Light v. Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation
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Opinion
Filed 8/8/17
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION*
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
MELONY LIGHT, D070361
Plaintiff and Appellant,
v. (Super. Ct. No. 37-2013-00069437- CU-OE-CTL) CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION et al.,
Defendants and Respondents.
APPEAL from judgments of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Richard
E.L. Strauss, Judge. Affirmed in part; reversed in part.
Stewart and Musell, Wendy E. Musell and Elisa J. Stewart for Plaintiff and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Chris A. Knudsen, Assistant Attorney
General, Christine Mersten and Jodi L. Cleesattle, Deputy Attorneys General, for
Defendant and Respondent California Department of Parks and Recreation.
* Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.1110, this opinion is certified for publication with the exception of parts III and V. Simpson Delmore Greene, Terence L. Greene, and Elizabeth A. Donovan for
Defendant and Respondent Kathy Dolinar.
Savage Day and Kelly Savage Day for Defendant and Respondent Leda Seals.
Plaintiff Melony Light appeals judgments in favor of her employer, defendant
California Department of Parks and Recreation (Department), and her former supervisors,
defendants Leda Seals and Kathy Dolinar, following orders granting defendants' motions
for summary judgment. Light contends the trial court erred by summarily adjudicating
her claims against the Department for retaliation, disability discrimination, and failure to
prevent retaliation and discrimination, all in violation of the Fair Employment and
Housing Act (FEHA; Gov. Code, § 12900 et seq.).1 She also contends the trial court
erred by summarily adjudicating her claims against Seals for intentional infliction of
emotional distress and assault and summarily adjudicating her claim against Dolinar for
intentional infliction of emotional distress. The court also summarily adjudicated an
additional claim against Seals, for false imprisonment, but Light does not challenge that
ruling in this appeal.
As to the Department, we conclude triable issues of material fact preclude
summary adjudication of Light's retaliation claim, but not her disability discrimination
claim. Light's claim against the Department for failure to prevent retaliation or
discrimination therefore survives based on Light's retaliation claim. As to Seals and
Dolinar, we conclude contrary to the trial court that workers' compensation exclusivity
1 Further statutory references are to the Government Code unless otherwise indicated.
2 does not bar Light's claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress under the
circumstances here. However, as to the merits of that claim, we conclude Light has
raised a triable issue of fact only as to Seals, not Dolinar. We further conclude Light has
raised triable issues of fact on her assault claim against Seals. We will therefore affirm in
part and reverse in part the judgments in favor of the Department and Seals, and we will
affirm in full the judgment in favor of Dolinar. Because our discussion of the interplay
between workers’ compensation exclusivity and intentional infliction of emotional
distress addresses an important legal issue, and our interpretation differs from a recent
opinion by our colleagues in Division Three of this court, we will publish that discussion,
as well as our discussion of the FEHA retaliation claim on which it relies. Because our
discussions of Light’s FEHA disability discrimination and assault claims raise no similar
issues, they remain unpublished.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Consistent with our standard of review of orders granting summary judgment, we
will recite the historical facts in the light most favorable to Light as the nonmoving party.
(See Saelzler v. Advanced Group 400 (2001) 25 Cal.4th 763, 768.) Additional facts will
be discussed where necessary in the next section.
In April 2010, Light began working as a seasonal Park Aide at the Department's
Ocotillo Wells District in San Diego County. She was laid off during the summer months
(July through September), which constitute the low tourist season due to the summer
desert heat. In the fall, Light was rehired as a senior seasonal Park Aide. In January
3 2011, Light was promoted to a permanent position as an Office Assistant, also at the
Ocotillo Wells District.
Light's position as an Office Assistant was classified as "intermittent," i.e., she was
not guaranteed full-time, regular hours. Under normal circumstances, she was limited to
a total of 1500 working hours per year. She could, however, exceed that limit with
Department authorization. Light was laid off during the summer months again in 2011
because it was the low season.
Seals was the Administrative Officer of the Ocotillo Wells District and Light's
supervisor. Dolinar was the Superintendent of the Ocotillo Wells District and Seals's
supervisor. Seals and Dolinar were close friends.
A month after Light returned in fall 2011, Seals recommended Light for an "out-
of-class" assignment as an Office Technician. An "out-of-class" assignment is a
temporary assignment to a position in a higher classification with an accompanying
increase in pay. The assignment was scheduled to last for approximately four months or
until the incumbent employee returned from medical leave. Light served the full four
months in the out-of-class assignment as an Office Technician. Before the end of that
assignment, in approximately February 2012, Seals recommended Light for a second out-
of-class assignment as a Management Services Technician. Light's second out-of-class
assignment was scheduled to last through May 2012. During that time, Light also
received a pay raise in her regular Office Assistant classification.
Light was friends with a coworker, Delane Hurley. Seals believed Hurley to be a
lesbian. Seals repeatedly made comments to Light intended to make her uncomfortable
4 about her friendship with Hurley, to enlist Light in Seals's harassment of Hurley based on
her sexual orientation, and to encourage Light to cease all contact with Hurley. Seals's
actions caused Light to suffer emotional distress.
Hurley eventually took medical leave for stress. While she was absent, Seals
asked Light to go through Hurley's workspace and remove any personal items. Light
objected because she did not feel comfortable going through Hurley's things, but Seals
insisted. Seals also told Light to move into Hurley's office because Hurley would not be
coming back to the District. Light again objected, but Seals told her the move was
nonnegotiable. During this process, Light found what appeared to be a gun scope. Seals
told Dolinar Light feared for her safety because of potential retaliation from Hurley, but
that was not true. Light had no such fears. Light was only concerned Hurley would
believe Light was part of the effort to discriminate against her when she found out Light
had moved offices. Light told Dolinar directly she had no fears for her safety.
Dolinar, however, invited a counselor to the office to address conflicts between
Hurley and other employees, including alleged safety issues raised by the gun scope
incident. Hurley was supposed to be present, but she did not attend.
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
Filed 8/8/17
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION*
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
MELONY LIGHT, D070361
Plaintiff and Appellant,
v. (Super. Ct. No. 37-2013-00069437- CU-OE-CTL) CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION et al.,
Defendants and Respondents.
APPEAL from judgments of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Richard
E.L. Strauss, Judge. Affirmed in part; reversed in part.
Stewart and Musell, Wendy E. Musell and Elisa J. Stewart for Plaintiff and
Appellant.
Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Chris A. Knudsen, Assistant Attorney
General, Christine Mersten and Jodi L. Cleesattle, Deputy Attorneys General, for
Defendant and Respondent California Department of Parks and Recreation.
* Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.1110, this opinion is certified for publication with the exception of parts III and V. Simpson Delmore Greene, Terence L. Greene, and Elizabeth A. Donovan for
Defendant and Respondent Kathy Dolinar.
Savage Day and Kelly Savage Day for Defendant and Respondent Leda Seals.
Plaintiff Melony Light appeals judgments in favor of her employer, defendant
California Department of Parks and Recreation (Department), and her former supervisors,
defendants Leda Seals and Kathy Dolinar, following orders granting defendants' motions
for summary judgment. Light contends the trial court erred by summarily adjudicating
her claims against the Department for retaliation, disability discrimination, and failure to
prevent retaliation and discrimination, all in violation of the Fair Employment and
Housing Act (FEHA; Gov. Code, § 12900 et seq.).1 She also contends the trial court
erred by summarily adjudicating her claims against Seals for intentional infliction of
emotional distress and assault and summarily adjudicating her claim against Dolinar for
intentional infliction of emotional distress. The court also summarily adjudicated an
additional claim against Seals, for false imprisonment, but Light does not challenge that
ruling in this appeal.
As to the Department, we conclude triable issues of material fact preclude
summary adjudication of Light's retaliation claim, but not her disability discrimination
claim. Light's claim against the Department for failure to prevent retaliation or
discrimination therefore survives based on Light's retaliation claim. As to Seals and
Dolinar, we conclude contrary to the trial court that workers' compensation exclusivity
1 Further statutory references are to the Government Code unless otherwise indicated.
2 does not bar Light's claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress under the
circumstances here. However, as to the merits of that claim, we conclude Light has
raised a triable issue of fact only as to Seals, not Dolinar. We further conclude Light has
raised triable issues of fact on her assault claim against Seals. We will therefore affirm in
part and reverse in part the judgments in favor of the Department and Seals, and we will
affirm in full the judgment in favor of Dolinar. Because our discussion of the interplay
between workers’ compensation exclusivity and intentional infliction of emotional
distress addresses an important legal issue, and our interpretation differs from a recent
opinion by our colleagues in Division Three of this court, we will publish that discussion,
as well as our discussion of the FEHA retaliation claim on which it relies. Because our
discussions of Light’s FEHA disability discrimination and assault claims raise no similar
issues, they remain unpublished.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Consistent with our standard of review of orders granting summary judgment, we
will recite the historical facts in the light most favorable to Light as the nonmoving party.
(See Saelzler v. Advanced Group 400 (2001) 25 Cal.4th 763, 768.) Additional facts will
be discussed where necessary in the next section.
In April 2010, Light began working as a seasonal Park Aide at the Department's
Ocotillo Wells District in San Diego County. She was laid off during the summer months
(July through September), which constitute the low tourist season due to the summer
desert heat. In the fall, Light was rehired as a senior seasonal Park Aide. In January
3 2011, Light was promoted to a permanent position as an Office Assistant, also at the
Ocotillo Wells District.
Light's position as an Office Assistant was classified as "intermittent," i.e., she was
not guaranteed full-time, regular hours. Under normal circumstances, she was limited to
a total of 1500 working hours per year. She could, however, exceed that limit with
Department authorization. Light was laid off during the summer months again in 2011
because it was the low season.
Seals was the Administrative Officer of the Ocotillo Wells District and Light's
supervisor. Dolinar was the Superintendent of the Ocotillo Wells District and Seals's
supervisor. Seals and Dolinar were close friends.
A month after Light returned in fall 2011, Seals recommended Light for an "out-
of-class" assignment as an Office Technician. An "out-of-class" assignment is a
temporary assignment to a position in a higher classification with an accompanying
increase in pay. The assignment was scheduled to last for approximately four months or
until the incumbent employee returned from medical leave. Light served the full four
months in the out-of-class assignment as an Office Technician. Before the end of that
assignment, in approximately February 2012, Seals recommended Light for a second out-
of-class assignment as a Management Services Technician. Light's second out-of-class
assignment was scheduled to last through May 2012. During that time, Light also
received a pay raise in her regular Office Assistant classification.
Light was friends with a coworker, Delane Hurley. Seals believed Hurley to be a
lesbian. Seals repeatedly made comments to Light intended to make her uncomfortable
4 about her friendship with Hurley, to enlist Light in Seals's harassment of Hurley based on
her sexual orientation, and to encourage Light to cease all contact with Hurley. Seals's
actions caused Light to suffer emotional distress.
Hurley eventually took medical leave for stress. While she was absent, Seals
asked Light to go through Hurley's workspace and remove any personal items. Light
objected because she did not feel comfortable going through Hurley's things, but Seals
insisted. Seals also told Light to move into Hurley's office because Hurley would not be
coming back to the District. Light again objected, but Seals told her the move was
nonnegotiable. During this process, Light found what appeared to be a gun scope. Seals
told Dolinar Light feared for her safety because of potential retaliation from Hurley, but
that was not true. Light had no such fears. Light was only concerned Hurley would
believe Light was part of the effort to discriminate against her when she found out Light
had moved offices. Light told Dolinar directly she had no fears for her safety.
Dolinar, however, invited a counselor to the office to address conflicts between
Hurley and other employees, including alleged safety issues raised by the gun scope
incident. Hurley was supposed to be present, but she did not attend. Light attended, as
did Seals, Dolinar, and other employees. The meeting turned into a discussion about
what a terrible employee Hurley was, how she had destroyed trust in the workplace, and
how she had terrorized management and employees. Light was afraid to tell her side of
the story, which was supportive of Hurley. She attempted to stay and talk with the
counselor alone, but Seals and Dolinar remained in the room.
5 Hurley filed a complaint with the Department's Human Rights Office alleging
sexual harassment; discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and marital status;
and retaliation. She made specific allegations against Seals. After Hurley's allegations,
the atmosphere in the Ocotillo Wells District office where Light worked was toxic and
stressful, with employees in the District office isolated from other employees. Light
attempted to talk with Dolinar about Hurley's treatment by Seals and other managers, but
Dolinar covered her ears and said "I don't want to know" or "I don't want to hear anything
about anything."
The Department's Human Rights Office sent investigators to the Ocotillo Wells
District in January 2012 to assess Hurley's allegations. Before Light met with
investigators, Seals told Light she and Dolinar expected Light and other employees to lie
to the investigators. Light was expected to be on Dolinar's "team" and protect her
supervisors. Seals said, "If you're not on [Dolinar's] team, your career will be over. If
you don't protect [Dolinar], [and Dolinar's] staff, then your career will be over. [Dolinar]
will see to it that your career will be over." Seals went to another employee, Kathryn
Gravett, and told her to lie as well. Seals told Gravett, "I need to ask you a favor. This is
the time for you to show team support." Seals wanted Gravett to tell the investigators
that one of Hurley's allegations of harassment, which Gravett had witnessed, was not
true. Seals indicated it would be in Gravett's best interest to support her and Gravett
might suffer retaliation or punishment if she told the truth. Seals also told Gravett that
Dolinar would receive a report of everything Gravett told investigators.
6 In later deposition testimony, Seals admitted warning Gravett (as well as Hurley
herself) that going against management could have adverse consequences: "I have seen
that retaliation existed in [the Department]. So I would choose not to go up against
managers because I had gone up against a manager in a time frame, and I paid a pretty
heavy price for it. So in my opinion, I have found that it wasn't worth it." Seals
explained going against management could leave an employee "isolated a little bit."
Seals also admitted asking Gravett not to volunteer certain things to investigators.
Light met with the Human Rights Office investigators. The weekend afterwards,
Seals called Light at home. Light did not pick up the phone because she had been warned
by Gravett that Seals would want to talk about her interview with the investigators.
(Seals contacted Gravett and other employees after their interviews to find out what was
discussed; Gravett lied to Seals and downplayed what she had said to the investigators.)
The following Monday, Seals called Light into her office. She talked generally about
work and then asked Light how the interview had gone. Light responded, "It was one of
the most debilitating experiences of my life, one that I hope not to repeat." Seals gave
Light a big hug and said she had put a "tremendous burden" on Light and asked her to
perform "beyond the call of duty." She said, "And you've been there for me, and I just
want you to know how much I appreciate that." Seals kissed Light on the cheek. Light
interpreted Seals statements as irony, and she felt that Seals's kiss was "the kiss of death."
Seals began to distance herself from Light. In mid-February, Seals recommended
that Light be moved from the Ocotillo Wells District office, where she worked, to the
7 Visitor Services office. Dolinar told Light about the move. Light was unhappy and
communicated her displeasure to other employees.
On February 23, Seals called Light into her office and closed the door. She
accused Light of "cut[ing] her down" to other employees. Seals raised her voice and was
very animated. She leaned toward Light in a threatening manner and, in Light's view,
was "full of rage." Seals recounted Light's history at Ocotillo Wells and verbally abused
her. Seals said she should not have hired Light or given her out-of-class assignments.
Light did not "fit in" and did not follow orders. Light asked Seals to identify problems
with the substance of her work, but Seals could not do so.
Seals said Light's last day of work at Ocotillo Wells would be May 30 and, until
then, she would work in Visitor Services. She said Light would fit in at Visitor Services
because the park rangers there did not follow orders either.
Light was very upset. She tried to leave Seals's office, but Seals blocked her way.
At some point, Seals stepped away and Light walked to her office. Seals followed. Light
entered her office and tried to shut the door, but Seals pushed the door open. The door hit
Light and caused her to step backwards. Seals put her foot in the door and continued to
try to talk to Light. Seals asked if Light wanted to talk with anyone, but Light said she
wanted to be alone. Seals eventually let Light close the door.
The Public Safety Superintendent, Kirk Shea, came to Light's office. Shea said
Seals had contacted him. He led Light outside so she could recover. Light told Shea that
Seals had attacked her and gave him a general description of the incident. Shea left Light
to talk with Seals again, and Light went to the Visitor Services building. Light talked
8 with two other employees there, but she could not stop crying. She wanted the contact
information for the Human Rights Office investigators so she could report Seals. Park
rangers who witnessed the aftermath of the incident described Light as very distraught,
crying, and having difficulty speaking.
Shea came back to see Light. Shea said Light had misunderstood Seals. Shea said
Seals "doesn't have a malicious bone in her body." Light explained to Shea her history
with Seals, the pressure on Light to lie, and the reason for Seals's confrontation. Shea
warned Light to be careful about what she said. Light went to her car, talked with
another employee for a while, and went home.
That night, Light spoke with Gravett and told her about the incident with Seals.
The next day, Seals spoke with Gravett as well. Seals complained that Light had
betrayed her and "knif[ed] her in the back" because she would not tell Seals what she told
the Human Rights Office investigators. Later Seals called Gravett and told her not to
have any contact with Light. Dolinar was in the car with Seals during this conversation.
In March 2012, Light filed her own complaint with the Department's Human
Rights Office. Light alleged Dolinar had retaliated against her for cooperating with the
investigation into Hurley's complaint. Light later added Seals, Shea, and other
individuals to the complaint. When the investigation concluded, two years later, it found
true several allegations of retaliation against Light as a result of her participation in
Hurley's complaint, including that Seals asked Light about the content of her interview
with investigators and Seals "verbally attacked" Light during the February 23 incident. It
also found true the following allegations: "Through your interview process you alleged
9 that Dolinar was retaliatory in her actions as a manager for the [Ocotillo Wells] District.
You alleged that Dolinar was directly responsible for building and allowing a retaliatory
culture at [Ocotillo Wells]. The retaliatory culture encouraged and enabled
supervisors/managers to retaliate."2
Seals was placed on administrative leave in early March. Although there
remained a possibility she would return to the Ocotillo Wells District for some months
thereafter, she never returned to work there. Eventually she retired from state
employment.
Dolinar took over Seals's responsibilities as acting Administrative Officer. She
told Light she would not be receiving previously promised training for an Office
Technician position in the Law Enforcement and Emergency Services (LEES) division at
the District. Dolinar said the Department had put out an advertisement to hire for the
position, and because of budget issues only the new hire would be trained. Around this
time, funding for Light's Office Assistant position appears to have been eliminated from
the Department's budget, although it is unclear whether this fact was communicated to
Light.
Light applied for the LEES Office Technician position. In April, she participated
in an interview before a panel consisting of Shea and two other employees. In early May,
Light received a memorandum from Shea. The memorandum informed Light she had not
2 The Department considers an allegation substantiated "if the investigation uncovers sufficient supporting evidence that the events occurred as alleged, and were a violation of Department [Equal Employment Opportunity] policies."
10 been selected for the LEES Office Technician position. The memorandum stated, "With
the filling of this position, there are no vacant administrative positions available in the
LEES section. As such, your last scheduled work day in your position will be May 30,
2012. As you are a permanent intermittent employee, you will remain on the books as an
Office Assistant PI in the Administrative section. Until the District funding and
workload allows, no hours will be scheduled for that position. If Office Assistant work is
needed in the Administrative section in the future, the District will contact you and make
arrangements for your return to work."3
The Department made an offer to another applicant for the LEES Office
Technician position, but it ultimately withdrew the offer. The Department did not select
another applicant, and it held the position open despite earlier describing it as a "mission
critical position." It was re-advertised and filled in spring 2014.
Approximately a week before Light's last scheduled work day, she went on
medical leave and sought workers' compensation for anxiety, nausea, loss of appetite,
3 Around the same time, Dolinar sent an e-mail to all Ocotillo Wells District employees announcing that the Department continued to face budget issues. Employee hours would be reduced, and employees not scheduled to work in the summer would no longer be able to use leave credits to cover the minimum number of hours needed to retain health care and other benefits. Although Light acknowledges the e-mail was sent to all employees, she alleges these cuts and other restrictions were unevenly enforced, falling primarily on perceived "troublemakers" like herself. In the trial court, Light sought judicial notice of various documents purporting to show the Department did not have genuine budget issues. The trial court denied Light's request for judicial notice. Although Light claims the trial court erred by denying judicial notice, Light does not seek judicial notice of these documents in this court. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.252(a)(1) [requests for judicial notice must be made by "separate motion"].) We therefore will not consider them.
11 migraines, asthma attacks, body aches and pains, digestive problems, vomiting, severe
abdominal cramps, and tightness in the chest. She alleged she had suffered "continuous"
injury since January 2011. In June, Light submitted a claim to the State Compensation
Insurance Fund for similar injuries based on the February 23 incident. She eventually
received a worker's compensation award of $12,765.
Light was on medical leave in June, July, and August 2012. During this time,
Light applied for a Staff Services Analyst position with the Coachella Valley Mountains
Conservancy. She was interviewed in September. A member of the interview panel
mentioned that she knew Seals and had spoken with her in the past two weeks. The
interviewer wanted to know what had happened at Ocotillo Wells. Another interviewer
repeatedly said they did not want any "drama" or "trouble" at their workplace. Light had
the impression they knew Light had been labeled a troublemaker by management at the
Ocotillo Wells District. Light later said her interview performance had been
"substandard" based, in part, on the connections to Seals. Light was not selected for the
position.
In late September, Light e-mailed the Department about returning to work. Light
wrote that her Human Rights Office complaint and workers' compensation claim resulted
from the "hostile work environment" at the Ocotillo Wells District. Light requested
reassignment to a different workplace because conditions at Ocotillo Wells had not
changed. She also requested a position in a higher classification than she previously
held: Administrative Officer, Associate Government Program Analyst, or Staff Services
12 Analyst. Light explained that she had been wrongfully denied promotional opportunities
and was therefore entitled to a higher position when she returned to work.
Light included a report from her psychologist. He wrote, "[Light] is no longer
disabled but cannot return to her original job site because of threats of retaliation made to
her there by her supervisor." He diagnosed Light with posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and panic disorder.
The Department responded with the news that Dolinar had been removed from her
position at the Ocotillo Wells District. She had been placed on administrative leave and
retired a few months later. The Department asked whether Light would be willing to
return to Ocotillo Wells. Light said she would consider returning if the retaliation ceased,
and she inquired about a position in a higher classification. The Department responded
that they could not offer Light a more senior position but were seeking a position in
Light's existing classification (Office Assistant, Permanent Intermittent) somewhere in
southern California. The Department also requested further documentation from Light's
psychologist.
Light submitted a "Reasonable Accommodation Request" in November. She
identified the following as the "limitation that requires accommodation": "Physical and
mental limitations such as anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, and
depression are symptoms associated with returning to [Ocotillo Wells's] hostile work
environment and facing continued retaliation from supervisors and co-workers." She
described, as her requested accommodation, the following: "Return to Ocotillo Wells
[District] with assurance that it ceases to be a hostile work environment and retaliation no
13 longer exists between supervisors and employees. Or, return to a new location." Light's
psychologist provided a letter in support of the request. He wrote that he treated Light
for PTSD "relating to a hostile work environment and threats to her by supervisors, with
symptoms of depression, acute anxiety, and panic attacks." He supported her requested
accommodation.
A month later, the Department offered Light the choice of two Office Assistant
positions, one in the Ocotillo Wells District and one in the San Diego District. If Light
chose San Diego, the Department offered to pay her reasonable moving expenses. Light
sought further information about the positions, including the hours she could expect to
work and the work duties. Light was concerned that she would not work full-time during
the high season at Ocotillo Wells. A manager at Ocotillo Wells informed Light that after
a month of work she may not have any hours scheduled due to budget issues. She also
informed Light she could expect a maximum of 25 hours per week. Although Light had
concerns about hours and work conditions, she accepted the Ocotillo Wells position and
returned to work at the end of December.
Approximately a year after her return to work, Light was promoted to Office
Technician. A year and a half later, Light was promoted to Staff Services Analyst, a
permanent, full-time position. She has also received merit pay increases. At the time of
the underlying litigation, Light remained employed by the Department at the Ocotillo
Wells District.
Light filed this lawsuit after she returned to work. She alleged numerous claims
against the Department, Seals, and Dolinar, including retaliation, harassment, disability
14 discrimination, assault, false imprisonment, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and
intentional infliction of emotional distress. The trial court disposed of several claims at
the pleading stage. After two and a half years of litigation, the Department, Seals, and
Dolinar moved for summary judgment on the remaining claims against them. The court
granted the motions.
Light's remaining claims against the Department were for disability
discrimination, retaliation, and failure to prevent discrimination or retaliation. On the
first claim, while the court found a triable issue of fact whether Light had a mental
disability, it concluded the undisputed facts showed (1) the Department had reasonably
accommodated the disability, (2) the Department adequately engaged in an interactive
process regarding accommodation, and (3) the Department did not take any adverse
employment action against Light following notification of her disability. On the second
claim, for retaliation, the court found the Department had shown legitimate nonretaliatory
reasons for any potential adverse actions, including changes in Light's job duties, the
denial of training, the failure to promote her to LEES Office Technician, and her layoff at
the end of May 2012. The court found Light had not raised a triable issue of fact on the
issue of intentional retaliation for any of these potential adverse employment actions. On
the third claim, for failure to prevent discrimination or retaliation, the court concluded it
must fail because Light had not raised a triable issue of fact regarding any actionable
discrimination or retaliation.
The remaining claims against Seals were for assault, false imprisonment, and
intentional infliction of emotional distress. The assault and false imprisonment claims
15 were based on the February 23 incident between Seals and Light. The trial court found
the undisputed facts showed that Light was not subjected to a threat from harmful or
offensive touching, an essential element of assault, and therefore could not maintain that
claim. It also found Light had not been confined in Seals's office for any length of time,
without her consent, so her claim of false imprisonment must fail as well.4 As to Light's
claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, the court found that Light's
exclusive remedy was through the workers' compensation system. To the extent Light
alleged retaliatory actions that might be outside the scope of that system, the court's
determination that no retaliation had occurred precluded application of that exception.
The only remaining claim against Dolinar was for intentional infliction of
emotional distress. The trial court found that Dolinar was entitled to summary
adjudication of this claim for the same reasons as for the same claim against Seals.
The trial court entered judgments against Light, and in favor of each defendant, in
accordance with its prior orders. Light appeals.
DISCUSSION
I
Standard of Review
We review de novo the trial court's orders granting defendants' motions for
summary judgment. (Yanowitz v. L'Oreal USA, Inc. (2005) 36 Cal.4th 1028, 1037
(Yanowitz).) "A defendant's motion for summary judgment should be granted if no
4 As we have noted, in this appeal Light does not challenge the ruling on her claim for false imprisonment.
16 triable issue exists as to any material fact and the defendant is entitled to a judgment as a
matter of law. [Citation.] The burden of persuasion remains with the party moving for
summary judgment. [Citation.] When the defendant moves for summary judgment, in
those circumstances in which the plaintiff would have the burden of proof by a
preponderance of the evidence, the defendant must present evidence that would preclude
a reasonable trier of fact from finding that it was more likely than not that the material
fact was true [citation], or the defendant must establish that an element of the claim
cannot be established, by presenting evidence that the plaintiff 'does not possess and
cannot reasonably obtain, needed evidence.' " (Kahn v. East Side Union High School
Dist. (2003) 31 Cal.4th 990, 1002–1003 (Kahn).)
"If the defendant 'carries his burden of production, he causes a shift, and the
opposing party is then subjected to a burden of production of his own to make a prima
facie showing of the existence of a triable issue of material fact.' [Citation.] 'The
plaintiff . . . may not rely upon the mere allegations or denials of its pleadings to show
that a triable issue of material fact exists but, instead, shall set forth the specific facts
showing that a triable issue of material fact exists as to that cause of action. . . .' "
(Schmidt v. Bank of America, N.A. (2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 1489, 1497 (Schmidt).)
"[T]o determine whether there is a triable issue, we review the evidence submitted
in connection with summary judgment, with the exception of evidence to which
objections have been appropriately sustained." (Frittelli, Inc. v. 350 North Canon Drive,
LP (2011) 202 Cal.App.4th 35, 41.) "We liberally construe the evidence in support of the
party opposing summary judgment and resolve doubts concerning the evidence in favor
17 of that party." (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1037.) "There is a triable issue of
material fact if, and only if, the evidence would allow a reasonable trier of fact to find the
underlying fact in favor of the party opposing the motion in accordance with the
applicable standard of proof." (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826,
850 (Aguilar).)
II
Retaliation
A
Light contends the trial court erred by summarily adjudicating her claim for
retaliation under FEHA. That statute declares it to be an unlawful employment practice
"[f]or any employer, labor organization, employment agency, or person to discharge,
expel, or otherwise discriminate against any person because the person has opposed any
practices forbidden under this part or because the person has filed a complaint, testified,
or assisted in any proceeding under this part." (§ 12940, subd. (h).) "[I]n order to
establish a prima facie case of retaliation under FEHA, a plaintiff must show (1) he or she
engaged in a 'protected activity,' (2) the employer subjected the employee to an adverse
employment action, and (3) a causal link existed between the protected activity and the
employer's action." (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1042.) The requisite "causal link"
may be shown by the temporal relationship between the protected activity and the
adverse employment action. (Arteaga v. Brink's Inc. (2008) 163 Cal.App.4th 327, 356;
Fisher v. San Pedro Peninsula Hospital (1989) 214 Cal.App.3d 590, 615.)
18 "Once an employee establishes a prima facie case, the employer is required to
offer a legitimate, nonretaliatory reason for the adverse employment action. [Citation.]
If the employer produces a legitimate reason for the adverse employment action, the
presumption of retaliation 'drops out of the picture,' and the burden shifts back to the
employee to prove intentional retaliation." (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1042.)
B
The Department argued, and the trial court agreed, that Light could not establish a
prima facie case of FEHA retaliation because she did not suffer any adverse employment
actions. "In order to meet the FEHA standard, an employer's adverse treatment must
'materially affect the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.' [Citation.] '[T]he
determination of whether a particular action or course of conduct rises to the level of
actionable conduct should take into account the unique circumstances of the affected
employee as well as the workplace context of the claim.' [Citation.] Such a
determination 'is not, by its nature, susceptible to a mathematically precise test.'
[Citation.] 'Minor or relatively trivial adverse actions or conduct by employers or fellow
employees that, from an objective perspective, are reasonably likely to do no more than
anger or upset an employee cannot properly be viewed as materially affecting the terms,
conditions, or privileges of employment and are not actionable, but adverse treatment that
is reasonably likely to impair a reasonable employee's job performance or prospects for
advancement or promotion falls within the reach of the antidiscrimination provisions of
sections 12940(a) and 12940(h).' [Citation.] FEHA not only protects against 'ultimate
employment actions such as termination or demotion, but also the entire spectrum of
19 employment actions that are reasonably likely to adversely and materially affect an
employee's job performance or opportunity for advancement. . . .' " (McCoy v. Pacific
Maritime Assn. (2013) 216 Cal.App.4th 283, 298–299; see Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at
pp. 1052, 1054–1055.)5
" 'A change that is merely contrary to the employee's interests or not to the
employee's liking is insufficient.' [Citation.] ' "[W]orkplaces are rarely idyllic retreats,
and the mere fact that an employee is displeased by an employer's act or omission does
not elevate that act or omission to the level of a materially adverse employment
action." ' " (McRae v. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (2006) 142
Cal.App.4th 377, 386.) For example, " '[a] mere oral or written criticism of an employee
. . . does not meet the definition of an adverse employment action under the FEHA.' "
(Pinero v. Specialty Restaurants Corp. (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th 635, 646.) Similarly,
"[m]ere ostracism in the workplace is insufficient to establish an adverse employment
decision. [Citation.] However, ' "[W]orkplace harassment, if sufficiently severe or
pervasive, may in and of itself constitute an adverse employment action sufficient to
satisfy the second prong of the prima facie case for . . . retaliation cases." ' " (Kelly v.
Conco Cos. (2011) 196 Cal.App.4th 191, 212.)
5 Light urges this court to adopt the standard for identifying an adverse employment action under federal antiretaliation law. That standard focuses on the deterrent effect of the employer's conduct. (See, e.g., Thompson v. North American Stainless, LP (2011) 562 U.S. 170, 174.) The California Supreme Court in Yanowitz rejected the deterrence standard for FEHA claims (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1050), and we are bound by its interpretation (Auto Equity Sales, Inc. v. Superior Court (1962) 57 Cal.2d 450, 455).
20 When a plaintiff alleges a series of actions that comprise a course of conduct, we
need not examine each individually. Instead, we consider the totality of the
circumstances to determine whether the plaintiff has suffered an adverse employment
action. "[T]here is no requirement that an employer's retaliatory acts constitute one swift
blow, rather than a series of subtle, yet damaging, injuries. [Citations.] Enforcing a
requirement that each act separately constitute an adverse employment action would
subvert the purpose and intent of the statute." (Yanowitz, supra, 36 Cal.4th at pp. 1055–
1056.)
Viewing the evidence in the manner most favorable to Light, we conclude she has
raised a triable issue of material fact, i.e., a reasonable trier of fact could conclude Light
suffered an adverse employment action by the Department following her participation in
Hurley's discrimination complaint. (See Aguilar, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 850.) After
Light was interviewed by investigators, and refused to tell Seals what they had discussed,
Seals isolated Light, moved her to a different office, verbally and to some extent
physically attacked her during the February 23 confrontation, and told her she would no
longer work at the Department when her current out-of-class assignment was over.
Dolinar rescinded her offer to train Light for the LEES Office Technician position, and
Light was later rejected for promotion to that position despite having served as an Office
Technician (in an out-of-class assignment) for a number of months. The Department
ultimately left the position vacant, despite earlier classifying it as a "mission critical
position." The Department then reduced Light's scheduled hours to zero (as Seals had
threatened), having eliminated funding several months prior. Taken together, this
21 evidence could lead a reasonable trier of fact to conclude that Light's employment had
been materially and adversely affected. Indeed, in the end, Light's employment was
effectively suspended because the Department did not schedule any hours for her. Even
setting aside the other actions, the reduction of Light's hours alone could constitute a
material and adverse employment action by the Department.
The Department disagrees with Light's assertion that she was "fired" and argues
her reduction in hours was a normal seasonal occurrence. But even accepting the
Department's view that Light was not "fired," her scheduled hours were reduced to zero.
That action may reasonably be interpreted as a material and adverse change in Light's
employment. The Department's assertion that it had nonretaliatory reasons for the
reduction in hours (i.e., normal seasonal fluctuations in hours) is irrelevant to the issue of
whether it was an adverse employment action. We will consider the question of
motivation in the next part.
The Department also points out Light's employment with the Department has
continued and she has subsequently received promotions and pay raises. But those
promotions and pay raises, while they may ultimately be relevant to the issue of damages,
do not mean Light's employment was not materially and adversely affected by the
Department's earlier actions. Moreover, contrary to the Department's assertion, the denial
of previously promised training and the failure to promote may constitute adverse
employment actions under circumstances such as those present here. (See Taylor v. City
of Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power (2006) 144 Cal.App.4th 1216, 1232.) The trial
court erred by concluding the Department was entitled to summary adjudication of
22 Light's retaliation claim on the ground that she had not raised a triable issue of material
fact on the issue of the existence of an adverse employment action.
C
The Department alternatively contends it offered legitimate, nonretaliatory reasons
for any adverse employment actions and Light has not raised a triable issue of fact
regarding retaliatory intent. The Department relies on evidence that Light's help was
needed in the Visitor Services office because the District office did not have enough
work, budget issues caused Dolinar to deny previously promised training, Light did not
perform well in the interview for the LEES Office Technician position, and Light's
reduction in hours was a normal seasonal fluctuation caused by the low tourist season.
We will assume without deciding that the Department has offered legitimate,
nonretaliatory reasons for its adverse employment actions against Light. We therefore
will not presume retaliatory intent, and Light has the burden of offering evidence
sufficient to raise a triable issue of fact regarding intentional retaliation. (See Yanowitz,
supra, 36 Cal.4th at p. 1042.) To do so, Light must offer evidence sufficient to allow a
trier of fact to find either the Department's stated reasons were pretextual or the
circumstances " 'as a whole support[] a reasoned inference that the challenged action was
the product of discriminatory or retaliatory animus.' " (Joaquin v. City of Los Angeles
(2012) 202 Cal.App.4th 1207, 1226 (Joaquin).)
The showing of pretext, while it may indicate retaliatory intent or animus, is not
the sole means of rebutting the employer's evidence of nonretaliatory intent. " 'While
"pretext" is certainly a relevant issue in a case of this kind, making it a central or
23 necessary issue is not sound. The central issue is and should remain whether the
evidence as a whole supports a reasoned inference that the challenged action was the
product of discriminatory or retaliatory animus. The employer's mere articulation of a
legitimate reason for the action cannot answer this question; it can only dispel the
presumption of improper motive that would otherwise entitle the employee to a judgment
in his favor. Thus, citing a legitimate reason for the challenged action will entitle the
employer to summary judgment only when the employee's showing, while sufficient to
invoke the presumption, is too weak to sustain a reasoned inference in the employee's
favor. That, and not "pretext," must be the focus of the judicial inquiry.' " (Joaquin,
supra, 202 Cal.App.4th at p. 1226, fn. 5, quoting Mamou v. Trendwest Resorts, Inc.
(2008) 165 Cal.App.4th 686, 715.) For example, a mere temporal relationship between
an employee's protected activity and the adverse employment action, while sufficient for
the plaintiff's prima facie case, cannot create a triable issue of fact if the employer offers
a legitimate, nonretaliatory reason for the adverse action. (Arteaga v. Brink's, Inc., supra,
163 Cal.App.4th at p. 357.)
Although a temporal relationship alone is insufficient, other circumstantial
evidence of retaliatory intent may be enough to avoid summary judgment. "Proof of
discriminatory intent often depends on inferences rather than direct evidence. [Citation.]
And because it does, 'very little evidence of such intent is necessary to defeat summary
judgment.' [Citation.] Put conversely, summary judgment should not be granted unless
the evidence cannot support any reasonable inference for plaintiff." (Nazir v. United
Airlines, Inc. (2009) 178 Cal.App.4th 243, 283 (Nazir).)
24 Here, even setting aside the issue of pretext, a reasonable trier of fact could find
the Department's adverse employment actions against Light were the result of retaliatory
intent or animus. Seals warned her employees that Department management engaged in
retaliation. Seals showed contempt for the Department's policies when she asked her
employees to lie to Human Rights Office investigators and followed up to see whether
they had complied. Seals explicitly threatened Light with retaliation if she did not
support Dolinar. During the February 23 confrontation, Seals told Light she did not
follow orders, she would be moved to a different workplace, and her work at the District
would end. A later report by the Department's Human Rights Office found Dolinar had
built and allowed a retaliatory culture at Ocotillo Wells, which enabled supervisors and
managers to engage in retaliation. This evidence is not merely circumstantial; it is direct
evidence the Department intended to and did retaliate against Light for participating in
Hurley's complaint.
The Department does not persuasively address this evidence. Instead, it focuses
on whether Light showed pretext and whether Light's own subjective feelings of
retaliation were sufficient to defeat summary judgment. As we have explained, the
Department's focus on "pretext" as the central issue is misplaced. (See Joaquin, supra,
202 Cal.App.4th at p. 1226, fn. 5.) And, whatever the evidentiary value of Light's own
feelings, those feelings were not the exclusive evidence of retaliatory intent. Light has
offered sufficient evidence to raise a triable issue of fact on this issue as well.
The trial court therefore erred by concluding the Department was entitled to
summary adjudication of Light's retaliation claim on this ground as well. Because no
25 other grounds for summary adjudication of this claim have been asserted, we will reverse
the trial court's judgment as to this claim. We will also reverse the trial court's judgment
as to Light's claim for failure to prevent retaliation or discrimination, as its summary
adjudication was entirely derivative.
III
Disability Discrimination
Light also contends the trial court erred by summarily adjudicating her claim for
disability discrimination under FEHA. The statute forbids any employer from
"discriminat[ing] against [any] person in compensation or in terms, conditions, or
privileges of employment" based on a physical or mental disability. (§ 12940, subd. (a).)
It also makes it unlawful for any employer to "fail to make reasonable accommodation
for the known physical or mental disability of an applicant or employee" (§ 12940, subd.
(m)(1)) or to "fail to engage in a timely, good faith, interactive process with the employee
or applicant to determine effective reasonable accommodations, if any, in response to a
request for reasonable accommodation by an employee or applicant with a known
physical or mental disability or known medical condition." (§ 12940, subd. (n).) Light
pursued all three FEHA theories in the trial court. We will examine each in turn below.6
6 In the trial court, the Department argued Light was not disabled under FEHA. (See Higgins-Williams v. Sutter Medical Foundation (2015) 237 Cal.App.4th 78, 84.) The court found Light had raised a triable issue of fact as to the existence of a disability, although it determined summary adjudication was warranted for other reasons. On appeal, the Department urges us to consider this ground as an alternative basis on which
26 As context, Light's claimed mental disability was PTSD and panic disorder as a
result of retaliation and other hostile actions by supervisors at the Ocotillo Wells District.
Her requested accommodation was the following: "Return to Ocotillo Wells [District]
with assurance that it ceases to be a hostile work environment and retaliation no longer
exists between supervisors and employees. Or, return to a new location."
As with a claim for retaliation, a claim for disability discrimination under section
12940, subdivision (a) requires a plaintiff to show an adverse employment action.
(Scotch v. Art Institute of Cal.-Orange Cnty., Inc. (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 986, 1004
(Scotch).) The plaintiff must also show as part of its prima facie case that the
circumstances suggest a discriminatory intent. (Ibid.) But, as with retaliation, the
plaintiff need not prove causation directly. A plaintiff may show, for example, that
" ' "he or she was replaced by a non-disabled person or was treated less favorably than
non-disabled employees." ' " (Jensen v. Wells Fargo Bank (2000) 85 Cal.App.4th 245,
254.) In order to make such a showing, the plaintiff must offer evidence that the
employer was aware of plaintiff's disability or believed plaintiff to have a disability.
(Prue v. Brady Co./San Diego, Inc. (2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 1367, 1378; Avila v.
Continental Airlines, Inc. (2008) 165 Cal.App.4th 1237, 1247 (Avila) [" 'An adverse
to affirm. (See, e.g., Lujano v. County of Santa Barbara (2010) 190 Cal.App.4th 801, 806.) While it is within our power to do so, we decline to consider the Department's argument because we will affirm for the reasons stated by the trial court. Consideration of the Department's additional argument regarding the existence of Light's disability is therefore unnecessary.
27 employment decision cannot be made "because of" a disability, when the disability is not
known to the employer.' "].)
" '[A]n employer "knows an employee has a disability when the employee tells the
employer about his condition, or when the employer otherwise becomes aware of the
condition, such as through a third party or by observation. The employer need only know
the underlying facts, not the legal significance of those facts." ' [Citation.] 'While
knowledge of the disability can be inferred from the circumstances, knowledge will only
be imputed to the employer when the fact of disability is the only reasonable
interpretation of the known facts. "Vague or conclusory statements revealing an
unspecified incapacity are not sufficient to put an employer on notice of its
obligations. . . ." ' " (Soria v. Univision Radio Los Angeles, Inc. (2016) 5 Cal.App.5th
570, 592 (Soria).)
Here, even viewing the evidence most favorably to Light, we conclude Light has
not raised a triable issue of fact that the Department was aware of her mental disability
before it took the adverse employment actions described in our discussion of retaliation
above. (See part II.B., ante.) Light first informed the Department that she suffered from
PTSD and panic disorder when she sought to return to work in late September 2012,
more than three months after the Department reduced her hours to zero and she took
medical leave. The evidence shows prior to that time Light had merely complained about
workplace stress and other ailments. Such vague complaints cannot reasonably be
interpreted as notifying the Department that Light had a mental disability. (See Soria,
supra, 5 Cal.App.5th at p. 592.) Light also points to her workers' compensation
28 paperwork, which claimed a number of symptoms (anxiety, nausea, loss of appetite,
migraines, asthma attacks, body aches and pains, digestive problems, vomiting, severe
abdominal cramps, and tightness in the chest). " 'Not every illness qualifies as [a]
disability, however.' " (Avila, supra, 165 Cal.App.4th at p. 1249; see Featherstone v.
Southern Cal. Permanente Medical Group (2017) 10 Cal.App.5th 1150, 1167.) Based on
our review of the evidence, prior to Light's statement in September 2012 that she was
suffering from PTSD and panic disorder, a reasonable person could conclude Light was
not suffering from a mental disability. Because Light's disability "was not 'the only
reasonable interpretation of' " Light's statements prior to September 2012, Light has not
raised a triable issue of fact that the Department was aware of her disability before that
time. (Avila, at p. 1249, italics added; see Soria, supra, 5 Cal.App.5th at p. 592.)7
We further conclude Light has not raised a triable issue of material fact regarding
whether she suffered a disability related adverse employment action after late September
2012, when the Department became aware of her mental disability. Light points to
various alleged deficiencies in the Department's efforts to return her to work and
accommodate her stated disability. These are not adverse employment actions, and we
will discuss the substance of Light's complaints in the next part.
7 Light also relies on a Department e-mail sent in early September, prior to her notification, seeking alternative employment for a Department employee. In context, however, the only reasonable interpretation of this e-mail is that it refers to a different employee, not Light. Light relies on this e-mail in several other arguments, including to claim that the Department spread false information about her. It does not support those arguments for the same reason: the e-mail was not about her.
29 Light highlights the Department's failure to promote her to Administrative Officer
II at the Ocotillo Wells District in February 2013, after she had returned to work there.
After initially not meeting the minimum qualifications, Light was interviewed when the
position was re-advertised. A Department employee with 20 years of experience,
including as an Administrative Officer I, was selected instead of Light. Even assuming
this failure to promote was an adverse employment action, Light has not raised a triable
issue of material fact that it was the result of disability discrimination. Light points only
to the fact that a Department manager, Maria Mowrey, whom Light had named in her
Human Rights Office complaint, was part of the interview panel. But Light does not tie
Mowrey's presence to discrimination based on disability. Under all of the circumstances,
including Mowrey's presence, we conclude a reasonable trier of fact could not find the
failure to promote Light was the result of disability discrimination. (See Scotch, supra,
173 Cal.App.4th at p. 1009.) The trial court therefore did not err in summarily
adjudicating Light's disability discrimination claim against her on the theory of
intentional discrimination.
We turn next to Light's claim for disability discrimination based on failure to
reasonably accommodate under section 12940, subdivision (m). "A reasonable
accommodation is a modification or adjustment to the work environment that enables the
employee to perform the essential functions of the job he or she holds or desires.
[Citation.] FEHA requires employers to make reasonable accommodation for the known
disability of an employee unless doing so would produce undue hardship to the
30 employer's operation. [Citation.] The elements of a reasonable accommodation cause of
action are (1) the employee suffered a disability, (2) the employee could perform the
essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, and (3) the employer
failed to reasonably accommodate the employee's disability." (Nealy v. City of Santa
Monica (2015) 234 Cal.App.4th 359, 373 (Nealy).)
Light contends she raised a triable issue of material fact regarding whether the
Department failed to reasonably accommodate her mental disability. We disagree.
Within approximately two and one-half months after Light first notified the Department
of her disability, the Department offered her positions at the Ocotillo Wells District and
the San Diego District (with moving expenses) at the same classification she had held:
Office Assistant (Permanent, Intermittent). Seals and Dolinar would no longer be Light's
supervisors at Ocotillo Wells, and there is no evidence the San Diego District position
would have run afoul of Light's disability. The Department reasonably accommodated
Light's disability. (See Hastings v. Department of Corrections (2003) 110 Cal.App.4th
963, 972–973 (Hastings) [offering a vacant position at the same level is a reasonable
accommodation]; see also Terrell v. USAir (11th Cir. 1998) 132 F.3d 621, 628 [evidence
of delay of three months in providing accommodation did not raise triable issue of
material fact].)
Light claims both positions were "illusory," but the basis for her characterization is
unclear. She criticizes the terms of the Ocotillo Wells District position because it had no
guaranteed hours. But those were the same terms as her prior position as a permanent,
intermittent employee. She also claims there were open positions at the Department for
31 which she was qualified, but were not offered to her, and the Department limited its
search to one of its divisions. Light does not cite any evidence in support of these
assertions, so we may disregard them.8 And, in any event, to the extent Light contends
she was entitled to her choice of positions, or to a promotion, she is incorrect. "The
obligation to reassign a disabled employee who cannot otherwise be accommodated does
'not require creating a new job, moving another employee, promoting the disabled
employee, or violating another employee's rights under a collective bargaining
agreement.' [Citation.] What is required is the 'duty to reassign a disabled employee if an
already funded, vacant position at the same level exists.' " (Hastings, supra, 110
Cal.App.4th at pp. 972–973; see Nealy, supra, 234 Cal.App.4th at p. 377.)
The Department was only required to offer Light a reasonable accommodation, not
her choice of accommodations. (See Wilson v. County of Orange (2009) 169
Cal.App.4th 1185, 1194 (Wilson); Hanson v. Lucky Stores, Inc. (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th
215, 228 (Hanson).) Positions in the same classification were a reasonable
accommodation of her disability under the circumstances here, and Light has not cited
any evidence that would raise a reasonable inference to the contrary.
8 To the extent Light is relying on the Department e-mail discussed in footnote 7, ante, it is unpersuasive for the reasons discussed. Similarly, to the extent Light is relying on a Department e-mail from Mowrey, stating she does not have any positions for Light in a certain division, that e-mail does not give rise to the reasonable inference that the Department's entire effort to accommodate Light was limited in that fashion.
32 D
Light's final theory of disability discrimination is failure to engage in the
interactive process under section 12940, subdivision (n). "The 'interactive process'
required by the FEHA is an informal process with the employee or the employee's
representative, to attempt to identify a reasonable accommodation that will enable the
employee to perform the job effectively. [Citation.] Ritualized discussions are not
necessarily required." (Wilson, supra, 169 Cal.App.4th at p. 1195.)
A claim for failure to engage in the interactive process cannot succeed if the
plaintiff is offered a reasonable accommodation as part of the process. (Wilson, supra,
169 Cal.App.4th at p. 1195; Hanson, supra, 74 Cal.App.4th at p. 229 ["We see no reason
why this employer should be subjected to liability for failing to engage in the interactive
process where the employee was reasonably accommodated not once but twice. . . ."].)
Because Light was offered a reasonable accommodation (and, we note, ultimately
accepted that accommodation), her claim for failure to engage in the interactive process
must fail. The trial court did not err in granting summary adjudication of her disability
discrimination claim on this theory as well. And, because Light was unable to establish a
triable issue of material fact on any of her theories of disability discrimination, the trial
court did not err by summarily adjudicating this claim against her.
33 IV
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Light contends the trial court erred by summarily adjudicating her intentional
infliction of emotional distress claim, which she asserted against Seals and Dolinar. She
argues her claim is not barred by workers' compensation exclusivity and she has raised
triable issues of material facts on her claims against both defendants.
For reasons we will explain, we conclude the workers' compensation system is not
the exclusive remedy for Light's alleged injuries because they are based on conduct
prohibited by FEHA. We further conclude Light has raised triable issues of material fact
as to her claim against Seals, but not against Dolinar. We will therefore reverse the
judgment on this claim as to Seals, but affirm as to Dolinar.
Where the provisions of the workers' compensation system apply, an employer is
liable without regard to negligence for any injury sustained by its employees arising out
of and in the course of their employment. (Lab. Code, § 3600, subd. (a)(1).) The
employee, in turn, is generally prohibited from pursuing any tort remedies against the
employer or its agents that would otherwise apply. (Id., § 3602, subd. (a).) "The
underlying premise behind this statutorily created system of workers' compensation is the
' "compensation bargain." ' [Citation.] Pursuant to this presumed bargain, 'the employer
assumes liability for industrial personal injury or death without regard to fault in
exchange for limitations on the amount of that liability. The employee is afforded
34 relatively swift and certain payment of benefits to cure or relieve the effects of industrial
injury without having to prove fault but, in exchange, gives up the wider range of
damages potentially available in tort.' " (Charles J. Vacanti, M.D., Inc. v. State Comp.
Ins. Fund (2001) 24 Cal.4th 800, 811 (Vacanti).)
Even where an injury is otherwise compensable under the workers' compensation
system, a cause of action seeking damages based on the injury may nevertheless be
allowable where the employer's conduct falls outside the compensation bargain: "If the
alleged injury falls within the scope of the exclusive remedy provisions, then courts
consider whether the alleged acts or motives that establish the elements of the cause of
action fall outside the risks encompassed within the compensation bargain. '[I]n some
exceptional circumstances the employer is not free from liability at law for his intentional
acts even if the resulting injuries to his employees are compensable under workers'
compensation.' [Citation.] Where the acts are 'a "normal" part of the employment
relationship' [citation], or workers' compensation claims process [citation], or where the
motive behind these acts does not violate a 'fundamental policy of this state' [citation],
then the cause of action is barred. If not, then it may go forward." (Vacanti, supra, 24
Cal.4th at pp. 811–812.)
The same framework applies regardless of whether the claimed injuries are
physical or emotional. "An employee who suffers a disabling emotional injury caused by
the employment is entitled, upon appropriate proof, to workers' compensation benefits,
including any necessary disability compensation or medical or hospital benefits."
(Livitsanos v. Superior Court (1992) 2 Cal.4th 744, 754.) "So long as the basic
35 conditions of compensation are otherwise satisfied (Lab. Code, § 3600), and the
employer's conduct neither contravenes fundamental public policy (Tameny v. Atlantic
Richfield Co. [(1980)] 27 Cal.3d 167 [(Tameny)]) nor exceeds the risks inherent in the
employment relationship (Cole [v. Fair Oaks Fire Protection Dist. (1987)] 43 Cal.3d 148
[(Cole)]), an employee's emotional distress injuries are subsumed under the exclusive
remedy provisions of workers' compensation." (Livitsanos, at p. 754; accord Miklosy v.
Regents of the University of Cal. (2008) 44 Cal.4th 876, 902 (Miklosy).)
The latter exception, under Cole, has been described as follows: "[T]he exclusive
remedy provisions are not applicable under various circumstances, sometimes various
identified as 'conduct where the employer or insurer stepped out of their proper roles'
[citations], or 'conduct of an employer having a "questionable" relationship to the
employment' [citations], but which may be essentially defined as not stemming from a
risk reasonably encompassed within the compensation bargain." (Shoemaker v. Myers
(1990) 52 Cal.3d 1, 16 (Shoemaker); see Fermino v. Fedco, Inc. (1994) 7 Cal.4th 701,
714 ["[T]here are certain types of intentional employer conduct which bring the employer
beyond the boundaries of the compensation bargain, for which a civil action may be
brought."].)
A number of California authorities have concluded claims for intentional infliction
of emotional distress in the employment context may be asserted where the actionable
conduct also forms the basis for a FEHA violation. (See, e.g., Nazir, supra, 178
Cal.App.4th at p. 288; Murray v. Oceanside Unified School Dist. (2000) 79 Cal.App.4th
1338, 1362–1363 (Murray); Fretland v. County of Humboldt (1999) 69 Cal.App.4th
36 1478, 1492; Cabesuela v. Browning-Ferris Indus. of Cal., Inc. (1998) 68 Cal.App.4th
101, 113 (Cabesuela); Kovatch v. California Cas. Management Co. (1998) 65
Cal.App.4th 1256, 1277–1278; Leibert v. Transworld Systems, Inc. (1995) 32
Cal.App.4th 1693, 1706–1707; Accardi v. Superior Court (1993) 17 Cal.App.4th 341,
352–353 (Accardi); see also Agarwal v. Johnson (1979) 25 Cal.3d 932, 946–947
[affirming judgment on a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress based on
racial harassment in the employment context, without discussing workers' compensation
exclusivity]; Alcorn v. Anbro Engineering, Inc. (1970) 2 Cal.3d 493, 498–499 [same].
But see Jones v. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (2007) 152 Cal.App.4th
1367, 1382 [holding, as an alternative ground and without discussing the foregoing
authorities, that an emotional distress claim based on allegations of discrimination was
subject to workers' compensation exclusivity].)
In Accardi, for example, the court reasoned as follows: "Emotional distress
caused by misconduct in employment relations involving, for example, promotions,
demotions, criticism of work practices, negotiations as to grievances, is a normal part of
the employment environment. A cause of action for such a claim is barred by the
exclusive remedy provisions of the workers' compensation law. [Citation.] The
Legislature, however, did not intend that an employer be allowed to raise the exclusivity
rule for the purpose of deflecting a claim of discriminatory practices." (Accardi, supra,
17 Cal.App.4th at p. 352.) The Accardi plaintiff "allege[d] that she suffered emotional
distress because of the pattern of continuing violations which were discriminatory; her
cause of action for emotional distress is founded upon actions that are outside the normal
37 part of the employment environment and violate this state's policy against sex
discrimination." (Id. at pp. 352–353.) Accardi concluded, "As such, her claim for
emotional distress arising out of sexual harassment is not barred by the exclusivity
provisions of workers' compensation laws." (Id. at p. 353.)
Seals and Dolinar argue these authorities have been undermined by the California
Supreme Court's 2008 opinion in Miklosy, supra, 44 Cal.4th 876. In Miklosy, the
plaintiffs alleged causes of action for retaliation in violation of the California
Whistleblower Protection Act (§ 8547 et seq.), wrongful termination and constructive
wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and intentional infliction of emotional
distress. (Id. at p. 884.) As to the last claim, "Plaintiffs allege[d] defendants engaged in
'outrageous conduct' that was intended to, and did, cause plaintiffs 'severe emotional
distress,' giving rise to common law causes of action for intentional infliction of
emotional distress." (Id. at p. 902.) Miklosy concluded, "The alleged wrongful conduct,
however, occurred at the worksite, in the normal course of the employer-employee
relationship, and therefore workers' compensation is plaintiffs' exclusive remedy for any
injury that may have resulted." (Ibid.)
Miklosy reaffirmed the two exceptions to workers' compensation exclusivity
described above, for Tameny wrongful discharge claims and for conduct that " 'exceeds
the risks inherent in the employment relationship' " under Cole, but found that neither
applied. (Miklosy, supra, 44 Cal.4th at pp. 902–903.) As to the first exception, it
recognized the obvious point that a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress is
not a Tameny claim. (Ibid.) As to the second, it explained, "[I]t might seem at first blush
38 to apply here—based on the argument that whistleblower retaliation is not a risk inherent
in the employment relationship—but we rejected this same argument in Shoemaker . . . ,
supra, 52 Cal.3d at page 25. Like plaintiffs here, the plaintiff in Shoemaker alleged
whistleblower retaliation and also a Tameny cause of action, and although he
incorporated these allegations as part of his claim of intentional infliction of emotional
distress, we held workers' compensation to be his exclusive remedy and affirmed the trial
court's dismissal of that cause of action." (Miklosy, at p. 903.)
Our colleagues in Division Three of this court recently applied Miklosy in Yau v.
Santa Margarita Ford, Inc. (2014) 229 Cal.App.4th 144 (Yau). Yau involved an appeal
from an order sustaining a demurrer to causes of action for wrongful discharge in
violation of public policy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. (Id. at p. 147.)
As to the wrongful discharge cause of action, Yau held that the plaintiff had adequately
alleged wrongful discharge in violation of public policies prohibiting fraud and theft. (Id.
at p. 156.) It did not consider whether the plaintiff had also alleged wrongful discharge in
violation of FEHA. (Id. at p. 160.) As to the emotional distress claim, Yau relied on the
general rule regarding workers' compensation exclusivity: "Physical and emotional
injuries sustained in the course of employment are preempted by the workers'
compensation scheme and generally will not support an independent cause of action.
[Citation.] Emotional injuries caused by workplace discipline, including termination, fall
within this rule." (Id. at p. 161.)
Although it did not expressly mention FEHA discrimination or retaliation, Yau
acknowledged the authorities "that have found exceptions to this general rule of
39 preemption when the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim is based on
conduct that violates a fundamental public policy." (Yau, supra, 229 Cal.App.4th at
p. 161.) But Yau found those authorities unpersuasive in light of Miklosy. Yau
interpreted Miklosy to allow only a single exception to the workers' compensation
exclusivity rule, for Tameny claims. (Id. at p. 161.) Yau concluded, "This exception does
not, however, allow a 'distinct cause of action, not dependent upon the violation of an
express statute or violation of a fundamental public policy.' " (Ibid., quoting Miklosy,
supra 44 Cal.4th at p. 902.)
We believe Yau reads Miklosy too narrowly. Miklosy expressly retained the
second exception to workers' compensation exclusivity, for conduct that " 'exceeds the
risks inherent in the employment relationship,' " and acknowledged its appeal in the
whistleblower context. (Miklosy, supra, 44 Cal.4th at p. 903.) While our Supreme Court
ultimately concluded the exception did not apply to whistleblower retaliation, neither
Miklosy nor the authorities on which it relies considered the much larger body of case law
supporting the proposition that conduct in violation of FEHA is not part of the
employment relationship or the compensation bargain at the heart of the workers'
compensation system. (See Nazir, supra, 178 Cal.App.4th at p. 288 ["Neither
discrimination nor harassment is a normal incident of employment."]; Murray, supra, 79
Cal.App.4th at p. 1363 ["This is so because the [emotional distress] claim is 'founded
upon actions that are outside the normal part of the employment environment. . . .' "];
Cabesuela, supra, 68 Cal.App.4th at p. 113 ["Thus, where, as here, a plaintiff's emotional
distress claim is premised upon his employer's violation of a fundamental public policy of
40 this state, such misconduct lies outside of the exclusive remedy provisions of the Lab.
Code."]; Accardi, supra, 17 Cal.App.4th at p. 352–353.) Indeed, although it focused on
discharge, the reasoning of our Supreme Court in Gantt v. Sentry Insurance (1992) 1
Cal.4th 1083, 1100 is instructive: "When an employer's decision to discharge an
employee results from an animus that violates the fundamental policy of this state
proscribing any interference in the official investigation of sexual harassment
(. . . § 12975), such misconduct cannot under any reasonable viewpoint be considered a
'normal part of the employment relationship' (Cole . . . , supra, 43 Cal.3d at p. 160) or a
'risk reasonably encompassed within the compensation bargain.' (Shoemaker . . . , supra,
52 Cal.3d at p. 16.)" The same reasoning applies here, to conduct that interfered with the
official investigation of Hurley's complaint of sexual harassment; discrimination based on
sex, sexual orientation, and marital status; and retaliation.9
In sum, absent further guidance from our Supreme Court, we are unwilling to
abandon the longstanding view that unlawful discrimination and retaliation in violation of
FEHA falls outside the compensation bargain and therefore claims of intentional
infliction of emotional distress based on such discrimination and retaliation are not
9 In addition, because Yau did not squarely consider a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress based on FEHA retaliation or discrimination, it is of less persuasive value. (Yau, supra, 229 Cal.App.4th at p. 160 & fn. 1.) The other authorities cited by Dolinar and Seals are similarly unpersuasive because they do not consider emotional distress claims based on violations of FEHA at all. (See Vasquez v. Franklin Management Real Estate Fund, Inc. (2013) 222 Cal.App.4th 819, 832 [failure to reimburse plaintiff for mileage]; Singh v. Southland Stone, U.S.A., Inc. (2010) 186 Cal.App.4th 338, 367 [mistreatment by supervisor]; Mueller v. County of Los Angeles (2009) 176 Cal.App.4th 809, 823–824 [whistleblower retaliation].)
41 subject to workers' compensation exclusivity. While the Supreme Court in Miklosy held
that allegations of whistleblower retaliation were insufficient to state an exception to
workers' compensation exclusivity, it did not remove the jurisprudential basis on which
numerous authorities have held that allegations of FEHA discrimination and retaliation
did state such an exception. We therefore adhere to those authorities here.10
Given the foregoing discussion, Light may pursue a claim for intentional infliction
of emotional distress in the employment context where the conduct at issue violates
FEHA and also satisfies the elements of the claim. "The elements of the tort of
intentional infliction of emotional distress are: ' "(1) extreme and outrageous conduct by
the defendant with the intention of causing, or reckless disregard of the probability of
causing, emotional distress; (2) the plaintiff's suffering severe or extreme emotional
distress; and (3) actual and proximate causation of the emotional distress by the
10 We also find unpersuasive Seals and Dolinar's claim that "public policy" prohibits Light's claim under the circumstances here. Citing Jones v. The Lodge at Torrey Pines Partnership (2008) 42 Cal.4th 1158, they point out that individual supervisors are not liable for FEHA retaliation. They argue that allowing an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim would undermine that principle. In Reno v. Baird (1998) 18 Cal.4th 640, for example, our Supreme Court concluded a supervisor may not be personally liable for wrongful discharge based on the same conduct that violates FEHA: "It would be absurd to forbid a plaintiff to sue a supervisor under the FEHA, then allow essentially the same action under a different rubric." (Id. at p. 664.) We disagree that this principle applies here. A claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress is not merely "a different rubric." It is a substantively different claim, aimed at a different wrong, and protects a different personal interest. Seals relies on Janken v. GM Hughes Electronics (1996) 46 Cal.App.4th 55 (Janken), but that opinion found that the plaintiff had not alleged "outrageous conduct beyond the bounds of human decency." (Id. at p. 80.) Janken did not consider whether a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress against a supervisor would be proper if such an allegation had been included.
42 defendant's outrageous conduct. . . ." Conduct to be outrageous must be so extreme as to
exceed all bounds of that usually tolerated in a civilized community.' " (Christensen v.
Superior Court (1991) 54 Cal.3d 868, 903 (Christensen).) "Liability for intentional
infliction of emotional distress ' "does not extend to mere insults, indignities, threats,
annoyances, petty oppressions, or other trivialities." ' " (Hughes v. Pair (2009) 46
Cal.4th 1035, 1051.) A retaliatory motive alone is insufficient to sustain a claim for
intentional infliction of emotional distress. (Janken, supra, 46 Cal.App.4th at p. 80.)
" 'The law limits claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress to egregious
conduct toward plaintiff proximately caused by defendant.' [Citation.] The only
exception to this rule is that recognized when the defendant is aware of, but acts with
reckless disregard of the plaintiff and the probability that his or her conduct will cause
severe emotional distress to that plaintiff." (Christensen, supra, 54 Cal.3d at p. 905.)
As to Seals, a reasonable trier of fact could find she ostracized Light in the
workplace, encouraged Light to lie to investigators, pursued Light at home and in the
office to determine whether Light did so, and verbally and physically attacked Light after
Light disobeyed. The trier of fact could conclude this conduct was extreme and
outrageous (especially in light of Seals's supervisory position), taken for purposes of
retaliation prohibited by FEHA, and intended to cause Light emotional distress. Triable
issues of fact therefore preclude summary adjudication of this claim as to Seals. (See
Aguilar, supra, 25 Cal.4th at p. 850.)
As to Dolinar, however, we conclude summary adjudication was proper. Even
viewed most favorably to Light, the evidence shows Dolinar's conduct was not extreme,
43 outrageous, or beyond the bounds of what we tolerate as a civilized community. (See
Hecimovich v. Encinal School Parent Teacher Org. (2012) 203 Cal.App.4th 450, 476.)
Light points to evidence that Dolinar refused to listen to Light's complaints about
retaliation, organized the anti-Hurley counseling session after the gun scope incident,
encouraged Seals's efforts to silence Light, awarded Seals a commendation after the
February 23 incident, and participated in the Department's retaliation against Light
(including denying promised training and shifting Light's work location). Even crediting
this evidence, we conclude Dolinar's actions were not extreme or outrageous as a matter
of law. While a reasonable trier of fact could conclude Dolinar acted improperly, and
likely contributed to the Department's violation of FEHA's anti-retaliation provision, her
actions are common—though ultimately misguided—supervisory actions. (See Janken,
supra, 46 Cal.App.4th at p. 80.) Dolinar also cannot be responsible for the actions of her
subordinates, such as Seals, merely because she was their supervisor. A claim for
intentional infliction of emotional distress requires extreme or outrageous conduct by the
defendant herself; her "responsibility" as a supervisor alone is insufficient.
V
Assault
Light contends the trial court erred by summarily adjudicating her assault claim
against Seals based on Light's inability to show an essential element of that claim, namely
that she was subjected to a threat from harmful or offensive touching. " 'Generally
speaking, an assault is a demonstration of an unlawful intent by one person to inflict
immediate injury on the person of another then present'. [Citation.] A civil action for
44 assault is based upon an invasion of the right of a person to live without being put in fear
of personal harm." (Lowry v. Standard Oil Co. of Cal. (1944) 63 Cal.App.2d 1, 6–7; see
Plotnik v. Meihaus (2012) 208 Cal.App.4th 1590, 1603–1604 (Plotnik).)
"Penal Code section 240 defines the crime of assault as 'an unlawful attempt,
coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another.' 'In
tort actions for assault . . . , the courts usually assume that th[is] Penal Code definition[]
and related criminal cases are applicable. [Citations.]' [Citation.] The Supreme Court
has held proof of a criminal assault 'requires an intentional act and actual knowledge of
those facts sufficient to establish that the act by its nature will probably and directly result
in the application of physical force against another.' " (Plotnik, supra, 208 Cal.App.4th at
p. 1604.) "Physical injury is not a required element of either assault or battery. The tort
of assault is complete when the anticipation of harm occurs." (Kisesky v. Carpenters'
Trust for Southern Cal. (1983) 144 Cal.App.3d 222, 232.)
For example, in People v. Puckett (1975) 44 Cal.App.3d 607 (Puckett), the court
considered a challenge to the evidence supporting a criminal conviction for assault. The
evidence showed the defendant followed the victim home, "ran after her and tried to
prevent the [victim] from closing the door. After a few seconds, during which time the
[victim's] mother had joined her, defendant ceased his effort and the door closed." (Id. at
p. 610.) The reviewing court concluded this evidence was sufficient to constitute an
assault: "In the case at bench there is a showing of an attempt to commit a battery. Even
though pushing a door cannot be deemed a harmful injury, the pushing of a door which
45 was touching the [victim] could be deemed an offensive touching and a battery is defined
as a harmful or offensive touching." (Id. at pp. 614–615.)
A reasonable trier of fact could find, just as in Puckett, that Seals intended to press
the door against Light, or strike her with it, after Seals followed Light to her office during
the February 23 incident. Seals's act of pressing on the door placed Light in immediate
apprehension of a harmful or offensive touching, which is assault. Seals's claim that she
did not intend to commit battery is a disputed factual question on the current record.
Because a reasonable trier of fact could infer that Seals did intend to commit battery,
based at least on her "rage" during the February 23 incident and on the fact that the door
did actually hit Light, summary adjudication is unwarranted. (See Aguilar, supra, 25
Cal.4th at p. 850.)
DISPOSITION
The judgment as to the Department is reversed in part as to Light's claims for
retaliation and failure to prevent retaliation and discrimination and affirmed in part as to
Light's claim for disability discrimination. As between the Department and Light, Light
shall recover costs on appeal.
The judgment as to Seals is reversed in part as to Light's claims for intentional
infliction of emotional distress and assault and affirmed in part as to Light's claim for
false imprisonment (which Light did not challenge in this appeal). As between Seals and
Light, Light shall recover costs on appeal.
The judgment as to Dolinar is affirmed. As between Dolinar and Light, Dolinar
46 McCONNELL, P. J.
WE CONCUR:
HALLER, J.
AARON, J.
Related
Cite This Page — Counsel Stack
Light v. Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/light-v-calif-dept-of-parks-and-recreation-calctapp-2017.