On 09/28/2022 I was terminated from my position as an animal control officer trainee with said agency under questionable circumstances.
I am currently pursuing legal actions against the agency for wrongful termination, retaliation, ongoing CA labour law violations and unpaid wages.
Circumstances:
I was employed as an Animal Control Officer at agency from July 25, 2022 to September 28, 2022. During my employment, I was frequently asked/required to exceed the fifth hour before permitted to take a meal break.
I understand CA labor law require employers to pay one additional hour at the employee's regular rate per work day for a missed or late meal break.
I’ve frequently discussed the issue with other staff as well at my main field training officer. My training officer then consulted management on the issue.
We were informed repeatedly by various levels of management that we were not eligible for the CA penalty pay due to the nature of the job, “first responder” status, and supposed union agreement permitting the violation of which we all agreed to – all of which were unfounded.
On 09/17/2022, I was assigned to train with the supervisor and another trainee because my primary training officer had called out sick.
During the shift I had a conversation with the supervisor on the subject. She reiterated all the aforementioned reasons and further stated that it doesn’t matter if our meal breaks exceed the fifth hour so as long as we have an uninterrupted 30 min meal break at some point of the shift. The trainee was present throughout the conversation.
I was seated in the rear compartment of the service truck with the other trainee in driver side and supervisor in front passenger side. I experienced servere motion sickness due to the bumpy road and scented lotion the supervisor had on. I informed the supervisor several times during our shift and both the supervisor and other trainee acknowledged I was feeling unwell. I had my eyes closed and head down at various periods during the ride. The supervisor later made a false report that I was sleeping on the shift which directly led to my termination.
I was also informed by my training officer that the director was displeased that I was asking questions of such nature as a trainee.
I was never paid any wages for the meal break violations. I have all pay stubs retained. Time records and completed daily activity report will be subpoenaed to verify this.
I hope to initiate a case suit and gain redress for myself as well as all the non exempt employees at this agency that have been wronged throughout their tenures.