Today is Veterans Day, an official holiday to honor American veterans of all wars. One day is hardly enough to honor and recognize the sacrifices (in many cases, the ultimate sacrifice) made by U.S. soldiers. While it is unfathomable that those who have faced the threat of imminent death on the battlefield may return home…
Read More Military Status Discrimination in EmploymentHere is the age and gender discrimination lawsuit, captioned Reingold v. Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. (NY Sup Ct. index # 653626/2013) filed by Managing Director Suzy Reingold, 66, against real estate titan Cushman & Wakefield. The suit alleges, in sum, that notwithstanding plaintiff’s “stellar performance and extensive experience,” defendant discriminated against her on the basis of her…
Read More Suzy Reingold’s $20 Million Age and Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Against Cushman & WakefieldHere is plaintiff Ivana Hidalgo’s disability discrimination complaint, captioned Hidalgo v. B&B Hospitality Group LLC (SDNY 13-cv-6402 filed 9/12/13) against B&B Hospitality Group LLC and others. Plaintiff claims that defendants violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the New York State Human Rights Law by failing to reasonably accommodate her disability – an inequality in the lengths of her…
Read More Disability Discrimination Suit by Uneven-Legged Plaintiff Against Mario Batali-Owned CompanyIn Najjar v. Mirecki, 11-cv-5138 (SDNY July 2, 2013), the Southern District of New York held that a pro se plaintiff raised a triable issue of fact as to various claims of discrimination. This case illustrates the difference between the heightened “but for” and lessened “mixed motive” causation standards, as well as the differences between the…
Read More Age/Disability Discrimination Case Illustrates Difference Between “But For” and “Mixed Motive” Causation StandardsPeople who contact me regarding an employment discrimination claim that they are interested in pursuing invariably ask two questions: (1) Do I have a case? (2) What is my case worth? The first question relates to the question of liability, while the second relates to the question of damages. As in any legal case, in…
Read More Damages in Employment Discrimination CasesIn Krause v. Lancer & Loader Group LLC, 40 Misc.3d 385 (Sup. Ct. NY Cty. May 1, 2013), the court confirms that both the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) recognize claims of pregnancy discrimination, and that she stated such a claim under both laws.…
Read More Plaintiff States Claim for Pregnancy Discrimination Under the New York State and City Human Rights LawsNew York has long adhered to the “at will” employment rule, and does not recognize a freestanding claim for “wrongful termination” in and of itself. Courts state the at-will rule as follows: Where a term of employment is for an indefinite period of time, it is presumed to be an employment at will that is…
Read More New York’s At-Will Employment RuleIn employment discrimination law, the phrase “hostile work environment” has a very specific meaning that does not encompass all circumstances that the word “hostile” might suggest. Courts repeatedly say, for example, that the employment laws do not provide a “general civility code” for the workplace. In addition, as set forth below, in order to be actionable, the…
Read More What is a “Hostile Work Environment”?The New York State Division of Human Rights recently awarded substantial damages to a corrections officer who alleged that she suffered a hostile work environment and that her supervisor turned a blind eye to what was going on. The recommended findings of fact, opinion and decision, and order in Lora Abbott Seabury v. Rensselaer County et…
Read More Supervisor’s Inaction Leads to Substantial Award for Victim of Sexual HarassmentMihalik v. Credit Agricole Cheuvreux N. Am., Inc., decided by the Second Circuit today, again illustrates the breadth of the New York City Human Rights Law’s protections against employment discrimination and retaliation. The Second Circuit vacated the lower court’s decision granting summary judgment to defendant and remanded the case for trial. Plaintiff alleged that her supervisor [CEO…
Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Based On “Boys’ Club” Atmosphere Proceeds To Trial