Advocating For California Employee Rights

Del Mar city employee suffers retaliation for whistleblowing

On Behalf of | Mar 7, 2018 | Uncategorized

In California, employees have the right to speak up when they witness inappropriate actions or activities in the workplace. Whistleblower laws were put in place to protect employees from retaliation. Recently, a lawsuit was filed by a former employee of the city of Del Mar in California after administrators allegedly terminated her for reporting inappropriate activity.

The first suit was filed by a woman who worked for the city of Del Mar as a lifeguard and parking enforcement officer. According to the lawsuit, city administrators used power tools, city vehicles and city parks for personal use. Allegedly, her director even used city employees for work at his residence while the employees were on the city clock. The plaintiff also claims inappropriate and sexual comments were often made to new lifeguards.

Allegedly, after reporting these violations, the plaintiff was fired. The plaintiff claims that she was fired in retaliation for sounding alarms about the alleged violations. The lawsuit accuses the city council and administrators of violating California’s whistleblower law.

Unfortunately, when superiors and those in charge are called out on inappropriate activity, they sometimes choose to retaliate. Retaliation most often occurs in the form of harassment, discrimination or termination of employment. Retaliation in any form is wrong, and it directly affects the livelihood and overall well-being of those affected. Whistleblower laws in California state that employees cannot be fired for reporting violations or illegal activity. Employees who have been subjected to retaliation in the workplace can benefit from discussions with a knowledgeable employment law attorney.

Source: sandiegouniontribune.com, “New claim filed against Del Mar in lifeguard case“, Phil Diehl, March 2, 2018

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