2014 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 2014.

December 2014

The Commission ordered Respondent placement agency to pay Complainant $7,500 in emotional distress damages for discriminating against Complainant based on Complainant's conviction record.  Because Respondent placement agency is no longer in business, it was not required to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent newsstand to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for discriminating against Complainant based on Complainant's race by making her patronage feel unwelcome.  Respondent newsstand was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

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

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement declaring a preference for female servers, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent to pay Complainant $11,000 in damages to settle an age discrimination claim. The allegation was that the Respondent transferred the Complainant to a position that it knew it was eliminating so that they could get rid of her because she was old. Complainant was out of work for six weeks. Respondent employees will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent to pay Complainant $10,000 in damages to settle a Quid Pro Quo sexual harassment case. Complainant's supervisor would ask Complainant what she was going to do for him (while licking his lips and winking) every time she asked for more hours. The supervisor was disciplined and all supervisory staff will undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for discriminating against Complainant by creating a hostile work environment based on Complainant's religion.  Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for discriminating against Complainant based on Complainant's race.  Respondent restaurant will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $1,793.20 in compensatory damages for failing to provide Complainant with a reasonable accommodation for his temporary disability.  Respondent employer was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $3,000 and undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent bar to pay a civil penalty of $3,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement declaring a preference for female bartenders, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement declaring a preference for female servers, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $15,000 in compensatory damages for terminating Complainant's employment shortly after taking maternity leave.  Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

November 2014

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

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to pay Complainant $6,000 in emotional distress damages for evicting Complainant due to children residing in Complainant's apartment.  Respondent will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent public accommodation to pay Complainant $5,500 in emotional distress damages for refusing to serve Complainant due to the presence of his service animal, which Complainant's disability requires.  Respondent was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress for retaliating against Complainant after Complainant complained of discrimination.  Respondent housing provider will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

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

The Commission Ordered two employers to pay $2,500 each for posting advertisements expressing a preference for one protected class over others. Each will provide anti-discrimination training to their employees.

After filing a Complaint with the Commission, Complainant, who was pregnant and refused a reasonable accommodation by her employer (an ambulance service), settled the matter $6,000 without the Commission's participation.

The Commission Ordered a security company to pay Complainant, who was pregnant and refused a reasonable accommodation, $17,000 in lost wages and emotional distress damages. The security company will also provide anti-discrimination training to its employees.

October 2014

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

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $12, 866.60 in compensatory damages for failing to reinstate Complainant back to her position following short-term disability leave.  Respondent employer was also ordered to reinstate Complainant, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $15,000 in compensatory damages for terminating Complainant's employment after she complained of discrimination.  Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $7,500 in emotional distress damages for failing to consider Complainant's application for employment due to his gender.  Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

After filing a Complaint with the Commission alleging wrongful termination based on pregnancy, Complainant privately settled the matter with Respondent employer, whereby Respondent employer agreed to pay Complainant $57,000 in compensatory damages.

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

September 2014

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

Complainant, who filed a disability discrimination complaint against her employer, received $10,000 in back and front pay, which equals the amount she would have earned had she worked until her intended retirement date. The settlement was negotiated privately among the parties.

The Commission issued a Decision and Order rejecting a Report and Recommendation by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) granting Respondent employer's summary judgment motion, and remanded the matter back to the Office of Administrative Hearings and Trials (OATH) for trial to resolve genuine disputes of material fact.

After Complainant filed a complaint against his employer with the Commission alleging disability discrimination and a failure to accommodate, Complainant and Respondent employer privately settled the matter, whereby Respondent employer agreed to pay Complainant $20,000 in damages and to make accommodations valued at approximately $8,000.

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for refusing to accept Section 8 applicants, which was confirmed by the Commission's testing program. Respondent housing provider will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

August 2014

Pursuant to a settlement, the Commission Ordered a medical practice to pay a former employee $12,500 in lost wages and emotional distress damages, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training, based on allegations that he was terminated based on his perceived sexual orientation.

Pursuant to a settlement, the Commission Ordered a social services agency to pay a former employee $8,000 in emotional distress damages, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training, based on allegations that a supervisor consistently subjected Complainant to disparaging comments about Puerto Ricans in particular, and Latinos in general.

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for refusing to serve Complainant due to the presence of her service animal, which Complainant's disability requires. Respondent restaurant 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 declaring a preference for female applicants, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $15,000 in emotional distress damages for creating a hostile work environment based on gender. Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to install a wheelchair accessible ramp, thereby providing three individual Complainants independent egress and ingress. Respondent housing provider will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $11,489.22 in compensatory damages for discriminating against Complainant in the terms and conditions of Complainant's employment after she returned to work following disability leave. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement declaring a preference for female servers, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

July 2014

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $9,000 in compensatory damages for terminating Complainant's employment due to her disability. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $5,000 in compensatory damages for discriminating against Complainant in the terms and conditions of his employment due to Complainant's disability. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $25,000 in compensatory damages for terminating Complainant's employment due to his disability. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement declaring a preference for female servers, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered two separate Respondent housing providers to pay Complainants $5,000 each for refusing to accept their government issued housing vouchers as a lawful source of income. Both Respondent housing providers will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

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

June 2014

The Commission ordered Respondent public accommodation to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for refusing to provide Complainant access due to the presence of Complainant's service animal. Respondent public accommodation will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to build a code compliant ramp at the main entrance of the premises, which will allow Complainant independent access. Respondent housing provider will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent public accommodation, a seminar provider, to pay Complainant $6,997 in compensatory damages, for failing to provide Complainant with a reasonable accommodation for her disability, i.e., a sign language interpreter. Respondent public accommodation will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to pay Complainant $13,500 in emotional distress damages for sexually harassing Complainant throughout her tenancy. Respondent housing provider will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for failing to provide Complainant with a reasonable accommodation for her disability. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

May 2014

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to pay Complainant $15,000 in emotional distress damages for discriminating against Complainant due to his sexual orientation. Respondent housing provider was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

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

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

The Commission Ordered Respondent contracting company to pay Complainant, a former employee $20,000 in lost wages. Complainant was terminated after suffering a disability and spending four days in the hospital. The Complainant mitigated his damages by finding another job soon thereafter, albeit for a lower wage. Respondent also provided Complainant with a favorable reference and will train its employees regarding the NYC Human Rights Law.

The Commission Ordered Respondent to pay a $2,500 fine to the City for refusing to accept Complainant's Section 8 voucher. Respondent will also train their staff regarding the requirements of the NYC Human Rights Law. Complainant, who has filed similar cases with the Commission in the past, contacted us immediately after the incident. We in turn contacted the Respondent, who acknowledged the error and immediately agreed to consider the Complainant for the apartment. Complainant refused to submit an application; therefore, was not entitled to damages.

The Commission Ordered a bar to pay the Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for denying him service based on his sexual orientation. The employees and managers will also undergo training regarding their responsibilities under the NYC Human Rights Law.

April 2014

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $15,000 in emotional distress damages for terminating Complainant's employment shortly after he returned to work following disability leave. Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to pay a civil penalty of $5,000 for refusing to accept Section 8 applicants, which was confirmed by the Commission's testing program. Respondent housing provider 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 due to her age. Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent housing provider to pay a civil penalty of $3,250 for posting a discriminatory advertisement refusing voucher programs, which was confirmed by a Commission tester. Respondent housing provider will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

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

March 2014

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $11,500 in damages and undergo anti-discrimination training based on age, gender, disability and retaliation after her hours were reduced in favor of a younger male employee.

After filing a disability housing complaint with the Commission, the Complainant and Respondent reached a monetary settlement valued at $107,579.

In a filed employment discrimination case based on disability, the Complainant settled his case with the Respondent employer for $10,280.

The Commission ordered Respondent restaurant to pay Complainant $6,000 in emotional distress damages for refusing to serve Complainant due to the presence of his service animal. Respondent restaurant 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 declaring a preference for female applicants, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

February 2014

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $7,000 in compensatory damages for refusing to hire Complainant for a part-time job due to her national origin. Respondent employer was also ordered to undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent landlord to pay a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement refusing to accept Section 8 vouchers as a lawful source of income, as well as undergo anti-discrimination training.

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

The Commission ordered Respondent landlord to install a wheelchair accessible ramp to accommodate Complainant's disability, as well as pay Complainant $10,000 in emotional distress damages. Respondent landlord will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered Respondent pharmacy to pay Complainant $5,000 in emotional distress damages for racially profiling Complainant. Respondent pharmacy will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

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

January 2014

The data collection aspect of the Commission's Housing Discrimination research project with Columbia University has ended and the final analysis of the data has begun. The study entails the impact of messaging on discriminatory behavior.

The Commission ordered Respondent employer to pay Complainant $70,000 in compensatory damages for sexually harassing and terminating Complainant's employment. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission ordered two 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 two 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 a civil penalty of $2,500 for posting a discriminatory advertisement declaring a preference for female applicants, 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 female applicants, which was confirmed by the Commission's employment testing program. Respondent employer will also undergo anti-discrimination training.

The Commission also ordered two additional 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.