JUDITH C. McCARTHY, Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff Bridget L. Scott ("Plaintiff") commenced this action pursuant to: (i) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e) ("Title VII"); (ii) 42 U.S.C. § 1981 ("§ 1981"); (iii) New York State Executive Law § 290 (the "New York State Human Rights Law" or "NYSHRL"); and (iv) New York Labor Law § 741 ("NYLL § 741" or "Section 741"),
The following facts are gathered from each party's statement filed pursuant to Rule 56.1 of the Local Rules of the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York ("Rule 56.1"),
Plaintiff, an African-American licensed practical nurse ("LPN"), worked for Northern Manor, a residential healthcare facility, from 2003 until 2006. (Docket No. 1 at ¶ 5; Scott Aff.
Defendant has served the senior community in Nanuet, New York since 1981. (Fogel Aff.
On September 2, 2012, Plaintiff was assigned to cover the Ventilator Unit.
On March 17, 2013, Plaintiff was reassigned to the Ventilator Unit, (see Docket No. 29-3), but Plaintiff's supervisor reported that Plaintiff refused to work on the Ventilator Unit that day, (Docket No. 28-8). Plaintiff's "Employee Disciplinary Notice" dated March 18, 2013 indicates that she was suspended for her refusal and warned that the next incident would result in termination. (Id.). Plaintiff disputes refusing to work on the Ventilator Unit on that date and does not recall receiving the March 18, 2013 Employee Disciplinary Notice.
On March 18, 2013, Plaintiff met with Northern Manor's Administrator, Akiva Fogel ("Fogel"). (Docket No. 28-9; Scott Aff. at ¶ 25). According to Plaintiff, Fogel "refused to hear [her] version of what occurred and became very agitated and hostile to the point that [she] felt [she] should leave the room." (Scott Aff. at ¶ 25). Plaintiff maintains that Fogel chased her out of his office. (Id.; Docket No. 29-1 at 4). Upon leaving Fogel's office, Plaintiff said, "If you are looking for trouble, I will give you trouble."
As a result of this incident, Plaintiff was terminated. (Docket No. 28-9). Plaintiff's Union grieved her termination and the grievance was settled pursuant to the Last Chance Agreement (the "Agreement" or "LCA") dated May 15, 2013. (Scott Aff. at ¶ 25; Docket No. 28-10). The Agreement states:
(Docket No. 28-10). As Plaintiff notes, the Agreement does not contain a determination or admission of guilt. (Pl. Counterstatement at ¶ 52). However, the LCA states that the "time between discharge and reinstatement shall be deemed disciplinary suspension without pay." (Docket No. 28-10).
Pursuant to the Agreement, Plaintiff returned to work at Northern Manor on or about May 20, 2013. (Def. Statement at ¶ 53; Pl. Counterstatement at ¶ 53). Effective August 4, 2013, Plaintiff became a full time employee and was "assigned to a unit on a regular basis."
Following her return to Northern Manor after signing the LCA, Plaintiff registered various complaints with her supervisors on separate occasions:
No adverse action was taken against Plaintiff in response to any of the above complaints. (Def. Statement at ¶¶ 56, 58, 66, 68, 71, 75; Pl. Counterstatement at ¶¶ 56, 58, 66, 68, 71, 75).
On January 29, 2014, Plaintiff punched in for work between 7:12 and 7:15 a.m. (Def. Statement at ¶ 84; Pl. Counterstatement at ¶ 84). She was initially assigned to "Center-2-South," but was subsequently reassigned to the Ventilator Unit. (Docket No. 28-20 at 42). Plaintiff telephoned her supervising RN, Pat Ball, after arriving at work to discuss how she was feeling that day. (Scott Aff. at ¶ 28; Docket No. 28-14 at 5). Plaintiff told Ball that she was sick and could not work the Ventilator Unit. (Scott Aff. at ¶ 28; Docket No. 28-14 at 5). Plaintiff also told Ball that it had been a long time since she had covered the Ventilator Unit, and therefore, she needed a refresher before working that unit again. (Scott Aff. at ¶ 28; Docket No. 28-14 at 5). Plaintiff had last worked on the Ventilator Unit on November 1, 2013. (Def. Statement at ¶ 92; Pl. Counterstatement at ¶ 92). Ball advised Plaintiff that she was required to work the Ventilator Unit as per the schedule, but Plaintiff told Ball that she was going to leave and go to the doctor. (Scott Aff. at ¶ 28; Docket No. 28-14 at 5). Plaintiff raised her voice and became argumentative, (Docket No. 28-14 at 3), and told Ball that she would not float to the Ventilator Unit, (Def. Statement at ¶ 90; Pl. Counterstatement at ¶ 90). Plaintiff then left the facility and went to the doctor. (Scott Aff. at ¶ 28). She does not recall whether she punched out before leaving Northern Manor. (Def. Statement at ¶ 95; Pl. Counterstatement at ¶ 95).
Later that day, Plaintiff was terminated because she "refused once again to go to [the Ventilator Unit] as instructed." (Docket No. 28-14 at 2). Plaintiff maintains that she left because she was sick and therefore did not violate the Last Chance Agreement. (Scott Aff. at ¶¶ 28-29). The Union advised Plaintiff that she should be reinstated if she produced a doctor's note. (Docket No. 29-1 at 24). Plaintiff produced a doctor's note, but Northern Manor did not reconsider her termination. (Scott Aff. at ¶¶ 28-29). Plaintiff ultimately decided not to grieve or arbitrate her termination because she felt that she was being discriminated against. (Docket No. 29-1 at 27-28).
Under Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the moving party bears the burden of demonstrating that it is entitled to summary judgment. See Huminski v. Corsones, 396 F.3d 53, 69 (2d Cir. 2005). The Court must grant summary judgment "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986). A genuine dispute as to a material fact "exists for summary judgment purposes where the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could decide in the non-movant's favor." Beyer v. Cty. of Nassau, 524 F.3d 160, 163 (2d Cir. 2008); see also Anderson v. Liberty Lobby Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247-48 (1986). "A fact is material if it might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law." Casalino v. N.Y. State Catholic Health Plan, Inc., No. 09 Civ. 2583(LAP), 2012 WL 1079943, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 30, 2012) (internal quotation marks omitted).
In reviewing a motion for summary judgment, the Court "must draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the [non-moving] party" and "must disregard all evidence favorable to the moving party that the jury is not required to believe." Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods., Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 150-51 (2000). That said, the Court may not weigh the evidence or determine the truth of the matter, but rather conducts "the threshold inquiry of determining whether there is the need for a trial[.]" Anderson, 477 U.S. at 250.
The moving party bears the initial burden of "demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact." Holcomb v. Iona Coll., 521 F.3d 130, 137 (2d Cir. 2008) (citing Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323). If the moving party meets this initial burden, the burden then shifts to the non-moving party to "present evidence sufficient to satisfy every element of the claim." Id. "The non-moving party is required to `go beyond the pleadings' and `designate specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial,'" id. (citing Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324; Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249-50), and "must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts." Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). If the non-moving party fails to establish the existence of an essential element of the case on which it bears the burden of proof at trial, summary judgment must be granted. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322-23.
In the Southern District of New York, parties moving for and opposing summary judgment must also submit short and concise statements of facts, supported by evidence that would be admissible at trial. Local Civ. R. 56.1. The opposing party must specifically controvert the moving party's statement of material facts, or the moving party's facts will be deemed admitted for purposes of the motion. Local Civ. R. 56.1(c); T.Y. v. N.Y.C. Dep't of Educ., 584 F.3d 412, 418 (2d Cir. 2009) ("A nonmoving party's failure to respond to a Rule 56.1 statement permits the court to conclude that the facts asserted in the statement are uncontested and admissible."). However, uncontested facts cannot be deemed true simply by virtue of their assertion in a Local Rule 56.1 statement; the Court is free to disregard the assertion in the absence of citations or where the cited materials do not support the factual assertions in the statements. Holtz v. Rockefeller & Co., 258 F.3d 62, 73 (2d Cir. 2001). The Court therefore has discretion "to conduct an assiduous review of the record even where one of the parties has failed to file such a statement." Id. (internal quotation marks omitted); see also Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(3). Nevertheless, the Court is "not required to consider what the parties fail to point out." Monahan v. N.Y.C. Dep't of Corr., 214 F.3d 275, 292 (2d Cir. 2000) (internal quotation marks omitted).
Plaintiff alleges that Northern Manor engaged in discriminatory conduct against her in violation of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and the New York State Human Rights Law by: (1) assigning her to work on Northern Manor's Ventilator and Rehabilitation Units; (2) failing to properly pay her for accrued vacation and sick time; (3) denying her overtime hours; and (4) terminating her on January 29, 2014. (Docket No. 1 at ¶¶ 10, 17-34). Plaintiff further alleges that the above actions also constitute retaliation in violation of NYLL § 741. (Id. at ¶¶ 10-17). Defendant argues that Plaintiff's Complaint should be dismissed in its entirety as there are no material facts in dispute and Plaintiff's claims fail as a matter of law. (Def. Br. at 2-7). Plaintiff also seeks, for the first time in her Opposition, to assert a claim under New York Labor Law relating to her vacation benefits and right to work overtime hours. For the reasons that follow, all of Plaintiff's claims are dismissed.
Discrimination claims brought under Title VII, § 1981, and the New York State Human Rights Law are all analyzed under the burden-shifting framework that the Supreme Court established in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973). See Ruiz v. Cty. Of Rockland, 609 F.3d 486, 491 (2d Cir. 2010); Holcomb, 521 F.3d at 138; Varughese v. Mt. Sinai Med. Ctr., No. Civ. 8812 (CM)(JCF), 2015 WL 1499618, at *38 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 27, 2015).
Under the framework, the plaintiff must first establish a prima facie case of discrimination by a preponderance of the evidence. See Sosa v. Rockland Cty. Comty. Coll., 15 Civ. 3329 (JCM), 2017 WL 3105872, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. July 20, 2017). To establish a prima facie case, the plaintiff must demonstrate that "(1) he belonged to a protected class; (2) he was qualified for the position that he held; (3) he suffered an adverse employment action; and (4) that the adverse employment action occurred under circumstances giving rise to an inference of discrimination." Holcomb, 521 F.3d at 138.
Once the plaintiff establishes a prima facie case, "the burden shifts to the defendant to articulate `some legitimate, non-discriminatory reason' for its action." Id. (quoting McDonnell Douglas, 411 U.S. at 802); see also Reeves, 530 U.S. at 142 ("This burden is one of production, not persuasion."). If the defendant provides a nondiscriminatory basis for the employment decision, "the burdens shifts back to plaintiff to demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant's reasons are merely pretext for discrimination." Sosa, 2017 WL 3105872, at *4. "The plaintiff need not prove that the explanation offered by the employer was entirely false `but only that . . . [the defendant's] stated reason was not the only reason' and that consideration of an impermissible factor `did make a difference.'" Phillips v. Dow Jones & Co., No. 04 Civ. 5178 (DAB), 2009 WL 2568437, at *9 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2009) (quoting Montana v. First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass'n of Rochester, 869 F.2d 100, 105 (2d Cir. 1989)) (alteration in original). Plaintiff will survive summary judgment if it produces "evidence sufficient to allow a rational factfinder to infer that the employer was actually motivated in whole or in part by . . . discrimination." Id. (emphasis in original).
As an initial matter, Defendant contends that Plaintiff's discrimination claim is limited to her 2014 termination on the basis of her race, as it is the only claim raised in Plaintiff's Equal Opportunity Employment Commission ("EEOC") charge. (Def. Br. at 15); see Deravin v. Kerik, 335 F.3d 195, 200 (2d Cir. 2003) ("As a precondition to filing a Title VII claim in federal court, a plaintiff must first pursue available administrative remedies and file a timely complaint with the EEOC."). However, claims that are "reasonably related" to those stated in the EEOC charge can be addressed in federal court. See Deravin, 335 F.3d at 200-201; see also Fleming v. Verizon N.Y., Inc., 419 F.Supp.2d 455, 462 (S.D.N.Y. 2005). The Second Circuit recognizes three circumstances in which claims are considered "reasonably related" to those raised in an EEOC charge: (1) where the conduct complained of falls within the scope of the expected EEOC investigation into the charge of discrimination; (2) where the complaint alleges retaliation by the employer against the employee for filing an EEOC charge; and (3) where the complaint concerns further incidents of discrimination carried out in "precisely the same manner" as that alleged in the EEOC charge. Terry v. Ashcroft, 336 F.3d 128, 151 (2d Cir. 2003).
Here, Plaintiff's EEOC charge states:
(Docket No. 28-1). Because the "relatedness" analysis is "intimately connected to the facts asserted in the EEOC complaint," Williams v. N.Y.C. Hous. Auth., 458 F.3d 67, 71 (2d Cir. 2006), "and does not depend on the boxes checked or labels applied by the plaintiff," Carby v. Holder, No. 11 Civ. 5775(DLC), 2013 WL 3481722, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. July 10, 2013), the Court finds that the charge fairly encompasses Plaintiff's claim that Defendant discriminated against her by reassigning her to work on the Ventilator and Rehabilitation Units, as Plaintiff's EEOC charge makes reference to preferential assignments based on race. See Mathirampuzha v. Potter, 548 F.3d 70, 77 (2d Cir. 2008) ("We frequently invoke the `reasonably related' doctrine when the factual allegations made in the administrative complaint can be fairly read to encompass the claims ultimately pleaded in a civil action or to have placed the employer on notice that such claims might be raised.").
However, Plaintiff's EEOC charge makes no reference to Defendant's failure to properly pay her for accrued vacation time or Defendant's denial of Plaintiff's overtime hours. In addition, there are absolutely no allegations of unfair or discriminatory time and leave practices in Plaintiff's EEOC charge. Therefore, the Court concludes that Plaintiff's new factual allegations are not "reasonably related," in part because they could not "reasonably be expected to blossom into an investigation covering allegations of unrelated misconduct by [Defendant.]"
Accordingly, the Court will only address Plaintiff's discrimination claims on the basis of race
Plaintiff alleges that Defendant's decision to terminate her in 2014 constituted discrimination on the basis of her race. (Docket No. 1). Defendant, however, argues that Plaintiff cannot establish a prima facie case of discrimination under Title VII. (Def. Br. at 18-20). Moreover, Defendant argues that even if Plaintiff could make out a prima facie case, her claim still fails because she has not put forth sufficient facts to give rise to an inference that Northern Manor's nondiscriminatory reasons for terminating her were a pretext for race-based discrimination. (Id. at 20-23). For the reasons that follow, the Court concludes that Plaintiff has narrowly made out a prima facie case. However, the Court finds that Plaintiff has failed to put forth evidence that demonstrates that Northern Manor's proffered reason for terminating her was merely a pretext for discrimination.
Defendant does not dispute that Plaintiff has made out the first three elements of a prima facie case, as Plaintiff is African-American, was qualified for her position as an LPN, and her 2014 termination clearly constitutes an adverse employment action. See, e.g., Philip v. Gtech Corp., 14 Civ. 9261 (PAE), 2016 WL 3959729, at *13 (S.D.N.Y. July 20, 2016) (describing termination of employment as the "paradigmatic adverse employment action"). Defendant argues, however, that Plaintiff cannot show that her 2014 termination was motivated by discriminatory intent on the basis of her race.
Factors contributing to an inference of discriminatory intent may include: (1) "the employer's continuing, after discharging the plaintiff, to seek applicants from persons of the plaintiff's qualifications to fill that position"; (2) "criticism of the plaintiff's performance in ethnically degrading terms"; (3) "invidious comments about others in the employee's protected group"; (4) "the more favorable treatment of employees not in the protected group"; or (5) "the sequence of events leading to the plaintiff's discharge." Chambers v. TRM Copy Ctrs. Corp., 43 F.3d 29, 37 (2d Cir. 1994) (internal citations omitted). The Second Circuit has "repeatedly expressed the need for caution about granting summary judgment to an employer in a discrimination case where, as here, the merits turn on a dispute as to the employer's intent." Holcomb, 521 F.3d at 137. Thus, "affidavits and depositions must be carefully scrutinized for circumstantial proof, which, if believed, would show discrimination." Gallo v. Prudential Residential Servs., Ltd. P'ship, 22 F.3d 1219, 1224 (2d Cir. 1994). Still, conclusory allegations of discrimination are insufficient to prove discriminatory intent. See Holcomb, 521 F.3d at 137; see also Mines v. City of New York/DHS, No. 11 Civ. 7886 (JGK), 2013 WL 5904067, at *6 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 4, 2013).
Plaintiff offers the following evidence to support an inference of discrimination with regard to her 2014 termination: (1) statistical analysis
"A plaintiff may . . . present statistical findings as circumstantial evidence of intentional discrimination," Smith v. Xerox Corp., 196 F.3d 358, 370 (2d Cir. 1999), but "the statistical evidence must be sufficient to create an inference of discrimination," Duggan v. Local 638, Enter. Ass'n. of Steam, Hot Water, Hydraulic Sprinkler, Pneumatic Tube, Ice Mach., Air Conditioning and Gen. Pipefitters, 419 F.Supp.2d 484, 491 (S.D.N.Y. 2005); Wright v. Stern, 450 F.Supp.2d 335, 363 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) ("For statistics to give rise to an inference of discrimination, they must be statistically significant, for disparity among protected and unprotected groups will sometimes result by chance."); see also Int'l Bhd. of Teamsters v. United States, 431 U.S. 324, 340 (1977) ("[Statistics] come in infinite variety and . . . their usefulness depends on all of the surrounding facts and circumstances.").
Though Plaintiff and Defendant disagree on the proper analysis of the underlying numbers, the numbers themselves are not meaningfully in dispute. Plaintiff and Defendant agree that:
Plaintiff asserts, however, that these statistics are misleading because they do not account for the total number of LPNs of each race. (Pl. Opp. at 7). In other words, Plaintiff contends that the above numbers merely demonstrate that African-American LPNs worked fewer shifts than Caucasian LPNs overall, but do not shed light on whether Northern Manor disproportionately assigned African-Americans to the Ventilator Unit. Thus, Plaintiff calls for a pro-rata analysis.
Even assuming that Plaintiff is correct, a pro-rata analysis does not support a prima facie case of race-based discrimination. To begin with, neither party provided the Court with accurate ratios for comparison and the Court was left "laboring in an alien and unfamiliar terrain" with "incomplete [and] erroneous data[.]"
Moreover, when comparing Plaintiff directly to other employees outside of her protected class, the data does not evidence that she was treated less favorably. Indeed, the data indicates that during the relevant time period Plaintiff actually worked less Ventilator Unit shifts than two Caucasian LPNs who did not request that unit. According to Plaintiff, she was assigned to work on the Ventilator Unit forty times during the relevant period. (Docket No. 29-9). However, Caucasian LPN Coates worked 146 Ventilator shifts and Caucasian LPN Mancini worked forty-eight. (Def. Reply at 8). Plaintiff also claims that there is something to be gleaned from the fact that she was assigned to the Ventilator Unit more often after she signed the Last Chance Agreement. (Pl. Opp. at 9). Nevertheless, the Court fails to see how this fact evidences racebased discrimination.
Regardless, the Court finds that the statistics fail to support an inference of discrimination because Plaintiff "assumes that any anomalies in the . . . data must be caused by [race-based] discrimination, and makes no attempt to account for other possible causes." Raskin v. Wyatt Co., 125 F.3d 55, 68 (2d Cir. 1997); Bickerstaff v. Vassar College, 196 F.3d 435, 450 (2d Cir. 1999) (upholding the district court's summary judgment finding that plaintiff's statistical evidence had no probative value as to the issue of race or sex discrimination because the analysis failed to control for nondiscriminatory causes). For example, Plaintiff arrives at her conclusion that the assignment system evidences racial bias without accounting for the fact that some of the LPNs in the data-set are floaters, who receive daily assignments based on the needs of the facility. Nor does Plaintiff attempt to account for the impact that an LPN's seniority, performance, or qualifications may have had on the assignment system. See Drake v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., No. 94 Civ. 5944(FB) (RML), 2005 WL 1743816, at *8 (E.D.N.Y. July 21, 2005) ("Statistical evidence must adequately address the relevant statistical comparison and must account for other possible causes of the disparity."); Guider v. F.W. Woolworth Corp., No. 96 Civ. 3168 (LAP), 1998 WL 702275, at *11 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 7, 1998); see also Quarles v. Bronx-Lebanon Hosp. Center, 228 F.Supp.2d 377, 384 (S.D.N.Y. 2002) (finding that "unanalyzed lists of the salaries of other . . . employees . . . without accounting for differences in education, seniority, performance, or specific work duties" did not establish that plaintiff was similarly situated to the comparators he claimed received larger salary increases).
"The Second Circuit has repeatedly held that statistical evidence purporting to show the effects of discrimination is not probative of an employer's intent where no effort is made to account for possible causes of the disparity." Fahmy v. Duane Reade, Inc., No. 04 Civ. 1798(DLC), 2006 WL 1582084, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. June 9, 2006); Bonton v. City of New York, No. 03 Civ. 2833(SAS), 2004 WL 2453603, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 3, 2004). Without "contextual information," a rational jury could not draw any inference regarding race-based discrimination from the "minimal data" Plaintiff presents. LaMarch v. Tishman Speyer Prop., L.P., No. 03 Civ. 5246(CBA), 2006 WL 2265086, at *6 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 8, 2006). Thus, no matter how the data is construed, Plaintiff's "statistical evidence does not make it more or less likely that [Defendant] discriminated against [her] because of her race," and the Court declines to find that the statistical analysis has probative value.
Plaintiff also points to the affidavit of Debra Toms ("Toms"), a supervising nurse who worked with Plaintiff from 2004 through 2009 to support her claim of discrimination. (Pl. Opp. at 6; Toms Aff.
Nevertheless, viewed together with other statements in the sworn affidavit of Ethel Remy, a long-time CNA at Northern Manner, the Court finds that the evidence is sufficient, albeit marginally, to permit the inference of discrimination required to make out the fourth element of a prima facie case. Remy states "that a disproportionate number of African-American LPNs" were assigned to the Ventilator and Rehabilitation Units. (Remy Aff.
Because Plaintiff has made out a prima facie case of discrimination, the burden shifts to Defendant to produce evidence that Plaintiff was terminated for a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason. The Court finds that Defendant has done so. Defendant states that Plaintiff was terminated for violating the terms of the Last Chance Agreement. (Def. Br. at 20). Pursuant to the LCA, failure to accept an assignment and insubordination were grounds for discharge. (Id.). Defendant argues that Plaintiff violated the LCA "by refusing to work on the Ventilator Unit on January 29, 2014[.]" (Def. Reply at 10).
Plaintiff, however, contends that she never violated the LCA. (Pl. Opp. at 6). According to Plaintiff, she left work due to a medical condition and later provided a doctor's note. (Pl. Opp. at 13). While Plaintiff disputes that she "refused" her assignment, both sides agree that Plaintiff left work on a day she was assigned to the Ventilator Unit. (Def. Statement at ¶¶ 43-45; Pl. Counterstatement at ¶¶ 43-44; Scott Aff. at ¶ 28). Whether she left because of a medical condition or "refused" her assignment is immaterial because Defendant has put forth undisputed evidence of Plaintiff's insubordination. According to the written statements of two Northern Manor employees, Plaintiff "became further argumentative" and "started screaming and swearing" after she was made aware of her reassignment to the Ventilator Unit.
Furthermore, the analysis in Varughese v. Mount Sinai Medical Center, a case brought under the same state and federal antidiscrimination laws at issue here, is instructive. No. Civ. 8812 (CM)(JCF), 2015 WL 1499618 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 27, 2015). There, the defendants received multiple reports that plaintiff was disruptive and insubordinate. Id. at *47. Though plaintiff disagreed that her conduct was worthy of complaint, she did "not raise any genuine issue about whether complaints were in fact made." Id. The court found that even if the complaints were unfounded, defendants' receipt of the complaints of plaintiff's insubordination was a legitimate and nondiscriminatory reason for adverse employment actions against her. Id.; see also Nolley v. Swiss Reinsurance Am. Corp., 857 F.Supp.2d 441, 459 (S.D.N.Y. 2012), aff'd sub nom. Nolley v. Swiss Reinsurance Am. Holding Corp., 523 F. App'x 53 (2d Cir. 2013).
As in Varughese, Defendant received reports that Plaintiff had left work after learning that she was assigned to the Ventilator Unit and arguing with her supervisor. This behavior was similar — if not nearly identical — to the behavior that resulted in the LCA. The LCA made it very clear that if Plaintiff engaged in this behavior again, she would be terminated. (See Docket No. 28-10) ("Bridget Scott acknowledges that should she in the future commit any infraction similar to which she was discharged for committing . . . it shall be grounds for discharge." (emphasis added)). The receipt of this information regarding Plaintiff's conduct and insubordination, even if unfounded, is enough to satisfy Defendant's burden at the second stage of the McDonnell Douglas analysis. See Varughese, 2015 WL 1499618, at *47. Therefore, the Court finds Defendant's reasons for terminating Plaintiff legitimate and non-discriminatory.
Plaintiff fails to put forth sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Northern Manor's proffered reasons for her termination were a pretext for race discrimination. As noted, Plaintiff has the ultimate burden "to point to evidence that reasonably supports a finding of prohibited discrimination . . ." Garcia v. Hartford Police Dep't, 706 F.3d 120, 127 (2d Cir. 2013); St. Mary's Honor Ctr., 509 U.S. at 519 ("It is not enough . . . to dis believe the employer; the factfinder must believe the plaintiff's explanation of intentional discrimination."). Thus, to avoid summary judgment, "the plaintiff is not required to show that the employer's proffered reasons were false or played no role in the employment decision, but only that they were not the only reasons and that the prohibited factor was at least one of the motivating factors." Holcomb, 521 F.3d 130, 138 (2d Cir. 2008) (internal quotation marks omitted).
Given that the Court already determined that the data as presented does not support an inference of discrimination,
Nor can Plaintiff withstand summary judgment on the basis of Remy's affidavit. Though Remy provide the names of five Caucasian LPNs who she states were assigned to a regular unit, but never had to cover the Ventilator Unit, (Remy Aff. at ¶ 5), her affidavit is otherwise "devoid of `concrete particulars'" and therefore does not "suffice to avoid summary judgment," Pucino v. Verizon Commc'ns, Inc., 618 F.3d 112, 119 (2d Cir. 2010) (quoting Meiri v. Dacon, 759 F.2d 989, 998 (2d Cir. 1985)). That five Caucasian LPNs were never assigned to the Ventilator Unit does not "create an issue of fact as to the existence of discriminatory animus," Watson v. Geithner, No. 09 Civ. 6624(HBP), 2013 WL 5420932, at *11 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 27, 2013). Plaintiff seems to "rely on the fallacy that because she belongs to a protected class, it is plausible that anything negative that happened to her at work was because of her membership in that class." Watkins v. First Student, Inc., No. 17 Civ. 1519 (CS), 2018 WL 1135480, at *15 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 28, 2018); Grillo v. N.Y.C. Transit Auth., 291 F.3d 231, 235 (2d Cir. 2002) ("Even if [plaintiff's] highly dubious claim that he was unfairly singled out for punishment by the instructors is credited, [plaintiff] has `done little more than cite to [his alleged] mistreatment and ask the court to conclude that it must have been related to [his] race.'" (quoting Lizardo v. Denny's, Inc., 270 F.3d 94, 104 (2d Cir. 2001))).
Furthermore, even if the Court were to assume that Defendant's explanation for Plaintiff's termination could be found by a jury to be pretextual, Plaintiff's prima facie case, without more, would be insufficient to survive summary judgment. See James v. N.Y. Racing Ass'n, 233 F.3d 149, 156 (2d Cir. 2000) ("[A] prima facie case, combined with falsity of the employer's explanation, will not [always] be sufficient . . ."). Merely "contradicting the employer's given reason — without more — does not necessarily give logical support to an inference of discrimination." Id. at 154.
Thus, Plaintiff has failed to present plausible evidence suggesting that the legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons advanced by Northern Manor for Plaintiff's termination were a pretext for discrimination. Moreover, Plaintiff has not set forth "sufficient evidence in the record to create an issue of fact as to the existence of discriminatory animus." Watson, 2013 WL 5420932, at *11. Accordingly, Defendant's motion for summary judgment as to Plaintiff's discrimination claim relating to her termination under Title VII, § 1981, and the NYSHRL is granted.
Plaintiff also alleges that her frequent reassignment to the Ventilator and Rehabilitation Units constituted discrimination on the basis of her race. As previously discussed, Plaintiff has satisfied the first two elements of a prima facie case because she is African-American and there is no dispute that she was qualified for her position. However, Plaintiff cannot establish the third element of a prima facie case: that her reassignment to the Ventilator Unit constitutes an adverse employment action.
"A plaintiff sustains an adverse employment action if he or she endures a materially adverse change in the terms and conditions of employment." Vega v. Hempstead Union Free Sch. Dist., 801 F.3d 72, 85 (2d Cir. 2014) (internal quotation marks omitted). However, a change in working conditions must be "more disruptive than a mere inconvenience or an alteration of job responsibilities" to be materially adverse. Sanders v. New York City Human Res. Admin., 361 F.3d 749, 755 (2d Cir. 2004). The Second Circuit has held that "a transfer is an adverse employment action if it results in a change in responsibilities so significant as to constitute a setback to the plaintiff's career." Galabya v. New York City Bd. Of Educ., 202 F.3d 636, 641 (2d Cir. 2000); see also Ifill v. United Parcel Serv., No. 04 Civ. 5963 LTSDFE, 2005 WL 736151, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 29, 2005) ("[A] lateral transfer, even if imposed on an employee involuntarily, does not constitute an adverse employment action unless it is accompanied by some other material adverse change in conditions, such as a reduction in pay or status."); Pimentel v. City of New York, No. 00 Civ. 326(SAS), 2002 WL 977535, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. May 14, 2002) ("If an employee `earns the same salary, has the same benefits, works the same hours . . . and has the same opportunities for promotion' following a transfer then there is no adverse employment action, even if the employee is `extremely unhappy about it.'" (quoting Garber v. N.Y.C. Police Dep't, No. 95 Civ. 2516 (JFK), 1997 WL 525396, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 22, 1997))). Because Plaintiff has not alleged that her reassignment was accompanied by any other adverse change, it does not amount to an adverse employment action. Moreover, the reassignment was temporary — lasting only a day each time Plaintiff was reassigned — and based on the needs of the facility. Consequently, it does not constitute an adverse employment action.
As such, Defendant's motion for summary judgment as to Plaintiff's discrimination claims relating to reassignment under Title VII, § 1981, and NYSRL is granted.
Plaintiff also brings a claim under the New York State whistleblower statute, NYLL § 740 & 741. Generally, "[t]he traditional `values of judicial economy, convenience, fairness, and comity'" weigh in favor of declining to exercise supplemental jurisdiction where all federal-law claims are eliminated before trial, as is the case here. Kolari v. N.Y.-Presbyterian Hosp., 455 F.3d 118, 122 (2d Cir. 2006) (quoting Carnegie-Mellon Univ. v. Cohill, 484 U.S. 343, 350 (1988)); see also Holmes v. Astor Services for Children & Families, 16 Civ. 2260 (CS), 17 WL 3535296, at *8 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 16, 2017).
Nevertheless, Plaintiff does not oppose Defendant's motion with respect to her NYLL § 741 claim. (See Def. Reply at 5). Thus, the Court finds that it would be inimical to the interest of judicial economy to decline to rule on Plaintiff's NYLL § 741 claim at this juncture, particularly given that discovery is already complete. See Winter v. Northrup, 334 F. App'x 344, 345-46 (2d Cir. 2009). Accordingly, the Court grants Defendant's motion with respect to Plaintiff's NYLL § 741 claim. See, e.g., Sterlin v. City of New York, 11 Civ. 0715 (JPO), 2014 WL 2560595, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. June 6, 2014) (granting summary judgment in favor of movant on unopposed claims); Stevens v. City of New York, No. 10 Civ. 2172 KBFJLC, 2012 WL 3000677, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. July 17, 2012) (same).
In Plaintiff's Opposition, she seeks permission, for the first time, to assert claims under NYLL for her accrued vacation time and denial of overtime. The Court notes that Plaintiff does not specify which section of the NYLL these claims would be brought under, nor were any such claims explicitly raised in her Complaint. "A party is not entitled to amend [their] complaint through [their] memoranda," Butvin v. DoubleClick Inc., No. 99 Civ. 4727(JFK), 2000 WL 827673, at *13 (S.D.N.Y. June 26, 2000), and therefore the Court declines to consider these claims on this basis alone. See, e.g., Goplen v. 51job, Inc., 453 F.Supp.2d 759, 764 n.4 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) ("The complaint makes no mention of these claims and plaintiffs cannot amend their complaint through a legal memorandum."); Reading Int'l, Inc. v. Oaktree Capital Mgmt. LLC, 317 F.Supp.2d 301, 318 n.9 (S.D.N.Y. 2003) ("Absent the filing of an amended complaint that properly pleads the components of [the asserted claim], the Court will not consider this allegation.").
For the foregoing reasons, Defendant's motion for summary judgment is granted. The Clerk of Court is respectfully requested to terminate the pending motion, (Docket No. 24), and close the case.
Plaintiff's Counterstatement marks certain statements as "disputed" but does not identify any actual factual inconsistency. Where these counterstatements do not identify a true factual dispute, the Court treats the statement as undisputed. See Martin v. Sprint United Mgmt. Co., 273 F.Supp.3d 404, 408 n.1 (S.D.N.Y. 2017).