the State of New…
Read More Burhans/Rivera Sexual Harassment/Hostile Work Environment Claims Continue Against New York StateIn EEOC v. Vamco Sheet Metals Inc, the Southern District of New York held that plaintiff – a proposed intervenor in a lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – may state a claim for discrimination under Title VII where she was allegedly harassed for breastfeeding her baby. From the decision: Title VII…
Read More Discrimination Related to Breastfeeding May Violate Title VII