Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and pursuant to state law for claimed violations of rights secured by the New York State Constitution and the New York City Administrative Code, Sec. 8-107, et seq. Plaintiff Sheila Williams, an African-American female, alleges that she has been subjected to sexual harassment and employment discrimination in her position as a school lunchroom helper. In addition, she alleges that she was denied a gender and race neutral work environment, and that she has been sexually abused and assaulted in the workplace due to the defendants' actions and inactions. Plaintiff's husband, Derrick Williams an African-American male, alleges that as a result of the acts of sexual abuse and assault and the extreme emotional distress and outrage inflicted upon his wife, he sustained the loss of his wife's services, society and consortium, and was caused to incur expense and obligation for his wife's care, treatment and attempted cure, all to his damage and detriment.
Defendants deny all allegations.
Plaintiff was hired by defendant as a laborer in 1986 and was employed for 12 years. Specifically, plaintiff alleged that he was called derogatory names relating to his national origin. In addition, he alleged that a plywood board was thrown on him because he is Guyanese and after the incident he went to a doctor and was given a note to take to his job which indicated that he was unable to return to work for four days. Plaintiff argues that when he took the note to his job, he was terminated and never allowed to show the note to his supervisor. The SDHR determined that there is no probable cause to believe that such discrimination was engaged in.