Overview
2026
The Division resolved an agency-initiated complaint against American Airlines and several affiliated air carriers, alleging that airline employees were being penalized for taking time off related to a disability covered under the New York State Human Rights Law. Under the agreement reached between the Division and the parties, the airlines modified internal policies to incorporate the definition of disability under the Human Rights Law and will use this expansive definition when evaluating whether to grant reasonable accommodations to employees with disability-related absences. This agreement helps advance workplace protections for thousands of New York-based employees at one of the largest airline companies in the world. Click here for more information about this case.
A teacher at a private high school filed a complaint against his employer asserting that he was subject to harassment, held to different standards than other employees, disproportionately singled out for performance issues, and ultimately terminated due to his sexual orientation. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay the complainant $13,000 in damages.
A professor at a private not-for-profit university filed a complaint against her employer alleging the university improperly failed to provide her with a reasonable accommodation related to a known disability. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay the complainant $56,250 and also agreed to prominently display the Division of Human Rights’ anti-discrimination informational poster.
A complainant alleged that he was given a conditional job offer by a company that later was revoked the offer based on the results of a criminal background check. The complainant claimed the background check was inaccurate. The Division's investigation determined that the employer may not have performed the necessary legal analysis to justify revoking the employment offer based on the results of the background check. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay the complainant $7,250 in back wages.
A woman employed on a construction project filed a complaint with the Division alleging that a contractor repeatedly sexually harassed her, including through explicit and unwelcome remarks and text messages, and that her employer retaliated against her by terminating her after she reported the harassment. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay the complainant $15,000 in damages.
An employee filed a complaint against her employer alleging that she was unlawfully denied reasonable accommodations at work during her pregnancy, including being placed on leave and being denied a private space to pump breastmilk. In a settlement agreement, the employer agreed to pay the complainant $6,300 in back wages as well as an additional $4,200 in damages.
A woman working at a private company in Long Island filed a complaint with the Division alleging her supervisor verbally and physically sexually harassed her. The complainant further alleged that the company failed to properly address the harassment after it was reported internally, and that her employer ultimately retaliated against her by terminating her employment. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay the complainant $13,700 in back wages as well as an additional $11,300 in damages.
An employee with a disability filed a complaint against her employer alleging that her supervisors harassed her based on her race, denied her training opportunities, and unfairly disciplined her based on her disability. In a settlement agreement, the employer agreed to pay the complainant $20,000 in back wages.
A tenant living with a disability filed a complaint with the Division alleging their housing provider refused to renew their lease due to the complainant's disability. The complainant alleged due to her disability, it was not realistic to find another place to live within the timeframe given. In a settlement, the housing provider agreed to display information about the Human Rights Law, adopt an anti-discrimination policy, complete fair housing training, and make a $650 payment to the complainant.
A nonprofit organization filed a complaint with the Division alleging a real estate company and affiliated individuals discriminated against prospective home-buyers based on their race. In a settlement, the real estate company and other respondents agreed to display information about the Human Rights Law, adopt an anti-discrimination policy, complete fair housing training, and make a $4,000 payment to the complainant.
An employee filed a complaint alleging her employer told her she could not speak Spanish at work. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay $5,000 in damages to the complainant.
An employee filed a complaint against her employer alleging retaliation and discrimination based on race. The complainant said that she was singled out for discipline and unfavorable performance evaluations, unfairly passed over for promotions in favor of colleagues of a different race, and ultimately terminated. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay the complainant $45,000 in damages.
An individual trying to use public transportation filed a complaint with the Division alleging that a bus driver used derogatory and harassing insults and denied her service based on her race and sex. In a settlement, the Respondent agreed to pay $4,000 in damages to the Complainant.
An employee filed a complaint with the Division alleging that during an interview for a potential promotion, her employer felt her body inappropriately, claiming that this was to take measurements for a work uniform. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay $25,000 to the complainant.
An employee filed a complaint with the Division alleging her employer refused to allow her a reasonable accommodation to attend religious services on Sundays. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay the complainant $4,900 in back pay.
A parent filed a complaint with the Division on behalf of their child, who has a disability. The complaint alleged that the child’s service dog was denied entry at a restaurant, despite the parent’s explanation that the dog provided mobility services for the child. In a settlement, the restaurant owner agreed to complete a training on the Human Rights Law and the Americans With Disabilities Act, write a letter of apology to the complainant, and update their disability and reasonable accommodation policies.
An employee filed a complaint against their employer alleging that the employer would consistently show favoritism to other employees, use derogatory language, and make offensive categorical statements about members of the complainant’s religion. In a settlement, the employer agreed to pay $30,000 in back wages and damages to the complainant.
2025
The Division resolved an agency-initiated complaint against the owners, managers, and agents of a residential building in Queens following reports that the housing providers posted a sign in their building lobby encouraging reports to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement based only on an individual’s national origin. The Division’s complaint also alleged that the housing providers retaliated against tenants for cooperating with Division investigators, including by threatening them with immigration raids. In a settlement, the respondents agreed to pay a $55,000 fine, implement a written fair housing policy, remove questions from their rental policy pertaining to national origin, display the Division’s regulatory fair housing poster in a common area within the building, and participate in a fair housing training program. Click here for more information about this case.
The Division resolved agency-initiated complaints against two fire districts and fire departments on Long Island, alleging their display of Confederate flags on fire department property violated the New York State Human Rights Law. The Division resolved additional complaints against three other fire districts and departments on Long Island relating to allegations of discriminatory membership policies and application materials. In settling the case, the various fire districts and departments agreed to remove all displays or depictions of the Confederate flag and adopt policies prohibiting its use in the future; amend their membership applications and policies to comply with the Human Rights Law; and paid $28,000 in fines to the State of New York. Click here for more information about this case.
The Division resolved an agency-initiated housing discrimination case against two real estate companies in Orange County for violating a previous settlement agreement. The original case was filed by a mother who alleged the companies tried to evict her because her children were making noise in their apartment. The Division filed a new complaint after the companies failed to provide proof of fair housing training required under the terms of their settlement. Under the new agreement, the companies agreed to pay a $10,000 fine to New York State and undergo further training. Click here for more information about this case.
The Division resolved an agency-initiated complaint against a Nassau County real estate firm, agent, and property owner for housing discrimination. The Division alleged the respondents unlawfully asked about prospective tenants' race and refused to accept rental payments from a housing subsidy program. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the respondents agreed to pay $16,500 in fines to New York State, undergo training, and implement non-discrimination policies. Click here for more information about this case.
The Division resolved an agency-initiated complaint against a real estate company operating an apartment building in Manhattan for failing to honor a previous disability rights settlement. The Division filed a new complaint alleging the company neglected to provide proof of implementing mandated fair housing training and distribution of its reasonable accommodation policy to tenants. Under the new settlement, the company agreed to pay a $20,000 fine, adopt new policies for processing accommodation requests, and complete training requirements. Click here for more information about this case.
The Division announced a settlement in a case brought by a non-profit fair housing organization against a Brooklyn-based brokerage firm alleging that the firm and several affiliated real estate agents unlawfully refused to engage with potential tenants who indicated they would pay their rent with a housing voucher. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the respondents agreed to pay the fair housing organization $40,000 and provide free assistance in placing ten people with rental subsidies into residential housing each year for the following three years. The respondents also agreed to adopt and anti-discrimination policy, display an anti-discrimination poster, and participate in fair housing training. Click here for more information about this case.