Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

In Redfern-Wallace v. Buffalo News, Inc., No. 12-CV-471, 2016 WL 4361129 (W.D.N.Y. Aug. 16, 2016), the court adopted a Magistrate’s Report & Recommendation that defendants’ motions for summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s discriminatory-discharge, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims be granted. As to plaintiff’s discriminatory-discharge claim, the court explained: Based on the undisputed facts, it is clear that…

Read More Crass Text Messages to Co-Worker, Not Discrimination, Were Reason For Termination; “Niagara”, “Chia Pet” Comments Did Not Constitute Hostile Work Environment
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Today, in Vasquez v. Empress Ambulance Service, 15-3239-cv (2d Cir. Aug. 29, 2016), the Second Circuit – in an opinion authored by Judge Calabresi – vacated a lower court’s dismissal of plaintiff’s retaliation claim under Title VII, and explicitly held “that an employer may be held liable for an employee’s animus under a ‘cat’s paw’…

Read More Second Circuit Reinstates Retaliation Claim Based on “Cat’s Paw” Theory
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In Rogers v. Bank of New York Mellon, No. 09 CIV. 8551 (HBP), 2016 WL 4362204 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 15, 2016), the court granted in part and denied in part defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s various claims, including hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and race/color pay discrimination. As to her hostile work environment claim,…

Read More “Crazy Black Bitch” Comment Insufficient to Establish Hostile Work Environment
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In Misas v. N.-Shore Long Island Jewish Health Sys., No. 14-cv-8787, 2016 WL 4082718 (S.D.N.Y. July 25, 2016), the court reaffirmed that an employment discrimination/sexual harassment plaintiff seeking only so-called “garden variety” emotional distress damages does not put their medical condition in issue for discovery purposes. In this case, plaintiffs assert claims of, inter alia, sexual…

Read More Sexual Harassment Plaintiffs’ Assertion of “Garden Variety” Emotional Distress Damages Does Not Authorize Extensive Medical Discovery
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A recent decision, Campisi v. The City University of New York & Dean George Ranalli, No. 15 CIV. 4859 (KPF), 2016 WL 4203549 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 9, 2016), addresses the interplay between Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688). Plaintiff, a…

Read More Student Worker Plausibly Alleges Title IX Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment Claim Against CUNY
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In Beecher v. Northwell Health, EDNY 16-cv-4190, plaintiff alleges gender discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation. Among plaintiff’s allegations were that defendant’s Administrative Director, Nelson Mercurio, “went out of his way to catch the female staff members wearing scented products and, upon information and belief, was observed smelling the female staff in an effort to reprimand…

Read More Gender Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment, and Retaliation Lawsuit Cites Employee-Sniffing Boss
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In Green v. Rochdale Village Social Services, Inc., No. 15 CIV. 5824 (BMC), 2016 WL 4148322 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 4, 2016), the court granted in part and denied in part defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff – a van driver employed by a senior center – asserted that she was subjected to sexual harassment by a…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim Proceeds Based on Sexual Conduct by Non-Employee Senior Citizen Client
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In a recently-filed complaint, captioned Angele Yonke v. 44 Restaurant LLC d/b/a The Lambs Club and John Fanning (SDNY 16-cv-05761 filed July 19, 2016), plaintiff alleges, inter alia, that she was subjected to retaliation after she complained that her supervisor slapped her on her right buttock.

Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against The Lambs Club Alleges Retaliation Following Complaint About Buttocks Smack
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In Doe v. Columbia Univ., No. 15-1536, 2016 WL 4056034 (2d Cir. July 29, 2016), the court held that the plaintiff adequately pled facts that plausibly support a minimal inference of sex bias. Plaintiff, a male Columbia University student, alleges that Columbia violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et…

Read More Title IX Claims Plausibly Alleged Against Columbia University
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In Richardson-Holness v. Alexander, No. 13-CV-2761 (NG), 2016 WL 4027978 (E.D.N.Y. July 26, 2016), the court denied in part defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s quid pro quo sexual harassment claim (with respect to certain alleged actions) and her hostile work environment claim. In sum, plaintiff (a probationary teacher) alleged “that defendant Michael A.…

Read More NYC Public School Teacher’s Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment and Hostile Work Environment Claims Survive Summary Judgment
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