violation of public policy

Ferrick v. Santa Clara Univ., 231 Cal. App. 4th 1337 (2014)

Linda Ferrick, a former senior administrator for Santa Clara University, claimed the termination of her employment resulted from her reporting that her supervisor had engaged in what Ferrick believed to be commercial bribery as part of a “kickback scheme.” The trial court sustained the university’s demurrer and dismissed the lawsuit because Ferrick had

Dutra v. Mercy Med. Ctr. Mt. Shasta, 209 Cal. App. 4th 750 (2012)

Michelle Dutra sued Mercy Medical Center for wrongful termination in violation of public policy based upon Cal. Labor Code § 132a (prohibiting discrimination against an employee who has filed a workers’ compensation claim). After a jury was selected, the trial court granted Mercy’s motion to dismiss on the ground that the

Sciborski v. Pacific Bell Directory, 205 Cal. App. 4th 1152 (2012)

Annie Sciborski sued her former employer, Pacific Bell Directory, after it deducted approximately $19,000 from her wages to recover a $36,000 sales commission that had been paid to her. After a three-day trial, the jury found Pacific Bell’s wage deductions violated the Labor Code and resulted in Sciborski’s constructive discharge in violation of