In Cutler v. Dorn, (NJ Sup. Ct., July 31, 2008), the New Jersey Supreme Court held that under the state's Law Against Discrimination, religious-based harassment that creates a hostile work environment is judged by the same standards as are claims of a sexual or racial harassment. At issue were anti-Semitic statements made by co-workers and supervisors of police patrolman Jason Cutler. The court concluded that sufficient evidence was presented at trial for the jury to conclude that Cutler suffered severe or pervasive harassment.
In another religious discrimination case this week, the New York Times reports that last Monday a federal court jury in New York awarded $735,000 in actual and punitive damages to a former employee of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority who claimed anti-Semitic harassment by his supervisor. Plaintiff Gregory Fishman alleged that he was denied time off for knee surgery, was passed over for promotion, because of his religion. He also claims he was demoted after filing a discrimination complaint. He finally left his job because of the harassment. [Thanks to Steve Sheinberg for the lead.]
