Total Compensation in Fiscal Year 2024 is the Highest in More than a Decade and a 20 Percent Increase from the Prior Year

More than 900 New Yorkers Across the State Received Compensation and Monetary Damages

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Division of Human Rights awarded more than $8 million in compensation in Fiscal Year 2024 to more than 900 New Yorkers who experienced discrimination. The total compensation amount is the highest in 13 years and a 20 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2023.

“Securing this funding furthers our efforts to help victims seek the justice they deserve and make New York a safer state for everyone,” said Governor Hochul . “New York State will hold people accountable for their discriminatory practices, and victims of discrimination deserve to feel heard and seen.”

New York was the first state in the nation to enact a Human Rights Law, which makes it illegal to discriminate in areas such as employment, public accommodations, education, and housing on the basis of race, religion, sex, citizenship status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, disability, or any other protected class under the law. The Division of Human Rights is the agency charged with enforcing this law and investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating discrimination cases.

Acting Division of Human Rights Commissioner Denise Miranda said, “New York State is the state of opportunity and no one should be denied equal treatment or inclusion in all that our state has to offer. But when that happens, the Division of Human Rights is prepared to investigate and enforce our state’s Human Rights Law. Whether it’s awarding monetary damages to victims, imposing civil penalties on those who discriminate, or ordering a change in institutional policy, we will always ensure that every New Yorker is treated lawfully and fairly.”

Additionally, the Division has the authority to impose fines and award monetary damages. The agency may also impose additional remedies, including policy changes, training, and accessibility modifications. While a private attorney is not required to represent a plaintiff, individuals may hire attorneys for their cases. In 2021, the Human Rights Act was amended to provide for the award of attorney fees in all areas of the law. This year, defendants were ordered to pay more than $854,000 in attorney fees by the defendants.

As a result of the Division's work last Fiscal Year, a total of 903 New Yorkers statewide received $8.1 million in monetary damages and compensation.

Case examples include:

-Two contract workers at a manufacturing company in Western New York alleged that they were denied permanent jobs because of their age, despite their excellent performance. One of the complainants provided a recording that allegedly indicated a manager said age was a likely factor in the decision-making process. The complaints were settled for a total of $170,000, and the defendant agreed to have its staff receive anti-discrimination training.

-The former executive director of a nonprofit social services organization alleged that she faced discrimination because of her pregnancy and was fired because she took maternity leave. The suit was settled for $55,000 and the defendant agreed to have its board of directors receive anti-discrimination training.

-A mother filed a lawsuit on behalf of her daughter alleging that her school had a discriminatory dress code policy. She alleged that while female students were regularly disciplined for dress code violations, such discipline was not directed at male students. The lawsuit was settled for $21,000, and the school district agreed to modify its policies and ensure that administrators received implicit bias training.

-A woman and her daughter alleged they were sexually harassed by the kitchen manager while working at a Long Island restaurant. The claims were settled for $68,750.

New Yorkers who have experienced discrimination can file complaints with DHR free of charge. To learn more about the law and the agency's work, visit the Division of Human Rights' website at dhr.ny.gov or call 1-888-392-3644 .