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In a recent case, Francis v. Kings Park Manor, Inc. et al, No. 15-1823-cv (2d Cir. March 4, 2019), the Second Circuit held that a landlord “may be liable under the [Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3604(b), 3617] for failing to take prompt action to address a racially hostile housing environment created by one…

Read More Fair Housing Act Reaches Tenant-on-Tenant Racial Harassment, 2d Circuit Holds
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In McCabe v Consulate General of Canada, No. 101565/15, 8619, 8620, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 01651, 2019 WL 1064104 (N.Y.A.D. 1 Dept., Mar. 07, 2019), the court, inter alia, affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s sex and age discrimination claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. From the decision: The court properly…

Read More Reduction in Force Coupled With Retention of Others Not in Plaintiff’s Protected Class Insufficient to State Claims of Age and Gender Discrimination
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In Noel v. Wal-Mart Stores, East LP, 18-1139-cv (2d Cir. March 11, 2019) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit, inter alia, vacated the lower court’s dismissal of plaintiff’s complaint. Plaintiff, who held the position of pharmacist manager, suffered from trypanophobia (or needle phobia). He sought an exemption from an alteration of his job description that would…

Read More 2d Circuit Overturns Dismissal of Disability Discrimination Complaint by Needle-Fearing Pharmacist
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The New York City Commission on Human Rights recently released its Legal Enforcement Guidance on Race Discrimination on the Basis of Hair (February 2019). That document provides, inter alia: The New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”) protects the rights of New Yorkers to maintain natural hair or hairstyles that are closely associated with their…

Read More “Hair Discrimination” Enforcement Guidance Issued by NYC Commission on Human Rights
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In Nguedi v. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 16-cv-636, 2019 WL 1083966 (S.D.N.Y. March 7, 2019), the court, inter alia, granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim. From the decision: The [New York City Human Rights Law] “is not a ‘general civility code.’ ” Mihalik, 715 F.3d at…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed Against Federal Reserve Bank of New York
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From Fox v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, 2019 WL 1050643, at *7 (C.A.2 (N.Y.), 2019): The district court demanded too much of Fox. Fox is not required to list the shift, week, or month to be able to present this issue to a jury. See Aulicino v. N.Y.C. Dep’t of Homeless Servs., 580 F.3d 73, 84…

Read More Plaintiff’s ADA Disability Disability Discrimination Claim Survives Summary Judgment Summary Judgment Claim
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In Hazelwood v. Highland Hospital, 17-4139 (2d Cir. March 1, 2019) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s (a deaf woman) claims of failure to accommodate and unlawful retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court provides some guidance as to what qualifies as an ADA “reasonable accommodation”: A reasonable…

Read More 2d Circuit: Disability Accommodation (Effective, Though Not Preferred) Was ADA-Compliant
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The IRS has addressed and clarified an ambiguity in a recently-enacted tax law that relates to deductions of attorney fees in sexual harassment cases, where a nondisclosure agreement is in play. Section 162(q) of the Internal Revenue Code provides: (q) Payments related to sexual harassment and sexual abuse No deduction shall be allowed under this…

Read More IRS Clarifies Ambiguity in New Deduction Section Relating to Confidential Settlements in Sexual Harassment Cases
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