In a recently-filed lawsuit, captioned Kelly Cahill et al v. Nike, Inc. (U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, Index No. 18-cv-01477, filed August 9, 2018), the plaintiffs (individually and on behalf of others similarly situated) allege gender discrimination under the federal Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d) and related state laws (the…
Read More Just Sue It: Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Against NikeIn Suri v. Grey Global Group, Inc., 2018 NY Slip Op 05627 (App. Div. 1st Dept. August 2, 2018), the Appellate Division, First Department, modified a lower court decision, finding that summary judgment was improperly granted to defendant on plaintiff’s sexual harassment claim under the NYC Human Rights Law.[1]It nonetheless agreed that the lower court properly…
Read More Hostile Work Environment / Sexual Harassment Claim Under the NYC Human Rights Law Resurrected From Summary Judgment DismissalIn Ellis v. Washington, 2018 WL 3575518 (W.D.N.Y. July 25, 2018), the court held that plaintiff, who worked as part of the County’s Work Experience Program (WEP), plausibly alleged claims for sexual harassment based on her supervisor’s alleged inappropriate conduct. From the decision: Plaintiff’s Complaint plausibly alleges a Monell violation. It alleges that the County…
Read More Sexual Harassment Claim Survives DismissalA recent law, New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 5003-b (effective July 11, 2018), relates to the use of confidentiality agreements in settlements of sexual harassment cases. It provides: Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, for any claim or cause of action, whether arising under common law, equity, or any provision of law,…
Read More New Law Limits Use of Nondisclosure Agreements in Sexual Harassment CasesIn a recently-filed lawsuit, captioned Lockwood v. CBS Radio Inc., Joseph Benigno et al (NY Supreme Ct. Kings Cty. Index 514650/2018, July 17, 2018), plaintiff alleged, inter alia, “that the terms, conditions and privileges of her employment relationship with Defendants … were adversely affected because of her sex” and “that she was subjected to sexual…
Read More Sexual Harassment Complaint Filed Against CBS Radio Et AlIn Fullwood v. Sodexo, Inc. et al, 16-cv-6527, 2018 WL 3439866 (WDNY July 17, 2018), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s race- and sex-based hostile work environment claims. As to her sex-based claim, the court explained: Plaintiff also claims that sexual harassment caused a hostile work environment. Pl. Mem. at 20. The Court has reviewed…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment Claim Dismissed; Use of the Word “Bitch”, While “Rude and Boorish”, Was Not EnoughIn a recent decision, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Draper Development LLC, 15-cv-877, 2018 WL 3384427 (N.D.N.Y. July 11, 2018) – a quid pro quo sexual harassment case – the court denied the parties’ (including defendant’s) motion for summary judgment. This case arose from a the denial of employment of two female applicants (J.J. and A.R.) and…
Read More “Sex For Job” Text Message Supports Sexual Harassment Claim; Summary Judgment DeniedIn Durden v. Metropolitan Transit Authority, 17-cv-5558, 2018 WL 3360757 (S.D.N.Y. July 10, 2018), the court, inter alia, adopted a Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation that it grant defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claim for gender discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The facts, in sum: plaintiff was accused by a…
Read More Gender Discrimination Claim Dismissed; Sexual Harassment Allegation Not Motivated by Discriminatory AnimusIn Crookendale v. New York City Health and Hospitals Corp., No. 154788/2015, 2018 NY Slip Op 31309(U), 2018 WL 3145921 (Sup Ct, N.Y Cty. June 21, 2018) (J. Tisch), the court held that plaintiff’s hostile work environment/sexual harassment claim – asserted under the NYC Human Rights Law – survived summary judgment. From the decision: Here,…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment Claim Against NYC Health & Hospitals Corp. Survives Summary JudgmentSexual harassment cases are fact- and context-specific. There is no “bright line rule” as to when a comment or a touch “cross the line” from non-actionable to actionable. Such claims can be based on comments, physical touching, or some combination of the two. A recent decision, Batten v. Global Contact Services, LLC, 15-cv-2382, 2018 WL…
Read More Sexual Harassment / Hostile Work Environment Based on “Hug” Was Actionable, Court Holds