2013 Settlement Highlights

The Commission has the authority to assess fines and obtain monetary damages for those aggrieved by violations of the NYC Human Rights Law. Additionally, the Commission may negotiate additional remedies including rehiring, policy change, training, and modifications for accessibility. Below you will find a list of selected monthly settlements by the Commission's Law Enforcement Bureau, for Calendar Year 2013.

December 2013

The Commission ordered three separate Respondent employers to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 each for posting discriminatory advertisements declaring preferences for female applicants.  Each Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $6,000 in emotional distress damages for failing to provide Complainant with a reasonable accommodation for her disability.  Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement expressing a preference for women, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

November 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent landlord to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for harassing Complainant due to her national origin.  Respondent landlord will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent landlord to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for declaring in an email that he would only rent to those who are currently employed (source of income discrimination).  The declaration in the email was subsequently confirmed by a Commission tester during a telephone conversation with Respondent landlord.  Respondent landlord will also undergo anti-discrimination training.
The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $7,500 in emotional distress damages for failing to take remedial action after Complainant complained about a hostile work environment based on gender.  Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for posting a discriminatory advertisement expressing a preference for women, which was confirmed by the Commission’s employment testing program.  Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

October 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent landlord to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for failing to accept Complainant's application for housing due to her lawful source of income, a Section 8 voucher. Respondent landlord was also ordered to accept Complainant's Section 8 voucher and apply it to another apartment, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $11,000 in compensatory damages for terminating Complainant's employment due to his age. Complainant will also be allowed to reside in the Superintendent's apartment for an additional 18 months - a value of approximately $20,000 - until Complainant's retirement. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent landlord to install a code compliant ramp to accommodate Complainant's disability, as well as pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for initially refusing to provide Complainant with a reasonable accommodation. Respondent landlord will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for posting a discriminatory advertisement expressing a preference for women, which the Commission verified through its employment testing program. Respondent restaurant will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

September 2013

Pursuant to Conciliation Agreements, the Commission ordered two separate employers to pay civil penalties of $2,500 each for posting discriminatory advertisements expressing a preference for women. Each employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission issued a Decision and Order after trial in a case involving a bakery in Queens. The bakery posted an employment ad expressing a preference for a female counter person and explicitly discriminated against a Black woman who applied for the position, telling her that they did not want dark-skinned individuals dealing with their customers and telling her that if they had a position in the back they would hire her. Respondent owner also directed the Complainant to apply for a nearby bakery because they did not care who worked behind the counter. Respondent was Ordered to pay the Complainant $10,000 in mental anguish damages and a fine of $15,000. Respondent was also Ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement expressing a preference for women, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

August 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent store to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages after Complainant was denied service at the store due to Complainant's wheelchair. Respondent store will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent night club to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for utilizing a more stringent security procedure during events that cater to black and Hispanic customers than the security measures it employs during events that cater to predominantly white customers. Respondent night club will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent landlord to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for posting a discriminatory advertisement refusing to accept Section 8, which the Commission verified through its housing testing program. Respondent landlord will also undergo anti-discrimination training.
The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory employment advertisement expressing a preference for women, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $30,000 in damages for retaliating against Complainant after Complainant complained of sexual harassment. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

July 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $19,000 in damages for terminating Complainant's employment while Complainant was out on disability due to a difficult pregnancy.  Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $10,000 in emotional distress damages for terminating Complainant's employment shortly after Complainant returned to work following disability leave. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent real estate broker to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement refusing to accept Section 8. Respondent real estate broker will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $30,000 in damages for terminating Complainant's employment after learning about Complainant's disability and need for surgery. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for posting a discriminatory advertisement, as well as informing a Commission tester, that it does not accept rental assistance vouchers. Respondent housing provider will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent pub, a public accommodation, to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory employment advertisement expressing a preference based on national origin. Respondent pub will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

June 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent store owner to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for prohibiting Complainant from entering the store with her service animal. Respondent store owner will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement, which declared a preference in gender. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent public accommodation (bar) to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement, which declared a preference for British nationals. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $15,000 in damages for failing to take remedial action after Complainant complained of sexual harassment. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent landlord to allow Complainant to keep her comfort animal in her apartment as a reasonable accommodation, as well as pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages. Respondent landlord will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for posting a discriminatory advertisement refusing applicants based upon their lawful source of income, which was confirmed by the Commission's housing testing program. Respondent housing provider will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

May 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent employment agency to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for posting a discriminatory advertisement, which indicated a preference in gender and national origin. Respondent employment agency will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to rehire Complainant, as well as pay Complainant $11,187.28 in damages for terminating Complainant’s employment after she requested disability leave. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent store to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages after Complainant was denied the ability to shop throughout the store due to her wheelchair. Respondent store will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $12,000 in damages for sexually harassing Complainant during a job interview. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

April 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages after Complainant was denied service at the restaurant due to Complainant’s service animal. Respondent restaurant will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $40,000 in compensatory damages for failing to consider Complainant’s candidacy for employment due to his gender. Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement expressing a preference for women, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

March 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $40,000 in compensatory damages for failing to provide Complainant with a reasonable accommodation to observe her religion. Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

After Complainant filed a case with the Commission alleging disability discrimination, Respondent employer agreed to pay Complainant $66,000. In addition, Complainant will receive 18 months of job search assistance.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement expressing a preference for women, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent supermarket to pay Complainant $11,250 in emotional distress damages after Respondent’s employees ridiculed Complainant due to her transgender status. Respondent supermarket was also ordered to provide anti-discrimination training to its entire staff.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement expressing a preference for women, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

February 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement expressing a preference for women, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for posting a discriminatory advertisement expressing a preference for women, which the Commission verified through its employment testing program. Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission obtained $2,500 fines from two businesses that posted discriminatory advertisements expressing a preference for female employees. Both respondents will provide anti-discrimination training to their managers and employees.

As part of a settlement, the Commission ordered a landlord to lower counter tops and cabinets as an accommodation for a tenant who uses a wheelchair.

The Commission issued Probable Cause Determinations in seven cases involving Williamsburg businesses that posted dress (modesty) codes that discriminated against women.

The Commission obtained a $5,000 fine, training and policy changes from a housing accommodation that discriminated in its application process by requiring that applicants and guarantors have a U.S. credit history and bank accounts. The respondent failed to consider foreign holdings and credit histories in determining the financial viability of applicants.

January 2013

The Commission ordered Respondent housing accommodation to pay Complainant $15,000 in compensatory damages for attempting to evict Complainant from her apartment due to Complainant’s therapeutic comfort animal. The respondent will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

After Complainant filed a disability discrimination complaint with the Commission, Respondent employer and Complainant agreed to settle the matter privately. Respondent reinstated Complainant’s employment and paid Complainant $57,000 in compensatory damages.

The Commission ordered a housing provider to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for refusing to accept Complainant’s Section 8 voucher. Respondent was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent, a public accommodation, to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for making Complainant’s patronage feel unwelcome due to his race. Respondent was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $8,500 in emotional distress damages after Complainant was sexually harassed by a co-worker. Respondent terminated the employment of the co-worker and will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent, a transportation company, to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages after one of Respondent’s drivers made Complainant’s patronage feel unwelcome due to Complainant’s race and perceived sexual orientation. Respondent will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages after Complainant was denied entrance into the restaurant due to her service animal.  Respondent restaurant will also undergo anti-discrimination training.