Counsel’s Online Filing Satisfied FEHA’s Jurisdictional Requirement.

Plaintiff sued his employer for violating the Fair Employment and Housing Act [FEHA, Gov. Code §12900 et seq.]. The trial court grant the employer’s summary judgment motion on the sole ground the employee did not file a verified complaint with the department.  The Court of Appeal reversed, concluding the employee’s counsel’s complaint filed through the department’s online automated system was sufficient. Rickards v. United Parcel Service, Inc.  (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 4; June 19, 2012) 206 Cal.App.4th 1523.