Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Settlement
California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) announced a $200,000 pact on June 5 resolving claims that a long‑time technician was harassed and denied reasonable accommodation.
Settlement Terms
- $125,000 in worker relief plus restoration of $75,000 in leave.
- Mandatory anti‑bias training for managers.
- Sealed performance reviews tied to the complaint.
Lessons for Employers
- Public entities are not immune: State regulators are policing municipalities and districts with the same vigor they apply to private firms.
- Documentation matters: The supervisor’s emails mocking the disability and altering schedules without medical dialogue were pivotal.
- Early mediation pays: CRD’s dispute‑resolution arm brokered the deal, avoiding protracted litigation and reputational damage.
Action Items
Audit your accommodation policies, refresh manager training, and ensure interactive processes are documented—especially in California, where penalties can escalate quickly.
