In Johnson v. City of New York, 2020 WL 2036708 (S.D.N.Y. April 28, 2020), the court, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s sexual orientation discrimination claims asserted 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. From…
Read More Firefighter’s Sexual Orientation Discrimination Claim Survives DismissalIn Oliver v. New York State Police, 2020 WL 1989180 (N.D.N.Y. April 27, 2020), the court, inter alia, granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s gender-based hostile work environment claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While the court held that the alleged conduct was sufficiently “severe or pervasive”, there…
Read More Hostile Work Environment / Sexual Harassment Claim Dismissed Against New York State PoliceIn Wright v. Whitsons Culinary Group, 20-cv-667, 2020 WL 1957529 (EDNY April 23, 2020), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s complaint as it did not sufficiently/plausibly allege that he was subjected to retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (I discussed the discrimination portion of the decision here.) From…
Read More Title VII Retaliation Claim Dismissed; Supervisor Dispute Did Not Constitute Sufficient OppositionIn Wright v. Whitsons Culinary Group, 20-cv-667, 2020 WL 1957529 (EDNY April 23, 2020), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s complaint as it did not sufficiently/plausibly allege that he suffered discrimination based on a protected characteristic in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. From the decision: In this action, Plaintiff…
Read More Discrimination Complaint Dismissed; Comparators’ Characteristics Not IdentifiedIn 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 FinanceIn Johnson v. Frida’s Bakery, Inc., et al, 19-CV-1613, 2020 WL 1904061 (N.D.N.Y. April 17, 2020), the court, inter alia, recommended the dismissal of plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim asserted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As to the merits of plaintiff’s Title VII claim, the court explained: [T]o state a…
Read More Title VII Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed; Protected Class Not AllegedIn Jamiel v. Viveros, 19-cv-1389, 2020 WL 1847566 (S.D.N.Y. April 13, 2020), the court, inter alia, adopted a Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation to deny defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s hostile work environment claims – relating to plaintiff’s race and perceived sexual orientation – under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). From the Order: With…
Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Sufficiently Alleged; Report & Recommendation AdoptedThe U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces various federal anti-discrimination laws (including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) has recently reaffirmed its commitment to addressing and remedying discrimination arising from or relating to the COVID-19 situation. From the EEOC chair: Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic can bring out the best…
Read More EEOC on COVID19-Based Race and National Origin DiscriminationIn Stathatos v. William Gottlieb Management, 18-cv-03332, 2020 WL 1694366 (E.D.N.Y. April 6, 2020), the court, inter alia, granted defendants’ motion to dismiss plaintiff’s complaint alleging religion-based discrimination asserted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Initially, the court held that plaintiff’s claim was subject to dismissal based on grounds of untimeliness…
Read More Religious Discrimination Claim Dismissed; No Link Between Allegedly False Charge of Viewing Pornography and Plaintiff’s ReligionA recent decision, Barney v. H.E.L.P. Homeless Service Corporation, 2020 WL 1699984 (SDNY April 8, 2020), illustrates the “extraordinary circumstances” justifying a delay in filing a federal discrimination lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on the grounds of “equitable tolling.” Plaintiff asserted claims of sexual orientation-based discrimination and retaliation, and…
Read More Stabbing Justified “Equitable Tolling” of 90-Day EEOC Deadline in Discrimination Case, Court Holds