Photo Courtesy of Mike Groll/Office of the Governor
“There’s no place for unlawful discrimination or harassment of any form—in the workplace or anywhere else,” Gov. Hochul said.
By Forum Staff
Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday announced that the State Division of Human Rights has awarded more than $2.3 million in the past year to 126 women who filed sex discrimination claims against employers, landlords, and businesses across the state. In addition, the division has published new guidance on workplace protections against pregnancy discrimination. Hochul announced these actions on Women’s Equality Day.
Sex discrimination has been unlawful in New York State since 1964, and every year since, the division has worked to protect the rights of women to participate fully in the life of the State, Hochul said. In addition to obtaining those settlements since Hochul took office in August 2021, the division has published new guidance on pregnancy protections, as well as a factsheet that will alert employees of their rights and employers of their responsibilities around reasonable accommodation of pregnant workers.
Some notable resolutions include:
Two female security officers received settlements of $50,000 and $30,000 each after filing DHR complaints against their employers, alleging that they faced sex discrimination while working at a New York City hospital. The security officers alleged that they were assigned to less-desirable postings, denied equal opportunity for overtime, and denied breaks because their supervisors said female officers were “not equal to men.” The officers also alleged that they experienced retaliation after filing internal complaints.
A woman who worked at a dental office in Lockport received a settlement of over $70,000 plus $17,000 in legal fees after filing a sexual harassment and disability discrimination complaint against her employer through DHR. The woman, who worked as a hygiene coordinator, alleged that she experienced continual sexual harassment from the dentist who co-owned the practice she worked at. The woman alleged she was terminated after going out on sick leave for three weeks due to what was later found to be a brain tumor.
A New York City woman who worked in the billing department of a retail distributor received a settlement of $75,000 after alleging in a DHR complaint against her employer that she faced racial and pregnancy discrimination. The woman alleged that she faced derogatory comments and harassment from her supervisor for being a single mother after becoming pregnant. She also alleged that her work duties were changed to become less favorable after she came back from maternity leave.
A Long Island woman received a settlement of $45,000 after alleging that she experienced racist and sexist abuse and harassment while working as an office manager at a construction company in Brookhaven. Despite working for the company productively for several years, she was terminated after going out on disability.
“There’s no place for unlawful discrimination or harassment of any form—in the workplace or anywhere else,” Hochul said. “We’ve come a long way in changing workplace culture in government, and as we celebrate Women’s Equality Day across the state, we are sending a message that whether in a private setting or in a public sector office, sexual harassment is not okay. In New York State, we are committed to promoting safety, dignity, and respect for everyone.”
