Following a loss of confidence in Lewis D’Vorkin, due to several claims of retaliation and other workplace concerns, Jim Kirk has been named as the new editor-in-chief of the L.A. Times. Apparently, D’Vorkin had alienated a large proportion of the newsroom due to a desire to implement an unpaid contributions policy, as well as generally acting in a condescending and aloof manner. Interestingly, D’Vorkin was appointed last fall by Ross Levinsohn, who is currently on unpaid leave while an investigation into sexual harassment settlements and alleged inappropriate behaviour are ongoing.
D’Vorkin’s ousting from the editor-in-chief post is just the latest in a line of reported inappropriate behaviors leading to the dismissal of senior management. Business editor Kimi Yoshino recently departed suddenly and without explanation, Levinsohn and D’Vorkin were apparently attempting to introduce an unpaid contributions policy, and four editors were fired in August due to complaints about the hindering of an investigative piece. D’Vorkin has also been accused of aggressively pursuing the source of newsroom leaks.
Retaliation is a legal term referring to an employee being terminated or denied opportunities as a result of reporting, resisting, or opposing any unlawful conduct in the workplace. In the case of the L.A. Times, this could, for example, relate to employees expressing their opposition of the proposed unpaid contributions policy. If you’re not familiar with the legal meaning of unpaid contributions, or unpaid commissions, it occurs when a person is not adequately compensated for work they have completed. Some of the ways in which this can happen include:
Employer retaliation can take many forms, and may arise due to an employee complaining about one of the above situations. Perhaps your employer isn’t happy that you’ve joined a union, tried to claim fair pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or you’ve experienced poor treatment after reporting discrimination in your place of work. Remember, this is not an exhaustive list, so you could be experiencing employer retaliation for another reason.
Some of the behaviors which can count as acts of retaliation may include:
If you’re feeling victimized at work due to these, or other, forms of retaliation, you need an experienced Los Angeles retaliation attorney.
At Kaufman Law Firm, we’ve been protecting Los Angeles employees who have been unfairly treated in the workplace for over twenty years. If you’ve been wrongfully treated, a skilled retaliation attorney will settle for nothing short of the best possible outcome for you.
To schedule a consultation and discuss your individual retaliation case, call today on 310-981-3404 and take the first steps towards recovering what you’re entitled to.
Your job is more than just a source of income. It is a major part of your lifestyle. If you have been the victim of wrongful termination, wrongful demotion or any kind of discriminatory business practices, it is time to take action and contact a Ventura employment law attorney that can help. Attorney Matthew A. Kaufman and the team at The Kaufman Law Firm bring experience and a vast arsenal of legal resources to help clients recover the money they deserve.
To learn more, contact our California law office today and schedule an initial evaluation to discuss your case.