In a recent lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court, captioned Domingo v. Choice Logistics, Inc. and James Adams, SDNY 16-cv-3648 (filed May 16, 2016), plaintiff Christine Domingo alleges, among other things: Within six days after commencing her employment with Choice in December 2014, Domingo was subjected to unwelcomed physical touching, assault and sexual harassment by…
Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Choice LogisticsIn Mantione v. C. Berman Associates, 2016 NY Slip Op 30655(U) (NY Sup. Ct. March 4, 2016), the court discussed and applied the “single employer” rule. Defendant moved to dismiss plaintiff’s hostile work environment/sexual harassment allegations under the New York State Human Rights Law, on the ground that the entities involved have less than four…
Read More Court Holds Companies Were a “Single Employer” For Purposes of Aggregating Employees in Sexual Harassment CaseIn Spavone v. Transitional Servs. of New York Supportive Hous. Program (TSI), No. 16-CV-1219 (MKB), 2016 WL 2758269 (E.D.N.Y. May 12, 2016), the court assessed plaintiff’s claims of, e.g., disability, race and national origin discrimination in violation of the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604 et seq. (FHA). The court explained that the FHA recognizes a…
Read More Court Dismisses Plaintiff’s “Hostile Housing Environment” Claim Under the Fair Housing ActIn a complaint captioned Almestica v. The New York Friars Club et al (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Index No. 153986/2016 filed May 11, 2016), plaintiff – a receptionist who worked at the Friars Club’s midtown Manhattan club – alleges, among other things, that Keith Charet (a Friars Club officer) subjected her to sexual harassment – by, e.g.,…
Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against The Friars ClubIn Imperato v. Otsego Cty. Sheriff’s Dep’t, No. 13-cv-1594, 2016 WL 1466545 (N.D.N.Y. Apr. 14, 2016), the court held that plaintiff submitted sufficient evidence to overcome summary judgment on her sex-based hostile work environment claim. From the decision: Here, while the evidence before the Court is lacking in specifics regarding instances of discriminatory conduct directed toward…
Read More Upstate Corrections Officer Survives Summary Judgment on Gender-Based Hostile Work Environment ClaimA recent Southern District case, Moore v. Verizon, No. 13-CV-6467 (RJS), 2016 WL 825001 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 5, 2016), illustrates that the New York City Human Rights Law – while the broadest of the anti-discrimination statutes protecting New York City employees and residents – is not of unlimited breadth. Here, plaintiff (a 62 year-old African American…
Read More Two Age-Related Comments Insufficient to Establish Liability Under the NYC Human Rights Law, Court HoldsIn Hernandez v. Kaisman, 2016 WL 1737263 (N.Y. App. 1st Dept. May 3, 2016), the court affirmed the lower court’s award of attorney fees in the amount of $264,612.50. The New York City Human Rights Law provides for an award of a reasonable attorney fee to the prevailing party. In upholding the fee award in…
Read More Court Explains Decision to Affirm $264,612.50 Attorney Fee Award in Gender Discrimination/Hostile Work Environment CaseIn Belton v. Lal Chicken, Inc., 2016 NY Slip Op 03115, 2016 WL 1629367 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dept. Apr. 26, 2016), the Appellate Division, First Department upheld a jury verdict of $320,000 for plaintiff on her sexual harassment (hostile work environment) claim under the New York City Human Rights Law. From the decision: Plaintiff…
Read More Court Upholds Sexual Harassment (Hostile Work Environment) Jury Verdict for Plaintiff, Citing Rejection of Unwanted Advances and Lack of “Meaningful” Anti-Discrimination PolicyMotta v. Glob. Contract Servs. Inc., No. 15 CIV. 8555 (LGS), 2016 WL 1611489 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 21, 2016) is instructive on the “aiding and abetting” liability provisions of the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) and New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). Plaintiffs worked as call center representatives at Global Contract Services, Inc.…
Read More Access-A-Ride Call Center Employees Fail to Sufficiently Allege “Aiding and Abetting” Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Hostile Work Environment, and Retaliation Claims Against the NYCTA and MTAIn Styka v. My Merchants Services LLC et al (EDNY 14-cv-6198 (March 15, 2016)), an employment discrimination/sexual harassment/hostile work environment/retaliation case, Eastern District of New York Magistrate Judge Scanlon recommended awarding plaintiff $120,000 to compensate her for emotional distress (in addition to other damages, such as back pay and punitive damages) following defendants’ default. This case…
Read More Court Recommends Award of $120,000 in Emotional Distress Damages in Gender Discrimination/Hostile Work Environment/Sexual Harassment Case