Obtaining Justice in the Workplace:
Mr. E's story.

Attorney Steven Zrucky assists low-wage employees who are unfairly treated by employers or are having difficulty with state unemployment insurance. Steve met Mr. E when he turned to LAFLA for help.

A naturalized U.S. citizen who owns his home, Mr. E is the father of seven, including two adopted children. He has worked steadily in one job or another since arriving here from Mexico in 1963 and never before had filed for benefits.

After more than five years working at one store, Mr. E was fired. With Steve's help, Mr. E was able to prove to an administrative law judge that he was erroneously fired and entitled to unemployment benefits.

Goods damaged at the store are often given to employees because they can't be sold or shipped back to the manufacturer, and it is cheaper to give them away than to dispose of them properly.

Mr. E's supervisor had given him damaged roofing material. Before taking it, Mr. E went to help a customer. Returning, he saw that a co-worker had put the material in his truck. Because it had been given to him, Mr. E removed it, but was accused of stealing.

Aided by Steve, Mr. E was cleared of the accusation and awarded his unemployment insurance benefits. Although modest, the insurance helps sustain his family as he is hampered in looking for a job by caring for his seriously ill wife.

Back