Sex Discrimination and a Handgun at Macy’s Manhasset

On March 27, 2025, The Law Office of David H. Rosenberg, P.C. (“Firm”) filed a verified complaint of sex discrimination and retaliation on behalf of its male client (“Complainant”) against Macy’s Retail Holdings LLC d/b/a Macy’s; and individual Respondents Jamie Schnitzer, Tara Estrada, Angelica Infante, Madeline Rivera, Karina Martinez, and Melissa Boyle with the New York State Division of Human Rights. Other non-male employees were not treated this way.

As alleged in the verified complaint, Complainant commenced employment at Macy’s Manhasset location, located at 1100 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset, New York, 11030 (“Premises”), on October 1, 2024. That day, female customer experience manager Jamie Schnitzer said, to Complainant, in front of female visual merchandise manager Carolina Sanchez, female store manager Tara Estrada (“Estrada”), and female operation managers Angelica Infante (“Infante”) and Madeline Rivera (“Rivera”), “Wow, now we have a man on the manager team with all these women, I wonder how he will do or what he thinks of us right now.”

Complainant opposed the treatment by trying to change the topic of conversation.

As also alleged in the verified complaint, Estrada said to Complainant on October 3, 2024, “You will struggle since you are the only man on this leadership team, and Angelica will give you a hard time since she applied for the role and didn’t get it. I told my boss about my concern around Angela reporting to you, but she said you will figure it out.”

According to the verified complaint, Infante said to Complainant on October 21, 2024, “You don’t need to worry about fulfillment. I don’t need anyone to follow up or help, especially no man for that matter. If I need you, I will find you and ask for your help” in front of male asset protection manager Saturno Mercado (“Mercado”). Other non-male employees and those who did not oppose discriminatory practices were not treated this way.

As alleged in the verified complaint, female store director Melissa Boyle (“Boyle”) said to Complainant on October 25, 2024, “You’re the only male on this leadership team; these ladies are going to give you a run for your money, good luck.”

As also alleged in the verified complaint, Rivera told Complainant on November 15, 2024,  in front of male customer experience manager Muhammad Hassan and male sales associate Stalan Cruz, “I’ve been doing my job for the past 15 years and I don’t need a man in this new store director role telling me how to do my job.” Female merchandise manager Karina Martinez told Complainant generally:

“You’re going to struggle here because you’re new and the only man in an executive role surrounded by a seasoned team who knows how to do their job. We’re glad your role has been filled, and now you must deal with everything.”

That day, Estrada was alerted to a male employee named Jordan (last name unknown) carrying a handgun in his backpack at the Premises, and failed and refused to call the police or attempt to have him removed from the Premises, even though Mercado was on duty at the Premises, in violation of Company rules, policies, and practices.

According to the verified complaint, Estrada told Complainant generally on November 16, 2024, “Yesterday, Jordan brought in a handgun to the store in his backpack. He’s got it again today. You have to suspend and remove him from the store now.” Complainant said words to the effect of, “I am uncomfortable and feel unsafe with that.” Even though Mercado was again on duty at the Premises, Estrada responded with words to the effect of, “Too bad since you are the only male manager in the building, you need to suspend him, and no one else can know that Jordan is being suspended because he had a gun.”  Complainant then suspended and removed Jordan, who was in possession of the handgun. Other non-male employees and those who did not oppose discriminatory practices were not treated this way. 

As alleged in the verified complaint, female administrative support team assistant Mary (last name unknown) told Complainant, in front of female administrative support team assistant Joy (last name unknown), on November 23, 2024:

“I’m so glad you’re finally here. Since you’re a male, all the customers who give us a hard time we’re going to send to you. You look mean and scary, and you’re not a female, so they most likely won’t give you as hard of a time as they do to us.”

As also alleged in the verified complaint, Estrada told Complainant on November 25, 2024, “You can’t speak to people the way you do” and then terminated his employment on account of sex and in retaliation of his opposition to discriminatory practices.

As a result, the Firm is seeking all maximum damages, penalties, and fines available under the applicable statutes on behalf of Complainant.  

If you or someone you know is suffering at work, contact The Law Office of David H. Rosenberg P.C. at (516) 741-0300. Problems at work are no problem for us.

The information and allegations cited to herein comes directly from publicly filed documentation and are meant as a means of attorney advertising.