HR Specialist: New York Employment Law

Employee interpretations of state laws are leading to sky-high numbers of lawsuits in the Empire State. Aggressive attorneys don’t stop with federal laws like FMLA, ADA and FLSA: they use state and local living-wage statutes, rural codes, plus discrimination and other laws to sue employers for sky’s-the-limit damages. This New York-specific newsletter arrives monthly to help sue-proof every aspect of HR. Written in plain English, it’s your insurance policy for staying in step with current interpretations of state and local laws – and staying out of court. Learn more about HR Specialist: New York Employment Law and the free report you’ll get when you subscribe...

One of the 11 female firefighters who broke the Fire Department of New York’s gender barrier in 1982 lost a $10 million discrimination suit against the department.

The firefighter testified to years of harassment, including finding urine in her boots and female hygiene items in her coat pockets; having dirty mop water thrown at her; and bringing her daughter to a staff party where her picture was posted on a wall with male genitalia drawn on it.

In addition to the nasty pranks and comments, the firefighter contended the department denied her prime positions and schedules, including a coveted job chauffeuring the chief. Instead, the chief assigned her to serve as his secretary.

Jurors said the evidence didn’t rise to the level demanded by the court. Department brass said the firefighter “manufactured” her complaints for profit.