NYC Human Rights Law

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Effective October 11, 2019, the New York State Human Rights Law permits an award of punitive damages in certain employment discrimination cases. The relevant section is codified at NYS Executive Law § 297(4)(c), which provides: If, upon all the evidence at the hearing, the commissioner shall find that a respondent has engaged in any unlawful…

Read More NYS Human Rights Law Provides for Punitive Damages in Certain Employment Cases
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In Downey and Bonner v. Adloox, Inc., 18‐3521‐cv (2d Cir. Oct. 24, 2019) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiffs’ age discrimination claims. This case aptly illustrates how the “stray remarks” doctrine operates in the age discrimination context. In sum, the court found that – notwithstanding two arguably age-related comments – plaintiffs…

Read More Age Discrimination Dismissal Affirmed; Termination Was Due to Poor Performance; “Old Timer” and “Young Sharks” Comments Were “Stray Remarks”
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In Taylor v. Health Research, Inc., No. 151848/2019, 2019 WL 5212862, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 33051(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Oct. 16, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s retaliation claims asserted under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. The court explained that “in order to make out a claim…

Read More Retaliation Claims Dismissed; Generalized Complaint Was Not “Protected Activity”
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In O’Rourke v. National Foreign Trade Council, No. 10104, 156502/16, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 07489, 2019 WL 5232866 (N.Y.A.D. 1 Dept., Oct. 17, 2019), the court unanimously affirmed the lower court’s decision (by Supreme Court judge Alan Marin) to deny defendant’s motion to dismiss for gender discrimination and retaliation under the New York City Human…

Read More City HRL Retaliation Claim Stated; Court Cites Threat to “Make the Situation Worse” For Plaintiff if She Continued to Complain
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In O’Rourke v. National Foreign Trade Council, No. 10104, 156502/16, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 07489, 2019 WL 5232866 (N.Y.A.D. 1 Dept., Oct. 17, 2019), the court unanimously affirmed the lower court’s decision (by Supreme Court judge Alan Marin) to deny defendant’s motion to dismiss for gender discrimination and retaliation under the New York City Human…

Read More Complaint States Claim For Gender Discrimination Under the NYC Human Rights Law; Derogatory Comments About Women Were More Than “Petty Slights”
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In Shakiri v. Subin Associates LLP, No. 650961/2019, 2019 WL 5028690 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Oct. 03, 2019), the court, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s complaint, which alleges religious discrimination, national origin discrimination, and sexual harassment under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. In her complaint, plaintiff…

Read More Sexual Harassment & Religious/National Origin Discrimination Claims Survive Dismissal
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In Bistreich v City of New York, No. 160194/2016, 2019 WL 4569921 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Sep. 16, 2019), the court denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s disability discrimination claim under the New York City Human Rights Law. Plaintiff – a former Legislative Director and Budget Director for the office of…

Read More Asperger’s-Afflicted Plaintiff Defeats Summary Judgment in Disability Discrimination Case
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In Phoenix v New York State Dept. of Health, No. 151915/2015, 2019 WL 5150271 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Oct. 09, 2019), the court dismissed plaintiff’s constructive discharge and race discrimination claims. As to plaintiff’s constructive discharge claim, the court explained (citations omitted): To state a claim for constructive discharge, plaintiff must allege facts…

Read More Constructive Discharge & Discrimination Claims Dismissed Against NYS Dept. of Health
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In Alexander v. Equinox Holdings LLC, No. 160323/2018, 2019 WL 4643772, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 32830(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Sep. 18, 2019), the court dismissed plaintiff’s discrimination/harassment claim asserted under the NYC Human Rights Law, NYC. Admin. Code § 8-101 et seq. (NYCHRL). Here, the events giving rise to plaintiff’s sex-based hostile…

Read More Off-Duty Employee’s NYCHRL “Customer Harassment” Claim Dismissed
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