Sonoma, CA

Elk Grove, CA: (Aug-17-07) The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) brought a lawsuit against the county of Sonoma, alleging that a female employee with breast cancer was denied a reasonable accommodation. Diane Pizza had been employed by the county as a drug and alcohol counselor for six years when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. The suit stated that the county initially granted her request to be excused from conducting evening classes. However, in January 2004, she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, attributed by her healthcare provider to the cancer diagnosis and requisite treatment. The county refused to reduce her workload to 40 hours, from the approximately 60 she had been regularly working, and punctuate that with 15 minute rest breaks and weekends off. The DFEH claimed that this was a violation of state laws.

In a settlement reached, though the county did not admit any wrongdoing, it agreed to pay Pizza $325,000, as well as adopt and disseminate to all employees written workplace policies that comply with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Additionally, the county will provide training for all supervisors and managers on the requirements of the FEHA. [BUSINESS WIRE: COUNTY EMPLOYEE DISCRIMINATION]

Legal Help

If you have a similar problem and would like to be contacted by a lawyer at no cost or obligation, please click the link below.
Published on Aug-21-07