New York Jury Awards Millions to Hotel Manager
A federal jury in New York recently awarded $3.65 million to a former hotel assistant manager after finding that the establishment failed to address harassment and violence.
Jeannette Figueroa began employment at a Howard Johnson hotel in Long Island City in April 2021. At the time, the property was utilized as a city shelter. According to court documents, Figueroa reported “frequent catcalling and sexual comments by residents,” as well as physical assaults throughout a five‑month period.
During her first month of employment, Figueroa claimed a resident “struck her with a Wet Floor sign, later made romantic advances, and attempted to accompany her after her shift.” Two months later, another resident “threw a picnic table that struck Figueroa and knocked her unconscious.”
The complaint stated that security staff did not address these events as serious attacks and management did not compensate Figueroa for her injuries. She reported multiple instances of residents verbally attacking her with derogatory names and sexual innuendo.
Initially, Jeannette Figueroa requested a location transfer. She was told none were available and ultimately decided to resign as a result of safety concerns.
Figueroa’s case focused on the responsibility of an employer when harassment is committed by those who are nonemployees. She asserted that the hotel failed to take action while she feared for her personal safety.
Under New York State and City law, “employers may be liable for harassment by nonemployees when the employer knew or should have known about the conduct and failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action.”
The jury found the hotel responsible for failing to address a multitude of risks that affected employees’ work conditions. The verdict includes $1.65 million in compensatory damages and $2 million in punitive damages “against entities operating as Mayflower Hotel.”
“This verdict sends a clear message that employers operating shelter sites cannot abdicate responsibility for the safety of their staff,” Figueroa’s attorney said in a statement. Counsel added, “Ms. Figueroa endured one of the worst‑case scenarios: instances of violent assaults that rendered her disabled, and sexual harassment and abuse.”
Authors: Alexis Kabat and Andy Goldwasser
