2025 Decisions and Orders

The Commission's Office of the Chair (OC) is responsible for issuing final Decisions and Orders after a trial and interim orders on issues that may arise before trial. After the trial, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issues a Report and Recommendation, which may include findings of fact, decisions of law, and recommendations on damages and civil penalties. The OC reviews the matter, including the trial transcripts, evidence presented at trial, ALJ's Report and Recommendation and any post-trial comments or objections de novo, and then issues its Decision and Order, adopting or rejecting – in whole or in part – the ALJ's Report and Recommendation.

Click on the case to see the full text of the decision and order.

Commission on Human Rights ex rel. Cazares v. INS Handbags, Inc., and Jutao Deng, January 21, 2025

Respondents, an individual and a company he operated and managed, were held liable for gender-based discrimination against an employee due to her pregnancy status in the terms, conditions, and privileges of her employment, for terminating her employment, and for failing to provide employees with written notice of their right to be free from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions as required by the New York City Human Rights Law. The Complainant was awarded backpay plus pre-determination interest of $85,301.07 and $75,000 in emotional distress damages. The Commission also imposed a civil penalty of $50,000. The Commission further required Respondents to undergo training on the New York City Human Rights Law, post notices of rights, and develop and distribute written policies consistent with the New York City Human Rights Law.