Watkins

BACKGROUND

The October 25, 2012 complaint On October 25, 2012, Watkins filed a complaint (subject complaint) against the County, the Department of Public Social Services of the County of Los Angeles (the Department), and Martin & Martin. We summarize the allegations of the subject complaint as pertinent to the appeal. Watkins alleged that the Department hired her as a clerk in 2006. After filing several grievances, one of which was granted and resulted in her promotion, she took a medical leave of absence from June 3, 2009, to December 15, 2009. Watkins was scheduled to return to work on December 16, 2009, but did not do so. The Department terminated her employment on August 23, 2010, deeming her to have abandoned her job.

2 Watkins alleged 18 causes of action.1 She alleged various Labor Code violations against the County and the Department and one such violation against Martin & Martin. She also alleged that the County and the Department engaged in retaliatory, harassing, and discriminatory conduct against her and failed to investigate her complaints. Watkins further alleged that the County, the Department, and Martin & Martin violated Business and Professions Code section…