How A Strong Retaliation Case Gets Dismissed: Iris Calderon v. The Trustees of Columbia University

Send us Fan Mail Your case can be strong on the facts and still lose on paperwork. We unpack a 2026 federal court opinion involving a veteran Columbia University employee who alleges disability accommodation failures, age stereotyping, escalating retaliation, and a shocking workplace violation: her locked desk allegedly gets forced open and personal items removed, followed quickly by a demotion, loss of duties, relocation, and a pay cut. The timeline matters, but the legal traps matter just as much. We break down the rules that decide whether a judge will even hear the merits. That includes exhaustion of administrative remedies under the ADA and Title VII, the right-to-sue letter requirement, and why a government shutdown does not automatically excuse jumping the line. We also dig into one of the most painful lessons in employment discrimination law: an unchecked box on an agency intake form can erase an entire theory, even when the conduct feels clearly connected. From there we pivot to strategy, especially for New York listeners. We explain the election of remedies doctrine under New York State and New York City human rights laws, why the “free and easy” agency route can permanently waive your chance at a jury trial, and how Section 1981 can open a different path, including individual liability against a supervisor. Finally, we tie it together with a practical survival guide: how to document patterns, how to protect your deadlines, and how to think clearly about forum choice before you file anything. If you’ve ever felt targeted at work or you’re trying to understand retaliation, discrimination, EEOC process, or reasonable accommodation rights, subscribe, share this with a coworker, and leave a review. What procedural trap surprised you most? If you enjoyed this episode of the Employee Survival Guide please like us on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.   We would really appreciate if you could leave a review of this podcast on your favorite podcast player such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Leaving a review will help other employees find the Employee Survival Guide.  For more information, please contact our employment attorneys at Carey & Associates, P.C. at 203-255-4150, www.capclaw.com. **Disclaimer:  For educational use only, not intended to be legal advice.**