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An eye-opening Metro article highlights the difficulties faced by victims of domestic violence with respect to obtaining appropriate housing. Victims of domestic violence may also suffer discrimination in the workplace, where its effects can be particularly devastating. As explained by the New York Supreme Court court in Reynolds v. Fraser, decided in 2004: The ability to hold on…

Read More Workplace Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sex Offenses, or Stalking
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‘Tis the season for company holiday parties, where the awkward mingling with co-workers and the free flow of alcohol can combine to create uncomfortable and humiliating social situations and, in some cases, possible legal liability for discrimination and harassment. Despite various warnings about maintaining professionalism, it seems that every year there are people who embarrass themselves…

Read More Company Holiday Parties, Professionalism, and Discrimination/Sexual Harassment
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Generally, with the exception of New York City’s Earned Sick Time Act, New York law does not require payment for time not actually worked (such as holidays, sick time, and vacations) unless the employer has established a policy or agreed to make such payments. Is There an Agreement? As explained by the court in Litras v PVM…

Read More The Law of Vacation Pay in New York
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The New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) imposes monetary penalties and driver violation points for using a cell phone to talk or text while driving. More information is available here. The two relevant statutes are VTL § 1225-c and VTL § 1225-d.  Using a Mobile Telephone to Engage in a Call VTL § 1225-c(2)(a) provides:  “[N]o person shall…

Read More New York’s Cell Phone Driving Laws and Rules
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In employment discrimination law, the phrase “hostile work environment” has a very specific meaning that does not encompass all circumstances that the word “hostile” might suggest. Courts repeatedly say, for example, that the employment laws do not provide a “general civility code” for the workplace. In addition, as set forth below, in order to be actionable, the…

Read More What is a “Hostile Work Environment”?
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