Santa Claus has a difficult job. In addition to needing to violate the laws of physics, there’s always the risk of injury. This could happen in many ways, including Falling off an icy/unsalted roof, Getting stuck in a too-narrow chimney, Being burned by a lit fireplace upon descending down a chimney, Tripping and falling over scattered…
Read More Ho, Ho, Ho…Ouch! Can an Injured Santa Claus (Successfully) Sue?In Figueroa v. Johnson, 648 F. App’x 130, 133 (2d Cir. 2016), the court affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s gender/national origin discrimination, hostile work environment, quid pro quo sexual harassment, and retaliation claims. Plaintiff, a Customs and Border Protection Officer at JFK Airport, argued (inter alia) that he was discriminated against on the basis of gender…
Read More Gender/National Origin Discrimination Claim Dismissed; Comparators Also Required to Work Holidays (Including Thanksgiving)Halloween is a fun holiday. Not so, however, for employees forced to endure sexual harassment during a company Halloween party. In Maher v. All. Mortg. Banking Corp., No. CV 06-5073 DRH ARL, 2010 WL 3516153 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 9, 2010), report and recommendation adopted, No. 06 CV 5073 DRH ARL, 2010 WL 3521921 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 1,…
Read More Sexual Harassment During Company Halloween Party Among Facts of Case Resulting in $170,000 Compensatory Damages AwardToday, July 4th, is a federal holiday – also known (here, anyway) as Independence Day – commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress declaring that the 13 original American colonies considered themselves a new nation (the United States of America) and no longer part of the British…
Read More Have a Happy Fourth of July – Just Be CarefulHappy Flag Day! Did you know that in New York, it is unlawful for an employer to punish you for displaying the American flag on your person or work station? New York Labor Law § 215-c, titled “Discrimination against employees for displaying the American flag”, provides: 1. No employer, public or private, or such employer’s duly…
Read More Flag DiscriminationAccording to one source, four out of 10 employees have dated someone at work. This, according to that article, “makes perfect sense [because] [t]here are more singles in the workforce than ever before, spending more than half their waking hours on the job[ and] [w]ith co-workers there’s a familiarity and commonality, not to mention proximity and…
Read More Love Can Get You Fired: Dating is Not a “Recreational Activity” Within the Meaning of New York’s “Lawful Activities” LawIf you’re thinking about celebrating this Thanksgiving by dressing up as a turkey and protesting the commercialism of holidays, you should first read People v. Pettigrew, 69 Misc. 2d 985, 332 N.Y.S.2d 33 (Dist. Ct. Suffolk Cty. 1972). In that case, defendant was arrested and charged with committing the offense of disorderly conduct in violation…
Read More Happy Thanksgiving!December 25, 2014 By Mail S. Claus Chief Executive Officer Claus Manufacturing, Inc. 25 Holiday Lane North Pole, AK 01225 Re: Deere v. Claus Mfg. Confidential and For Settlement Purposes Only Dear Mr. Claus: This law firm has been retained to represent Mr. Rudolph Deere (“Mr. Deere” or “our client”), a current employee of Claus…
Read More Deere v. Claus ManufacturingAs illustrated by a 1930 First Department products liability case, there are, apparently, worse things than shooting your eye out with a toy gun. Setting yourself on fire, for example. From Crist v. Art Metal Works, 230 A.D. 114, 116, 243 N.Y.S. 496, 497 (App. Div. 1930) aff’d, 255 N.Y. 624, 175 N.E. 341 (1931): Defendant…
Read More Toy Gun DangerIf you’re like me, the thought of (non-online) shopping on Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving (i.e, not that one, or that one, or that one) – or Thanksgiving Day itself (really?!?) ranks somewhere on the “fun” scale between a colonoscopy and being trapped on an elevator in a burning building with [insert annoying…
Read More Happy Thanksgiving! Don’t Get Trampled