BACKGROUND

An employee, who worked at two franchises owned by the same individual, sought legal recourse against sexual harassment in the workplace. Retaining the services of Employment Attorney Raymond Nardo, she pursued litigation to address the misconduct.

THE CASE

With the help of Attorney Nardo, she filed a charge of discrimination at the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR), initiating a legal process to address her grievances. Subsequently, the investigator found probable cause that discrimination occurred, leading to the advancement of the case for a hearing.

During the proceedings, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) presided over testimonies and evidence presented by both parties. Witnesses underwent rigorous direct and cross-examinations, contributing to a comprehensive study of the case.

Employment Attorney Raymond Nardo had carefully prepared the Complainant’s case, exposing the toxic nature of the workplace on the basis of sex and the hostile work environment.  He proved that "other co-workers subjected Complainant to an offensive, sexually charged work environment that was degrading to women."  The workplace included, "degrading, sexually explicit drawings [which] depicted male genitalia, sexual acts, and vulgar expressions," and a boss who "spoke openly about his sex life at work, made sexually explicit comments about women in Complainant's presence, and showed pornographic videos to Complainant on his cell phone." 

THE CONCLUSION

Attorney Nardo had made the case abundantly clear that the Complainant had worked in an environment full of degrading, sexually explicit materials and behavior. Following this thorough legal battle, the New York State Division of Human Rights awarded Complainant $27,359 in backpay and $15,000 in compensatory damages.

The employee's legal victory highlights the struggles of those faced with workplace harassment and discrimination and the necessity of legal recourse. Employment Attorney Raymond Nardo's successful litigation shows the crucial role experienced legal advocacy plays in safeguarding employees' rights and ensuring accountability in the workplace.

For individuals facing similar challenges or seeking legal advice, consultations with Employment Attorney Raymond Nardo are available.