A former employee of a California motel has filed a lawsuit alleging severe discrimination and wrongful termination. Alicia Gutierrez, the plaintiff, submitted her complaint against Forge-Vidovich Motel Limited Partnership on January 6, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara.
The lawsuit filed by Alicia Gutierrez accuses her former employer, Forge-Vidovich Motel Limited Partnership, of multiple violations under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and other state laws. The case details Gutierrez's employment as a housekeeper from November 20, 2022, until her termination on February 29, 2024. During this period, she claims to have faced unlawful pregnancy discrimination after informing her supervisors about her pregnancy in late November 2023. According to the complaint, upon learning of her condition, her work hours were significantly reduced without any medical justification. Her supervisor allegedly told her that the reduction might be due to her pregnancy but needed confirmation from higher management.
Gutierrez alleges that despite being fully capable of performing her duties without medical restrictions, she was subjected to retaliatory actions such as reduced work hours and hostile remarks from management. On one occasion in January 2024, when Raul LNU—identified as an owner—saw Gutierrez working slowly due to her condition, he reportedly made derogatory comments and threw gloves at her. This behavior continued until she was effectively terminated without prior warning or performance issues on February 29, 2024.
The complaint outlines several causes of action: unlawful pregnancy discrimination and sex/gender discrimination under FEHA; harassment creating a hostile work environment; retaliation for engaging in protected activities; retaliation violating public policy; and wrongful termination. Gutierrez asserts that these adverse actions were motivated by discriminatory animus towards pregnant employees and those of her gender.
In seeking justice through the court system, Gutierrez demands compensatory damages for economic losses such as back pay and future earnings loss. She also seeks non-economic damages for emotional distress caused by the alleged hostile work environment and punitive damages for willful misconduct by the defendants. Additionally, she requests litigation costs and attorney fees along with an injunction preventing further discriminatory practices by Forge-Vidovich Motel Limited Partnership.
Representing Alicia Gutierrez is Jonathan Melmed from Melmed Law Group P.C., based in Los Angeles. The case is being reviewed under Case ID: 25CV455836 by Judge L. Ayala at the Superior Court of California in Santa Clara County.