In New York practice, “consolidation” is the mechanism for joining two or more actions into one. In Lopez v. Bendell, No. 156292/2017, 2019 WL 6216089 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Nov. 18, 2019), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion to consolidate two actions – one asserting discrimination based on race and national origin under…
Read More Consolidation of Discrimination and Wage Actions DeniedHappy New Year! Recently, the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) – New York State’s primary anti-discrimination law – has been modified to strengthen employee protections. These changes, some occurring in 2019 and some occurring in 2020, are summarized at the New York State Division of Human Rights’ website, here. These changes include: Effective…
Read More NY State Law Protections for Employees: 2020 and BeyondIn Stephens v. Isabella Geriatric Ctr., Inc., 2019 NY Slip Op 08795 (App. Div. 1st Dept. Dec. 10, 2019), the court unanimously affirmed the dismissal, by summary judgment, of plaintiff’s retaliation claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. In this case, plaintiff alleged that he was terminated from his employment at…
Read More First Department Affirms Dismissal of Retaliation Claim Against Isabella Geriatric CenterIn Ellison v. Chartis Claims, Inc., 2019 NY Slip Op 08654 (App. Div. 2d Dept. Dec. 4, 2019), the court, inter alia, affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s race discrimination claim. The court summarized the law of discrimination under the New York City Human Rights Law: Under the NYCHRL, unlawful discrimination must play “no role” in…
Read More Court Affirms Dismissal of NYCHRL Discrimination ClaimIn Hilsby v. Schultz, No. 21211/2012, 2019 WL 6248396, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 33395(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, Suffolk County Nov. 15, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim under the New York State Human Rights Law. The court summarized the law: “A hostile work environment exists where the workplace is ‘permeated…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed; Secretary Reassignment and Alleged Anxiety/Fear InsufficientIn Buczakowski v. Crouse Health Hospital, Inc. et al, 18-cv-330, 2019 WL 6330206 (N.D.N.Y. Nov. 26, 2019), the court, inter alia, held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged a hostile work environment based on age and disability (cancer). After reciting the hostile work environment standard, the court held that plaintiff “established [defendant] and several of its employees…
Read More Age & Disability-Related Hostile Work Environment Claims Sufficiently Alleged Against Crouse Health HospitalIn Pozner v. Fox Broadcasting Co., No. 652096/2017, 2019 WL 6117960, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 33415(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Nov. 18, 2019), the court dismissed plaintiff’s retaliation claim, which was based on the filing of a counterclaim by the defendant. Some background: The plaintiff (Pozner) worked was a Fox executive vice president.…
Read More Court Dismisses Retaliation Claim, Predicated on Counterclaim, Under the Noerr-Pennington DoctrineIn Chauhan v. MM Hotel Management LLC et al, 18-cv-5963, 2019 WL 6118006 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 18, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s clams of race, national origin, and religion-based hostile work environment claims. First, the court summarized the legal standard: To establish a hostile work environment claim under Title VII, “a plaintiff must show…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claims Dismissed; 6 Incidents Over a 15 Year Period InsufficientIn Thomas v. City of New York et al, No. 507887/2018, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 51822(U), 2019 WL 6041948 (Sup Ct, Nov. 01, 2019), the court, inter alia, held that the petitioner’s hostile work environment claim was timely under the “continuing violation doctrine.” Petitioner, a guidance counselor, alleged that she was subject to age discrimination…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Against DOE Held Timely Under the “Continuing Violation Doctrine”In Baker v Revolt Media & TV, LLC, No. 152612/17, 2019 WL 4861967 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Oct. 02, 2019), the court dismissed plaintiff’s race and age discrimination claims asserted under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. Defendant asserted that plaintiff’s termination was due to the non-discriminatory reasons of “restructuring…
Read More Age/Race (“Reverse”) Employment Discrimination Claims Dismissed