Facts

In 2015, the City and County of San Francisco reorganized its Parks and Recreation Department. Part of the reorganization included eliminating Fidel Joshua's and Jerry Jack's employment positions as "3284 Recreation Directors." After their termination, Joshua and Jack filed lawsuits against the City and County. The district court consolidated them into a single action.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs contended that defendant's reorganization of the Parks and Recreation Department, though facially neutral, had a disparate impact on African Americans and individuals over 40 years old, in violation of Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant contended that its reorganization was a legitimate government action that did not have a disparate impact on African Americans or workers over 40 years old.

Result

The parties reached a settlement agreement. The City and County of San Francisco agreed to pay $460,000 to Fidel Joshua and $200,000 to Jerry Jack.