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In Leach v. University at Buffalo Pediatric Associates, Inc., 2021 WL 1723129 (W.D.N.Y. April 30, 2021), the court held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged age and gender discrimination claims. From the decision: Taking Leach’s allegations as true, she has adequately pleaded the adverse action element of a claim. She states that she was offered a choice…

Read More Age and Gender Discrimination Claims, Arising From Allegation of Forced Retirement, Survive Dismissal
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In Albertin v. Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home, 2021 WL 1742280 (N.D.N.Y. May 4, 2021), the court, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of overtime violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and interference and retaliation under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In this post, I…

Read More Overtime, FMLA Claims Survive Summary Judgment Against Upstate Hospital
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In Sears-Barnett v. Syracuse Community Health Center, Inc., 16-CV-426, 2021 WL 1202206 (N.D.N.Y. March 31 2021), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s sexual harassment / hostile work environment claim. This case is an example of the “Faragher Ellerth” affirmative defense in action, and generally illustrates the risk associated with failing to timely assert a harassment…

Read More Sexual Harassment Complaint Dismissed; Court Cites “Two Years of Silence” Pre-Complaint
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In Vail v. The Town of Cayuta et al, 2021 WL 1788523 (WDNY May 5, 2021), the court held that plaintiff (a public employee and candidate for public office) plausibly alleged a First Amendment retaliation claim. This decision is instructive as to when speech is “on a matter of public concern”, which it must be…

Read More First Amendment Retaliation Claim Survives Motion to Dismiss; Sign-Removal Accusation Was a “Matter of Public Concern”
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In Akhtar v. Saudia d/b/a Saudi Arabian Airlines Corp., 2021 WL 1758807 (S.D.N.Y. May 4, 2021), the court held, inter alia, that plaintiff sufficiently alleged national origin and gender-based hostile work environment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. As to…

Read More Gender and National Origin-Based Hostile Work Environment Claims Continue Against Saudi Arabian Airlines
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In Ramos v. Metro-North Commuter Railroad et al, 2021 WL 1740644 (N.Y.A.D. 1 Dept., May 04, 2021), the court held that plaintiff presented enough evidence to defeat defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of discriminatory termination, failure to accommodate, hostile work environment, and retaliation. As to plaintiff’s wrongful termination claim, the court held…

Read More Disability Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment, Retaliation Claims Survive Against Metro-North
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In Matter of New York State Division of Human Rights v. GSN Transportation et al, No. 89, TP 20-01098, 2021 N.Y. Slip Op. 02629, 2021 WL 1711190 (N.Y.A.D. 4 Dept., Apr. 30, 2021), the court (a) unanimously confirmed a determination of the New York State Division of Human Rights which found that respondents GNS Transportation…

Read More Court Upholds Finding of Disability-Based Hostile Work Environment and Award of $7,500 in Compensatory Damages Against GSN Transportation
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In Louise v Hampton Jitney, Inc., 2021 NY Slip Op 02251 (App. Div. 1st Dept. April 13, 2021) – a personal injury case – the court affirmed the preclusion of defendant’s expert from testifying at trial or the use of his expert report. From the decision: Preclusion of expert evidence on the ground of failure…

Read More Court Precludes Expert Testimony and Report, Based on Demanded But Undisclosed Evidence
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In a recent case, Matter of Arbitration between New York Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, No. 531029, 2021 N.Y. Slip Op. 02579, 2021 WL 1676979 (N.Y.A.D. 3 Dept. Apr. 29, 2021), the court upheld the lower court’s decision to vacate an arbitration award imposing, against an accused sexual harasser, a penalty the court deemed…

Read More Sexual Harassment Arbitration Non-Termination Penalty Violated Public Policy
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In Smyth v. City of New York, No. 157294/2017, 2021 WL 1667153 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Apr. 28, 2021) – an employment discrimination case – the court granted defendants’ motion for a protective order, and precluded plaintiff from conducting a deposition of its Acting General Counsel Sanford Cohen, on the ground that such…

Read More Discrimination Plaintiff Not Entitled to Depose City Counsel
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