19702
. (a) A person shall not be discriminated against in the
terms, conditions, and privileges of his or her employment with the
state under this section based on his or her medical condition,
mental disability, or physical disability as those terms are defined
in subdivisions (i), (j), and (l) of Section 12926. A person shall
not be retaliated against because he or she has opposed any practice
made an unlawful employment practice, or made a charge, testified,
assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation,
proceeding, or hearing under this section.
(b) For purposes of this article, "discrimination" includes
harassment.
(c) (1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), if the
board finds that discrimination has occurred in violation of
subdivision (a) of this section, the board shall issue and cause to
be served on the appointing authority an order requiring the
appointing authority to cause the discrimination to cease and desist
and to take any action, including, but not limited to, hiring,
reinstatement, or upgrading of employees, with or without backpay,
and compensatory damages, which, in the judgment of the board, will
effectuate the purposes of this section. Consistent with this
authority, the board may establish rules governing the award of
compensatory damages. The order may include a requirement of
reporting the manner of compliance.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), this paragraph applies to state
employees in State Bargaining Unit 6 or 8. If the board finds that
discrimination has occurred in violation of subdivision (a) of this
section, the board shall issue and cause to be served on the
appointing authority an order requiring the appointing authority to
cause the discrimination to cease and desist and to take any action,
including, but not limited to, hiring, reinstatement, or upgrading of
employees, with or without backpay, adding additional seniority, and
compensatory damages, which, in the judgment of the board, will
effectuate the purposes of this section. Consistent with this
authority, the board may establish rules governing the award of
compensatory damages. The order may include a requirement of
reporting the manner of compliance.
(d) Any person claiming discrimination based upon medical
condition, mental disability, or physical disability within the state
civil service may submit a written complaint with the appointing
authority that states the particulars of the alleged discrimination.
The written complaint shall be filed with the appointing authority
within one year of the alleged discrimination or the failure to act.
Any person claiming discrimination based upon medical condition,
mental disability, or physical disability may file a complaint of
discrimination with the board subsequent to lodging a complaint with
the appointing authority. Complaints of discrimination filed with the
board shall satisfy and comply with board rules.
(e) If an employee of the appointing authority refuses, or
threatens to refuse, to cooperate in the investigation of a complaint
of discrimination under subdivision (a) of this section, the
appointing authority may seek assistance from the board. The board
may provide for direct investigation or hearing of the complaint, the
use of subpoenas, or any other action that will effectuate the
purpose of this section.
(f) If a person demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence
that the person's opposition to any practice made an unlawful
employment practice under this section, or the person's charging,
testifying, assisting, or participation in any manner in an
investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this section, was a
contributing factor in any adverse employment action taken against
him or her, the burden of proof shall be on the supervisor, manager,
employee, or appointing power to demonstrate by clear and convincing
evidence that the alleged adverse employment action would have
occurred for legitimate, independent reasons even if the person had
not engaged in activities protected under this section. If the
supervisor, manager, employee, or appointing power fails to meet this
burden of proof in any administrative review, challenge, or
adjudication in which retaliation has been demonstrated to be a
contributing factor, the person shall have a complete affirmative
defense to the adverse employment action.
(g) As used in this section, "adverse employment action" includes
promising to confer, or conferring, any benefit, effecting, or
threatening to effect, any reprisal, or taking, or directing others
to take, or recommending, processing, or approving, any personnel
action, including, but not limited to, appointment, promotion,
transfer, assignment, performance evaluation, suspension, or other
disciplinary action.