In a significant legal move, a former employee has taken action against a nonprofit organization, alleging multiple instances of workplace discrimination and wrongful termination. David Mendoza filed a complaint on April 1, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against The Tides Center. The case highlights serious allegations of discrimination based on ancestry, color, race, age, and disability.
David Mendoza's lawsuit against The Tides Center accuses the organization of various violations under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and other California labor laws. According to the complaint, Mendoza claims that during his employment with The Tides Center—a California Nonprofit Corporation—he faced adverse actions due to his race and disability. These actions included being forced to quit, denied promotions or benefits, reprimanded without cause, and subjected to non-job-related inquiries. "Defendant TIDES discriminated against Plaintiff on the basis of his ancestry," states the complaint.
Mendoza also alleges that he was retaliated against for reporting these discriminatory practices. He asserts that despite notifying The Tides Center about these issues, the organization failed to take reasonable steps to prevent further discrimination or retaliation. Moreover, Mendoza accuses The Tides Center of requiring him to agree to illegal terms and failing to engage in good faith discussions regarding reasonable accommodations for his disabilities.
The plaintiff is seeking comprehensive relief from the court. His demands include payment for earned wages withheld by The Tides Center upon his termination and statutory damages for inaccurate wage statements as required by California Labor Code § 226. Additionally, Mendoza seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress caused by wrongful termination in violation of public policy. He is also pursuing punitive damages due to what he describes as acts done with "oppression, malice, and/or conscious disregard" for his rights.
The legal team representing David Mendoza is led by Lawrence W. Freiman from Freiman Legal based in Santa Monica. As this case unfolds under Case No. CGC-25-623895 before the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County, it will be closely watched by those interested in employment law and workers' rights within nonprofit organizations.