It’s A Conduit Case!

In this case, plaintiff alleged he was fired because of his marital status in violation of FEHA’s protections against marital status discrimination. Plaintiff was fired by his boss, who was also his mother-in-law. Plaintiff said he was fired because he was married to his boss’ daughter, and he and his wife were dealing with a difficult marriage.

The trial court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment and on appeal, the First Appellate District Court of Appeal affirmed.

The Court explained that the marital discrimination law is designed to prevent discrimination against classes of people and do not extend to the status of being married to a particular person.

The Court further explained that cases involving alleged discrimination due to marriage to a particular person are “conduit cases.” And in this case, since plaintiff alleged he was fired for being married to a particular person, he could not prevail on his marital status discrimination claim.

Orlando Nakal v. Friendship House Association of American Indians, Inc.
September 5, 2017
2017 WL 3432315

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