Torres v. Central Avenue Nissan, Inc. et al
Filing
46
OPINION AND ORDER re: 35 MOTION for Summary Judgment . filed by Central Avenue Nissan, Inc., James O'Rourke. Defendants' motion for summary judgment is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. Specifically, the Court grants su mmary judgment on Torres's claims for discriminatory termination under the ADA and retaliation under Title VII and the NYSHRL, and otherwise denies summary judgment. Defendants' requests for oral argument are DENIED as moot. Docs. 36 and 43. The parties are directed to appear for a status conference on April 14, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. The parties are directed to dial (877) 411-9748 and enter access code 3029857, followed by the pound (#) sign. The Clerk of Court is respectfully direc ted to amend the caption of this action to replace James ORourke with James Rourke and terminate the motion. Doc. 35. It is SO ORDERED., ( Telephone Conference set for 4/14/2021 at 10:30 AM before Judge Edgardo Ramos.) (Signed by Judge Edgardo Ramos on 3/31/21) (yv)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
KRISTA TORRES,
Plaintiff,
OPINION AND ORDER
– against –
CENTRAL AVENUE NISSAN, INC.,
JAMES O’ROURKE, and ALI DOE,
18 Civ. 2919 (ER)
Defendants.
RAMOS, D.J.:
Krista Torres filed this action on April 3, 2018. Doc. 1. In her operative
complaint, Torres brings claims for sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”) and the New York State Human Rights
Law (“NYSHRL”), and for discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of the
Americans with Disability Act (“ADA”). Doc. 20. Pending before the Court is
Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on all of Torres’s claims. Doc. 35.
For the reasons set forth below, Defendants’ motion is GRANTED in part and
DENIED in part.
I.
BACKGROUND
A. Factual Background
Central Avenue Nissan, Inc. (“Central Avenue”) is a car dealership in Yonkers,
New York that provides retail car services. Doc. 42 ¶ 1. James Rourke was the general
manager and part-owner of Central Avenue at all relevant times.1 See Docs. 37-17 at 7:4–
17 and 39-18 at 7:6–18. Torres was employed at Central Avenue for approximately a
five-and-a-half-month period from the end of April 2016 through November 15, 2016.
See Doc. 42 ¶¶ 3, 7.
Although the caption lists “James O’Rourke” as a defendant, Defendants note that the defendant’s actual
name is “James Rourke.” See Doc. 36 at 5 n.1.
1
1. Job Responsibilities and Non-discrimination Policy
Torres worked as a salesperson her entire time at Central Avenue. Id. ¶ 8. When
she was hired, she received a written copy of the job description for a salesperson that
specified her duties at work. See id. ¶ 9; see also Docs. 37-2 and 39-17 at 55:19–56:4.
Those duties included maintaining a professional appearance, attending sales meetings
and trainings, greeting and assisting customers, demonstrating the products to customers,
taking customers on test drives, and coordinating delivery of cars. Doc. 42 ¶ 9. Torres
also received and signed Central Avenue’s non-discrimination policy (the “Policy”),
which contains procedures for reporting harassment. Id. ¶¶ 4–6. Specifically, the Policy
provides that “[a]ll employees are expected to avoid any behavior or conduct that could
reasonably be interpreted as unlawful harassment.” Doc. 37-1 at 1. The Policy notes that
harassment includes unwelcome conduct that is based on a person’s sex or disability. Id.
The Policy also provides examples of sexual harassment, such as “sex-oriented verbal
‘kidding,’” “foul or obscene language or gesture,” “physical contact such as patting,
pinching, or brushing against another’s body,” and “demands for sexual favors.” Id.
Under the reporting procedures outlined in the Policy, employees are to report any
alleged sexual harassment to their immediate supervisor or to one of the owners of the
dealership. Id. at 2. From there, an investigation will be conducted, although the Policy
fails to include many specifics regarding the investigation process—including who
conducts the investigations. See id. However, Rosa Dias, the comptroller at Central
Avenue, testified that the owners of the dealership have historically conducted
investigations pursuant to the Policy and decided whether an allegation was frivolous.
See Doc. 40-1 at 26:9–27:13. The Policy also states that, “[i]f the investigation concludes
that the allegation is without merit, the claimant may be subject to discipline for bringing
a frivolous complaint.” Doc. 37-1 at 2.
2
2. Incidents of Alleged Disability Discrimination
Torres suffers from scoliosis and has a metal rod prosthesis in her back. See Doc.
42 ¶ 2. Torres alleges that her scoliosis affected what she could do at Central Avenue.
According to Torres, due to her scoliosis, she could not lift anything heavy, and she could
not stand for long periods of time, i.e., no more than an hour. Doc. 39-17 at 34:11–21,
36:25–37:10. Additionally, Torres testified that she was unable to change license plates
or bend down. Id. at 34:23–35:25. According to Torres, she informed Central Avenue of
her physical limitations due to her scoliosis during the interview process, specifically that
she could not stand for certain periods of time, she had to take breaks, she could not lift
heavy objects, and she could not stand outside for a certain period of time in the heat. Id.
at 46:8–24, 47:6–48:25, 91:16–24. Torres also testified that, in response to her statements
about her disability, Sam Salvin, the general sales manager at the time, stated that he
would accommodate her needs. See id. at 53:2–5; see also Doc. 39-18 at 12:6–11.
According to Torres, she also informed Rourke during a subsequent interview about her
physical limitations, including that she could not stand for a certain period of time. Doc.
39-17 at 53:22–54:23.
Torres also testified that she complained about her treatment due to her disability
while she worked at Central Avenue, including to Salvin and Rourke. Id. at 77:7–78:23.
In her testimony, she shared several instances in which she alleges Central Avenue failed
to accommodate her limitations due to her scoliosis. For example, Torres stated that one
time Rourke and Ali Mahidashti, her direct supervisor, directed once to drive a car to
Rhode Island for a car swap. Id. at 89:15–22. According to Torres, she informed them
that the drive was too far, and that she was not comfortable being a car for so long, in part
because she could not sit for the time required to drive to Rhode Island from the
dealership. Id. at 90:3–20. She testified that, at most, she could sit in a car for half an
hour while driving. Id. at 90:21–23, 92:5–13. According to Torres, Rourke and
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Mahidashti responded by saying that “it was [her] job. That [she] had to do it.” Id. at
92:16–20.
Torres also recounted having to stand outside in the sun for long periods of time
to sell cars during her first two months on the job. Id. at 93:18–22, 97:3–15. More
specifically, Torres testified that the entire management team told her that she had to stand
outside to get new customers because she was new, and they told her to stand outside
until she brought in a customer with whom she could make a deal. See id. at 93:20–94:9,
96:6–17, 100:21–101:4. According to Torres, both Rourke and Mahidashti stated that she
had to stand outside to get new customers. Id. at 100:25–101:20. Torres stated that she
spent a couple of hours in the sun every shift during those first two months, sometimes
standing in the sun for an hour and a half at a time. Id. at 98:9–12. After her first two
months, however, she was no longer required to stand outside. Id. at 97:8–15.
Additionally, Torres testified that the management team directed her to remove
and affix license plates on cars despite her physical limitations. Id. at 110:20–25.
According to Torres, she informed management that she could not constantly bend down
and change license plates because of her condition, and she asked if she could have
someone help her with the task. Id. at 111:2–10, 112:20–114:17, 115:2–7. Torres
testified that Rourke and other members of the management team responded by saying
that the task was part of her job description. Id. at 111:12–20. According to Torres, she
had approximately ten conversations with management about this issue. See id. at 112:5–
24.
Further, Torres testified, in one instance, Rourke and Mahidashti directed her to
transfer a car seat and a few other items between cars. Id. at 118:10–18, 121:3–17.
According to Torres, she was informed that transferring items between vehicles was one
of her responsibilities. Id. at 119:19–120:2. However, Torres stated that, physically, she
could not take out the car seat. Id. at 121:12–15. According to Torres, the management
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team told that she still had to take out the car seat, and she ended up moving the seat
herself. Id. at 121:18–122:3.
Finally, Torres testified that she was required to stand or sit for long periods of
time with only one half-hour break per day. Id. at 127:12–128:14. According to Torres,
she would often have to stand for seven-and-a-half hours at a time. Id. at 129:14–25.
Torres stated that she complained to the management team several times, reminding them
of her back problems and inability to stand for long periods of time. Id. at 130:7–20,
131:10–13. According to Torres, they replied by saying that standing for that duration
was part of the job. Id. at 130:19–24. Torres recalled stating that she needed a break and
requested a place to sit, although she did not recall what exactly management said in
response to those requests. Id. at 132:12–23.
3. Incidents of Alleged Sexual Harassment
Torres also alleges that Rourke repeatedly harassed her during her employment.
Torres recounted that, during the summer of 2016, Rourke told her and the other
saleswomen they would need to wear bathing suits on the sales floor for an upcoming
event. Doc. 39-17 at 184:4–185:4. Torres testified that, when she told Rourke that she
felt uncomfortable with the idea, Rourke told her that she should not bother coming back
to work if she did not wear the bathing suit. Id. at 187:13–20, 190:2–25. Further, Torres
stated that, on the day of the event, she attempted wear a blouse instead, but Rourke
demanded that she take off her blouse and directed her to wear the bathing suit. Id. at
191:15–192:17. Torres stated that she ultimately complied. Id. at 193:11–12.
Beginning in August 2016, Torres testified, Rourke began acting more
aggressively towards her. See id. at 151:12–152:16. Up until then, according to Torres,
Rourke would sometimes wink at her around the dealership. Id. at 152:5–16. But
beginning in August, there were approximately five instances when Rourke approached
her while she was working at her computer, hovered over her, and touched her shoulders.
Id. at 151:12–152:4, 154:6–11, 155:5–12. Torres testified that when this happened, she
5
would move away and try to avoid Rourke, but she was too afraid to tell him to stop. Id.
at 155:20–156:9. Additionally, Torres stated that Rourke would often try to get close to
her and sit next to her. See id. at 154:6–12, 161:4–12. Torres also testified that, while
they were working, Rourke asked her out for a date between five and ten times. Id. at
153:4–10, 154:6–9, 158:9–159:5. Further, according to Torres, Rourke approached her
approximately five times just to say “how big his penis was and how great he was in
bed.” Id. at 153:10–13, 160:3–161:3. Torres noted that many of these actions would
occur in the same interaction. See id. at 161:24–162:5. Finally, Torres testified that, at
one point in August 2016, Rourke, fully clothed, walked up to her and slowly rubbed his
groin area against her leg, such that she could feel his penis against her leg. Id. at 163:5–
23, 165:13–20, 166:14–23. It is undisputed that Torres never reported any complaints
regarding sexual harassment during her time at Central Avenue, either through the
procedures outlined in the Policy or otherwise. See Doc. 42 ¶ 18.
4. End of Employment at Central Avenue
Torres’s employment with Central Avenue ended after a dispute she had with
Mahidashti. Doc. 42 ¶ 13. According to Torres, Mahidashti told her “to leave and don’t
come back.” Doc. 39-17 at 143:24–144:12. It is undisputed that her dispute with
Mahidashti did not concern discrimination or sexual harassment. Doc. 42 ¶ 14. Shortly
after she was terminated, Torres was asked to come back to work at the dealership, but
she declined the offer. See id. ¶ 15. According to Torres, when she was offered her job
back by another part-owner of Central Avenue, she stated that she did not want to return
to the dealership because “it’s a hostile environment.” Doc. 39-17 at 144:17–145:8.
Torres admits that she did not explain what she meant by “hostile environment” to that
part-owner, but she later testified that the term included Rourke’s actions described
above. See id. at 145:17–146:23.
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B. Procedural History
On April 3, 2018, Torres filed the instant suit.2 Doc. 1. On July 20, 2018, Torres
filed an amended complaint, removing Ali Doe as a defendant. See Doc. 20. In her
amended complaint, Torres asserts claims for: sexual harassment in violation of Title VII
and the NYSHRL against Central Avenue, retaliation in violation of Title VII against
Central Avenue, retaliation in violation of the NYSHRL against Defendants, disability
discrimination in violation of the ADA against Central Avenue, and aiding and abetting in
violation of the NYSHRL against Rourke. Id. On April 1, 2020, Defendants filed the
instant motion for summary judgment. Doc. 35.
II.
DISCUSSION
A. Legal Standard
Summary judgment is appropriate where “the movant shows that there is no
genuine dispute as to any material fact.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). A fact is “material” if it
might affect the outcome of the litigation under the governing law. H.Daya Int’l Co., Ltd.
v. Arazi, 348 F. Supp. 3d 304, 308 (S.D.N.Y. 2018). “An issue of fact is ‘genuine’ if the
evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the non-moving party.”
Senno v. Elmsford Union Free Sch. Dist., 812 F. Supp. 2d 454, 467 (S.D.N.Y. 2011)
(citing SCR Joint Venture L.P. v. Warshawsky, 559 F.3d 133, 137 (2d Cir. 2009)). The
party moving for summary judgment is first responsible for demonstrating the absence of
any genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). If
the moving party meets its burden, “the nonmoving party must come forward with
admissible evidence sufficient to raise a genuine issue of fact for trial in order to avoid
summary judgment.” Saenger v. Montefiore Med. Ctr., 706 F. Supp. 2d 494, 504
(S.D.N.Y. 2010) (quoting Jaramillo v. Weyerhaeuser Co., 536 F.3d 140, 145 (2d Cir.
2008)).
Torres received her right to sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on January 5,
2018. Doc. 39-5.
2
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In deciding a motion for summary judgment, the Court must “construe the facts in
the light most favorable to the non-moving party and must resolve all ambiguities and
draw all reasonable inferences against the movant.” Brod v. Omya, Inc., 653 F.3d 156,
164 (2d Cir. 2011) (quoting Williams v. R.H. Donnelley, Corp., 368 F.3d 123, 126 (2d Cir.
2004)). However, in opposing a motion for summary judgment, the non-moving party
may not rely on unsupported assertions, conjecture, or surmise. Goenaga v. March of
Dimes Birth Defects Found., 51 F.3d 14, 18 (2d Cir. 1995). “Only disputes over ‘facts
that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law’ will preclude a grant of
summary judgment.” Malmsteen v. Universal Music Grp., Inc., 940 F. Supp. 2d 123, 130
(S.D.N.Y. 2013) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986)). As
such, to defeat a motion for summary judgment, “the non-moving party must set forth
significant, probative evidence on which a reasonable fact-finder could decide in its
favor.” Senno, 812 F. Supp. 2d at 467–68 (citing Anderson, 477 U.S. at 256–57). The
Second Circuit, however, has noted that an extra measure of caution is merited in
reviewing a motion for summary judgment in a discrimination action, as “direct evidence
of discriminatory intent is rare and such intent often must be inferred from circumstantial
evidence found in affidavits and depositions.” See Schiano v. Quality Payroll Sys., Inc.
445 F.3d 597, 603 (2d Cir. 2006) (quoting Holtz v. Rockefeller & Co., Inc., 258 F.3d 62,
69 (2d Cir. 2001)).
B. Hostile Work Environment Claims Under Title VII and the NYSHRL
Against Central Avenue
1. Hostile Work Environment
The same standards govern hostile work environment claims under Title VII and
the NYSHRL. See Rivera v. Rochester Genesee Reg’l Transp. Auth., 743 F.3d 11, 20 n.4
(2d Cir. 2014). To establish a prima facie case of hostile work environment, a plaintiff
must show that: (1) “the discriminatory harassment was sufficiently severe or pervasive
8
to alter the conditions of the victim’s employment and create an abusive working
environment,” (2) “that a specific basis exists for imputing the objectionable conduct to
the employer,” and (3) “the hostile conduct occurred because of” the plaintiff’s sex. See
Tolbert v. Smith, 790 F.3d 427, 439 (2d Cir. 2015) (quotations omitted); see also Springs
v. City of New York, 2019 WL 1429567, No. 17 Civ. 451 (AJN), at *10 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 29,
2019).
“In considering whether a plaintiff has met this burden, courts should ‘examin[e]
the totality of the circumstances, including: the frequency of the discriminatory conduct;
its severity; whether it is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive
utterance; and whether it unreasonably interferes with the victim’s [job] performance.’”
Rivera, 743 F.3d at 20 (quoting Hayut v. State Univ. of N.Y., 352 F.3d 733, 745 (2d Cir.
2003)). “As a general rule, incidents must be more than episodic; they must be
sufficiently continuous and concerted in order to be deemed pervasive.” Alfano v.
Costello, 294 F.3d 365, 374 (2d Cir. 2002) (quotation omitted). “However, ‘even a single
act can meet the threshold if, by itself, it can and does work a transformation of the
plaintiff’s workplace.’” James v. N.Y.C. Health and Hosps. Corp., No. 15 Civ. 6015
(PAE), 2017 WL 3923675, at *9 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 6, 2017) (quoting Alfano, 294 F.3d at
374). Moreover, this “test has objective and subjective elements: the misconduct shown
must be severe or pervasive enough to create an objectively hostile or abusive work
environment, and the victim must also subjectively perceive that environment to be
abusive.” Alfano, 294 F.3d at 374 (quotation omitted); see also Creacy v. BCBG Max
Azria Grp., LLC, No. 14 Civ. 10008 (ER), 2017 WL 1216580, *7 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31,
2017). Ultimately, “[t]he question of whether a work environment is sufficiently hostile
9
to violate Title VII is one of fact.” Chin-McKenzie v. Continuum Health Partners, 876 F.
Supp. 2d 270, 283 (S.D.N.Y. 2012) (quoting Redd v. N.Y. State Div. of Parole, 678 F.3d
166, 178 (2d Cir. 2012)); see also Schiano, 445 F.3d at 605.
Central Avenue argues that, as a matter of law, Rourke’s alleged conduct was not
sufficiently severe or pervasive. Central Avenue asserts that many of the incidents Torres
alleges occurred at the same time. According to Central Avenue’s assessment of Torres’s
testimony, she presents a total of five advances by Rourke and three other isolated
incidents over a five-and-a-half-month period of employment, and that frequency of
events cannot be described as continuous. Additionally, Central Avenue asserts that
Torres’s co-workers testified that they, not Rourke, planned the beach-themed sales event,
thereby contradicting that allegation.
The record, however, contains sufficient evidence to meet Torres’s burden. As an
initial matter, Central Avenue’s characterization of the Torres’s allegations—that most of
the advances occurred during five interactions—is not supported by the record: although
Torres testified that some of Rourke’s advances—such as hovering over her, touching her
shoulders without consent, describing his genitals, and asking her out—sometimes
occurred during the same interaction, she never states that those advances always
occurred at the same time. See Doc. 39-17 at 151:12–152:4, 153:4–10, 154:6–11, 155:5–
12, 158:9–159:5, 161:4–162:5. Further, to the extent that there is any ambiguity on the
timing of these advances, the Court must construe the facts in the light most favorable to
Torres at this procedural juncture. See Brod, 653 F.3d at 164. Accordingly, the Court
declines to assume that all of the alleged advances happened during the same five
interactions.
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Regardless, the Court concludes that Torres has met her burden. The Second
Circuit has emphasized that direct contact with an intimate body part “constitutes one of
the most severe forms of sexual harassment,” Redd v. N.Y. Div. of Parole, 678 F.3d 166,
177, 179 (2d Cir. 2012) (noting that parole officer rubbed up against and felt plaintiff’s
breasts), and courts in this Circuit have held that a single incident that involved such
contact is sufficient to establish a hostile work environment claim, see Springs, 2019 WL
1429567, at *11 (holding that single incident where co-worker placed genitals on
plaintiff’s face was sufficient for hostile work environment claim); see also Dillon v. Ned
Mgmt., Inc., 85 F. Supp. 3d 639, 663 (E.D.N.Y. 2015) (holding that single incident where
co-worker grabbed plaintiff’s buttock was sufficient for hostile work environment claim).
Accordingly, the Court concludes that Torres’s testimony that Rourke slowly rubbed up
against her so that she could feel his penis against her leg is sufficient in itself to establish
that her workplace was actionably hostile.
Further, the totality of the circumstances in this case aggravate the severity of the
incident. Springs, 2019 WL 1429567, at *11. Torres testified that, prior to August 2016,
Rourke would often wink at her, and had forced her to wear a bathing suit as part of a
sales event. Doc. 39-17 at 152:5–16, 184:4–185:4, 187:13–20, 190:2–25. According to
Torres, Rourke’s advances—hovering over her, repeatedly asking her out on dates,
describing his genitals and his supposed sexual prowess—began in August 2016, when
the alleged intimate contact occurred. See id. at 151:12–152:16. In the light most
favorable to Torres, the Court finds that a reasonable factfinder could conclude that Torres
faced a hostile work environment. Gorzynski v. JetBlue Airways Corp., 596 F.3d 93, 102
(2d Cir. 2010) (holding that six sexual comments and multiple instances of non-
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consensual touching and staring, occurring over seven months, constituted sufficient
evidence for hostile work environment claim); James, 2017 WL 3923675, at *9 (holding
that co-worker’s multiple unwanted advances, comments about sexual activity and
genitals, and attempts to touch and rub up against employee over a period of months were
sufficiently severe and pervasive for a hostile work environment claim); see also Springs,
2019 WL 1429567, at *11.
Central Avenue also emphasizes that other evidence in the record contradicts
Torres’s testimony about some of Rourke’s alleged actions. Essentially, Central Avenue
wants the Court to resolve these questions of fact. But those questions are for the finder
of fact to determine. For the purpose of surviving summary judgment, Torres has
presented evidence sufficient to support a jury finding that Rourke’s conduct created a
hostile work environment in violation of Title VII and the NYSHRL. See James, 2017
WL 3923675, at *10.
2. Faragher/Ellerth Defense
“Under Title VII, individuals may not be held personally liable.” James, 2017
WL 3923675, at *10 (quotation omitted). Accordingly, “[b]eyond demonstrating a
hostile work environment, a plaintiff must show a basis for imputing the objectionable
conduct to the employer.” Gorzynski, 596 F.3d at 103. “When, as here, the alleged
harasser is in a supervisory position over the plaintiff, the objectionable conduct is
automatically imputed to the employer.” Id. (first citing Burlington Indus., Inc. v. Ellerth,
524 U.S. 742, 765 (1998); then citing Faragher v. City of Boca Raton, 524 U.S. 775, 807
(1998)). But even then, the employer can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that
12
it is protected by the Faragher/Ellerth defense.3 Springs, 2019 WL 1429567, at *12
(citing Gorzynski, 596 F.3d at 103). This defense consists of two elements: (1) “the
employer exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any [discriminatory]
harassing behavior,” and (2) “the plaintiff employee unreasonably failed to take
advantage of any preventative or corrective opportunities provided by the employer or to
avoid harm otherwise.” Faragher, 524 U.S. at 807; Ellerth, 524 U.S. at 765; see also
Springs, 2019 WL 1429567, at *12.
Here, it is undisputed that Rourke had a supervisory position over Torres. See,
e.g., Doc. 39-18 at 7:4–17, 9:8–22, 55:24–56:7. Accordingly, his actions are
automatically imputed to Central Avenue. See Gorzynski, 596 F.3d 93 at 103. However,
as Central Avenue notes, it is also undisputed that Torres never reported any of Rourke’s
alleged actions while she worked at Central Avenue, either through the procedures
outlined in the Policy or otherwise. See Doc. 42 ¶ 18. Central Avenue argues that the
presence of reporting procedures in the Policy satisfy the first prong of the
Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense. As to the second prong, Central Avenue contends
that Torres should have—but failed to—report any alleged harassment to any of her
supervisors or the other owners in the dealership, and she fails to provide any justifiable
excuse for her failure to do so. Therefore, according to Central Avenue, the
Where “sexual harassment ‘culminate[s] in a tangible employment action, such as discharge, demotion, or
undesirable reassignment, the employer is held strictly liable, and [n]o affirmative defense is available.’”
Chin-McKenzie v. Continuum Health Partners, 876 F. Supp. 2d 270, 283 (S.D.N.Y. 2012) (quoting Redd v.
N.Y. State Div. of Parole, 678 F.3d 166, 178 (2d Cir. 2012)). The parties dispute whether there is some
evidence in the record to support the conclusion that Torres suffered a tangible employment action because
of the alleged sexual discrimination. However, the Court need not address that issue because, even
assuming Central Avenue can raise the Faragher/Ellerth defense, the defense fails, as noted below. See
Gorzynski, 596 F.3d at 103 n.3.
3
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Faragher/Ellerth defense bars Torres’s hostile work environment claim regardless of
whether there is a fact issue as to the merits of that claim.
Torres disputes the adequacy of the Policy, but the Court need not analyze the first
prong because Central Avenue fails to show, as a matter of law, that Torres unreasonably
failed to take advantage of that policy. “[A] failure to report sexual harassment may be
excused where the employee has ‘a credible fear that her complaint would not be taken
seriously or that she would suffer some adverse employment action as a result of filing a
complaint.’” Chin-McKenzie, 876 F. Supp. 2d at 285 (quoting Leopold v. Baccarat, 239
F.3d 243, 246) (2d Cir. 2001)). The analysis in Chin-McKenzie is instructive here. In that
case, the court concluded that, even if the plaintiff failed to avail herself of her
employer’s anti-harassment policy, she would still prevail on summary judgment because
of a fact issue regarding whether it would be unreasonable to forego using the reporting
mechanisms in the policy. Id. at 284–85. The record in that case reflected that the alleged
harasser’s wife held a high position in the department in which the plaintiff work, and
plaintiff noted that as a basis to fear reprisal. Id. at 285. Accordingly, the court
concluded that the plaintiff had raised a triable issue of fact as to whether any failure to
use the anti-harassment policy was “excused, and the Faragher/Ellerth defense thereby
vitiated, because of her credible fear of retaliation.” Id.
Here, Torres’s failure to use the Policy is even more justified than the
circumstances described in Chin-McKenzie because the alleged harasser here is the
general manager and part-owner of the dealership. See id. Further, there is evidence in
the record that indicates that, as a part-owner, Rourke would be part of the team
responsible for investigating any report Torres filed. See Docs. 37-1 and 40-1 at 26:9–
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27:10. Moreover, Torres notes the additional chilling effect in place due to the possibility
of facing discipline for filing a complaint that is determined to be frivolous, especially in
light of the fact that the owners—including Rourke—decide whether an investigation is
frivolous. See Docs. 37-1 at 2 and 40-1 at 27:11–13. Accordingly, the Court concludes
that Torres has raised a triable issue of fact as to whether her failure to use the Policy was
excused and, therefore, whether Defendants’ Faragher/Ellerth defense would be vitiated,
because of her credible fear of retaliation. See Chin-McKenzie, 876 F. Supp. 2d at 285
(citing Leopold, 239 F.3d at 246). The Court therefore denies summary judgment on
these claims.
C. Aiding and Abetting Under the NYSHRL
Torres alleges that Rourke is liable in his individual capacity under the NYSHRL.
Unlike Title VII, the NYSHRL permits individual liability.4 See Martin v. New York
State, No. 17 Civ. 9721 (DLC), 2019 WL 2053992, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. May 9, 2019).
Section 296(6) of the NYSHRL states that “[i]t shall be an unlawful discriminatory
practice for any person to aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce the doing of any of the acts
forbidden under this article, or to attempt to do so.” N.Y. Exec. Law § 296(6). Based on
the language of § 296 of the NYSHRL, several courts in this Circuit have held that a
defendant who actually participates in the conduct that gives rise to a discrimination
claim pursuant to the NYSHRL may be held personally liable under the statute. See
The Court notes that “[a] supervisor is an ‘employer’ for purposes of establishing liability under the
NYSHRL if that supervisor actually participates in the conduct giving rise to [the] discrimination.’”
Feingold v. New York, 366 F.3d 138, 157 (2d Cir. 2004) (quotation omitted); see also Madray v. Long
Island Univ., 789 F. Supp. 2d 403, 408 (E.D.N.Y. 2011). Accordingly, a plaintiff can assert an NYSHRLbased claim for hostile work environment against a supervisor in that supervisor’s individual capacity. See
Feingold, 366 F.3d at 157. Torres, however, does not allege a such a claim against Rourke.
4
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Martin, 2019 WL 2053992, at *5; see also Feingold v. New York, 366 F.3d 138, 157–58
(2d Cir. 2004).
Rourke does not specifically address this section of the NYSHRL in the briefing,
nor does he incorporate by reference any arguments or references to the record pertaining
to the other arguments in the briefing. Accordingly, the Court concludes that Rourke has
failed to meet his initial burden of demonstrating the absence of any genuine issue of
material fact. See Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. The Court therefore denies summary
judgment on this claim.
D. ADA Claims5
1. Discriminatory Termination
The ADA prohibits discrimination against “a qualified individual on the basis of
disability in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge
of employees, employee compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and
privileges of employment.” 42 U.S.C. § 12112(a). Employment discrimination claims
under the ADA are analyzed under the burden-shifting framework established by the U.S.
Supreme Court in McDonnell Douglas Corp v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973) and its
progeny. See McMillan v. City of New York, 711 F.3d 120, 125 (2d Cir. 2013); see also
Dawson v. N.Y.C. Transit Auth., 624 F. App’x 763, 766 (2d Cir. 2015) (summary order).
In order to establish a prima facie case of discrimination under the ADA, the plaintiff
In the operative complaint, Torres did not characterize her single claim under the ADA as a claim for
failure to provide a reasonable accommodation. See Doc. 20 ¶¶ 47–50. However, Central Avenue raised
and briefed the issue of reasonable accommodation in its motion for summary judgment, Torres briefed the
issue in her opposition, and Central Avenue replied to Torres’s analysis. Docs. 36 at 15–17, 41 at 21–25,
and 43 at 11–13. No party challenged whether Torres could now bring a claim under the ADA for failure to
accommodate. Accordingly, the Court considers Torres’s arguments regarding Central Avenue’s alleged
failure to provide a reasonable accommodation as an amendment to her complaint, and therefore concludes
that Torres alleges two claims under the ADA: one for discriminatory termination and one for failure to
accommodate. See Quiller v. Nunez, No. 16 Civ. 3202 (ER), 2020 WL 4475267, at *6 n.14 (S.D.N.Y. Aug.
3, 2020); see also Berger v. N.Y.C. Police Dep’t, 304 F. Supp. 3d 360, 368 (S.D.N.Y. 2018)
(“Discrimination claims under the ADA may be brought under a theory of adverse employment action or of
failure to provide reasonable accommodation.”).
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must show that: (1) her employer is subject to the ADA; (2) she is disabled within the
meaning of the ADA; (3) she is otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of
her job with or without reasonable accommodation; and (4) she suffered an adverse
employment action because of her disability. McMillan, 711 F.3d at 125. “An adverse
employment action ‘must be more disruptive than a mere inconvenience or an alteration
of job responsibilities and might be indicated by a termination of employment, a
demotion evidenced by a decrease in wage or salary, a less distinguished title, a material
loss of benefits, significantly diminished material responsibilities, or other indices . . .
unique to a particular situation.’” Fox v. Costco Wholesale Corp., 918 F.3d 65, 71–72 (2d
Cir. 2019) (quoting Patrolmen’s Benevolent Ass’n of City of N.Y. v. City of New York, 310
F.3d 43, 51 (2d Cir. 2002)). If a plaintiff meets this minimal prima facie burden and
obtains the temporary presumption of discriminatory intent, the burden then shifts to the
employer to articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its actions. See Vega v.
Hempstead Union Free. Sch. Dist., 801 F.3d 72, 83 (2d Cir. 2015); see also Dawson, 624
F. App’x at 766. If the employer articulates such a reason, the burden then shifts back to
the employee to show that the employer’s reason was pretextual. See Vega, 801 F. 3d at
83.
Central Avenue argues that Torres’s claim for discriminatory termination fails as a
matter of law because she does not allege any adverse employment action as a result of
her alleged disability. Torres, however, does not respond to any argument on this point,
instead focusing her briefing on her ADA reasonable accommodation claim.6 See Doc.
41 at 21–25. The Second Circuit has held that, “when a counseled party moves for
summary judgment, ‘a partial response [by the non-movant] arguing that summary
judgment should be denied as to some claims while not mentioning others may be
deemed an abandonment of unmentioned claims.’” Kovaco v. Rockbestos-Suprenant
Indeed, Torres’s opposition brief cites the legal standard for a reasonable accommodation claim but not a
discrimination claim. See Doc. 41 at 21–25.
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Cable Corp., 834 F.3d 128, 143 (2d Cir. 2016) (quoting Jackson v. Fed. Express, 766 F.3d
189, 195 (2d Cir. 2014)). “If a district court so holds, it ‘should . . . include a finding of
abandonment of undefended claims or defenses.’” Id. (quoting Jackson, 766 F.3d at
198)). Here, Defendants moved for summary judgment on all claims in Torres’s
operative complaint, and their motion explicitly referenced both claims for discriminatory
termination and reasonable accommodation. See Doc. 36 at 18–21. Because Torres
opposed Defendants’ motion with respect to some claims but not her discriminatory
termination claim, the Court finds that Torres has abandoned that claim. See Kovaco, 834
F.3d at 144.
Even if the claim for discriminatory termination were not deemed abandoned, the
Court would still conclude that it fails as a matter of law because Torres did not meet her
prima facie burden. McMillan, 711 F.3d at 125. It is undisputed that the altercation
resulting in Torres’s termination did not concern disability discrimination. See Docs. 3917 at 138:21–144:12 and 42 ¶ 13. Further, it is also undisputed that Torres was offered
her job back shortly after her employment ended. Doc. 42 ¶ 15. And to the extent that
Torres did not feel comfortable returning to Central Avenue, she testified that she did not
want to work there because of her frustrations with Mahidashti and the alleged sexual
harassment by Rourke—not the alleged lack of any disability accommodations. See Doc.
39-17 at 146:12–23. Accordingly, the Court concludes that the record lacks any evidence
showing that Torres suffered an adverse employment action because of her disability and,
therefore, her claim fails as a matter of law. See McMillan, 711 F.3d at 125. Accordingly,
summary judgment is granted on this claim.
2. Failure to Accommodate
Disability discrimination under the ADA “includes a failure to provide an
employee with a reasonable accommodation for [her] disability.” Nieblas-Love v. N.Y.C.
Hous. Auth., 165 F. Supp. 3d 51, 73 (S.D.N.Y. 2016) (citing Graves v. Finch Pruyn &
Co., 457 F. 3d 181, 184 (2d Cir. 2006)). Accordingly, such a claim for failure to
18
accommodate is also examined under the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting
framework. Berger v. N.Y.C. Police Dep’t, 304 F. Supp. 3d 360, 368–69 (S.D.N.Y. 2018).
To establish a prima facie claim under the ADA for failure to accommodate, an employee
must show that: (1) she is disabled within the meaning of the ADA, (2) her employer is
covered by the ADA and had notice of her disability, (3) she could perform the essential
functions of her job with reasonable accommodation, and (4) her employer refused to
provide such an accommodation despite being on notice. See Fox, 918 F.3d at 73; Noll v.
Int’l Bus. Machs. Corp., 787 F.3d 89, 94 (2d Cir. 2015). “Under the burden-shifting
framework applied in these cases, after the plaintiff satisfies [her] burden of ‘production
and persuasion as to the existence of an accommodation that is facially reasonable,’ the
burden ‘shifts to the defendant to rebut the reasonableness of the proposed
accommodation,’ which ‘is in essence equivalent to the burden of showing, as an
affirmative defense, that the proposed accommodation would cause the defendant to
suffer an undue hardship.’” Berger, 304 F. Supp. 3d at 369 (quoting Wright v. N.Y. State
Dep’t of Corr., 831 F.3d 64, 76 (2d Cir. 2016)).
“[G]enerally, it is the responsibility of the individual with a disability to inform
the employer that an accommodation is needed.” Costabile v. N.Y.C. Health & Hosps.
Corp., 951 F.3d 77, 81 (2d Cir. 2020) (per curiam) (quotation omitted). However, where
the disability is obvious—that is, if the employer knew or reasonably should have known
that the employee was disabled—then the employer must engage in “an interactive
process with their employees and in that way work together to assess whether an
employee’s disability can be reasonably accommodated.” Id. (quoting Brady v. Wal-mart
Stores, Inc., 531 F.3d 127, 135 (2d Cir. 2008)). “To trigger the duty to engage the
interactive accommodations process, the employer must have known, or have had
sufficient notice such that the employer reasonably should have known, that the employee
has a disability within the meaning of the Act, as opposed to a mere impairment.” Id.
Even still, “[t]he employer’s failure to engage in such an interactive process . . . does not
19
relieve a plaintiff of her burden of demonstrating, following discovery, that some
accommodation of her disability was possible.” McBride v. BIC Consumer Prod. Mfg.
Co., 583 F.3d 92, 101 (2d Cir. 2009); see also McElwee v. Cnty. of Orange, 700 F.3d 635,
642 (2d Cir. 2012). To meet that burden, a plaintiff must show that the costs of the
accommodation, at least facially, do not clearly exceed its benefits. See McElwee, 700
F.3d at 642.
The parties’ dispute centers on the fourth element for establishing Torres’s prima
facie case. Central Avenue contends that Torres was never denied a reasonable
accommodation, asserting that she failed to request any specific accommodation for her
alleged disability. According to Central Avenue, Torres merely complained that she could
not stand for certain periods of time or perform some of the tasks required of her job, but
failed to advise Central Avenue that her requests were related to her disability. Torres
disagrees, stating that she requested accommodations in the form of being relieved from
certain duties and obtaining assistance with her tasks, but that she was denied those
reasonable accommodations. Further, Torres notes that, even absent a request, Central
Avenue had a duty to engage in the interactive process to assess whether her disability
could be reasonably accommodated because Central Avenue knew about her physical
limitations.
The Court agrees with Torres, as the record contains sufficient evidence to raise a
question of fact regarding whether Torres requested and Central Avenue refused to
provide her accommodations for her scoliosis. Torres testified that she informed the
management team at Central Avenue—including Rourke—about her condition and her
physical limitations when she was hired, and that she repeatedly reminded them about
those facts when she was faced with a task for which she sought an accommodation. See
Doc. 39-17 at 34:11–21, 36:25–37:10, 46:8–24, 47:6–48:25, 90:3–20, 91:16–24, 99:11–
14, 100:15–101:9, 111:2–10, 112:20–115:7, 130:7–20, 131:10–13. When she requested
simple accommodations—such as help with placing license plates on cars or breaks to sit
20
down after standing for long periods of time—the management team rebuffed them and
instead told her that those tasks were part of her job responsibilities. See id. at 92:15–20,
100:25–101:20, 111:12–20, 121:18–122:3, 130:21–24. Accordingly, Torres has raised a
fact issue regarding this element, and the Court therefore denies summary judgment on
this claim.
E. Retaliation Claims Under Title VII and the NYSHRL
Title VII provides that it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against any
employee because the employee has opposed any practice that is an unlawful
employment practice under Title VII. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-3(a). Similarly, the NYSHRL
makes it unlawful for an employer to retaliate or discriminate against an employee
because she “has opposed any practice forbidden under this article or because . . . she has
filed a complaint, testified or assisted in any proceeding under the article.” N.Y. Exec.
Law § 296(7). “The same standards govern retaliation claims under the two statutes.”
Farmer v. Shake Shack Enter., LLC, 473 F. Supp. 3d 309, 330 (S.D.N.Y. 2020). To
establish a prima facie case of retaliation under Title VII or the NYSHRL, a plaintiff must
show that: (1) she engaged in a protected activity, (2) her employer was are of this
activity, (3) the employer took adverse employment action against her, and (4) a causal
connection exists between the alleged adverse action and the protected activity. Chavis v.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 265 F. Supp. 3d 391, 406–07 (S.D.N.Y. 2017) (citing Summa v.
Hofstra Univ., 708 F.3d 115, 125 (2d Cir. 2013)). Once the plaintiff establishes a prima
facie case of retaliation, then the burden shifts to the defendant to articulate a legitimate,
non-retaliatory reason for the adverse employment action. Id. at 407 (citing Ya-Chen
Chen v. City Univ. of N.Y., 805 F.3d 59, 70 (2d Cir. 2015)). “If the defendant provides
such an explanation, the presumption of retaliation dissipates, and the plaintiff must prove
that the desire to retaliate was the but-for cause of the challenged employment action.”
Id. (quoting Ya-Chen Chen, 805 F.3d at 70).
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Defendants briefly contend that Torres never participated in a protected activity,
as she never reported the discriminatory conduct, and she never suffered an adverse
employment action, as she was asked to come back to Central Avenue after her
employment ended. Torres, however, declined to address the issue in her brief. Because
Torres filed a response arguing that summary judgment should be denied as to some
claims, but has failed to mention her claims for retaliation, the Court concludes that
Torres has abandoned those claims. See Kovaco, 834 F.3d at 143–44.
III.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is
GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. Specifically, the Court grants summary
judgment on Torres’s claims for discriminatory termination under the ADA and retaliation
under Title VII and the NYSHRL, and otherwise denies summary judgment. Defendants’
requests for oral argument are DENIED as moot. Docs. 36 and 43. The parties are
directed to appear for a status conference on April 14, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. The parties are
directed to dial (877) 411-9748 and enter access code 3029857, followed by the pound
(#) sign. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to amend the caption of this action to
replace James O’Rourke with James Rourke and terminate the motion. Doc. 35.
It is SO ORDERED.
Dated:
March 31, 2021
New York, New York
EDGARDO RAMOS, U.S.D.J.
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