Caregivers to Receive Discrimination Protection in NYC

New York City’s Human Rights law has long been understood to provide broad and expansive anti-discrimination coverage to New York City’s employees. Just yesterday, Famighetti & Weinick posted a link on our Facebook page to an article discussing a recent appellate decision which reaffirmed the expansiveness of the laws. In the case, Singh v. Covenant Aviation Security, LLC, 131 A.D.3d 1158 (2d Dept., 2015), the Appellate Division highlighted a significant distinction between the City’s Human Rights law and similar Federal and State laws holding that a discriminatory motivation can play “no role” in an employment decision whereas employees must show under Federal and State law that the discrimination was a substantial role in the decision.

In addition to the reminder from the Courts about the expansive coverage of the City Human Rights law, the City Council also reminded us of their intent to provide broad coverage. On December 16, 2015, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of passing a bill to prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on the employee’s actual or perceived status as a caregiver.

The bill is awaiting the Mayor’s signature.

If you have a question about caregiver discrimination, the New York City Human Rights Law ,or any other area of employment discrimination, call the employment lawyers at Famighetti & Weinick, PLLC at 631-352-0050 or visit our web site at www.linycemploymentlaw.com.