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Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits “disparate treatment”, or intentional discrimination, based on religion by making it unlawful for an employer to, among other things, “fail … to hire … any individual … because of such individual’s … religion”. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–2(a)(1) (emphasis added). In Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Abercrombie &…

Read More U.S. Supreme Court Revives Muslim’s Bias Claim Against Abercrombie
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In a lawsuit filed on May 6, 2015 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York and captioned Hayblum v. Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc. et al, plaintiff alleges that his former employer – the company known for its “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” advertisements – subjected him to employment…

Read More Employment Discrimination Lawsuit Against the “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up” Company
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In Francis v. Kings Park Manor, Inc., 14-cv-3555 (EDNY March 16, 2015), the court held that the plaintiff, an African American man whose neighbor subjected him to racist comments, stated a cause of action for breach of the implied warranty of habitability. Plaintiff alleged, for example, that his next-door neighbor called him a “fucking nigger” and repeatedly…

Read More Racist Neighbor’s Conduct Gives Rise to Breach of Warranty of Habitabilty Claim
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According to a recent article, employers may be finding new ways to mask age discrimination in hiring – namely, by advertising and/or stating a preference for so-called “digital natives.” A “digital native” – as opposed to a “digital immigrant” – has been defined as “a person who was born just before during or after the general…

Read More Ads Seeking “Digital Natives” May Evidence Age Discrimination
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The Appellate Division, First Department, in Matter of Law Offs. of Oliver Zhou, PLLC v. New York State Div. of Human Rights, 2015 NY Slip Op 04569 (App. Div. 1st Dept. May 28, 2015) recently upheld the determination of the State Division of Human Rights that the petitioners violated the State Human Rights Law. In…

Read More Termination After Showing Employer Sexual Harassment Complaint Supports State Division Award
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In Orange v. Leake & Watts Inc., No. 13-CV-6110 KBF, 2015 WL 2340649 (S.D.N.Y. May 15, 2015), the court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment and dismissed plaintiff’s race discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Plaintiff, an African American assistant teacher, alleged “that she suffered an adverse employment…

Read More Court Dismisses Race Discrimination Claim; Disciplinary Notice and Negative Evaluation Were Not “Adverse Employment Actions”
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New York Labor Law § 240(1) is a formidable statute that, when applicable, holds “contractors and owners and their agents” absolutely liable for certain injuries sustained by construction workers. The statute’s reach, however, is not absolute. By its terms, Labor Law § 240(1) affords protection to workers engaged in the “erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning or pointing…

Read More Worker Struck on Head by Falling Tree Trunk Not Protected by Labor Law § 240(1)
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In Leon v. NYC Dept. of Education, a Summary Order dated May 22, 2015, the Second Circuit vacated the dismissal of plaintiff’s age/disability discrimination, retaliation, and accommodation claims, and held that a finding pursuant to NY Education § 3020-a that a teacher was fired for “cause” does not necessarily preclude a viable claim for (e.g.) discriminatory termination…

Read More Employment Discrimination Claims Not Collaterally Estopped By Finding That Teacher Was Fired For “Cause” Under New York Education Law § 3020-a
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