Overtime Memo Re NYCHRL Extended to Cover Interns

On March 26, 2014, the New York City Council unanimously passed a bill which will expand the coverage of New York City Human Rights Law to include interns. The law was drafted in response to the October 2013 dismissal by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York of Wang v. Phoenix Satellite Television US, Inc., a case in which an unpaid intern brought suit under New York City Human Rights law, alleging she was subjected to quid pro quo and hostile environment sexual harassment by a manager. The Court dismissed the case on the basis that Wang, an unpaid intern, was not an employee of Phoenix and thus was not protected by the provisions of New York City Human Rights Law.