Cooper

BACKGROUND

Factual background Plaintiff began working for the County Probation Department as a Detention Service Officer in December 1998. He was promoted to a Deputy Probation Officer I in February 2000, and to a Deputy Probation Officer II in January 2003. Following his January 2003 promotion, plaintiff was placed on an automatic, one-year probation. (L.A. County Code, tit. 5, appen. 1, rule 12.01.) From January 2003 to May 2003, plaintiff worked in the Probation Department’s Centinela office. In February 2003, plaintiff received a memorandum criticizing his work performance in an incident involving a minor. Plaintiff filed a grievance claiming the criticism was both untrue and unfair. In January 2003 and April 2003, plaintiff complained about the presence of asbestos and other contaminants in the Centinela office and the impact of those contaminants on worker health. In May 2003, plaintiff was diagnosed with respiratory ailments and took a work-related injury leave. In September 2003, the County notified plaintiff that his one-year probationary period would be adjusted upon his return to work to account for his leave of absence.

The trial court granted a motion to…