Sexual Harassment

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The Second Department’s recent decision in Croci v. Town of Haverstraw et al. is instructive as to how to plead causes of action, under the New York State Human Rights Law, against co-workers engaging in allegedly discriminatory conduct. In this case plaintiff sued one of her co-employees and their employer, alleging “ that she was subjected…

Read More Co-Worker Harassment Suit Dismissed Due to Failure to Allege Aiding and Abetting Theory Against Individual Defendant
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Here is the complaint, captioned Jackson v. OpenCommunications Omnimedia LLC et al, Index No. 151596/2014, filed on February 24, 2014 in New York State Supreme Court by a male plaintiff against his former employer, New York City media company OpenCommunications Omnimedia and three of its principals. Plaintiff claims he was sexually harassed by his female bosses and…

Read More Male Employee Asserts Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Claims Against Female Bosses at NYC Media Company
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In Donohue v. Finkelstein Memorial Library, the Southern District of New York recently denied defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiffs’ sexual harassment (hostile work environment) claims. Generally, a plaintiff asserting a hostile work environment claim must establish two things: first, conduct rising to a sufficient level that constitutes a “hostile” or “abusive” working environment, and second,…

Read More SDNY Applies “Alter Ego/Proxy” Theory in Denying Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment in Sexual Harassment/Hostile Work Environment Case
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Generally speaking, sexual harassment[1]This discussion is confined to the employment context. is a form of sex-based discrimination typically characterized by unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical sexual conduct. The cause of action for sexual harassment is statutory, and is prohibited (in New York City) by Title VII of the…

Read More What is Sexual Harassment?
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Below is the federal complaint, captioned Chang et al. v. Phoenix Satellite Television (US), Inc. et al., 1:14-cv-02686, filed yesterday by three plaintiffs against Phoenix Satellite Television US, Inc., Phoenix Satellite Television Holdings Limited, and Zhengzhu Liu. Gothamist reported on the lawsuit here. Mr. Liu, it might be recalled, was featured as the alleged harasser…

Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Phoenix Satellite Television and Alleged Intern Harasser Zhengzhu Liu
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Yesterday Mayor de Blasio signed legislation designed to protect interns from discrimination, including sexual harassment. The City Council passed the legislation last month, in the wake of a recent federal court decision, Wang v. Phoenix Satellite Television, which held that interns were not employees under, and hence were not entitled to the protections of, the New York City Human…

Read More Mayor de Blasio Signs Legislation Protecting Interns Against Employment Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
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Below is the complaint recently filed by Victoria Burhans and Chloe Rivera against the State of New York, in light of the Supreme Court’s March 7, 2014 dismissal of their claims against the Assembly of the State of New York. Their claims arise, as before, from the alleged sexual harassment committed by Vito Lopez and condoned by…

Read More Lawsuit: Victoria Burhans and Chloe Rivera’s Sexual Harassment and Hostile Work Environment Lawsuit Against New York State
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In Suares v. Cityscape Tours, the Southern District of New York dismissed plaintiff’s claims for, among other things, hostile work environment and retaliation, and granted defendants’ motions for summary judgment. Plaintiff worked as a NYC double-decker bus tour guide. Plaintiff alleged that, at a holiday party, a co-worker (Singh) assaulted her. Specifically, she alleged that Singh…

Read More Court Dismisses Hostile Work Environment Claim, Citing “Swift Termination” of Co-Worker Who Sexually Assaulted Plaintiff
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Below and here is the complaint filed this week in New York State Supreme court by Christina Young against Steven Hall & Partners LLC and Steven Hall personally. Plaintiff alleges, among other things, that “Hall and others have instigated and engaged in making numerous inappropriate verbal comments and other sexually suggestive activities”, including “encouraging female Managing…

Read More Sexual Harassment and Hostile Work Environment Lawsuit Against Steven Hall & Partners
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The Southern District of New York recently reiterated, in Wermann v. Excel Dentistry PC, that “a plaintiff may bring a retaliation claim stemming from an employer’s opposition to her unemployment benefits application” and that “filing retaliatory counterclaims may violate” the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) and New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). The…

Read More Plaintiff Sufficiently Alleged Retaliation Based on Defendants’ Opposing Unemployment Benefits and “Frivolous” Counterclaims in Sexual Harassment Case
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