Employment Discrimination

In Doe v. Bloomberg L.P., 2021 NY Slip Op 06754 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dept. Dec. 2 2021), the Appellate Division, First Department, held that the plaintiff may pursue her claims against Bloomberg L.P. – including for employment discrimination and sexual harassment – pseudonymously. From the decision: The presumption in favor of open trials and…

Read More Sexual Harassment Plaintiff May Continue to Proceed Under a Pseudonym in Case Against Bloomberg L.P.
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While sexual jokes in the workplace may, under certain circumstances, give rise to a plausible hostile work environment sexual harassment claim, that is not always the case. A recent decision, Cafiero v. Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc., No. 12-CV-01303, 2021 WL 5630373 (E.D.Mo. Dec. 1, 2021), is one example where allegations of such conduct was insufficient…

Read More Sexual Jokes Insufficient to Make Out Hostile Work Environment Claim
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In Chacko v. Office of the New York State Comptroller et al, No. 20-cv-10697, 2021 WL 5605063 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 30, 2021), the court granted defendants’ partial motion to dismiss based on plaintiff’s failure to “administratively exhaust” her claims before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). From the decision: In her EEOC Charge, Plaintiff alleged…

Read More Discrimination Allegations Concerning Additional Actors Dismissed as Beyond EEOC Charge’s Scope
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In Burke v. Jose Luis Villa, Sadrac Louis, Bonefish Grill et al, No. 19-CV-2957, 2021 WL 5591711 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 30, 2021), the court, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s same-sex sexual harassment claim asserted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As to whether the harassment was “severe or…

Read More Same-Sex Sexual Harassment Claim Survives Summary Judgment
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A recent decision, Klimovitsky v. JG Innovative Industries, Inc. et al, No. 21-cv-755, 2021 WL 5712120 (EDNY Dec. 1, 2021), illustrates the mechanics of asserting an employment discrimination claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Here, the court dismisses the case – not on the merits, but rather because plaintiff failed…

Read More Sexual Harassment Plaintiff’s Complaint Dismissed Due to Premature Filing
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In Solomon v. County of Nassau, No. 20-cv-5227, 2021 WL 5631766 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 1, 2021), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claim of disability discrimination asserted under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court summarized the black-letter law regarding discrimination based on (including failure to accommodate) one’s “disability”: Discrimination under…

Read More ADA Discrimination Claim Sufficiently Alleged; Facts Indicated “Animosity” to Accommodate Plaintiff’s Disability
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In Myers v. Inspector Mary Christine Doherty et al, No. 21 Civ. 219, 2021 WL 5599502 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 30, 2021), the court, inter alia, granted defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s complaint alleging a race-based hostile work environment under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the New York City Human Rights Law. The court held that plaintiff’s…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed; “Hostile Looks”, “Castigation”, “Coldness” Bow Tie Remarks Held Insufficient
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In James v. Borough of Manhattan Community College et al, 20-cv-10565, 2021 WL 5567848 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 29, 2021), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s claims of a race- and age-based hostile work environment. This case aptly illustrates that a “work environment” that might be “hostile” in the ordinary sense is not necessarily a “hostile work…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed; “Climate of Fear” Allegation Insufficient
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In Lum v. Consol. Edison, No. 160027/2020, 2021 WL 5331547 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Nov. 16, 2021), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s national origin discrimination claim asserted under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. Plaintiff alleged, among other things, that plaintiff’s co-worker made derogatory comments to him (e.g., “open…

Read More National Origin (Chinese) Discrimination Claim Dismissed Against Con Edison
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On November 16, 2021, Congress held a hearing at which several victims of sexual harassment/assault – including actor Eliza Dushku – testified about their negative experiences with forced arbitration. Their stories are horrific; their bravery admirable. While New York has enacted legislation (Section 7515 of the Civil Practice Law & Rules) to curb forced arbitration…

Read More Sexual Harassment/Assault Victims Testify Against Forced Arbitration
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