Wilson Offers Bill to Fight Bias at Work

Gov. Pete Wilson proposed legislation Friday that he said would make it easier for workers to fight racial and sexual job discrimination, and would set up a sliding scale of damages linked to a company’s size.

The Republican governor said the proposal was similar to legislation--which he vetoed last year--authored by Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach). Wilson said he rejected the earlier bill because it would have permitted up to $200,000 in civil and compensatory damages regardless of the size of the company.

Wilson’s proposal, which he said will be carried by Bergeson, would create a sliding scale for damage awards--up to $25,000 for companies with 100 or fewer employees, $50,000 for up to 200 workers, and $100,000 for up to 500 workers. The level for companies with more than 500 employees would be up to $150,000.

The proposal also gives the state Fair Employment and Housing Commission authority to levy compensatory damages, a power that has been taken away by a Supreme Court ruling.

Returning that authority to the panel, according to Wilson and Bergeson, would make it easier for those who cannot hire an attorney to obtain settlements by enabling them to resolve cases without going to court.

The proposal allows the commission to order reinstatement, back pay, promotion, employee benefits, and cease-and-desist rulings, among other things.