Los Angeles Fire Department Settles EEOC Harassment & Retaliation Case

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February 2012

A situation of significant concern took place within the Los Angeles Fire Department that violated the Department's zero tolerance for harassment.

The City of Los Angeles and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently reached a settlement agreement regarding a claim of harassment and retaliation brought forth by an active member of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Our agency is committed to providing and maintaining a work place free of harassment for all of our employees and is equally committed to ensuring that every employment policy and practice is administered in a manner which does not violate employees' or the public's rights under the law.

The events underlying the member's complaints of harassment and retaliation occurred in 2006. Since that time, the Department established the Professional Standards Division with a full-time staffed Equal Employment Opportunity investigative unit. Additionally, in order to effectively capture, report and manage these types of complaints, the Los Angeles Fire Department created a complaint filing system which employees now use to independently file complaints.

In an effort to ensure that all employees recognize their responsibility for maintaining a work environment free from any form of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and hazing, the Los Angeles Fire Department is in the process of creating and instituting an enhanced training program specifically related to these topics that builds upon its already established zero tolerance policies.

The Los Angeles Fire Department prides itself in serving our community with Courage, Integrity and Pride. We have earned our reputation by the manner in which we serve the community, and we pledge to earn respect by the way we treat each other.

Republished with permission of the Los Angeles Fire Department. View original article here.



Author:Brian Humphrey - PIO - LAFD