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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. Marquez vs. Fresh & Co., October 30, 2025
Respondent was held liable for gender-based harassment of an employee by a manager, by permitting a hostile work environment to exist and failing to stop the gender-based harassment after the employee complained to another manager. The Complainant was awarded $45,000 in emotional distress damages. The Commission also imposed a civil penalty of $60,000. The Commission further ordered Respondent to: undergo training on the New York City Human Rights Law; create and implement new and effective anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and distribute these policies to all current and future employees; monitor, respond to, and send the Commission reports of gender-based harassment; and post the Commission's Notice of Rights poster and Stop Sexual Harassment in New York City Act Legal Notice in all of Respondent's New York City locations to inform employees and customers of their rights.
Respondents, an NYC Property owner and related management entities, and a globally recognized clothing store - both places and providers of public accommodations - were held liable for disability discrimination on the basis of failing to provide full and equal enjoyment, on equal terms and conditions, to individuals with disabilities who use wheelchairs or have similar mobility needs, including the Complainant, and for failing to provide reasonable accommodations. The Commission ordered the construction of a ramp at the Corner Entrance of 111 Fifth Avenue, required Respondents to undergo training, post notices of rights, and develop and share policies consistent with the New York City Human Rights Law. Respondents were also ordered to pay civil penalties to the City of New York in the total amount of $200,000
Commission on Human Rights ex rel. Cazares v. INS Handbags, Inc., and Jutao Deng, March 18, 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.