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CAUTIONARY TALE EPISODE 110
PLOT TWIST
Book Thrown at Children's Society for Alleged Workplace Retaliation
In her complaint to the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) and Labor Commissioner's Office (LCO) a former employee of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators(SCBWI) claimed retaliation for reporting perceived racial discrimination, an inadequate response to a disability accommodation request, and potential Equal Pay Act violations.
The SCBWI claimed no connection between those complaints and placing the employee on administrative leave and later termination for insubordination.
After separate investigations, CRD and LCO concluded that SCBWI violated California worker protection laws. SCBWI agreed to pay $180,000 to resolve the matter.
Without admitting wrongdoing, SCBWI also agreed to hold biannual executive training on anti-retaliation and anti-discrimination, revise and distribute its workplace policies, and notify staff and the governing board of the findings.
CRD Director Kevin Kish stated: "If an employee believes the law is being broken, they are allowed to complain — and employers cannot punish them for doing so."
Take aways:
California protects employees who report misconduct or pay practices they reasonably believe are unlawful, even if the claims prove unfounded. Employers should respond to complaints carefully, investigate promptly, document employment decisions, and avoid any appearance of retaliation.
For further information, please contact Tim Bowles, Cindy Bamforth or Helena Kobrin.
See also:
Cindy Bamforth
April 2, 2026
If you are an employer facing possible litigation, or have an employee issue on which you need immediate guidance, call us to set up a consultation, or submit your message.
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