‘Least – Trustworthy’ Principal In New York City Public Schools Finally Fired From Brooklyn Post

July 26, 2011 By

The Department of Education has fired Andrew Buck, Brooklyn principal of the Middle School for Art and Philosophy. Buck’s behavior grabbed headlines after sending teachers nonsensical letters filled with grammatical errors and pressuring parents and staffers to recommend him for tenure. An investigation of the C-rated school revealed a chaotic and violent environment where teachers and students were regularly assaulted, and kids had sex in the stairways. Buck has been transferred to desk duty while the city moves to fire him. Full article.

Unless an employee is contracted to stay with a company for a specific period of time, New York law establishes employees as “at will.” This means an employer has the right to discharge an employee at any time for any reason without a contract restricting termination. This also protects the employee’s right to resign at any time. An employer may fire an employee for “no reason,” or for a reason that might seem arbitrary and unfair. The employee is equally free to quit at any time without being required to explain or defend that decision. There are a few exceptions to New York’s at will employment. The most significant being discrimination based upon race, creed, national origin, age, handicap, gender, sexual orientation or marital status. Additionally, an employer cannot fire an employee for political or recreational activities outside of work, for legal use of consumable products outside of work, or for membership in a union. Further, no employer shall penalize any employee for making a complaint to the employer, to the Commissioner of Labor, or to the Commissioner’s representative, about any provision of the Labor Law. For more information: www.labor.ny.gov.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC dedicates a large amount of practice to employment law. Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

Filed Under: Discrimination, Employment Law, Labor Abuses Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tracy Morgan Mocks Mentally Disabled In NYC Comedy Show

July 20, 2011 By

“30 Rock” star Tracy Morgan is making headlines again after an inappropriate comment about children with disabilities during a stand-up comedy routine in New York.  “Don’t ever mess with women who have retarded kids,” Morgan said toward the end of his performance Saturday night, according to The New York Times. “Them young retarded males is strong. They’re strong like chimps.” This latest rant comes just weeks after he sparked an uproar with anti-gay remarks during a Nashville, Tennessee show.

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered, but common examples of disabilities include confinement to a wheelchair, reliance on assistive devices such as canes and walkers, blindness, deafness, a learning disability, and certain kinds of mental illness. The ADA states that a business entity shall not discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability. This applies to job application procedures, hiring, advancement and discharge of employees, workers’ compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. For more information:  ADA Website 

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, dedicates a large area of practice to employment law. Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

Filed Under: Discrimination, Employment Law Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Badminton Dress Code Abolished

July 15, 2011 By

The Badminton World Federation has abolished a rule that would have forced women to wear skirts or dresses in elite competition after it was criticized as sexist, a hindrance to competition and offensive to Muslim women who compete in large numbers in Asian countries. The rule had been proposed to allow shorts or long pants but only if worn under skirts or dresses and was intended to make women appear more feminine and attractive to fans and corporate sponsors. See: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/30/sports/badminton-group-kills-controversial-dress-code-rule.html?ref=discrimination. See also related article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/sports/badminton-dress-code-for-women-criticized-as-sexist.html

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act regulates various types of discrimination including gender discrimination. Additionally, sexual harassment statutes prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace.There are two common types of sexual harassment: quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environment. A hostile work situation typically involves repeated behavior that is abusive or offensive, or that interferes or alters the victims’ ability to perform their job. Employers that foster or otherwise allow these conditions to continue can be found liable for the conduct of the offending employees. See: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/sex.cfm

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC is a nationally recognized firm in the area of sexual harassment and gender discrimination.  Our firm has been successful in matters of civil litigation and discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

Filed Under: Civil Rights, Discrimination, Religious Discrimination, Sexual Harassment Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Belle Meade Country Club: Club of 600 White Men

July 14, 2011 By

The Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, Tennessee has about 600 members: all white men. One of the members is a federal judge, Judge Paine, who was recently put under scrutiny for his membership at the club. A panel which hears misconduct complaints about federal judges has recently decided that the judge could keep his membership at Belle Meade. The club is 110-years old and has admitted a single black person, but only as a “nonresident member” who cannot vote on the club’s affairs. Women who join are known as “lady members” but are not permitted to become actual members. However, dissenters assert that the Code of Judicial Conduct forbids federal judges from being members of clubs that discriminate based on race or gender. See:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/us/17bar.html?ref=discrimination

Discriminating against an innocent individual or a group based on race or national origin may be prosecuted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, such as those individuals who are Muslim, Arab, Afghani, Middle Eastern or South Asian. The law prohibits harassment or any other employment action based on religious affiliation, physical or cultural traits and clothing. For more information, see: http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-relig_ethnic.html

It is challenging and stressful when people are subjected to racism or discrimination, especially in a nation that was created on premises such as equal rights for all. The lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, located in Nassau County, New York, have fought against discrimination for over two decades with much success. If you have been a victim of discrimination because of your age, gender, race, or sexual orientation, call 1-800-585-4658 to schedule an appointment for free consultation or contact us online.

Filed Under: Civil Rights, Discrimination Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Huma Abedin Pregnant

July 13, 2011 By

Representative Anthony D. Weiner, 46 years old, and Huma Abedin, who is 35 years old, are expecting their first child. This news comes at a time when questions about the future of their marriage have arisen after Weiner’s “sexting” scandal became public. Weiner has admitted to have engaged in online communications with at least six women over the last few years. However, Ms. Abedin, a longtime aide to Hillary Rodham Clinton, has returned to work and kept silent about the topic since the news was released. Read more: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/weiners-wife-is-pregnant/

When a couple who has children gets divorced, they will have to face the concept of child support. Under Domestic Relations Law, s. 240(1b) and the Family Court Act s. 413(1)(b), known as the Child Support Standards Act (“CSSA”) the court shall calculate the “basic child support obligation”, and the non-custodial parent’s prorated share of the “basic child support obligation”. The support obligation is calculated by “combined parental income” which is multiplied by the appropriate “child support percentage” as listed by statute, based on the number of children the couple has together.

As one of the prominent domestic relation firms in New York, Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. works to achieve successful divorce judgments that are in the best interests of their clients and their clients children. The firm handles a full range of domestic relations issues including child support, child custody, spousal maintenance, as well as the equitable distribution of assets. If you are seeking a separation agreement, divorce action, or other family law issues please feel free to contact Leeds, Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation or view their web page at www.lmblaw.com.

Filed Under: Divorce Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Historic Marine Base Gets First Female General

July 12, 2011 By

The Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island in South Carolina is getting its first female commander. For the first time in the depot’s 96-year history, the commanding general will be a female. Brig. General Lori Reynolds will become commanding general. Reynolds will also oversee the Marines’ Eastern Recruiting Region, which covers states east of the Mississippi River. Parris Island graduates about 20,000 Marines annually and is the only site where female enlisted Marines are trained to enter the service. Full article.

In the workplace, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. The law forbids discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. Please visit the EEOC’s website for further information: eeoc.gov. Although the law requires equality and fairness in the workplace, many private clubs enjoy not having to abide by the EEOC.

Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC dedicates a large portion of their practice to the area of employment law. Our firm has had considerable success in matters of employment discrimination throughout Long Island and the New York City area. For more information, contact Leeds, Morelli and Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation.

Filed Under: Civil Rights, Discrimination Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Florence, PA Manufacturer Is Cited For Safety Violations By OSHA

July 11, 2011 By

In Florence, PA, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a manufacturer of nuclear submarine condensers, DC Fabricators, for 19 serious safety violations totaling $82,800. DC Fabricators is composed of 130 employees and the manufacturer has been cited for violations which include allegedly exposing workers to fall hazards by failing to provide proper fall protection, a standard handrail for stairs, functional nylon slings, proper machine and equipment guarding, proper eye protection, and protection from rays for employees working near welding, to name a few. OSHA began its inspections in January 2011. See: http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/osha-cites-florence-manufacturer-for-safety-violations/article_d671d270-c0ba-57b8-8a18-e37e8cfbf1c5.html

According to the OSHA, a serious safety violation occurs when there is high probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard of which an employer knew or should have known about. A company has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply with safety standards. In the alternative, the company can ask for an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the citations penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. For more information on safety standards, visit OSHA’s website at:  http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/index.html.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a violation of labor laws or safety regulation, the lawyers at Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC, have extensive experience in handling all matters of labor disputes regarding wage and hour law, child labor law, safety violations, and workers compensation lawsuits. Victims of such offenses may be entitled to compensation. For more information or a consultation, contact Leeds Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-888-5-JOBLAW.

Filed Under: Employment Law Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Restaurateur Files $50M-Plus Discrimination Suit Against NYC And NYS

July 8, 2011 By

Genaro Morales, the owner of Puerto Rican restaurant Sazon in TriBeca, has filed a $50 million-plus civil-rights suit alleging racial discrimination. Morales claims that Community Board 1 “arbitrarily” cut the restaurant’s hours of operation and barred live music since he planned on playing “mostly Latino music” at the restaurant. Morales also claims that he was issued about $5,000 in fines after an investigator caught people dancing and being served drinks. The lawsuit also alleges that a local eatery named Ward III was allowed to have a dj playing music and got its permanent liquor license before Sazon, even though it opened months afterward. Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/tribeca_restaurateur_files_plus_jemCmK1l0gcvfm1VhKeqyM#ixzz1OzUqSH00

Many laws and government agencies have been put in place to protect against discrimination. Such laws and agencies include: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Equal Pay Act (EPA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Specificlly, they are intended to protect people from being treated differently by employers on the basis of their age, race, gender, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation and other factors. These important laws offer members of protected classes whose rights have been violated the ability to obtain justice.

Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. is one of the prominent equal opportunity and anti-discrimination firms in New York, working to achieve successful judgments that are in the best interests of their clients.  If you or someone you know has been affected by discrimination or seeking a class action please contact Leeds, Morelli & Brown, PC at 1-800-585-4658 for a free consultation or view their web page at www.lmblaw.com.

Filed Under: Employment Law Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ryan Dunn Dead: ‘Jackass’ Star Dies In Car Crash

July 6, 2011 By

Ryan Dunn, star of MTV’s “Jackass,” has died in a car crash. Dunn was 34 years old. A police report indicated that Dunn was most likely speeding in his 2007 Porsche 911 GT3, which was destroyed in the wreck. “Upon arrival, police located one vehicle in the road and in the woods that was fully engulfed in flames.” There was no indication at the time that a “DUI” was to blame. Full article.

After an accident takes a young person’s life, one is reminded that life is precious. It is important to consider proper estate planning so that affairs are in order. Proper estate planning includes having a valid will, health care proxy, living will, and power of attorney. A Last Will and Testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death.  A Health Care Proxy is a document which allows you to designate a person to make health care decisions for you if you cannot make them for yourself. These decisions can involve the management of your health care in order to keep you healthy. These decisions can also involve the termination of life support. A Living Will is a written statement that expresses your desires with regard to health care treatment if you become mentally incapable and/or physically incapable of expressing those desires. It may include instructions concerning the termination of life support. It is important to consider these documents when planning your estate. No estate is so small as to be excluded from estate planning.

For questions regarding estate planning, please contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-888-556-2529 or visit the firm’s website at www.lbestatelaw.com.

Filed Under: Estate & Probate Administration Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,