The Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau issued a probable cause determination, and Respondents agreed to pay $55,000 in emotional distress damages to Complainant. We encourage you to submit a tip to the SEC if you believe you have been retaliated against for reporting potential securities law violations even if the retaliation occurred outside of the United States. Respondent claimed that other job options were very limited, and that Complainant never recovered from her injuries sufficiently to perform the essential functions of any job. If you have already reported to the company, you can still report to the Commission now. Dodd-Frank also created a private right of action that gives whistleblowers the right to file a retaliation complaint in federal court. If you have been asked to sign such an agreement, or have already signed such an agreement, and want to understand how the rules may apply to you, we encourage you to consult with an attorney. In addition to discrimination charges, in fiscal year 2020, the EEOC resolved 165 lawsuits and filed an additional 93 lawsuits. Respondent agreed to pay Complainant $12,500 in emotional distress damages, to modify its employee policies to better comply with the NYC Human Rights Law, and to train its managers on the NYC Human Rights Law. The Respondent agreed to attend training on theNYC Human Rights Law and pay the Complainant $2,500 in emotional distress damages. While the federal government has focused on settlement and arbitration agreements, state governments have attempted a variety of techniques to address sexual harassment. The Respondent also agreed to create a comprehensive policy regarding assessment of applicants with criminal conviction histories' to provide training to human resources employees; and to display postings outlining its obligations under the NYC Human Rights Law. EEOC RETALIATION LAWSUIT- $165,000 Settlement November 2, 2020 Chicago District Office 230 S. Dearborn St. Suite 2920 Chicago, IL 60604 CONTACT: Elizabeth Banaszak, Trial Attorney. 3-17596 (September 29, 2016), In the Matter of Paradigm Capital Management, Inc. and Candace King Weir, File No. With the help of an experienced legal team, you can rest assured that you have the best chance of getting compensation for the damage caused. Aarons Inc. Settles Fair Chance Act Violations for $40,000 in Civil Penalties, Implements Ban the Box Policies NationwideTesting conducted by the Commission revealed that Aarons Inc., a lease-to-own retailer, advertised positions in New York City with the following unlawful language included in its job postings, A drug screen and criminal background investigation is required and an online employment application form requiring applicants to allow Respondent to conduct a criminal background check and credit history check. The Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau investigation revealed that Respondents intentionally failed to process the legally required paperwork for Complainants Section 8 voucher. PSF will also post the Commissions Notice of Rights, Single-Sex Facilities Notice, and Pink and Blue campaign posters at both Dolphin Fitness locations, and a member of PSFs management will attend training at the Commission. The Commission filed a complaint and issued a determination of probable cause. The Retaliation Complaint Investigation Unit (RCI) investigates workplace retaliation complaints. Respondents will attend NYC Human Rights Law training, create employment policies in compliance with the NYC Human Rights Law, and post the Commissions Stop Sexual Harassment in NYC Act Notice, Notice of Rights poster, and Pregnancy Discrimination in Employment Notice. Respondents denied these allegations, and the Complainant and Respondents entered into a conciliation agreement requiring Respondents to pay $17,500 in emotional distress damages to Complainant. 2020 Settlement Highlights Among the Commission's 2020 Settlements, fashion retailer Zara agreed to pay $30,000 in emotional distress damages and work to create employment opportunities for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary New Yorkers ( March ). Mrs. Bee Corp. (Formerly Webster Hall Entertainment Corporation) Agrees To Pay Emotional Distress Damages and Issue a Written Apology in Gender-Based Harassment CaseComplainant, who identifies as gender non-binary, alleged that Respondents former employee subjected them to gender-based harassment and discrimination while they were attending an event at Respondents former entertainment venue. The Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau (LEB) conducted an investigation, including a review of the allegations and Yodles employment applications. He was dissuaded from applying for the job due to his credit history, and filed a complaint with the Law Enforcement Bureau. The lawsuit underscores the fact that all employers, both public and private companies, are susceptible to these types of claims. The Respondent agreed to pay $6,000 to the Complainant in emotional distress damages and agreed to display the Commissions Notice of Rights poster and to training for the owner and manager on the NYC Human Rights Law. Respondent Shin Gallery agreed to create a policy in accordance with its obligations under the New York City Human Rights Law to provide reasonable accommodations and to attend training on the Law. Through its investigation, the Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau discovered evidence to support Complainants allegations. As EEOC works to address this issue, you can help. For detailed information about the program, including eligibility requirements and certain limitations that apply, please see Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Amended Rules implementing the program. Landlord and Broker Settle Source of Income Discrimination Case for $21,000 and Affirmative Relief, Including Set-Aside of Apartments for Voucher HoldersBased on paired testing by the Fair Housing Justice Center contracted by the Commission, the Commission filed a Commission-initiated complaint against Ginesteri Equities and Giovanni Ginestri, a landlord, and Signature Spaces, a broker, alleging source of income discrimination. Sex Discrimination. 3-21294 (Feb. 3, 2023), In the Matter of The Brink's Company, File No. NYC Department of Correction Agrees To Pay $6,000 and Put Up Postings to Settle Former Employees Race and Marital Status Discrimination ClaimComplainant, an investigator for the NYC Department of Corrections, alleged that during an interview for a specialized unit a supervisor asked about his marital status and stated that members of Complainants race never made it on to Respondents team. Respondents Pay $15,000 in Emotional Distress Damages and Agree to Bring Complainants Account Balance to Zero in Source of Income Discrimination CaseComplainant, a Section 8 recipient, filed a Complainant alleging that her landlord refused to allow her to begin using her Section 8 voucher after she became eligible for the voucher during her tenancy. After this is decided, the lawsuit itself will follow. Area. 3-20820 (April 12, 2022), In the Matter of Guggenheim Securities, LLC, File No. After a tumultuous 2017, federal, state, and local governments have spent the start of 2018 reconsidering their approach toward sexual harassment in the workplace. Tex. Further, the Commission has neither approved nor disapproved them. Touro also agreed to modify its employee policies to comply with the NYC Human Rights Law as well as train its managers and supervisors on the NYC Human Rights Law. Respondent then informed Complainant that Complainant not been chosen for the unit. pay inequity based on race. No matter what type of case you are involved with, it is imperative to retain an attorney that is well-versed in the area of discrimination and retaliation. Respondent agreed to pay $2,500 in emotional distress damages to Complainant, conduct training on the Fair Chance Act and the NYC Human Rights Law, make policy changes and post the Commissions Notice of Rights and the Stop Sexual Harassment poster in its workplace. $100,000 - CEPA Retaliation $125,000 - CEPA Retaliation $125,000 - Sexual Harassment $100,000 - Disability Discrimination $200,000 - Race Discrimination 2020 $352,000 - Disability Discrimination $300,000 - Marital Status Discrimination $225,000 - Sexual Harassment $110,000 - National Origin Discrimination $247,000 - Sexual Harassment NYC Parks Pays $25,000, Holds Training, Changes Policies, and Agrees To Rehire Survivor of Domestic Violence Respondent NYC Parks and three individual managers at the Lyons Pool and Recreation Center(Lyons) in Staten Island have agreed to settle a case filed by a former employee whom they refused to accommodate despite being informed that she was a survivor of domestic violence. Reasons Why You Should Choose a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer After a Collision, Parental Awareness of Common Playground Injuries. The Complainants were paid $3,000 dollars in emotional distress damages, and the landlord agreed to post the Commission's Notice of Rights and "Fair Housing, It's the Law" poster, and attend the Commission's "Know Your Obligations" training. Key Food Supermarket Agrees to Training, Policy Creation, and Posting in Disability Discrimination MatterA patron filed a complaint against 42-15 Food Corp. d/b/a Key Food Supermarket (Key Food), alleging that she was denied services because of her service animal. Unfair immigration-related practices. Through its investigation, the Law Enforcement Bureau discovered evidence to support allegations that Complainants supervisor made inappropriate sexual comments and subjected Complainant to unwanted touching on multiple occasions. Broker Pays $5,000 in Damages in Source of Income Discrimination CaseComplainant who alleged source of income discrimination based on her attempt to use a voucher brought a complaint against a broker and his employer. In addition to protecting whistleblowers who have reported possible securities law violations from retaliation, Commission Rule 21F-17 (a) prohibits any person from taking any action to prevent you from contacting the SEC directly to report a possible securities law violation. FY 2016 - FY 2020: As a percentage of total charge receipts, receipts that included a claim for retaliation increased. The Commission and the parties entered into a conciliation agreement requiring Respondents to pay Complainant $15,000 in emotional distress damages, pay $1,500 in civil penalties to the City of New York, train its employees on the NYC Human Rights Law protections in housing, create an anti-discrimination policy, post the Commissions Fair Housing poster, distribute the Commissions Fair Housing brochure, and submit to monitoring for a period of two years. Additionally, Chipotle agreed to monitor reasonable accommodation requests for one (1) year at fifteen (15) New York City based locations and submit its log to the Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau at the end of the year. After investigation by the Commissions Law Enforcement Bureau, Respondent agreed to enter into a stipulation and order to accommodate Complainants disability by installing a railing on the main entrance steps of the building. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act expanded the protections for whistleblowers and broadened the prohibitions against retaliation. After completing the application, in which Complainant was required to share criminal history information, Respondent never followed up with her to refer her to any clients.