Sada
Sada v. Robert F. Kennedy Medical Center
Opinion
Opinion
Masterson, J.
Plaintiff Rosalva Sada, a registered nurse, worked on a temporary basis at defendant Robert F. Kennedy Medical Center (Medical Center) as an independent contractor. When the Medical Center had openings for full-time employees on the nursing staff, Sada submitted an application and was interviewed. The Medical Center did not hire Sada but continued to use her on a temporary basis.
Sada, who is of Mexican descent, complained to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) that, in rejecting her for full-time employment, the Medical Center had violated the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Gov. Code, § 12900 et seq.) (FEHA or the Act). She claimed that she was denied the job because of her national origin and ancestry. Within a few days after the DFEH contacted the Medical Center to investigate Sada’s claim, she was terminated.
Sada filed this action under the FEHA, alleging claims of discriminatory hiring and retaliatory termination. The trial court granted summary judgment for the Medical Center, concluding that Sada was not qualified for a full-time position.
On appeal, the parties address the principal legal question of whether the FEHA…