Worker sues employer based on contractual breach, unjust enrichment, trade secret misappropriation

A California court recently ruled in favor of the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), the agency responsible for the human resource management of state employees, including issues regarding salaries, benefits, job classifications, training, and recruitment.

The case arose from the State’s Employee Suggestion Program, which gave cash awards to state employees who could make suggestions saving state funds. Such an employee would get 20 percent of the cost savings, limited to a maximum of $50,000 per suggestion.

Read more: California Workers’ Comp Board sides with state employee

The plaintiff in this case was an employee of the California Department of Transportation. Through the program, he made three cost-saving suggestions that saved California millions of dollars. The state initially recommended a $50,000 award per suggestion. It later denied the awards after a reevaluation.

The employee raised the matter to the State Merit Award Board, which upheld the denial of the awards. He then filed a government claim, but the state did not address his claim.

Thus, the employee brought a complaint against his employer and the State Merit Award Board. He alleged contractual breach, unjust enrichment, and misappropriation of trade secrets.

CalHR, acting on the award board’s behalf, filed a demurrer. It argued that section 19815.8(a) of California’s Government Code...

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