Opinion ID: 669656
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cornwell's Administrative Filings

Text: 33 On November 22, 1983, while on hiatus from MacCormick, Cornwell filed a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging that DFY, the New York State Department of Civil Service (NYS Civil Service), and the New York State Department of Audit and Control (NYS Audit) had discriminated against her on the basis of gender in relation to her employment. The complaint alleged, inter alia, that she had been subjected to sexual harassment, both verbal and physical, from her male coworkers and that, although she had reported the incidents to her superiors, they had failed to take remedial action, and the work environment had become increasingly hostile and threatening. 34 On January 30, 1986, DHR dismissed Cornwell's complaint, finding no credible evidence to support the complainant's charge of discrimination because of sex and stating that the record indicate[d] that whenever complainant made timely complaints regarding co-workers' alleged sexual discrimination towards her, respondent supervisors responded by investigating alleged incidents, disciplining co-workers and apologizing for co-workers['] derogatory statements. DHR stated, however, that it cannot condone the respondent agency's allowance of the use of sexually derogatory terms by its staff members, and it recommended increased affirmative action efforts in this area. On April 24, 1986, EEOC adopted the determination of DHR and issued a right-to-sue letter. 35 On June 17, 1986, Cornwell filed a second set of charges with DHR and EEOC, complaining of the events that occurred during her one-month return to work at MacCormick earlier that year, including the incident in which Fields and other YDAs chased her with a dead bird, and the final meeting with Eldridge and Maffia. DHR did not act on these charges, and on April 24, 1987, EEOC issued another right-to-sue letter.