LOS ANGELES (CNS) – A jury ordered the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District to pay more than $300,000 to its former director of human resources, who alleged she suffered a backlash after speaking out against employment practices at the district that she believed were unlawful.
The Los Angeles Superior Court panel deliberated for about 1 1/2 days before finding in favor on Monday of 52-year-old Margaret Hesselgrave of Walnut, who alleged retaliation, failure to prevent harassment, retaliation or discrimination and hostile work environment harassment.
The jury found that Hesselgrave’s former boss, Jill Rojas, the assistant superintendent of human resources, did not take part in the harassment and did not act with malice, oppression or fraud against the plaintiff.
The total award was $326,000. Lawyers for the district maintained Hesselgrave was demoted for legitimate reasons because of a poor job performance.
Hesselgrave began working for the HLPUSD in September 1992 as an elementary school teacher, a job she held for eight years, her court papers stated.
Hesselgrave worked her way up to management and administrative level positions, including vice principal and principal, her court papers stated.
In 2009, Hesselgrave was elevated to be the district’s director of human resources, her court papers stated
In November 2015, Hesselgrave helped a Latino first-grade teacher, Sandra Diaz Wiley, in opposing the HLPUSD’s alleged discriminatory employment practices, Hesselgrave’s court papers stated. Wiley had complained of illegal harassment and discrimination by the principal of Sunset Elementary School and Hesselgrave told her she should stand up for her rights, Hesselgrave’s court papers stated.
Hesselgrave spoke out again after Wiley was fired, the plaintiff’s court papers stated.
During the 2016-2017 school year, Hesselgrave was outspoken when, in what she alleged was an act of illegal discrimination, Rojas instructed her to delay the posting of a classified position opening until after a pregnant applicant’s application expired.
Rojas told Hesselgrave she did not want the pregnant applicant to have an opportunity to be considered for the position, Hesselgrave’s court papers stated.
Hesselgrave told Rojas that she believed Rojas’ actions were unlawful, but her boss insisted that she delay the posting anyway, Hesselgrave’s court papers stated.
Hesselgrave spoke out against Rojas’ alleged treatment of the pregnant applicant and from then on her boss’ treatment of her became “critical, condescending, nitpicky, and very short,” Hesselgrave’s court papers stated.
Rojas routinely cursed and yelled and “talked down” to Hesselgrave “in a condescending and belittling manner” and made the plaintiff feel “intimidated and nervous,” Hesselgrave’s court papers stated.
Rojas was “ruthless” and her demeanor towards Hesselgrave destroyed her self-esteem, causing her to have panic attacks nearly every day, Hesselgrave’s court papers stated.
Hesselgrave was demoted to a teaching position in May 2017 and later was placed on leave and banned from district property in retaliation for her speaking out on the unlawful district employment practices, her court papers alleged.
