Marcial

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiff and appellant Felipe Marcial has been a firefighter for the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACOFD) since 1996. In November 2017, while on a medical leave of absence for a shoulder injury, Marcial filed a complaint against the County of Los Angeles (the County) asserting several causes of action under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), including harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Marcial alleged that soon after beginning his employment, he observed male firefighters engaging in inappropriate behavior, including communicating in overly sexual manners with women who were passing by the station, and “hooking up” with these women inside of the firehouse. Based on the alleged “debaucherous” behavior, Marcial described the fire stations as “bachelor pads.” He further alleged LACOFD failed to provide privacy for firefighters at certain fire stations, where male and female firefighters were required to share restrooms, locker rooms, showers, and sleeping quarters at certain fire stations. Marcial contends the “sexually charged working atmosphere” he endured was “hostile and intolerable.” He further claimed he was harassed and discriminated…