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An Appellate Division, First Dept. panel recently upheld the trial court’s dismissal of plaintiff’s claims alleging violations of Labor Law §§ 191 and 193.  The offer letter that granted plaintiff an entitlement to be paid commissions also provided that the commission rates were those “reasonably expected to be paid” and “may be modified at any time”…

Read More Commission Reduction Permissible Where Expressly Authorized by Agreement
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Frank v. State of New York et al., 2011 NY Slip Op 04588 (App. Div. 3d Dept. June 2, 2011): Plaintiff, a state employee, asserted claims under the public-sector whistleblower law (Civil Service Law § 75-b) and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 after he was demoted, then terminated, following his complaints of “improper governmental practices” that allegedly…

Read More NY Appellate Division: NY whistleblower election-of-remedies provision does not bar Section 1983 claim
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In Mullins et al. v. City of New York, 09-3435 (August 5, 2011), the Second Circuit held that the plaintiffs’ (4000+ NYPD sergeants) “primary duty” was not “management”, and thus they did not qualify for the “executive” exemption from the FLSA’s overtime pay requirements.  See 29 U.S.C. 207(a)(1) (overtime requirement); 29 U.S.C. 213(a)(1) (executive exemption). The court’s decision centered…

Read More Second Circuit: NYPD sergeants are entitled to overtime under the FLSA
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Timoshenko v. Airport Auto Group et al., 2011 NY Slip Op 51492(U) (N.Y. Sup. Richmond Cty. August 5, 2011): Defendant Airport Auto Group, Inc.’s employee shot NYPD officer Timoshenko after being stopped in a BMW owned by defendant.  Plaintiffs, the slain officer’s parents, sued Airport Auto Group and its president individually, on a “negligent hiring” theory. …

Read More NY Supreme (Richmond Cty.): Murdered police officer’s family may continue suit against shooter’s employer
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Montes v. Collins Enterprises, LLC et al., No. 106308/08 (NY Sup. July 8, 2011): Plaintiff, an employee of a non-party subcontractor, sustained injuries when he “stepped on a round wooden doorknob” in a room of an apartment where he was working.  Plaintiff alleged violations of Labor Law §§ 200, 240(1), and 241(6) against the owner and…

Read More NY Supreme (NY Cty.): Worker injured after slipping on doorknob at worksite may proceed on Labor Law § 241(6) claim based on Industrial Code § 23-1.7(e)(2)
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In Jackler v. Byrne, 658 F.3d 225 (2011), the Second Circuit vacated the trial court’s FRCP 12(c) dismissal of plaintiff probationary police officer’s Section 1983/First Amendment retaliation claim.  Plaintiff alleged that he was fired because he refused to follow instructions to retract a report that implicated a police officer in the use of excessive force…

Read More Second Circuit Vacates Dismissal of First Amendment Retaliation Claim Brought by Police Officer Fired For Failing to Submit False Report
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Bowling v. 220 W. 42nd St., LLC, 104717/09 (Sup. NY July 7, 2011): Plaintiffs, two homosexual males, were allegedly physically and verbally threatened by two security guards after kissing in a McDonald’s restaurant.  It was undisputed that defendant 220 maintained, and that the defendant security guards were employed by, the restaurant where the incident occurred.  The…

Read More NYS trial court allows case arising from homosexual slurs to continue against restaurant
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In Ridinger v. Dow Jones & Co. Inc., 651 F.3d 309 (2d Cir. 2011), the Second Circuit affirmed an SDNY decision dismissing plaintiff’s complaint alleging age discrimination under the ADEA.  Defendant argued that plaintiff’s claims were barred by a Separation Agreement under which plaintiff agreed to waive all claims (including those under the ADEA) against defendant.  Plaintiff argued…

Read More Second Circuit Holds That Separation Agreement Complied With The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA), Justifying Dismissal of ADEA Complaint
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Although this is not a New York case, the issues raised are of sufficient import to plaintiff-side employment litigators everywhere, particularly since it resulted in a summary judgment for plaintiff. EEOC commentary here; text of opinion (EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc., 09-CV-602-GKF-FHM (N.D. Okla. July 13, 2011)) here.

Read More Oklahoma federal court agrees with EEOC’s claims against store for failure to hire hijab-wearing Muslim girl
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Gomez v. Village of Sleepy Hollow, 2011 WL 2652439 (SDNY July 6, 2011): Facts / Procedure After allegedly seeing her husband being assaulted by several members of the police and repeated, unsuccessful attempts to seek police help, plaintiff grabbed the arm of one officer (Quinoy) and demanded that he stop.  In response, Quinoy “picked her up…

Read More SDNY: no qualified immunity for police officer who picked up and threw non-threatening plaintiff to the ground
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