Workplace Rights of Domestic Violence Victims
February 09, 2004
The New York City Human Rights Law was amended to require employers to provide reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants who are victims of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, and to prevent employers from discriminating against them because of their status as victims. NYC Adm. Code '' 8-101, 8-102, 8-107 and 8-107.1 According to Mayor Bloomberg, who signed the amendment into law on Dec. 22, 2003, these people are often unable to separate their status as victims from their jobs due to outside harassment or sexual assault impacting them at their workplace. Many times, victims of these crimes are late or miss several days of work, which can eventually lead to the loss of a job. Mayor Bloomberg believes that providing "reasonable accommodation" in the workplace will enable victims to remain productive and self-reliant, as well as help employers to retain their employees, minimize on-the-job disruptions and increase productivity.
A Word to the Wise
February 09, 2004
The employment-at-will doctrine is the bane of the plaintiffs' bar. Exceptions under New York law are rare and strictly construed against the employee. More than just a shield, the at-will doctrine has been a seeming impenetrable wall insulating employers from liability. Is there ever an instance where an employee can invoke the at-will doctrine for his or her benefit? Just ask Seth Brody.
Citigroup Executive Properly Denied Benefits
February 09, 2004
Citigroup properly exercised its discretion when it denied a terminated executive the right to exercise his unvested shares of stock, cancelled his unvested stock options, and denied benefits to him under its severance, deferred compensation, and supplemental executive retirement plans, rules Judge Naomi Buckwald in granting Citigroup's motion for summary judgment. <i>Welland v. Citigroup, Inc.</i>, 2003 WL 22973574 (S.D.N.Y. 12/17/03)
Escalation Wars!
February 01, 2004
Operating escalation challenges falls into the seasonal category. When economic times are good, commercial tenants pay rent escalations like clockwork. When times are hard, the same tenants -- aided by lease audit consultants working on a contingency basis -- suddenly "discover" hundreds of thousands of dollars in alleged escalation overcharges.
Index
February 01, 2004
A list of everything you need in this issue.
Development
February 01, 2004
Recent cases of importance to you and your practice.
Landlord & Tenant
February 01, 2004
The latest cases of interest to you and your practice.
