Retaliation

Former Los Angeles Police K-9 Handler Awarded $11.5 Million in Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination and Retaliation

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Los Angeles, California – A former Los Angeles police K-9 handler has been awarded $11.5 million in a recent jury verdict. Mark Sauvao, a 30-year veteran of the LAPD, claimed that he faced retaliation and discrimination due to his Samoan ancestry. Sauvao alleged that he was unfairly punished after reporting his colleagues for name-calling and endured false rumors being spread about him. During the trial, Sauvao stated that officers within the department referred to him using derogatory terms such as “cannibal” and “barefoot coconut tree-climber”. Additionally, one supervisor allegedly referred to him as Tongan, which … Read more

Firefighter Convicted of Kidnapping in Cannabis Theft Retaliation, Faces City Employment Review

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ESTACADA, Oregon – A Portland firefighter has been found guilty of two counts of first-degree kidnapping after locking a man inside a shipping container in a bid to recover stolen cannabis. Douglas Bourland, 48, had allegedly scared Colbey Fleishman into revealing the whereabouts of around 260 pounds of marijuana that he had stolen from Bourland’s business, the Oregon Hemp House. The trial lasted for three days before a Multnomah County jury delivered the guilty verdicts against Bourland. He has been on unpaid leave from Portland Fire & Rescue since his indictment in August 2021. The … Read more

Landmark Retaliation Lawsuit Exposes the Importance of Thorough Workplace Investigations

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Dallas, Texas – A recent workplace retaliation case, Harris v. FedEx, highlights the critical need for thorough investigations into allegations of discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Proper documentation and evidence collection during the investigation process not only help refute claims of retaliatory actions but also protect organizations from potential punitive damages. The plaintiff, a former sales manager at FedEx, filed a lawsuit under Section 1981 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, alleging that her termination was a result of racial discrimination. Despite filing three complaints against her white supervisor and … Read more

California Implements New Law on Retaliation: Guidelines for Employers to Mitigate Risks and Ensure Fair Employment Practices

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SACRAMENTO, California – Recent changes in California’s employment laws have brought about a significant shift for employers in handling disciplinary actions and terminations following a protected complaint. The implementation of a new law has established a rebuttable presumption of retaliation, which has far-reaching implications. This article will delve into the legislation, explore its impact, analyze the burden shifting analysis, and provide practical guidance for employers to mitigate risks. The new law introduces a rebuttable presumption of retaliation when certain violations of the Labor Code occur and an employee faces disciplinary action or termination within 90 … Read more