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California Prison System Settles Employee's Unlawful Discharge Suit for $98,000
Ruby P. Daniels was employed as a “materials and stores supervisor” at San Quentin Prison after having worked about six years for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. She is the primary caregiver for her sister, who is an AIDS patient.
Because of the need to take care of her sister, Daniels requested leave under the California Family Rights Act. According to court documents filed by Daniels, her supervisor didn't like her taking leave and began harassing her at work, including posting notes disparaging her work performance around her work area where co-workers and prisoners could see them and attempting to block the leave until her grievance over the leave issue was decided in her favor. This caused Daniels stress. She was also stressed by the shooting death of her grandson.
Daniels applied for leave and Worker's Compensation due to the work-related stress. While she was on leave, she was notified of her dismissal based on allegations of false statements in her employment application for another position over a decade earlier. She received a favorable ruling from the board overseeing state employment, but was not allowed to return to work. Daniels then filed a state civil action complaining of various forms of discrimination and harassment as well as wrongful termination. On April 6, 2010, Daniels agreed to settle the suit for $98,000, including attorney fees. Provisions of the settlement required that she resign and not seek re-employment with CDCR. She was represented by Davis attorney Mary-Alice Coleman. See: Daniels v. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation., Sacramento Co. Superior Court, Case No. 34-2008-5360.
Because of the need to take care of her sister, Daniels requested leave under the California Family Rights Act. According to court documents filed by Daniels, her supervisor didn't like her taking leave and began harassing her at work, including posting notes disparaging her work performance around her work area where co-workers and prisoners could see them and attempting to block the leave until her grievance over the leave issue was decided in her favor. This caused Daniels stress. She was also stressed by the shooting death of her grandson.
Daniels applied for leave and Worker's Compensation due to the work-related stress. While she was on leave, she was notified of her dismissal based on allegations of false statements in her employment application for another position over a decade earlier. She received a favorable ruling from the board overseeing state employment, but was not allowed to return to work. Daniels then filed a state civil action complaining of various forms of discrimination and harassment as well as wrongful termination. On April 6, 2010, Daniels agreed to settle the suit for $98,000, including attorney fees. Provisions of the settlement required that she resign and not seek re-employment with CDCR. She was represented by Davis attorney Mary-Alice Coleman. See: Daniels v. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation., Sacramento Co. Superior Court, Case No. 34-2008-5360.
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Related legal case
Daniels v. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
| Year | 2010 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Sacramento Co. Superior Court, Case No. 34-2008-5360 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Damages | 98,000.00 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |