NYS Division of Human Rights

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In Matter of Chaplin v .New York State Div. of Human Rights, 2020 NY Slip Op 04302 (App. Div. 2d Dept. July 29, 2020), the Appellate Division, Second Department confirmed the New York State Division of Human Rights’ award of $5,000 for compensatory damages for mental anguish, and no damages for, inter alia, lost income,…

Read More Court Denies Petition Seeking Review of $5k Award in Employment Discrimination/Retaliation Case
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Effective October 11, 2019, the New York State Human Rights Law permits an award of punitive damages in certain employment discrimination cases. The relevant section is codified at NYS Executive Law § 297(4)(c), which provides: If, upon all the evidence at the hearing, the commissioner shall find that a respondent has engaged in any unlawful…

Read More NYS Human Rights Law Provides for Punitive Damages in Certain Employment Cases
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A recent decision, Matter of Floriano-Keetch v New York State Div. of Human Rights, 2019 NY Slip Op 06282 (App. 4th Dept. Aug. 22, 2019), illustrates the procedure following a “no probable cause” determination by the New York State Division of Human Rights (SDHR). The court explained: Where, as here, SDHR renders a determination of…

Read More NYSDHR’s “No Probable Cause” Finding Upheld in Caregiver Discrimination Case
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From Matter of Stellar Dental Mgt. LLC v. New York State Div. of Human Rights, 2018 NY Slip Op 04483 (App. Div. 4th Dept. June 15, 2018): We further conclude that substantial evidence supports SDHR’s determination that two of the complainants were subjected to unlawful retaliation. The record establishes that those complainants reported sexual harassment…

Read More State Division Upholds Finding of Retaliation
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One venue available to victims of employment discrimination – including being subjected to a hostile work environment – is to pursue a claim in the New York State Division of Human Rights, an administrative agency that enforces the New York State Human Rights Law. Proceeding in that forum, however, results in a relatively limited range…

Read More Court Summarizes Scope of Judicial Review of NYS Division of Human Rights Determinations; Upholds Dismissal of Hostile Work Environment and Constructive Discharge Claims
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In Featherstone v. Cornell University, 17-cv-565, 2017 WL 4736738 (NDNY Oct. 19, 2017), the court dismissed plaintiff’s Title VII discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims. Plaintiff had initially asserted her claims at the New York State Division of Human Rights, which – after an investigation – found that there was no probable cause to…

Read More Title VII Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment, Retaliation Claims Dismissed on Collateral Estoppel Grounds Following NYSDHR Dismissal
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If you are a victim of employment discrimination in New York City and are prepared to formally pursue a claim (i.e., proceed beyond pre-filing negotiations), there are several procedural options available to you. These include (but may not be limited to): State Court, Federal Court, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), New York State Division…

Read More Employment Discrimination: Filing Options
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In Matter of Lozada v. Elmont Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, 2017 NY Slip Op 04845 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dept. June 14, 2017), the court confirmed a determination by the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR) dismissing plaintiff’s sexual harassment claim as time-barred. The court summarized the law pertaining to administratively-filed hostile…

Read More NYSDHR Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment Claim Properly Dismissed as Time-Barred, Court Holds
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In Matter of NYS Div. of Human Rights v. SUV Prod., Inc., 2017 NY Slip Op 02910 (NY App. Div. 1st Dept. April 13, 2017), the court unanimously confirmed the findings of the New York State Division of Human Rights’ (DHR) December 19, 2008 Order concluding that respondent subjected complainants to discrimination and a hostile work environment based…

Read More Court Upholds NYSDHR Finding of National Origin Discrimination & Hostile Work Environment and Resulting Damages
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