“Stray Remarks” Doctrine in Employment Discrimination Law

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In Beards et al v. Bronxcare Health System et al, 2021 WL 704177 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 23, 2021), the court dismissed plaintiffs’ claims of race- and religion-based discrimination 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. After concluding that…

Read More Citing Productivity Decline, Court Dismisses Race and Religion-Based Discrimination Claims
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In Tihan v. Apollo Management Holdings, L.P., No. 152196/2019, 2021 WL 274709 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Jan. 27, 2021), the court, inter alia, granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s (a Turkish Muslim) claims of discrimination based on his national origin or religion. The court rejected plaintiff’s argument that his performance reviews…

Read More National Origin, Religious Discrimination Claims Dismissed Against Apollo Management Holdings
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A recent decision, Rimpel v. AdvantageCare Physicians, P.C., 2020 WL 5517281 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 14, 2020), discusses and applies the “stray remarks” doctrine as it applies to a claim of “disparate treatment” discrimination: From the decision: Here, no reasonable jury could conclude by a preponderance of the evidence that Plaintiff’s termination was partially motivated by age…

Read More Age Discrimination Claims Dismissed Upon Application of the “Stray Remarks” Doctrine
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In Lively v. WAFRA Investment Advisory Group, Inc. et al, 2020 WL 4038350 (S.D.N.Y. July 17, 2020), the court, inter alia, granted defendant’s motion for judgment on the pleadings (under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c)) on plaintiff’s claim of age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). From the decision: The complaint…

Read More Age Discrimination Claim Dismissed; Court Finds That Sexual Harassment Allegation Against Plaintiff Was a More Likely Cause of Termination Than “Remote” Age-Related Comment
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In Smith v. Global Contact Holding Co., No. 156087/2019, 2020 WL 3485542 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County June 26, 2020), the court, inter alia, held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged discrimination based on his “gender identify” under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. From the decision: Here, plaintiff has alleged that he…

Read More “Gender Identity” Discrimination Claim Survives Dismissal Under the NYS and NYC Human Rights Laws
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In Langella v. Mahopac Central School District, 2020 WL 2836760 (SDNY May 31, 2020), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s disability discrimination claim asserted under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Among other things, this decision is instructive as to how courts apply the (relatively recently established/confirmed) “but for” causation standard under the ADA. Plaintiff…

Read More Disability Discrimination Claim Dismissed; Tinnitus, Hypertension Not “Disabilities”; Medical Conditions Not “But For Cause” of Adverse Actions
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In Johnson v. City of New York, 2020 WL 2036708 (S.D.N.Y. April 28, 2020), the court, inter alia, granted defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s race discrimination claims 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. On the race discrimination claim,…

Read More Firefighter’s Race Discrimination Claims Dismissed; Comments Were “Stray Remarks”
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In Anderson v. New York City Department of Finance, 19-CV-7971, 2020 WL 1922624 (S.D.N.Y. April 21, 2020), the court, inter alia, granted defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s race-based discrimination and hostile work environment claims. As to his hostile work environment claim, the court explained, with respect to the nature and consistency of the alleged conduct:…

Read More Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed Against NYC Department of Finance
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In Eyuboglu v. Gravity Media, LLC, 2020 WL 1280675 (2d Cir. March 17, 2020) (Summary Order), the court affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s employment discrimination claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The court based its decision, in part, on the so-called “stray marks” doctrine: “While discriminatory remarks may constitute evidence of…

Read More Citing “Stray Remarks” Doctrine, 2d Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Employment Discrimination Claims
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In Bonilla v. City of New York et al, 18-cv-12142, 2019 WL 6050757 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 15, 2019), the court, inter alia, held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged race discrimination. Central to plaintiff’s claim was his being called “bobo” – which means “fool” in Spanish – several times. In reaching its conclusion, the court cited and applied…

Read More Race Discrimination Claim Stated; “Bobo” Slur Cited
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