Search Site
Menu
21 Main St, Ste 352 | Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
Call For Consultation 551-245-8894

Scope of Those Entitled to Bring a New Jersey Discrimination Claim Expanded

The New Jersey Appellate Division in Cowher v. Carson & Roberts recently decided a case that dramatically expands the pool of plaintiffs that may bring a workplace discrimination action under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD). The court held that a man who was not Jewish could pursue a religious discrimination claim under LAD based on anti-Semitic comments.

Myron Cowher sued his employer and three supervisors who repeatedly berated him with anti-Semitic comments for more than a year, which subjected him to a hostile work environment. Cowher contended that the defendants directed disparaging comments including, “If you were a German, we would burn you in an oven,” and other, similar types of derogatory remarks.

Hostile work environment claim based on anti-Semitic slurs

The supervisors contested some (though not all) of the remarks and their frequency while the owner of the company claimed not to have been aware of the anti-Semitic comments. Cowher indicated that he had reported the behavior on multiple occasions to the owner and that the owner had been present on several occasions when the remarks were made. When Cowher complained to the owner of the company, he was told repeatedly to simply ignore the behavior.

The employer and supervisors argued that Cowher had no standing to bring a claim based on the fact that he was not a member of the Jewish faith. The trial court dismissed the case on this basis so Cowher appealed to the New Jersey Appellate Division. On appeal, the court pointed out that to bring a hostile work environment claim based on anti-Semitic comments or conduct, the plaintiff must establish:

  • The plaintiff’s Judaism was the cause of the remarks/conduct
  • The conduct/remarks were severe and pervasive enough to make a reasonable person of Jewish descent (believe that);
  • The plaintiff’s employment conditions were altered such that the workplace is hostile or abusive

Perception of the wrongdoer rules over membership in the protected class

The employer and supervisors contended that Cowher could not satisfy the first element because he was not Jewish. When analyzing this requirement, the court disagreed with the trial court, finding that it was sufficient that the cause of the conduct was the perception that Cowher was Jewish by the wrongdoers.

This decision substantially expands the scope of those who may pursue an employment discrimination claim under LAD, because one need not be within the protected class. It is sufficient that the discrimination is based on the perception of the wrongdoer that the employee has the characteristic upon which the discrimination is based.

Neil H. Deutsch On G+

Neil  H.  Deutsch Attorney Photo
Neil H. Deutsch
Retired

Neil H. Deutsch has been practicing law for over 35 years and is known as a skilled negotiator in employment and discrimination law. He believes in a bottom-line approach of risk analysis and cost effectiveness for his clients. "Case evaluation is something we take seriously," says Mr. Deutsch who seeks top net dollar for his…

Bruce  L.  Atkins Attorney Photo
Bruce L. Atkins
Senior Partner

Bruce L. Atkins is regarded as one of New Jersey’s premier practitioners of employment and civil litigation. He has been selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers prestigious list every year since 2005.  This honor, bestowed upon a recipient by the votes of his peers, is a powerful nod to the skill Mr. Atkins brings…

Adam  J.  Kleinfeldt Attorney Photo
Adam J. Kleinfeldt
Partner

Adam J. Kleinfeldt joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in March of 2015.  He primarily represents individuals in employment litigations such as discrimination, retaliation, and whistle blowing matters.  He has extensive experience in all phases of the litigation process. Adam has obtained significant results for some of his clients, including a $525,000 jury verdict in…

Diane  Englander  Peyser Attorney Photo
Diane Englander Peyser
Attorney

Diane Englander Peyser joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in September 2018 where she represents employees in wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, and discrimination matters. Prior to joining Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C., Diane represented clients in all aspects of employment law on behalf of employees involving unemployment appeals, claims of sexual harassment, LGBT discrimination, disability…

Debra M. McGarvey Attorney Photo
Debra M. McGarvey
Attorney

Debra M. McGarvey joined Deutsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt, P.C. in December 2019. She has extensive experience defending employees and employers in state and federal court in employment litigation matters. She has represented clients on various issues arising out of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), the…

AWARDS & AFFILIATIONS
Reviews and Ratings
  • google
    5.0/5.0

    I don’t usually write many reviews, but in early 2021 I was asked if I wanted to write an update to my initial review talking about my experience as a client, so I said “yeah I want to talk, but for just a minute.” After a long and voluminous l...

    Read more

    Ben R

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Diane Englander Peyser and Bruce Atkins provided extensive subject matter knowledge and guided us through very complicated legal system; resulting in positive outcome that we could not have achieved on our own. Great office atmosphere with friendly a...

    Read more

    Psiumis J

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    I am extremely satisfied with my experience with Duetsch Atkins & Kleinfeldt law firm. Diane Peyser was always attentive with any questions or concerns I had during my case. I always felt like I was her number one priority when I needed her during t...

    Read more

    megan verrico

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    I am grateful to Bruce and his firm for his professionalism and guidance. His experience and calm demeanor really helped me through a tough case. He settled it very quickly which allowed me to put it behind me and move on. I highly recommend Bruce.

    Read more

    T Cates

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Having been a litigation attorney myself, I've seen it all from the "inside". I know that far too many lawyers care only about profit and have very little interest in the actual law or their clients. So I was very careful in selecting an attorney t...

    Read more

    D A

See all reviews
Contact us

Quick Contact Form