In a recent lawsuit captioned In the matter of K.A.S. v. The Forum Group et al, 15-cv-08953 (SDNY Nov. 16, 2015), the (unnamed) plaintiff alleges sexual harassment/hostile work environment in various forms, including but not limited to offensive comments (e.g. a “rape joke”) and forcible, unwanted sex with her supervisor.
Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against The Forum GroupIn Lopez v. Hollisco Owners’ Corp., No. 14-CV-3738, 2015 WL 7748358 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 30, 2015), the court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s disability discrimination claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the NYC Human Rights Law. In sum, the court held that an employer may “condition an employee’s return to…
Read More Hepatitis Disability Discrimination Claim Dismissed Under the ADA’s “Business Necessity” ExceptionIn Ihim v. St. Vincent’s Hosp. Westchester, No. 11 CIV. 8024 JCM, 2015 WL 5698038 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 25, 2015), the court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of race and national origin discrimination. Plaintiff – an African American man whose ancestors are from Nigeria – alleged that his suspension without pay was…
Read More “Where Are You From?” Held Not Probative of Discrimination; Title VII Race/National Origin Discrimination Claims DismissedIn Tekle v. Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., No. 15-CV-6386, 2015 WL 8485273 (W.D.N.Y. Dec. 9, 2015), the court granted defendant’s motion under FRCP 12(b)(6) to dismiss plaintiff’s race discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims. This case illustrates that even arguably “disturbing and arguably race-based” incidents are not necessarily enough to establish violations of the…
Read More Threat to “Hang” Plaintiff Insufficient to State Hostile Work Environment ClaimA First Department case, Cadet-Legros v. New York Univ. Hosp. Ctr., 2015 NY Slip Op 08984 (App. Div. 1st Dept. Dec. 8, 2015), held that defendants were entitled to summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s race discrimination cause of action under the NYC Human Rights Law. This case offers guidance on how courts evaluate motions for summary judgment…
Read More Termination Reasons Were Not Pretextual; “Leopard Does Not Change its Spots” Was Not “Coded” Racial LanguageIn her New York State Supreme Court sexual harassment lawsuit, captioned Toktassynova v. Adam Victor et al (NY Sup. Ct. NY Cty. Index # 162327/2014) and filed March 12, 2015 (NYSCEF Doc. No. 22), plaintiff asserts various claims – including sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation – against defendant Adam H. Victor and various entities.…
Read More Court Strikes Extraneous Matter Regarding (e.g.) Prostitution From Answer to Sexual Harassment LawsuitIn Hernandez v. PFIP, LLC, No. 14 CIV. 4069 (LGS), 2015 WL 7758875 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 1, 2015), the Southern District of New York denied defendants Planet Fitness’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s retaliation claim under the NYC Human Rights Law. Here is Judge Schofield’s analysis of that claim: Plaintiff alleges two theories of retaliation.…
Read More Court Denies Summary Judgment to Defendant Employer and Holds That Rejecting Sexual Harasser’s Advances Can Support a Retaliation Claim Under the NYC Human Rights LawIn Lee v. Winthrop University Hosp., 2015 WL 7161955 (E.D.N.Y.,2015), the Eastern District of New York explained its decision to grant defendants’ motion for summary judgment and dismiss his employment discrimination complaint. As to his race discrimination claims: The Plaintiff attempts to create a genuine issue of material fact by asserting that the disciplinary warnings…
Read More Court Explains Reasons for Dismissing Race & National Origin Discrimination Claims Against HospitalA Manhattan federal jury recently awarded $2.2 million to male trucking company employee Raymond Rosas and rejected defendant’s counterclaim for conversion. In that lawsuit, captioned Rosas v. Balter Sales Co. Inc. et al. (SDNY 12-cv-6557), plaintiff – a Hispanic male – asserted claims of (e.g.) race discrimination, gender discrimination, hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and…
Read More $2.2 Million Verdict in Male Truck Driver’s Sexual & Race Harassment LawsuitIn the case of E.E.O.C. v. Suffolk Laundry Servs., Inc., No. 12-cv-409 (E.D.N.Y.), the parties recently entered into a Consent Decree resolving the matter. (I previously wrote about this case.) The Consent Decree (here, with exhibits and below), which will remain in effect for three years from its date of entry, provides various forms of relief, including…
Read More $582k Settlement in Hostile Work Environment/Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Suffolk Laundry