NYS 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 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 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 Olaechea v. City of New York et al, 17-CV-4797, 2019 WL 4805846 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s gender-based hostile work environment claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law. As to…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed; Romantic Rumors Insufficient
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In Schaper v. The Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center and Carol Wilson, 17-cv-01246, 2019 WL 4748303 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2019), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s hostile work environment claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Summary Judgment Against Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center
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In Coleman v. Time Capital Securities Corp., No. 13-17883, 2019 WL 4492880, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 32721(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, Suffolk Cty. Sep. 10, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s disability-based hostile work environment claim, asserted under the New York State Human Rights Law. Generally, explained the court, “[t]o establish a hostile work environment…

Read More Disability-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed
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In Chow-Tai v Fulvio & Associates, LLP, No. 158939/2018, 2019 WL 4039146, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 32514(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Aug. 27, 2019), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s constructive discharge claim. From the decision: To establish a constructive discharge, Plaintiff must demonstrate “deliberate and intentional” acts of…

Read More Constructive Discharge Claim Survives Dismissal; Sexual Harassment and Other Claims Dismissed as Time-Barred
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In Pulizotto v. McMahon et al, 2019 WL 3997681 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 23, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s sexual orientation-based hostile work environment claim. From the decision: Claims 9 and 10 allege [defendant] created a hostile work environment for Pulizotto and discriminatorily transferred him based on his sexual orientation in violation of the NYSHRL.…

Read More Sexual Orientation-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed; Conduct Amounted to “Isolated Acts”
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