Hostile Work Environment

In Matter of Rohde (Goshen Chamber of Commerce, Inc.–Commissioner of Labor), 2019 NY Slip Op 06681 (App. Div. 3d Dept. Sept. 19, 2019), the court affirmed the denial of unemployment benefits, on the ground that the claimant did not establish “good cause” for resigning. Here are the facts, as summarized by the court: Claimant, an…

Read More Resignation Without Good Cause, Notwithstanding Harassment & Hostile Work Environment Allegations, Justified Denial of Unemployment Benefits, Court Holds
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In Ruiz et al v. New Avon LLC, 18-CV-9033, 2019 WL 4601847 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 22, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed a plaintiff’s pregnancy discrimination (hostile work environment) claim upon application of the “continuing violation” doctrine. Initially, the court dismissed plaintiff’s discrimination claims, based on discrete acts, as time-barred. Nevertheless, Judge Broderick continued: However, I…

Read More Pregnancy Discrimination / Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Dismissal Under the “Continuing Violation” Doctrine
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In Edo v. Antika Pizzeria Astoria, Inc., 15-cv-5605, 2019 WL 4602799 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 23, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claim, finding that it was not administratively exhausted at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). From the decision: The court agrees with defendant’s argument that plaintiff’s hostile work environment…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim, Not Asserted at the EEOC, Dismissed
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In Coleman v. Time Capital Securities Corp., No. 13-17883, 2019 WL 4492880, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 32721(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, Suffolk Cty. Sep. 10, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s disability-based hostile work environment claim, asserted under the New York State Human Rights Law. Generally, explained the court, “[t]o establish a hostile work environment…

Read More Disability-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed
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In Pantor v City of New York, No. 159257/2015, 2019 WL 4390454, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 32706(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Sep. 13, 2019), the court, inter alia, denied the City’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s sexual harassment/hostile work environment case. The court summarized plaintiff’s contentions as follows: [P]laintiff alleges a course…

Read More Sexual Harassment Claim Survives Summary Judgment; “Presidential Affair” Comment, Among Others, Alleged
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In Chauca v. AdvantageCare Physicians, P.C., 2019 WL 4247495 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 6, 2019), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s hostile work environment sexual harassment claim. The court summarized the basic elements of such a claim: To show that she was subjected to sex discrimination by virtue of a hostile work environment, plaintiff must show that…

Read More Sexual Harassment Claim Dismissed; Alleged Comments Were “Equally Offensive” to Men and Women
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In Chow-Tai v Fulvio & Associates, LLP, No. 158939/2018, 2019 WL 4039146, 2019 N.Y. Slip Op. 32514(U) (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Aug. 27, 2019), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s constructive discharge claim. From the decision: To establish a constructive discharge, Plaintiff must demonstrate “deliberate and intentional” acts of…

Read More Constructive Discharge Claim Survives Dismissal; Sexual Harassment and Other Claims Dismissed as Time-Barred
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In Crookendale v. New York City Health & Hosps. Corp., 2019 NY Slip Op 06446 (App. Div. 1st Dept. Sept. 3, 2019), the court held that plaintiff’s NYC Human Rights Law gender discrimination should not have been dismissed. From the decision: The motion court should not have dismissed the claim of gender discrimination while sustaining…

Read More NYCHRL Gender Discrimination Claim Should Not Have Been Dismissed, 1st Department Holds
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Workplace harassment occurs in a variety of forms and contexts; it is impossible to identify all of the factual permutations that might give rise to an actionable employment discrimination/hostile work environment claim. One form in which harassment, or “hostile work environment”, claims arise is when the victim/plaintiff is directly targeted – e.g., misogynistic or racial comments made…

Read More “Second-Hand” Harassment
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In Jordan v. United Health Group Inc., No. 18-2268, 2019 WL 4071943 (2d Cir. Aug. 29, 2019) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit, inter alia, affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claim asserted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The court briefly summarized the law: “A hostile work environment…

Read More 2d Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim
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