While Complainant was working, he was classified as an independent contractor in both Respondents HR systems. Name Title Compensation Date of data; Mario Munoz: Vice President: $0: 2021-12-31: Leslie Mariscal: President: $0: 2021-04-22: Financials for Blue Ribbon Retaliation Intvn Cnter. In September 2020, the Commission adopted amendments to the rule governing the whistleblower program that included a new definition of whistleblower to conform to the Supreme Courts holding in Digital Realty. PSF will also post the Commissions Notice of Rights, Single-Sex Facilities Notice, and Pink and Blue campaign posters at both Dolphin Fitness locations, and a member of PSFs management will attend training at the Commission. Employment. NYC Department of Correction Agrees To Pay $6,000 and Put Up Postings to Settle Former Employees Race and Marital Status Discrimination ClaimComplainant, an investigator for the NYC Department of Corrections, alleged that during an interview for a specialized unit a supervisor asked about his marital status and stated that members of Complainants race never made it on to Respondents team. After the Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau found probable cause, Respondents agreed to pay Complainant $14,500 in emotional distress damages, $24,500 in civil penalties, attend a NYC Human Rights Law training, create an anti-discrimination policy, post the Commissions Fair Housing poster, and construct a ramp at the apartment buildings main entrance. An Iowa jury recently awarded $80.2 million in punitive damages and $527,872 in compensatory damages to a manager who claimed she was discriminated against because of her sex and retaliated against when she complained of the discrimination. Unlike the anti-retaliation protections, the protections against actions taken to impede reporting possible securities law violations are not limited to the employee-employer context. The Law Enforcement Bureaus investigation confirmed that Respondent failed to conduct a complete analysis of the Article 23-A factors under the New York State Corrections Law. The Commission and parties entered into a conciliation agreement requiring C-Towns owner and managers to attend training on the NYC Human Rights Law; create and implement a written policy under the NYC Human Rights Law; display the Commissions Notice of Rights, Stop Sexual Harassment Act Notice, and Pregnancy Employment Notice; maintain records regarding complaints of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation, job openings, and applications for employment; provide a written apology to Complainant; and revise its employment application. Additionally, Chipotle agreed to monitor reasonable accommodation requests for one (1) year at fifteen (15) New York City based locations and submit its log to the Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau at the end of the year. NYC Landlord Pinnacle Management Settles a Source of Income Discrimination Case for $50,000 in Damages and Extensive Affirmative Relief, Including the Set Aside of Apartments for Voucher Holders Complainant, a recipient of the Family Eviction Prevention Subsidy (FEPS), filed a complaint alleging that Respondents Pinnacle Management rejected her application for an apartment because they were not aware of the FEPS program and did not believe that Complainant would be able to pay rent. Blog. The Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau found that Respondents violated the NYC Human Rights Law in refusing to provide a reasonable accommodation. A Primer on Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Retaliation Claims. In addition to discrimination charges, in fiscal year 2020, the EEOC resolved 165 lawsuits and filed an additional 93 lawsuits. The Respondent cooperated with the Law Enforcement Bureaus investigation and sought to mitigate damages to the Complainant. Key Food Supermarket Agrees to Training, Policy Creation, and Posting in Disability Discrimination MatterA patron filed a complaint against 42-15 Food Corp. d/b/a Key Food Supermarket (Key Food), alleging that she was denied services because of her service animal. City of New York. In addition to protecting whistleblowers who have reported possible securities law violations from retaliation, Commission Rule 21F-17(a) prohibits any person from taking any action to prevent you from contacting the SEC directly to report a possible securities law violation. For example, if an employer discovered that an employee was making jokes about another person in front of their peers, this would often mean that the employer would be liable for firing the employee. Respondents also updated their policies on source of income discrimination and agreed to attend an anti-discrimination training. After the Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau investigation, the parties entered into a conciliation agreement requiring the employer to pay Complainant $270,000 in damages including backpay, emotional distress, and attorneys fees; pay $50,000 in a civil penalty; attend anti-discrimination and sexual harassment prevention training; revise their anti-discrimination policies; implement a complaint procedure for reporting gender-based harassment, discrimination and retaliation, including anonymous reporting; post and distribute the Stop Sexual Harassment Act Factsheet; and monitor gender-based harassment, sexual harassment and retaliation complaints including a provision to provide the Commission with a summary report every six months. As a result, Complainant resigned from her job so she could comply with the obligations of her faith. Respondents also agreed to one year of monitoring by the Commission. The resulting plans were adopted nationally across the YMCA of the USA (YUSA), allowing eligible employees and their dependents nationwide to access the plans. 2601, et seq ., is an important law that allows employees in need to . Following the Law Enforcement Bureaus investigation, the Commission, Complainants, and Respondent entered into a conciliation agreement requiring Respondent to pay Complainants $2,000 in emotional distress damages; attend training on the NYC Human Rights Law; create and implement an anti-discrimination policy; and post the Commissions Notice of Rights and Service Animals Welcome posters. The Commission, the Complainant and Respondent entered into an agreement for Respondent to pay the complainant $15,000 in emotional distress and a civil penalty of $10,000. In the Matter of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., Activision Blizzard to Pay $35 Million for Failing to Maintain Disclosure Controls Related to Complaints of Workplace Misconduct and Violating Whistleblower Protection Rule, SEC Charges the Brink's Company with Violating Whistleblower Protection Rule, SEC Charges Co-Founder of Technology Company for Violating Whistleblower Protection Rule, SEC Charges Broker-Dealer for Violating Whistleblower Protection Rule, SEC Charges Investment Adviser and Others With Defrauding Over 17,000 Retail Investors, SEC Charges Issuer and CEO with Violating Whistleblower Protection Laws to Silence Investor Complaints, Connecticut Broker and Investment Adviser Convicted On 21 Counts of Fraud and Money Laundering, Financial Company Charged with Improper Accounting and Impeding Whistleblowers, Company Settles Charges in Whistleblower Retaliation Case, Company Violated Rule Aimed at Protecting Potential Whistleblowers, Risk Alert: Examining Whistleblower Rule Compliance, SEC: Casino-Gaming Company Retaliated Against Whistleblower, SEC Charges Anheuser-Busch InBev With Violating FCPA and Whistleblower Protection Laws, Company Punished for Severance Agreements That Removed Financial Incentives for Whistleblowing, Company Paying Penalty for Violating Key Whistleblower Protection Rule, Merrill Lynch to Pay $415 Million for Misusing Customer Cash and Putting Customer Securities at Risk, SEC Announces Award to Whistleblower in First Retaliation Case, SEC: Companies Cannot Stifle Whistleblowers in Confidentiality Agreements, SEC Charges Hedge Fund Adviser With Conducting Conflicted Transactions and Retaliating Against Whistleblower, Statement on Court Filing by SEC to Protect Whistleblowers From Retaliation, Providing information to the SEC under the whistleblower program, or, Initiating, testifying in, or assisting the SEC in any investigation or proceeding. For example, in the past, sometimes lawsuits arise out of someone being offended by another individual. LaGuardia Gateway Partners Pays $4,000 in Emotional Distress Damages to Settle Discrimination Case, Agrees to Affirmative Relief. Your email address will not be published. Agreement reached over alleged violations of California's false claims, false advertising and unfair business practices laws. Employer, 1199 SEIU Child Care Fund, Pays $31,500 in Damages and Civil Penalties To Resolve Gender-Based Harassment ClaimsComplainant, an employee of a labor union fund, filed a complaint alleging that her supervisor subjected her to a gender-based hostile work environment. The hospital, which had already agreed to implement extensive affirmative relief measures in another similar Commission case filed around the same time, agreed to pay the Complainant in this case $10,000 in emotional distress damages. It is important to note, however, that not all cases involving discrimination will result in monetary compensation. Somethingreek Restaurant Agrees to Pay $2,000 in Emotional Distress Damages, Attend Training, Create Anti-Discrimination Policy, and Post Notice of Rights Complainants, who have disabilities and use a service dog, filed a complaint alleging that a restaurant employee told them they could not remain in the restaurant with their service dog. Complainant, Respondents, and the Commission then entered into a conciliation agreement requiring Respondents to pay $9,000 in emotional distress damages to Complainant. The Respondents also agreed to place two voucher holders in immediate need of housing in set aside units as part of the agreement. 3-17586 (September 28, 2016), In the Matter of Health Net, Inc., File No. The Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau conducted an investigation and issued a finding of probable cause. New York City Fire Department Pays $17,500 in Damages for Gender-Based Harassment Claim; Posts and Distributes Notices of Rights; and Conducts TrainingAn employee of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) filed a complaint against FDNY and her superiors after a male supervisor continuously referred to her as baby, honey, and other demeaning terms. Newsbar Caf Settles Disability, Service Animal Case for $5,000, 40 Hours of Community Service A patron filed a complaint against EK of New York, Inc., d/b/a Newsbar Caf, alleging that she was denied services because of her service animal. Tex. The Federal Savings Bank Pays $320,000 To Resolve Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Claims and Agrees to Affirmative Relief and Ongoing MonitoringA former employee filed gender-based harassment and retaliation claims against her employer, The Federal Savings Bank (FSB), and FSBs former CEO Stephen Calk, alleging claims of sexual harassment and retaliation by terminating her employment after she complained. Brooklyn-based Property Management Company and Vice President Pay $94,000 in Damages and Penalties in Sexual Harassment CaseComplainant, who was employed as an office assistant by a property management firm for two and a half months, filed a complaint alleging that after she was hired, she was sexually harassed by a vice president, facing repeated unwanted romantic and sexual advances. There are many different types of businesses, ranging from stores to franchises to services. As part of the conciliation, LabCorp agreed to create an accommodation policy for both visitors and employees, to distribute the accommodation policy to all staff, and to train its New York City staff on the new policy. LabCorp also posted the Commissions Notice of Rights posters at its Patient Service Centers in New York City and paid the Complainant $1,000 in emotional distress damages. Respondent then informed Complainant that Complainant not been chosen for the unit. Property Management Company Firstservice Residential and Housing Provider K&T Realty Associates LLC Pay $16,500 in Damages and Penalties in Citizenship Status Discrimination CaseComplainant filed a complaint alleging that Respondents required her to provide a double security deposit due to her citizenship status, as a non-US citizen. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), 29 U.S.C. Respondents resolved the matter pre-complaint by creating a comprehensive plan to accommodate all residents with disabilities during the remaining elevator outages resulting from the modernization projects across their six buildings. Additionally, MSKCC agreed to modify its employment policies, including its reasonable accommodation policy, to reflect the NYC Human Rights Law. The Commission and the parties entered into a conciliation agreement requiring Respondent to pay Complainant $21,500 in emotional distress damages, pay $10,000 in civil penalties, provide all of the funds employees with anti-sexual harassment training, ensure that it has meaningful policies in place to address complaints of discrimination, post the Commissions Stop Sexual Harassment Act Notice, and distribute the Commissions Stop Sexual Harassment Act Fact Sheet. XSport Fitness Agrees to Change Policies to Allow Transgender Patrons to Use Proper FacilitiesAfter receiving credible information that XSport Fitness, which runs a Bronx gym, said that transgender people could not use the facilities that accorded with their gender identities unless they had surgery, the Commission sent a cease and desist letter and ultimately came to an agreement with CF Management-NY, LLC (CFM), the gyms owner. Pinnacle Management entered into a conciliation agreement in which they agreed to pay $50,000 in emotional distress damages to Complainant, undergo training on the source of income provisions of the NYC Human Rights Law, post CCHR's "Fair Housing, It's the Law" poster in all business offices and buildings under their control for at least one calendar year, and email all agents and licensed or unlicensed brokers information on the NYC Human Rights Law source of income provisions. Through the parties conciliation, Respondents agreed to pay Complainant $80,000 in back pay and $20,000 in emotional distress damages; conduct anti-discrimination training, including a focus on NYC Human Rights Law protections for religious accommodations; and post the Commission's Notice of Rights poster. COVID-19 Retaliation Claims - A 2020 Trend in Employment Litigation After completing the application, in which Complainant was required to share criminal history information, Respondent never followed up with her to refer her to any clients. 97 Euclid Realty Pays $35,000 in Damages and Civil Penalties, Agrees to Affirmative Relief to Resolve Retaliation ClaimA tenant filed a complaint alleging that her buildings superintendent sexually assaulted her and that her landlord increased her rent after she obtained an order of protection against the superintendent. The Commission, the Complainant and Respondent entered into an agreement for Respondent to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress and a civil penalty of $7,500. This is why it is important to consult with a lawyer before signing any type of contract with anyone. During the pendency of the investigation, Respondent updated its application form to come into compliance with the New York City Human Rights Law. MMPS of New York Settles Pregnancy Discrimination Case for $40,000 in Damages and Penalties and Affirmative ReliefMMPS of New York, a medical clinic, agreed to settle a case where a pregnant employee was not provided accommodations and was ultimately terminated because of her pregnancy. The conciliation agreement requires Respondents to pay: $55,000 in emotional distress damages and $24,000 in attorneys fees to the Complainant: and $15,000 in civil penalties to the City of New York. Disciplinary actions or threats. After its investigation, the Law Enforcement Bureau credited Complainants allegation. Touro also agreed to modify its employee policies to comply with the NYC Human Rights Law as well as train its managers and supervisors on the NYC Human Rights Law. To be eligible for an award, you must file a Form TCR within 30 days of submitting your information or within 30 days of learning of the TCR filing requirement. Securitas Security Services Settles Disability Discrimination Case for $15,000 in Damages and Penalties and Agrees to Training, Policy Revisions and Legal Postings Complainant filed a disability discrimination complaint against Securitas Security Services alleging that Respondents failed to accommodate her disability, constructively terminated her employment, and retaliated against her based on her disability. HFF Realty LLC and Manager Agree to Policy Changes, Training, and Postings After Refusing to Accommodate Emotional Support AnimalsTesting conducted by the Commission revealed that HFF Realty refused to reasonably accommodate emotional support animals for tenant applicants. Colony East 5th Realty LLC Pays $39,000, and Installs Ramp To Settle Disability Discrimination ComplaintComplainant alleged that her landlord, Colony East 5th Realty LLC, failed to accommodate her disability by failing to construct a ramp at her apartment buildings main entrance. With the passage of Dodd-Frank, Congress amended the Exchange Act to add Section 21F, which established a series of new incentives and protections for individuals to report possible violations of the federal securities laws, including enhanced employment retaliation protections. CFM signed a stipulation and order agreeing to revise its policies to apply equally to all genders and to allow people to use the sex-segregated facilities that accord with their gender identities. 3-17739 (December 20, 2016), In the Matter of International Game Technology, File No. Age, Disability. If youchoose to report a possible securities law violation internally to your company, you also can report that information directly to the SEC either before or at the same time as reporting internally. In the Matter of Activision Blizzard, Inc. Respondents agreed to pay $15,000 in civil penalties, to include the Commissions Notice of Rights in all new leases, to post the Commissions Notice of Rights in their building, and to attend training on their obligations under the NYC Human Rights Law. It remains to be seen whether the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 2020 that discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is prohibited sex discrimination will have an impact on total LGBTQ-based sex discrimination charges filed.. PSH will also post the Commissions Notice of Rights and a member of its management will attend training at the Commission. CBHS revised its dress code and signed a stipulation and order agreeing to distribute the revised policy to its employees. Pays $10,000 and Agrees to Affirmative Relief in Fair Chance Act CaseA job applicant filed a complaint of discrimination against DB Grant Associates, Inc. alleging that Respondent, a workforce development company, circulated a job application that unlawfully inquired into his criminal history prior to a conditional offer of employment, and alleging that he was improperly denied employment on the basis of his criminal history. Heres Why You Need an Attorney. Hubbell later sued FedEx in court for terminating her employment in retaliation for filing those EEOC charges. Respondents cooperated fully with the Commissions investigation. As part of the conciliation agreement Respondent agreed to pay Complainant $30,000 in emotional distress damages, submit its policies regarding the NYC Human Rights Law to the Commission for its review and approval, conduct training on the NYC Human Rights Law for supervisory and managerial employees, and display the Commissions Notice of Rights. The Retaliation Complaint Investigation Unit (RCI) investigates workplace retaliation complaints. Broker Pays $5,000 in Damages in Source of Income Discrimination CaseComplainant who alleged source of income discrimination based on her attempt to use a voucher brought a complaint against a broker and his employer. Additionally, MMPS of New York instituted new policies regarding pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions as well as lactation polices for new parents who have returned to work; they also agreed to attend training and display the Commissions Notice of Rights poster. Services for the Underserved, Inc. Settles Complaint Alleging Discrimination on the Basis of Criminal Conviction History for $35,500 in Damages and PenaltiesComplainant, a prospective employee, filed a complaint against Services for the Underserved, Inc., a nonprofit agency providing services to individuals with disabilities, alleging that her job offer had been unlawfully rescinded after a required background check. Respondent agreed to pay Complainant $12,500 in emotional distress damages, to modify its employee policies to better comply with the NYC Human Rights Law, and to train its managers on the NYC Human Rights Law. Respondents will attend NYC Human Rights Law training, create employment policies in compliance with the NYC Human Rights Law, and post the Commissions Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act Notice, Notice of Rights poster, and Pregnancy Discrimination in Employment Notice. The Academy signed a stipulation and order agreeing to revise its policy to make clear that natural hairstyles and hairstyles commonly associated with Black people or with other racial, ethnic, or cultural identities, including, but not limited to, braids, shall be allowed, and that any safety or other restrictions on hairstyle shall not discriminate based on racially protected characteristics. After this is decided, the lawsuit itself will follow. Respondents agreed to pay $3,600 in backpay, $6,400 in emotional distress damages, $5,000 as a civil penalty and to conduct anti-discrimination training, create a reasonable accommodation policy that places an obligation on Respondents to initiate a cooperative dialogue in accordance with the requirements of the New York City Human Rights Law, submit to monitoring for one year, and post the Commissions notice of rights in their branch office. Under section 1102.5 of the California Code, an employer may not retaliate against an employee for actions taken by the employee such as: Disclosing a violation of law to a government or law enforcement office information Reporting a violation of law to his or her employer Refusing to participate in activity that would violate a law Respondent NYC Parks agreed to pay $25,000 in emotional distress damages and to pre-certify her to be hired for the next available NYC Parks job for which she qualifies in one of two boroughs. 27 Sports Bar and Caf Settles Pregnancy Discrimination Case for $6,000 in Emotional Distress DamagesComplainant was turned away at the door when she attempted to enter 27 Sports Bar and Caf because she was visibly pregnant. 1. You're Liable: Trends in EPLI Claims for 2020 - The Reschini Group Employees also reported that they heard admonishing comments about Muslims by their managers over their communication devices when they asked to take a break earlier than scheduled. Due to Respondents demonstrating financial hardship after being forced to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic, civil penalties were waived. Broker Pays Damages for Discriminating Against a Complainants Lawful Source of IncomeA small broker, Vanguard Residential LLC, discriminated against a Complainant because she was seeking to use a housing voucher while applying for apartments. Despite the fact that Complainant provided doctors notes in support of her request, she was told that her position could not be held open and she was terminated instead of engaging in a cooperative dialogue, as is mandated by the NYC Human Rights Law. Some of the most prevalent EPLI-related claims seen in 2020 include: Retaliation Claims on the Rise - More than half of EEOC claims filed in recent years have involved claims of employer retaliation against an employee.
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