CRKL attorneys Ramsey Hinkle and James Valentino recently secured a significant result in an employment discrimination matter on behalf of a female executive seeking protection under New York City’s Human Rights Laws.

The executive had sought a reasonable accommodation from her employer in order to provide necessary assistance to her disabled child. Shortly after requesting the accommodation, the executive was terminated and offered a small severance package by the employer.

As a caregiver for a disabled child, the executive was guaranteed certain protections from employment discrimination pursuant to the New York City Human Rights Laws. Valentino and Hinkle alleged that the employer’s termination of the executive was a violation of these laws. After negotiating with the employer, the attorneys successfully secured a pre-litigation settlement approximately six times higher than the initial offer.

As of 2016, New York’s Commission on Human Rights protects workers with caregiving responsibilities. Under this law, an employer cannot discriminate against an employee in New York City because that employee has children or cares for a sick or disabled relative.