MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

PAUL GARDEPHE, District Judge

In this action, Plaintiff Marie McArdle asserts hostile work environment and retaliation claims against (1) her employer, Arms Acres; (2) co-worker Omar Gutierrez, who Plaintiff claims harassed her; and (3) Frederick Hesse, who was Gutierrez's supervisor, and who Plaintiff claims knowingly permitted Gutierrez's harassment to continue and then retaliated against her for complaining about it. Plaintiff asserts these claims under both Title VII and the New York State Human Rights Law ("NYSHRL"). In addition, Plaintiff asserts state law claims against Arms Acres and Hesse for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring and supervision. Arms Acres and Hesse have jointly moved for summary judgment, as has Gutierrez by separate motion. For the reasons stated below, Arms Acres' and Hesse's motion (Docket No. 46) is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART, and Gutierrez's motion (Docket No. 50) is also GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.

DISCUSSION

"It is now beyond cavil that summary judgment may be appropriate even in the fact-intensive context of discrimination cases," and that "the salutary purposes of summary judgment — avoiding protracted, expensive and harassing trials — apply no less to discrimination cases than to . . . other areas of litigation." Abdu-Brisson v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., 239 F.3d 456, 466 (2d Cir. 2001). As in any other case, "an employment discrimination plaintiff faced with a properly supported summary judgment motion must `do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts'. . . . She must come forth with evidence sufficient to allow a reasonable jury to find in her favor." Brown v. Henderson, 257 F.3d 246, 251 (2d Cir. 2001) (quoting Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986)).

The Court is mindful that "direct evidence of . . . [discriminatory] intent will only rarely be available, . . . [so] `affidavits and depositions must be carefully scrutinized for circumstantial proof which, if believed, would show discrimination.'" Holcomb v. Iona Coll., 521 F.3d 130, 137 (2d Cir. 2008). However, the Court must also "carefully distinguish between evidence that allows for a reasonable inference of discrimination and evidence that gives rise to mere speculation and conjecture." Bickerstaff v. Vassar Coll., 196 F.3d 435, 448 (2d Cir. 1999).

As is done routinely in this Circuit, the Court will treat Plaintiff's claims under Title VII and the NYSHRL as analytically identical, applying the same standard of proof to both claims.See Schiano v. Quality Payroll Sys., 445 F.3d 597, 609 (2d Cir. 2006) (applying same standards to hostile work environment claims under federal and New York state law).

I. FACTS

Defendant Arms Acres operates a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Carmel, New York. (Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶ 1) Plaintiff Marie McArdle was employed as a registered nurse at Arms Acres in the Primary Care Unit from September 15, 1998 through at least September 22, 2006. (Id. ¶¶ 10-11) During the time period relevant to this action, Defendant Hesse was the Medical Director at Arms Acres and Defendant Gutierrez was the Director of Psychiatry. (Id. ¶ 3)

Plaintiff's supervisors during the relevant time period were Director of Nursing Barbara Klein and Nursing Supervisor Cynthia Lipton. (Id. ¶ 14) Defendant Hesse was Defendant Gutierrez's supervisor. (Id. ¶ 4) Hesse, like Director of Nursing Klein, reported to Arms Acres' Executive Director, Patrice Wallace Moore. (Baken Ex. H) Neither Hesse nor Gutierrez ever served as Plaintiff's supervisor. (Id. ¶ 18) A. Arms Acres' Sexual Harassment Policy

As of at least June 1999, Arms Acres had a policy prohibiting sexual harassment and providing a procedure for reporting and investigating complaints of sexual harassment. (See Pltf. Ex. 8; Def. Ex. M at 1; Berkowitz Dep. 52:6-14) The policy defined sexual harassment as including, among other things, "verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature." (Pltf. Ex. 8 at 1; Def. Ex. M at 1) It listed "sexually-related comments," "[u]ndesired, intentional touching, i.e., embracing, patting, pinching," and "obscene and suggestive remarks that are objectionable or discomforting to the recipient" as examples of unacceptable behavior. (Id.) The policy provided that "[a]ny employee who feels that he or she is a victim of sexual harassment or witnesses such conduct should immediately report such incident" to his or her supervisor, a member of management, the Director of Human Resources, or a designated union representative. (Pltf. Ex. 8 at 2; Def. Ex. M at 2)

The parties dispute the extent to which the sexual harassment policy was made available to employees, or was generally known by employees, prior to Plaintiff's May 1, 2002 complaint. Defendants assert, however, that Gutierrez and Hesse had copies of Arms Acres' sexual harassment policy and received training concerning the policy prior to McArdle's complaint. (Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶¶ 72-78) Moreover, there is evidence that an employee training session in 2000 or 2001 included a discussion of the sexual harassment policy. (Berkowitz Dep. 52:15-53:17 (harassment policy was "spoken about" at annual trainings beginning in 2000); Hesse Dep. 51:17-55:8, 133:21-134:8 (recalling a training occurring in 2000 or 2001))

B. The Alleged Harassment

Between 1999 and 2001, Plaintiff and Gutierrez had a friendly and polite relationship limited to passing greetings and the referral of psychiatric patients. (Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶¶ 79-80) In November 2001, however, Plaintiff approached Gutierrez for advice on how to deal with her four-year-old son's temper tantrums. (Id. ¶ 81; McArdle Dep. 174:22-175:2, 180:14-20) As a result, interaction between Plaintiff and Gutierrez increased somewhat in subsequent weeks but remained friendly and polite. McArdle Dep. 183:6-25)

In late January or early February 2002, however, Plaintiff felt that Gutierrez started to become "more risque" in his interactions with her. (Id. 183:2-10, 198:2-5) Gutierrez began regularly complimenting Plaintiff on her appearance and smell, which began to bother her as the comments got "more flirtatious." (Id. 303:12-19; Pltf. Ex. 78 (McArdle Aff.) ¶ 9) On several occasions, Gutierrez commented on "how [Plaintiff's] behind looked" and told her that she "should wear those pants more often." (McArdle Dep. 189:23-25, 208:11-16; see also Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶ 105) Plaintiff "repeatedly told him to stop it," but he did not. (McArdle Dep. 208:14-15) Gutierrez also asked Plaintiff out to lunch "numerous" times, and asked her approximately once per week if she would like to go to the gym with him, but Plaintiff refused. (Id. 184:25-185:3, 681:15-24) On one occasion in late March, Gutierrez called Plaintiff at her home and left a message asking her to lunch. (Pltf. Ex. 78 (McArdle Aff.) ¶ 11)

Gutierrez also began touching Plaintiff. He "would rub [her] arm," even though she told him that was not acceptable. (McArdle Dep. 185:4-6) He also would "squeeze [her] elbow area," "rub . . . [her] back" and "caress[] [her] neck from behind." (Id. 184:22-23, 315:14-17, 437:2-9) This happened more than ten times. (Id. 667:2-668:3)

One day in mid-March or early April 2002, Gutierrez noticed Plaintiff speaking with nurse practitioner Leslie Mugavero in Mugavero's office. (McArdle Dep. 188:21-23; Pltf. Ex. 78 (McArdle Aff.) ¶ 12) Gutierrez asked them how they were doing, and then commented to Plaintiff, "Gee, I love that lipstick, it looks good, I would love to taste it." (McArdle Dep. 188:21-189:2) He then — in Mugavero's presence — kissed Plaintiff on the mouth. (Id. 189:2-5; Mugavero Aff. ¶ 14) Plaintiff told him his behavior was "disgusting" and that he should not do it again. (McArdle Dep. 190:17-20) Plaintiff did not report this incident at that time, but she believed that Mugavero had reported it to Hesse. (Id. 190:25-192:9) Mugavero's testimony is that she told Hesse "about the kissing incident" on April 21, 2002, and recommended that he "do something about [Gutierrez]" and "tell [Gutierrez] that he had to cool it." (Mugavero Dep. 124:25-125:22; Mugavero Aff. ¶ 14) Hesse denies that any such conversation took place. (Hesse Dep. 407-11)

In early or mid-April, Gutierrez found Plaintiff in the medication room. He came up behind her to reach for a book, and while doing so, "leaned into" her "buttocks" with his "hips and his pubic region." (McArdle Dep. 90:20-93:5, 96:9-13; Pltf. Ex. 78 (McArdle Aff.) ¶ 14) While doing so he stated, "Marie, you have my favorite slacks on, you look eatable from behind." (Pltf. Ex. 78 (McArdle Aff.) ¶ 14) Plaintiff believed that Gutierrez had an erection and was "shocked," "upset" and "very embarrassed" by his actions. (McArdle Dep. 93:3-25)

On April 20, 2002, Plaintiff attended a party at a co-worker's house. Gutierrez also attended with his wife. (Id. 202:4-203:7) At the party, Gutierrez "followed" Plaintiff "everywhere." (Id. 203:22-23) At one point, as they passed each other in a doorway, Gutierrez "grabbed [Plaintiff's] butt cheek really hard." (Id. 205:15-205:2) Plaintiff told Gutierrez that he was "a disgusting pig" and left the party shortly afterwards. (Id. 206:6-7) Mugavero told Hesse that night that Gutierrez had been following Plaintiff around at the party. (Mugavero Dep. 71:15-21; Umali Aff. ¶ 9)

On the Monday following the party, Plaintiff passed by Gutierrez's office and found him waiting for her. (McArdle Dep. 193:23-24) He told her that she looked great at the party, and that if it was his "last day on earth," he "would love" to "make love to [her]." (Id. 193:23-194:4) Plaintiff responded that she was "sick" and had "had it." (Id. at 194:3-4)

C. Plaintiff's May 1, 2002 Complaint and Arms Acres' Response

Plaintiff spoke to her doctor about Gutierrez's conduct on April 29, 2002, and, on his advice, decided to report Gutierrez's behavior to her union representative and to the human resources department. (Id. 195:6-24, 97:12-25) Plaintiff first approached a representative of the Employee Assistance Program, Art Sioris, sometime between April 29 and May 1, 2002. (Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶ 149) At Sioris's suggestion, Plaintiff approached five of her co-workers on May 1 and asked them to write statements describing any inappropriate conduct by Gutierrez that they had observed. (Pltf. Rule 56.1 Response ¶ 153) After receiving statements from these co-workers, Plaintiff met with her union representative, Carol Croghan, on May 1, 2002, to report what she perceived as Gutierrez's sexual harassment. (Id. ¶ 156)

Later that day, Plaintiff met with Croghan and Director of Human Resources Beverly Berkowitz to formally complain that Gutierrez was sexually harassing her. (Id. ¶ 157) Berkowitz interviewed Plaintiff and took the five co-worker statements and a written statement by Plaintiff. (Id. ¶¶ 162-63) Over the next two days, Berkowitz also interviewed Gutierrez, the five co-workers who provided statements, and Plaintiff's two supervisors. (Id. ¶ 170) Plaintiff had requested that Berkowitz interview three other employees, including Hesse, but Berkowitz declined to do so. (Id. ¶ 170)

Berkowitz concluded that Gutierrez had not violated Arms Acres' sexual harassment policy, but that he had "engaged in behavior that was `inconsistent' with professional boundaries." (Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶ 208) She recommended that Gutierrez be disciplined, and on May 9, 2002, Hesse issued Gutierrez a written warning. (Id. ¶¶ 212-13) The written warning stated, among other things, that Gutierrez was prohibited from engaging in "any flirtatious/sexual behavior toward employees, including but not limited to . . . uninvited touching . . . [and] sexually related comments." (Id. ¶ 215) It also required Gutierrez "to improve his awareness of professional boundaries by attending a relevant seminar within six months." (Id. ¶ 217) Further, Gutierrez was directed to announce himself before entering the Primary Care Unit where Plaintiff worked, so that she could minimize her contact with him. (Id. ¶ 221) (See also Pltf. Ex. 3)

After May 9, 2002, Plaintiff's supervisor, Lipton, met with Plaintiff on a weekly basis "to monitor her comfort level at work and with Defendant Gutierrez in particular." (Id. ¶ 226) Plaintiff did not report any other complaints about Gutierrez during these meetings, except that during the June 7, 2002 meeting, she stated that Gutierrez "had made eye contact with her with a `Cheshire cat grin' on his face." (Id. ¶ 229) On August 1, 2002, Berkowitz notified Plaintiff that Gutierrez would no longer be required to announce his presence in the Primary Care Unit, and reminded her that if she felt Gutierrez's behavior was inappropriate, she could report it at any time to Berkowitz, Croghan, or Sioris. (Id. ¶¶ 232-34)

Plaintiff "ha[s]n't had any problems" with Gutierrez since August 2002, and between May 1, 2002 and August 2002, the only "problem" Plaintiff had with Gutierrez is that he would sometimes "stare[] [her] down" or go "by with a smirk." (McArdle Dep. 157:7-25, 158:5-7, 158:16-24) Gutierrez did not speak to Plaintiff again after May 1, 2002. (Id. 327:6-8)

D. The Alleged Retaliation

Plaintiff filed an EEOC charge alleging sexual harassment on approximately June 21, 2002. (Pltf. Ex. 78 at 1, Ex. 79 at 6) Arms Acres responded to the charge in mid-August 2002. (Pltf. Ex. 79) Plaintiff initiated this action on August 1, 2003. Plaintiff claims that Arms Acres retaliated against her for engaging in this protected activity in two ways: (1) Hesse solicited and obtained an allegedly false patient complaint against her; and (2) she was twice reprimanded about her clothing and instructed to wear a lab coat over her clothes. (Pltf. Br. at 17) 1. The Patient Complaint Letter Incident

On or about September 8, 2002, Hesse observed Plaintiff taking a patient's blood pressure in a way Hesse considered "unusual and inappropriate," because her foot appeared to be between the male patient's legs. (Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶¶ 243, 251) Hesse — who made this observation from outside the examination room (Hesse Dep. 414:3-4) — reported his concerns to Plaintiff's supervisor, Lipton. (Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶ 244) Lipton immediately discussed Hesse's concern with Plaintiff and her own supervisor, Klein. Both Lipton and Klein concluded that Hesse's concern was unfounded. (Lipton Dep. 138:9-139:11, 140:25-141:22) Lipton informed Hesse of this within fifteen minutes of his initial conversation with her. (Id. 141:13-22)

Later that evening, Hesse approached the patient and asked whether he had been troubled by the way Plaintiff had taken his blood pressure. The patient answered "no." (Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶¶ 245, 247) Hesse nonetheless asked the patient to write a statement describing the incident, which the patient did. (Id. ¶¶ 253-54) Hesse testified that his intention was to give the statement to Lipton, and that if she thought the it was "significant," she "might" take action against Plaintiff. (Hesse Dep. 436:12-22)

When Plaintiff learned of this the next day, she and other nurses met with the patient and asked him to write another letter explaining what had happened. (Pltf. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶¶ 453, 461) The patient did so, and later requested a meeting with the Executive Director, Patrice Wallace-Moore. (Pltf. Ex. 25 at 1) At the meeting, the patient stated that he was upset and felt "he was being put in the middle of a problem between the nurses and Dr. Hesse." (Id.) The patient stated that he was upset that Hesse had asked him to write a letter describing how McArdle took his blood pressure, and had felt uncomfortable when Hesse asked him to add certain statements to the letter. (Id.) The patient asked that both letters be returned to him. (Id. at 2) Hesse was directed to apologize to the patient and McArdle, and instructed that any concerns he had about an employee's performance should be directed to their supervisor. (Pltf. Ex. 25 at 2)

2. The Lab Coat Incidents

Plaintiff claims that Human Resources Director Berkowitz twice instructed her to put a lab coat on over her clothing in circumstances she found to be upsetting and "intimidating." These incidents took place in November 2002 and August 2004. (McArdle Dep. 345:30-356:21, 352:7-17, 369:25-370:3, 616:24-618:18) During this time, Arms Acres had a written dress code providing that employees who were not dressed in accordance with the code would be asked to wear a lab coat. (Def. Rule 56.1 Stat. ¶¶ 295-96)

E. Defendants' Knowledge of Gutierrez's Prior Conduct

Plaintiff has offered evidence that prior to her May 1, 2002 complaint Hesse — and therefore Arms Acres — was aware that Gutierrez had engaged in conduct with other female employees that violated Arms Acres' sexual harassment policy:

For example, "months" before Plaintiff's May 1, 2002 complaint, Carol Croghan — an Arms Acres nurse — Hesse, and Gutierrez were in an office preparing for medical rounds. Another nurse entered the office, and asked where she should sit, because all the chairs were taken. Gutierrez patted his lap and said "you can sit here." (Croghan Aff. ¶ 9) The nurse left the office "visibly uncomfortable" with Gutierrez's remark. After the meeting, Croghan — who was also made uncomfortable by Gutierrez's remark — asked Hesse to speak to Gutierrez about "making remarks like that." (Id.) Hesse responded by saying that Gutierrez "didn't mean anything" by the remark, although he acknowledged that he would not make such remarks himself. (Id.)

Plaintiff has also offered nurse Mugavero's testimony that Mugavero had complained to Hesse that Gutierrez had acted inappropriately toward five other female employees. (Mugavero Dep. 69:17-23, 75:11-23, 85:6-86:11; see also Hesse Dep. 391:12-18 (agreeing that Mugavero "complain[ed] frequently about the conduct of . . . Gutierrez toward the female staff"); Herzenberg Aff. ¶ 10 (co-worker stating that at a dinner he attended with Mugavero and Hesse, Mugavero told Hesse to keep Gutierrez away from the nursing station because he "chas[ed] the nurses")) While the timing of these incidents and Mugavero's complaints to Hesse are not entirely clear, they all appear to have taken place before McArdle's complaint to Hesse. In one of the incidents Mugavero reported to Hesse, an "extremely upset" nurse complained to Mugavero that Gutierrez had "grabbed her by the ass." (Mugavero Dep. 85:6-86:11)

II. SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS TO ARMS ACRES

Against Arms Acres, Plaintiff asserts claims of (1) hostile work environment and sexual harassment under Title VII and the NYSHRL (Counts I and III); (2) retaliation under Title VII and the NYSHRL (Counts II, IV and IX); (3) intentional infliction of emotional distress (Count X); and (4) negligent supervision and retention (Count XI). Arms Acres is entitled to summary judgment on the emotional distress, negligence, and retaliation claims, except to the extent that the latter is based on the patient complaint incident. Arms Acres' motion is denied, however, as to Plaintiff's hostile work environment claim; her retaliation claim with respect to the patient complaint incident; and her claim for punitive damages.

A. Hostile Work Environment/Sexual Harassment

To prevail on a hostile work environment claim under Title VII, a plaintiff "must prove that the harassment was sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of . . . [her] employment and create an abusive working environment," and "must [also] show that a specific basis exists for imputing the conduct that created the hostile environment to the employer." Perry v. Ethan Allen, Inc., 115 F.3d 143, 149 (2d Cir. 1997) (internal quotation omitted). Arms Acres has not argued that it is entitled to summary judgment because Gutierrez's conduct did not create an abusive working environment. Instead, its sole argument for summary judgment is that Gutierrez's conduct cannot be imputed to Arms Acres. (Def. Br. at 3-12)

Where, as here, the alleged harasser is a co-worker rather than a supervisor, an employer may be held liable where it "either provided no reasonable avenue for complaint or knew of the harassment but did nothing about it." Perry, 115 F.3d at 149 (internal quotation omitted). This is a negligence standard, and summary judgment is precluded where a jury could reasonably find that the employer, "in the exercise of reasonable care, knew or should have known about the co-worker harassment faced by [the plaintiff], yet failed to take appropriate remedial action." Fairbrother v. Morrison, 412 F.3d 39, 52 (2d Cir. 2005) (internal quotation omitted); see also Distasio v. Perkin Elmer Corp., 157 F.3d 55, 63 (2d Cir. 1998) (an employer "will be held liable only for its own negligence" in cases of co-worker harassment); Murray v. New York Univ. Coll. of Dentistry, 57 F.3d 243, 249 (2d Cir. 1995) ("An employer who has notice of a discriminatorily abusive environment in the workplace has a duty to take reasonable steps to eliminate it.").

1. Arms Acres Provided

A Reasonable Avenue of Complaint

The undisputed evidence shows that Arms Acres provided a reasonable avenue of complaint here. While the parties dispute the extent to which employees were aware of Arms Acres' sexual harassment policy prior to May 1, 2002 (see supra pp. 4-5 n. 2), even where an employer has no formal sexual harassment policy, a court may still find, as a matter of law, that an employer provided a "reasonable avenue of complaint" if the evidence shows that the plaintiff in fact knew how to make a complaint and that the complaint was adequately addressed. See Borrero v. Collins Bldg. Serv., Inc., No. 01-Civ.-6885(AGS), 2002 WL 31415511, at **12-13 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 25, 2002) (regardless of adequacy of written policy, employer provided a reasonable avenue of complaint where plaintiff in fact complained of harassment to management and management promptly took steps that ended the harassment); Donovan v. Big V Supermarkets, Inc., No. 98-Civ.-3842 (AGS), 1999 WL 615100, at **5-7 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 12, 1999) (same); see also Reed v. A.W. Lawrence Co., Inc., 95 F.3d 1170, 1180 (2d Cir. 1996) ("[T]here is no basis for a per se rule that the absence of a written sexual harassment policy, standing alone, permits a finding that the employer has failed to provide a reasonable avenue for complaint. . . ." (internal quotation omitted)).

Defendants have made that showing here. The undisputed evidence shows that Plaintiff made a formal complaint on May 1, 2002; that the Director of Human Resources investigated the complaint; and that Arms Acres took corrective action that effectively ended the conduct that Plaintiff believes constituted harassment. (See supra p. 9) Given this evidence, no reasonable jury could find that Arms Acres failed to provide a "reasonable avenue of complaint."

2. A Jury Could Reasonably Find That Hesse, Gutierrez's Supervisor, Knew About the Harassment But Did Nothing to Remedy It

Liability for sexual harassment may be imputed to an employer where it "knew or should have known about the co-worker harassment faced by [the plaintiff], yet failed to take appropriate remedial action." Fairbrother, 412 F.3d at 52. Moreover, "where the person who gained notice of the harassment was the supervisor of the harasser (e.g., had the authority to hire, fire, discipline, or transfer him), knowledge will be imputed to the employer on the ground that the employer vested in the supervisor the authority and the duty to terminate the harassment." Torres v. Pisano, 116 F.3d 625, 637 (2d Cir. 1997). This notice requirement is met where a jury could find that an appropriate representative of the employer "was aware of facts sufficient to establish an inference that a hostile environment existed." Arias v. Nasdaq/Amex Market Group, No. 00-Civ.-9827 (MBM), 2003 WL 354978, at *10 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 18, 2003); see also Brunson v. Bayer Corp., 237 F. Supp. 2d 192, 204 (D. Conn. 2002) (knowledge requirement met where "reasonable jurors could conclude that trained supervisors would find . . . [the complained-of conduct] potentially indicative of problematic behavior such that [the employer] . . . should have been on notice of . . . [the alleged harasser's] apparent proclivity for sexually inappropriate behavior").

To be "appropriate," the employer's remedial action must be prompt: the employer "will be liable for any hostile work environment created by . . . [the plaintiff's] co-workers unless it can show that it took immediate and appropriate remedial action." Richardson v. New York State Dep't of Correctional Serv., 180 F.3d 426, 441 (2d Cir. 1999), abrogated on other grounds by White, 548 U.S. 53; see also Bruneau ex rel. Schofield v. S. Kortfield Cent. Sch. Dist., 163 F.3d 749, 761 (2d Cir. 1998) (explaining, in context of Title IX, that "an analysis of the appropriateness of the [remedial] actions taken [once an educational institution is on notice of a hostile environment] would necessarily incorporate the issue of timeliness," and that "[i]mplicit in our understanding of `appropriate' [i]s the notion that the action must be prompt"). Where "the evidence creates an issue of fact as to whether an employer's action is effectively remedial and prompt, summary judgment is inappropriate." Richardson, 180 F.3d at 441 (internal quotation omitted). This precedent is in accordance with the EEOC's guidelines, which provide that: "[w]ith respect to conduct between fellow employees, an employer is responsible for acts of sexual harassment in the workplace where the employer (or its agents or supervisory employees) knows or should have known of the conduct, unless it can show that it took immediate and appropriate corrective action." 29 C.F.R. 1604.11(d) (cited in Richardson, 180 F.3d at 441).

Here, a jury could reasonably find that Hesse — Arms Acres' Medical Director and Gutierrez's direct supervisor — knew as of April 21, 2002 that Gutierrez had kissed Plaintiff at work and that his conduct was unwelcome. (See supra p. 6) In light of the evidence showing that Hesse had notice of numerous prior incidents (including at least two within the past year) in which Gutierrez appeared to have violated Arms Acres' sexual harassment policy (see supra pp. 11-12), a jury might also reasonably conclude that Hesse knew that Gutierrez's conduct toward Plaintiff might rise to the level of creating a hostile work environment. See Arias, 2003 WL 354978, at *10 (denying summary judgment as to employer liability based on evidence that employee told his supervisor that his co-workers were calling him names and bothering him and supervisor admitted that he had a "vague awareness" that one of the names was a racial slur); Brunson, 237 F. Supp. 2d at 204 (denying summary judgment to employer where plaintiff had complained to her immediate supervisors about sexual comments and gestures, and three other employees had complained to their supervisors of isolated incidents of inappropriate comments and touching by the same alleged harasser).

A jury could also reasonably conclude that Hesse did nothing in response to learning about the kissing incident, or any of the other conduct by Gutierrez about which he was informed, and that he never intended to take action concerning Gutierrez's conduct. The record here shows that ten days went by between Mugavero's report to Hesse concerning the kissing incident and McArdle's complaint to the Human Resources Director. It is a fair inference from the evidence that, but for McArdle's complaint, no remedial action concerning the kissing incident ever would have taken place. It is also noteworthy that while Arms Acres' sexual harassment policy instructs sexual harassment victims and witnesses how to report improper conduct, the policy is silent as to the duty of supervisors to whom sexual harassment is reported. (See Pltf. Ex. 8; Def. Ex. M at 1) Accordingly, a jury could find both that Hesse's response to Mugavero's complaint was negligent and that Arms Acres' sexual harassment policy was negligently drafted as to a senior manager's obligations after being notified of acts that might constitute sexual harassment.

Finally, although Arms Acres quickly took action after McArdle's May 1, 2002 complaint to the Human Resources Director, a jury could find that the ten day gap between the initial report to Hesse and Arms Acres' May 1 actions does not constitute "immediate and appropriate remedial action." Richardson, 180 F.3d at 441; see Seepersad v. D.A.O.R. Security, Inc., No. 97-Civ.-2086 (SS), 1998 WL 474205, at **4-5 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 12, 1998) (denying summary judgment to employer where victim made repeated complaints to supervisors about sexual harassment for a week before the employer — which had knowledge that harasser had been the target of a previous harassment complaint — took action).

In sum, the Court cannot conclude as a matter of law that Arms Acres should not be held liable for Gutierrez's conduct. Accordingly, Arms Acres' motion for summary judgment concerning McArdle's hostile work environment claim is denied. B. Retaliation

Plaintiff claims that she was retaliated against in two ways: (1) Hesse solicited and obtained an allegedly false patient complaint against her; and (2) she was twice reprimanded about her clothing and instructed to wear a lab coat over her clothes. (Pltf. Br. at 17) "In order to establish a prima facie case of retaliation, . . . [a plaintiff] must show that: (1) she engaged in a protected activity; (2) her employer was aware of this activity; (3) the employer took adverse employment action against her; and (4) a causal connection exists between the alleged adverse action and the protected activity." Schiano, 445 F.3d at 608. In the context of a retaliation claim, an adverse employment action is one that "well might have `dissuaded a reasonable worker from making or supporting a charge of discrimination.'" White, 548 U.S. at 68. "[P]etty slights, minor annoyances, and simple lack of good manners" will not normally constitute adverse employment actions for purposes of a retaliation claim. Id.

Arms Acres argues that Plaintiff cannot make out a prima facie case of retaliation with respect to these incidents because they do not constitute materially adverse employment actions, and that Plaintiff also cannot demonstrate a causal connection "between the action[s] and the filing of her May 1, 2002 complaint." (Def. Br. at 12) Arms Acres is entitled to summary judgment with respect to the lab coat incidents, but not with respect to the patient complaint incident.

1. Lab Coat Incidents

Plaintiff has not offered any evidence, or cited any pertinent legal authority, to support a finding that she suffered a materially adverse employment action with respect to either of the lab coat incidents. At most, the evidence shows that Plaintiff was reprimanded (without further consequence) for failing to dress appropriately. (See supra p. 11) A mere reprimand that has no formal consequences does not rise to the level of a materially adverse employment action. Brummell v. Webster Cent. Sch. Dist., No. 06-Civ.-6437, 2009 WL 232780, at *9 (W.D.N.Y. Jan. 29, 2009) (reprimand concerning performance that had no formal consequences did not rise to level of adverse employment action in retaliation context); Lucenti, 432 F. Supp. 2d at 364 (in general, "[r]eprimands . . . do not constitute adverse employment actions" for purposes of a retaliation claim).

Further, Plaintiff has not shown a causal connection between her protected activity and the second lab coat incident, which happened more than a year after the then most recent protected activity (i.e., Plaintiff's filing of this lawsuit). (See supra p. 11) She has no direct evidence of retaliation, and a year is far too long a gap to give rise to an inference of retaliatory intent. Morisseau v. DLA Piper, 532 F. Supp. 2d 595, 617 (S.D.N.Y. 2008) ("While the Second Circuit has not `drawn a bright line to define the outer limits beyond which a temporal relationship is too attenuated to establish a causal relationship, the weight of authority supports the view that ten or twelve months is too long.'" (internal quotation omitted) (collecting cases)).

Therefore, Arms Acres is entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff's retaliation claims insofar as they are based on the lab coat incidents.

2. Patient Complaint Incident

The patient complaint incident is of an entirely different nature and significance than the lab coat incidents. Viewed in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, the evidence shows that Hesse sua sponte solicited and obtained a patient complaint against Plaintiff — of a sexual nature — on the basis of a brief observation from outside an examining room: (1) after Plaintiff's supervisors had concluded that there was no basis for complaint; (2) after the patient told Hesse he was not bothered by the conduct; and (3) in a manner that made the patient uncomfortable, involved suggesting to the patient what he should say in his statement, and led to Hesse being reprimanded by Arms Acres' Executive Director. (See supra pp. 10-11) Although Hesse ultimately failed to persuade the patient to pursue a complaint against Plaintiff, a jury could reasonably conclude that an employee in Plaintiff's position — i.e., a nurse working at a medical facility — "well might have [been] dissuaded" from pursuing her discrimination complaint after the facility's Medical Director pressured a patient to lodge an unfounded complaint of inappropriate behavior against her. White, 548 U.S. at 68 (internal quotation omitted).

A jury could likewise reasonably infer a causal connection between the patient complaint incident and Plaintiff's protected activities, because "the retaliatory action occurred close in time to the protected activities." McNair v. New York City Health Hosp. Co., 160 F. Supp. 2d 601, 604 (S.D.N.Y. 2001). This incident took place just a few weeks after Defendants responded to Plaintiff's EEOC charge, and there is no evidence showing that Defendants had had notice of the charge for a significantly longer period. (See supra n. 12) See Harrison, 2008 WL 656674 at * 12 (one to two months between the protected activity and retaliatory conduct may give rise to an inference of a causal connection at the prima facie stage).

Defendants argue that even if Plaintiff has established a prima facie case of retaliation — which she has — they are still entitled to summary judgment because Hesse had "legitimate, non-retaliatory reasons" for asking the patient for the complaint — namely, he "considered the technique Plaintiff employed to be `unusual and inappropriate'" and it was Arms Acres' general practice to ask patients to make any complaints in writing. (Def. Br. at 18-19) Assuming arguendo that Defendants have offered a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for Hesse's action, the burden shifts to Plaintiff to produce evidence showing that the stated reason was a pretext for retaliation. Feingold v. City of New York, 366 F.3d 138, 157 (2d Cir. 2004). For several reasons, a jury could reasonably find here that Hesse's stated reason for obtaining the written complaint was pretextual. For example, Hesse solicited and obtained the complaint after (1) Plaintiff's supervisors had determined that there was no reason for concern; and (2) the patient himself had stated that he was not bothered by Plaintiff's conduct. Based on this evidence and the timing of the incident, a jury could also reasonably infer that Hesse was motivated at least in part by retaliatory intent, which is sufficient to defeat summary judgment on this claim. See Gordon v. New York City Bd. of Educ., 232 F.3d 111, 118 (2d Cir. 2000) (plaintiff may prevail on Title VII retaliation claim "merely by showing that retaliation was one of a number of motivating factors").

Therefore, Arms Acres is not entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff's retaliation claim concerning the patient complaint incident.

C. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff's claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. To prevail on such a claim under New York law, Plaintiff must prove:

(1) extreme and outrageous conduct; (2) intent to cause severe emotional distress; (3) a causal relationship between conduct and the resulting injury; and (4) severe emotional distress. . . . The crux for a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress is predicated on the basis of extreme and outrageous conduct, which so transcends the bounds of decency as to be regarded as atrocious and intolerable in a civilized society.

"Typically harassment and some physical touching are not enough to satisfy the extreme and outrageous standard under New York law," and indeed, under governing New York law, "[i]t is all but impossible for a plaintiff to provide sufficient evidence to satisfy the extreme and outrageous conduct requirement." Id. at 554. Thus, courts in this District routinely grant defendants summary judgment on emotional distress claims unless the alleged harassment involves sexual battery. Ponticelli, 16 F. Supp. 2d at 440-41 ("In the sexual harassment context, it appears that for an IIED claim to survive a summary judgment motion, sexual battery should be alleged."); Gallo, 585 F. Supp. 2d at 554 (granting defendants summary judgment on emotional distress claim, but not hostile work environment claim, where battery was not alleged).

Although Plaintiff has offered evidence of inappropriate touching here, courts have found that such conduct is not sufficiently extreme and outrageous to support an emotional distress claim. See id. at 554 (granting summary judgment to defendants on emotional distress claim where plaintiff alleged that he "endured harassment on a daily basis, his complaints of such conduct went unheeded, and he was assaulted twice"); Gorton v. Gettel, No. 04-Civ.-0236 (SCR), 2007 WL 2154193, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. June 22, 2007) (granting summary judgment to individual defendant on emotional distress claim where alleged harassment consisted of numerous sexually suggestive comments and gestures, and touching on shoulder or forearm). Indeed, Plaintiff has not cited any cases where a court allowed an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim to proceed on similar facts. Therefore, Arms Acres is entitled to summary judgment on this claim.

D. Negligent Supervision and Retention

Arms Acres is also entitled to judgment as a matter of law on Plaintiff's negligent supervision and retention claim. This claim is pre-empted by New York's Workers' Compensation Law, which provides in part that "[t]he right to compensation or benefits under this chapter, shall be the exclusive remedy to an employee . . . when such employee is injured . . . by the negligence or wrong of another in the same employ." N.Y. Workers' Comp. Law § 29(6). See Torres v. Pisano, 116 F.3d 625, 640 (2d Cir. 1997) (New York workers' compensation law bars negligence claims by an employee against employer, including claims for negligent supervision brought in context of sexual harassment suit). In her opposition to Defendants' summary judgment motion, Plaintiff does not contest Defendants' argument that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on this claim.

E. Punitive Damages

A plaintiff is not entitled to punitive damages under Title VII unless the employer "engaged in intentional discrimination . . . with malice or with reckless indifference to the federally protected rights of an aggrieved individual."Zimmermann v. Assoc. First Capital Corp., 251 F.3d 376, 384 (2d Cir. 2001) (internal quotation omitted). Thus, an employer may establish an affirmative defense to a punitive damages claim by showing "both that it had an antidiscrimination policy and made a good faith effort to enforce it." Id. at 385. Arms Acres argues that it is entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff's claim for punitive damages because it "promulgated a comprehensive program designed to prevent and remedy claims of sexual harassment in the workplace" and that "once Plaintiff availed herself of these . . . mechanisms, Defendants responded to her professed concerns in a timely, thorough and effective manner." (Def. Br. at 24-25)

Arms Acres has not shown, however, that no reasonable jury could find in Plaintiff's favor. As discussed above, there are factual disputes as to whether Arms Acres took sufficient steps to make its harassment policy known to employees, including Gutierrez and Plaintiff, during the relevant time period. (See supra pp. 4-5 n. 2) There are also factual disputes as to whether Defendants made a good faith effort to enforce the sexual harassment policy with respect to Gutierrez prior to May 1, 2002. (See supra pp. 11-12) Therefore, Arms Acres is not entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff's claim for punitive damages. See Cioffi v. New York Community Bank, 465 F. Supp. 2d 202, 213 (E.D.N.Y. 2006) (denying employer's motion for judgment as a matter of law as to punitive damages where evidence showed that employer had a written anti-discrimination policy, but a jury could reasonably find that "there was insufficient evidence of a good faith enforcement with respect to the plaintiff"); Greene v. Coach, Inc., 218 F. Supp. 2d 404, 414 (S.D.N.Y. 2002) (denying employer's motion for summary judgment as to punitive damages where employer produced evidence that it maintained an antidiscrimination policy, but the evidence "reveal[ed] little about the manner and extent to which . . . managers were exposed to these principles" and suggested a "dearth of antidiscrimination training during the time period at issue").

III. SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS TO HESSE

Plaintiff asserts aiding-and-abetting harassment and retaliation claims against Hesse under Section 296.6 of the NYSHRL (N.Y. Exec. L. § 296.6) (Counts V, VI and IX). Hesse is entitled to summary judgment only with respect to the retaliation claim concerning the lab coat incidents.

An individual employee may be liable under Section 296.6 for aiding and abetting an employer's violation of the NYSHRL if he "actually participates in the conduct giving rise to" the claim.Feingold, 366 F.3d at 158 (internal quotation omitted). Moreover, "a supervisor's failure to take adequate remedial measures can rise to the level of `actual participation' under [Section 296.6]." Lewis v. Triborough Bridge Tunnel Auth., 77 F. Supp. 2d 376, 384 (S.D.N.Y. 1999); see also Lopes v. Caffe Centrale LLC, 548 F. Supp. 2d 47, 55 (S.D.N.Y. 2008) (holding that plaintiff could proceed on Section 296.6 claim against individual supervisor where she created triable issue of fact as to whether supervisor "refrain[ed] from acting to remedy discriminatory behavior toward the Plaintiff employee of which . . . [he was] aware"); Miotto v. Yonkers Public Sch., 534 F. Supp. 2d 422, 429 (S.D.N.Y. 2008) (holding that supervisors could be liable under Section 296.6 if they had knowledge of the alleged harasser's "prior similar conduct and took no remedial action").

Here, Plaintiff has offered evidence from which a jury could find that Hesse, who was Gutierrez's supervisor, was aware of Gutierrez's conduct toward Plaintiff but failed to take appropriate steps to address it. Moreover, Hesse directly participated in the patient complaint incident. Therefore, Hesse is not entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff's claims that he violated the NYSHRL by aiding and abetting in the alleged harassment and the alleged retaliation with respect to the patient complaint.

However, to the extent Plaintiff asserts any other retaliation claims against Hesse, those claims must be dismissed. "[B]efore an individual may be considered an aider and abettor" under the NYSHRL, the employer's liability "must first be established."Sowemimo, 43 F. Supp. 2d at 490. Because Arms Acres is entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiff's other retaliation claims, Hesse cannot be liable as an aider and abettor concerning these claims. See id. at 491 (holding that plaintiff's "failure to establish the [employer's] . . . liability under the [NYS]HRL . . . eliminates her claims against . . . [the individual defendant] based on the same statute[]").

IV. SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS TO GUTIERREZ

Plaintiff also asserts aiding-and-abetting harassment and retaliation claims against Gutierrez. (Pltf. Br. at 4-12) Gutierrez is entitled to summary judgment with respect to the retaliation claims, but not with respect to the hostile work environment claim. A. Hostile Work Environment

"To state a claim for a hostile work environment in violation of Title VII, a plaintiff must plead facts that would tend to show that the complained of conduct: (1) `is objectively severe or pervasive — that is, . . . creates an environment that a reasonable person would find hostile or abusive'; (2) creates an environment `that the plaintiff subjectively perceives as hostile or abusive'; and (3) `creates such an environment because of the plaintiff's sex.'" Patane v. Clark, 508 F.3d 106, 112 (2d Cir. 2007) (internal citations omitted); see also Schiano, 445 F.3d at 605 (to prevail on a hostile work environment claim, a plaintiff must show "that the work environment both objectively was, and subjectively was perceived by the plaintiff to be, sufficiently hostile to alter the conditions of employment for the worse").

Gutierrez argues that Plaintiff has not offered evidence sufficient for a jury to find in her favor on the first element of a hostile work environment claim. (Gutierrez Br. at 11-24) To do so, Plaintiff must "adduce evidence sufficient to permit a reasonable jury to conclude that her workplace was permeated with discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult, that [was] sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of [her] employment." Petrosino v. Bell Atlantic, 385 F.3d 210, 221 (2d Cir. 2004) (internal quotations and citations omitted). In determining whether Plaintiff has met her burden here, the Court must consider the "totality of the circumstances," id. at 221, including "the frequency of the discriminatory conduct; its severity; whether it [wa]s physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive utterance; and whether it unreasonably interfere[d] with . . . [Plaintiff's] work performance." Schiano, 445 F.3d at 605. The Court must assess the evidence from "the perspective . . . of a `reasonable person in the plaintiff's position, considering all the circumstances [including] the social context in which particular behavior occurs and is experienced by its target.'" Petrosino, 385 F.3d at 221.

"Simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents of offensive conduct (unless extremely serious) will not support a claim of discriminatory harassment." Id. at 223. However, comments or touching that seem relatively innocuous in isolation may reasonably be found to create an objectively hostile and abusive work environment if they occur with sufficient frequency over a period of time. See Holtz v. Rockefeller Co., Inc., 258 F.3d 62, 75-76 (2d Cir. 2001) (summary judgment unwarranted where evidence showed that for "months and months," the alleged harasser "`grabb[ed]' and `placed his hand on [the plaintiff's] hand' on a `daily' basis, `constantly,' `whenever he had the opportunity,' . . . and that he `used to touch [her] hair a lot,'" and that the harasser engaged in other "sexually suggestive conduct, including `obscene leers,' repeated efforts to peek underneath [plaintiff's] clothing, and a pattern of teasing comments about her sex life"); Cruz v. Coach Stores, Inc., 202 F.3d 560, 570 (2d Cir. 2000) ("[T]he plaintiff must demonstrate either that a single incident was extraordinarily severe, or that a series of incidents were `sufficiently continuous and concerted' to have altered the conditions of her working environment.").

Plaintiff has offered evidence that over a period of approximately three months, from late January or early February 2002 through May 1, 2002, Gutierrez engaged in steadily escalating conduct that was unwelcome to Plaintiff. At the beginning of this time period, there is evidence that Gutierrez's conduct included: (1) regularly complimenting Plaintiff on her appearance and smell; (2) commenting on several occasions on "how [Plaintiff's] behind looked" and telling her that she "should wear those pants more often"; (3) asking Plaintiff to lunch "numerous" times, once by calling her at home, and asking her approximately once per week if she would like to go to the gym with him; and (4) touching Plaintiff by "squeeze[ing] [her] elbow area," "rub[bing] . . . [her] back" and "caress[ing] [her] neck from behind," which happened more than ten times. (See supra pp. 5-7)

Plaintiff has also testified about three additional incidents that took place in mid-March or early April 2002: (1) the kissing incident, in which Gutierrez told Plaintiff, "Gee, I love that lipstick, it looks good, I would love to taste it," and then kissed her on the mouth; (2) the medication room encounter, in which Gutierrez said, "Marie, you have my favorite slacks on, you look eatable from behind," and then "leaned into" her "buttocks" from behind with his "hips and his pubic region"; and (3) the incident in which Gutierrez told Plaintiff that she had looked great at a co-worker's party the previous weekend, and that if it was his "last day on earth," he "would love" to "make love to [her]." (See supra pp. 5-7)

A jury considering the totality of the circumstances could reasonably find that Gutierrez's conduct was frequent and humiliating, in light of the evidence that Gutierrez regularly made sexually-related comments and routinely touched Plaintiff in an unwelcome way for a period of months, and in light of the "social context" here, see Petrosino, 385 F.3d at 221, which is that Gutierrez was a higher-level employee — a doctor rather than a nurse — whose prior similar conduct had been tolerated by the Medical Director of the facility. Although most of the comments and touching were not particularly severe when considered in isolation, two of the instances of touching in late March and early April — the kissing incident and the medication room encounter — were more severe, and there is evidence that the unwelcome conduct occurred frequently for a period of several months. Courts have denied summary judgment in similar cases where the plaintiff offered evidence of repeated unwelcome comments and touching, including touching that was clearly of a sexual nature and was not just incidental or accidental. See, e.g., Holtz, 258 F.3d at 75-76 (2d Cir. 2001) (summary judgment not warranted where alleged harasser's conduct included daily touching of plaintiff's hand or hair, and alleged harasser also made comments about plaintiff's sex life and tried to look under her clothing); Carrero v. New York City Hous. Auth., 890 F.2d 569, 572-73, 578 (2d Cir. 1989) (summary judgment not warranted where alleged harasser, who was plaintiff's supervisor, touched plaintiff once on the arm and knee; kissed her on two occasions; and attempted to kiss her on two other occasions); Parrish v. Sollecito, 249 F. Supp. 2d 342, 345-46, 349 (S.D.N.Y. 2003) (summary judgment not warranted where alleged harasser, who was plaintiff's supervisor, stroked plaintiff's leg under her skirt on four occasions); Matute v. Hyatt Corp., No. 98-Civ.-1712(AGS), 1999 WL 135204, at *1, *3 (S.D.N.Y. March 11, 1999) (summary judgment not warranted where, over a period of six weeks, the alleged harasser, who was plaintiff's supervisor, touched plaintiff twice on the shoulder, attempted to kiss him, touched his genitals once and touched his chest once). See also Wahlstrom v. Metro-North Commuter R.R. Co., 89 F. Supp. 2d 506, 511 (S.D.N.Y. 2000) (summary judgment not warranted where alleged harasser, who was a co-worker, made a sexual comment, "wrapped his arms around [plaintiff], grabbed her in a `bear hug,' . . . and slapped her left buttock three times").

Because a reasonable jury could find that Gutierrez's conduct was sufficiently severe and pervasive to "alter the conditions of [Plaintiff's] employment for the worse," Schiano, 445 F.3d at 604, Gutierrez's motion for summary judgment concerning Plaintiff's hostile work environment claim is denied. B. Retaliation

Plaintiff has not offered evidence sufficient to sustain a retaliation claim against Gutierrez. Because Plaintiff's only viable retaliation claim against Arms Acres concerns the patient complaint incident, Gutierrez cannot be liable as an aider and abettor for any other allegedly retaliatory conduct. See Sowemimo, 43 F. Supp. 2d at 490-91. As to the patient complaint incident, Plaintiff has testified that she has no knowledge that Gutierrez was involved. (See Def. Rule 56.1 Statement ¶¶ 283-84) Moreover, Plaintiff's Rule 56.1 Statement does not contain any statements of fact that purport to show Gutierrez's involvement in the patient complaint incident. (See Pltf. Rule 56.1 Statement ¶¶ 447-69) Because Plaintiff has offered no evidence showing that Gutierrez actually participated in this incident, he is entitled to summary judgment on her retaliation claim. See Feingold, 366 F.3d at 158 (aiding and abetting liability may attach only if a co-worker "actually participates in the conduct giving rise to" the claim); Brown, 257 F.3d at 251 ("[A]n employment discrimination plaintiff faced with a properly supported summary judgment motion must `do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts'. . . . She must come forth with evidence sufficient to allow a reasonable jury to find in her favor.").

CONCLUSION

SO ORDERED.