Supreme Court of California looks at case involving nightclub, owner accused of failure to pay wages
A recent ruling concerned the application of section 1102.5(b) of California’s Labor Code, which prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for disclosing information about suspected violations of the law either internally or to government or law enforcement agencies.
Violators of this provision may be subject to various sanctions. The case of The People ex rel. Lilia Garcia-Brower, as Labor Commissioner, etc., v. Kolla’s Inc. discussed this provision.
Starting in 2010, the complainant worked as a bartender at Kolla’s, Inc., a nightclub in Orange County. In 2014, she reported to the club’s owner that she received no wages for her previous three work shifts. In response, Kolla’s fired her, told her never to return, and threatened to report her to immigration authorities.
Read more: California gentlemen’s club worker receives arbitration award
The complainant filed a complaint under the Labor Code against Kolla’s and the club’s owner with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) of the Department of Industrial Relations.
Following an investigation, the DLSE found that the termination and the immigration-based threats violated California law. According to the DLSE, the proposed remedies included reinstating the complainant to her former position, paying her lost wages, and paying civil penalties to the complainant and DLSE.
Kolla’s and the club’s owner...
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has shut down allegations about her supposed falling out with former podcast co-host West Wilson. Cunningham has called out media outlets for spreading false informatio...