August, 2011

August 31, 2011

EEOC Sues Ford Motor Company For Disability Discrimination

by Salvatore Gangemi of Murtha Cullina LLP

On August 26, 2011, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) filed a civil action against Ford Motor Company on behalf of a former employee, alleging that the company failed to provide a reasonable accommodation to the employee and ultimately fired her because of her disability.
The company maintained a telecommuting program for its employees. When the employee, Jane Harris, attempted to avail herself of the program as a result of her gastro-intestinal condition, the company refused her request. Thereafter, the company began criticizing her performance, placed her on a performance plan, and fired her after she complained that the company had failed to accommodate her medical condition.

August 29, 2011

New York Federal Court Rejects Classwide Discrimination Case Against Bloomberg L.P.

by Salvatore Gangemi of Murtha Cullina LLP

In Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Bloomberg L.P., No. 07 Civ. 8383 (S.D.N.Y. August 16, 2011), Judge Loretta Preska of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, dismissed a claim asserted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on behalf of 78 claimants alleging that Bloomberg L.P. engaged in a “pattern or practice” of discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and sex. Judge Preska found insufficient evidence to support the EEOC’s position that Bloomberg L.P.’s standard operating procedure included pregnancy discrimination.

August 19, 2011

New York City Council Passes Bill Strengthening Protections Against Religious Discrimination in Employment

by Salvatore Gangemi of Murtha Cullina LLP

This week, the New York City Council unanimously passed a bill providing greater religious-based protections to employees working in New York City. The bill was prompted by New York City Police Department rules that prohibited Sikh police officers from wearing turbans, which is required by their religion. Nevertheless, the bill, which is referred to as the “Workplace Religious Freedom Act,” protects all employees in New York City from religious discrimination.