California employment, wrongful termination and discrimination blog.

Discrimination, Retaliation, and Harassment against Caltrans

2/27/2011

Recently, one employee of Caltrans contacted me in what seemed to be an urgent need for help and legal representation, as she was subjected to egregious harassment by her supervisor, and could not get any help from the higher management or human resources department. Her supervisor openly and repeatedly disregarded her disability limitations in t he most humiliating manner.

The same Caltrans employee kindly shared with me a rather disturbing article about the discrimination and harassment that's taking place in the Caltrans Oakland office. Unfortunately, this kind of treatment of employees in large public offices is not as uncommon as one might think. One reasons for this seems to be the impunity which some of the managers enjoy for such violations. The perpetrators of discrimination and their superiors are rarely terminated and usually get a slap on the wrist in the form of a confident reprimand letter or a warning, while costing the city, county or state department many thousands of dollars in legal fees and in settlement.

12 Comments

Karin C

12/4/2015 07:11:23 am

I work with Caltrans Los Angeles office over 10 years.
2005 I was medically terminated without any warning or discussion. I got no help from union or personnel. State Personnel Board even sent me a letter said that it is not their jurisdiction. I was seeking help from senator and congressman. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger office told me to send all documents to them. Then I got a hearing and got my job back. However Caltrans did not process reinstatement as we agreed in court. Caltrans simply cancelled medical termination after I stayed home six months.
My new supervisor is unbelievable. I do not have job description as required in 10 years. He assigned me out of classification job over 6 years, by law I cannot do it over 120 days. I have college degree, I passed transfer exam, I did higher class job, I have more seniority, I suppose to get upgrade if I meet one of the four. Upward mobility program does not apply to me, harassment and discrimination never stop.
Can you please help?

Julie Dusenberry

11/26/2016 09:09:39 am

I also work at caltrans, but in San Bernardino. I am being harassed Fri upper management to lower management. They are trying really hard to get rid of me. I have no choice but to fight for my health and my job. Getting help within caltrans is a joke. Too much red tape. I am persitant to saving my job. I did absolutely nothing to invite this kind of behavior. I have been isolated from my Co workers due to vicious rumors about me to a physical assault by a coworker. Complained to management, but instead of trying to remedy the situation, he was sat next to me as a scare tactic. This same employee was then promoted. This is all due to my disability. I am finding myself getting help from outside agencies. These agencies are so backed up that it will take time for the immediate help that I need. Having a really hard time.

MAUREEN DOLAN

2/23/2019 08:18:28 pm

Julie, don't give up, I'm suffering the same treatment from n. Hollywood landscape. They have terminated me, I have a lawyer now

Fred

8/5/2019 07:41:27 am

What is a good lawyer to contact?
I filed sexual harassment claim which was ignored.
Other person quit company and simultaneously filed one.
Than I was place on Administrative Leave while other person secured new job.

k k

3/2/2018 10:53:24 pm

Hi:
I can relate to all that and even worst,
I have been directly retaliated,harrassed and even threat against me by Caltrans District 7 (Los Angeles) attorney and AG got involved and they in a lengthily report after 6 months investigation stated that all my allegation was substantiated and what Caltrans do? not only did not respected the Caltrans/State policies, Workplace violence policy that mandates that Violators/making Threats against other employees at work should temporary and immediately removed and be placed out of Building, He was 30 days after Caltrans received the report promoted the attorney, WOW and refused to explain why, only stated in deposition having the same attorney to appear and state that Attorney General report is full of flaws (not creditable), unbelivable, I had sued Caltrans twice for exposing them for all misconduct, First case for reasonable accommodation abuses and won and because of my case they were forced to make changes, and because of continue retaliation and harassment, my second case was settled, and I retired, and now 6 months after I left, I am restricted from entering into the State Building with no warning given, No charges filed against me, only because I appeared as witness on another case and I wrote a supported email for another dissatisfied and knowledgeable engineer left caldrons suddenly because he could not take it any more, and In addition I had exposed many alleged Violations and crimes against me and others to public,
It is a shame and disgrace that They have been abusing the power tat is given to them and instead of serving the public some of management continue to commit alleged violation and crime because no one holds them accountable, They had hired and paid $51,000.00 in 39 months to follow me, My mother who was 81 at the time, my Kids and Nephew (minors without their parents permission) and my friends and many more, why? they don't answer, and even Judge was upset, and we ended up in applet court and we won, it is sad, if any one wants to contact me, bahbah4me@hotmail.com, I like to hear from you,thank you,

KK

Crystal Gay

9/13/2018 05:56:42 am

I am being discriminated and harassed by my supervisor. I filed an EEO complaint 7/26/18 they moved me to another crew, for the investigation process, which is taking a long time. Can I contact a lawyer to help me. I need a number and a name of an attorney to help me keep my job in fear of retaliation tactics used by upper management and the coverup. Please help

maureen C dolan

3/14/2019 07:27:53 am

We should do a class action suit

Ken

9/14/2019 05:00:16 pm

Hey bro what Lawer did you use?
I’m looking for one now
I work in District 7 now

Darrell

3/14/2019 03:25:05 am

I had the same problem in the East Bay in the Delta region. It cost me my job my supervisor blamed me for stealing $60,000 worth of tools because there were small footprints in the mud. Even after CHP investigators seen 2 guys on the surveillance camera they still blamed me and harassed me for years 3 years or more. Then there was a detective from Walnut Creek Police department they called my job and told my job I was incarcerated and I was being charged with all these crimes which had nothing to do with me the charges at all who's my girlfriend but they fired me for my attendance and being dishonest. But management with and had an emergency meeting the next day after they told me I was going to be terminated or forced to resign in my last day will be on February 4th. But on the 29th they had emergency meeting at the department of operations in the meeting was about them putting my picture up in every yard and under the pit my picture is said that I no longer permitted on state property if I'm seen contact CHP immediately I'm still on the payroll and that was just a slap in my face I've done nothing wrong to deserve my picture up there

maureen C dolan

3/14/2019 06:53:12 am

Wow,wow,I'm so moved by the hateful stories I've heard here. I'm sueing for damages. My lawyer is Jeff neiderman in woodland hills

Joe Joe

6/16/2019 09:12:34 pm

All I can say is WOW!!!!!! I was also an employee and was terminated for allegedly misuse of state property, drugs, on job “private fun” and receiving monies from citizens/ homeless , they didn’t wait for the criminal investigation to be confirmed. CHP investigations concluded no findings, on top of it, the superintendent and 2 ranks up made accusations using Mgmt/rank and file employees gossip, hearsay, and rumors to justify the termination. Going back I filed multiple grievances against management prior for violating their own policies and procedures. I had over 30yrs with the department. Yes I had my attorney prior to all of this and was in the process obtaining the right to sue. To add to this story I was off work on vacation for one ( 1 ) year when they accused me of these things. They terminated me which made my case even stronger.
P. S. My advise if you’re reading this never back down, they don’t know their on policies, file with EEO/DCIU give them the chance to sustain or unfounded then seek an Attorney.

Deborah Dodds

5/8/2020 03:51:45 pm

I was treated horribly by New supervisor in early 40's. I had progressively slipping disks (spondyliosthensesis). It was hard to get past pain in the morning so I would come in later in the morning and work 9 hours. I may work until 7:00 pm or later. My supervisor and I had a good relationship based on trust. I was a legal analyst and most of my work was research and analysis, drafting legal documents, file organization, etc. I didn't need to be in the office exactly at 8 am to answer phones or meet with clients. So, unless I was in trial or needed to meet with someone, I was allowed to have a late start time, and emailed my supervisor when arrived and left the work place. After he retired, I went there several supervisors before a permanent supervisor was assigned to the paralegals.

That person started immediately giving me lectures on how I cannot have those work hours. I filed a reasonable accommodation (RA) request signed by my doctor. Supervisor began taking cases from me with no explanation and not assigning new cases. I was called into her office frequently making insinuating statements like my doctor would request any medical condition recommendation I asked for, and constantly ask why I needed a RA, why I don't have surgery, and always putting me on the spot. She finally made a RA allowing me to come in by 9:30 and could not work past 6:30 pm. Since I was on 9/8/80 I worked 9 hour day. So the supposed RD gave me no relief. The story goes on and on until I was so stressed out, I was sick a lot, and finally felt I like I could not tolerate all the stress and back pain and decided to retire early. I sent my supervisor and the dept. Chief a memo that if I could wait until I was 66, which was only 16 months, to retire, I would receive approx. $400 a month more in retirement/SS.

My work product was good. There was another paralegal with a substance abuse problem that was gone so much I had taken over her cases. All and all, I was pushed out, along with four other peop!e in there 60's. I am bitter and hurt by legal's new management. They demeaned people over 60.

Discrimination, Retaliation, and Harassment against Caltrans

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