Employment Discrimination

A recent decision, Girard v. International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, Inc., 2021 WL 222116 (2d Cir. Jan. 22, 2021) (Summary Order), illustrates the principle that Title VII of the Civil Rights of 1964 (the primary federal anti-discrimination law) protects only “employees.” Girard, a female middle and high school basketball referee, sued defendants under Title…

Read More High/Middle School Basketball Referee Was Not a Title VII “Employee”; Gender Discrimination and Retaliation Claims Dismissed
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In Tihan v. Apollo Management Holdings, L.P., No. 152196/2019, 2021 WL 274709 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Jan. 27, 2021), the court, inter alia, granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s (a Turkish Muslim) claims of discrimination based on his national origin or religion. The court rejected plaintiff’s argument that his performance reviews…

Read More National Origin, Religious Discrimination Claims Dismissed Against Apollo Management Holdings
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In Denson v. Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., No. 101616/2017, 2021 WL 256624 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Jan. 11, 2021), the court, inter alia, granted plaintiff’s motion to amend her complaint to add a claim for retaliation arising from defendants’ commencement of an arbitration proceeding in response to her lawsuit alleging a…

Read More Sex-Discrimination Plaintiff May Amend Complaint to Assert Arbitration-Related Retaliation Claim Against Trump Campaign
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In Lettau v. 1199 Seiu Nat. Ben. Fund, No. 158020/2018, 2021 WL 143478, 2021 N.Y. Slip Op. 30122(U), 5–6 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Jan. 15, 2021), the court, inter alia, granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s disability discrimination claim asserted under the New York City Human Rights Law. From the decision:…

Read More Disability Discrimination Claim Dismissed; Unexcused Absences, Not Disability, Justified Termination
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In Crews v. The City of Ithaca et al, 2021 WL 257120 (N.D.N.Y. Jan. 26, 2021), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim – which was based, in part, on plaintiff’s co-workers creating a fake ID that included Plaintiff’s picture with the name “McLovin” printed on the ID (which was a reference to…

Read More “McLovin” Fake ID, While Inappropriate, Did Not Give Rise to a Hostile Work Environment Claim
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In Gilbert v. Indeed, Inc., et al., 2021 WL 169111 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 19, 2021), the court, inter alia, granted defendant Indeed’s motion to compel arbitration of plaintiff’s sexual harassment claims. Plaintiff’s complaint contains allegations of horrific sexual harassment, including rape. In addressing the enforceability, under New York law, of an agreement to arbitrate statutory discrimination…

Read More Court Compels Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Claims Against Indeed
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In Karayiorgou v. The Trustees of Columbia University, No. 150788/18, 2021 WL 143472 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Jan. 14, 2021), the court, inter alia, held that plaintiff’s “marital status” discrimination claim under the New York City Human Rights Law survived summary judgment. From the decision: Defendants are not entitled to summary judgment dismissing…

Read More Marital Status Discrimination Claim Survives Against Columbia University
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In Ramos v. Metro N. Commuter R.R., 2021 NY Slip Op 00272 (App. Div. 1st Dept. Jan. 19, 2021), the court held that plaintiff – contrary to the lower court’s determination – presented enough evidence to create a triable issue of fact as to her employment discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims against the…

Read More Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment, and Retaliation Claims Against MTA Survive Summary Judgment
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In Herz v. City of New York et al, 2021 WL 134528 (S.D.N.Y.  Jan. 14, 2021), the court, inter alia, held that the plaintiff did not plausibly plead a claim of age- and tenure-based discrimination under the New York State Human Rights Law. The court found the case of Gundlach, 11 Civ. 846, 2012 WL 1520919…

Read More Teacher’s Age Discrimination Claim Dismissed; Allegation of Tenure and Length of Employment Insufficient
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In Clarke v. New York City Department of Education, 18-cv-6783, 2021 WL 123358 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 13, 2021), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claim. After reviewing the black-letter law concerning this claim, the court explained: The plaintiff claims that the defendants “picked on [her] and other veteran teachers” while allowing “younger…

Read More “Monkey” Reference Did Not Rise to Level of a Hostile Work Environment; Claim Dismissed
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