NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT- Verizon

***DEADLINE TO RESPOND IS FEBRUARY 15, 2011***

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is the California state agency responsible for enforcing the civil rights of all Californians to hold employment without discrimination. The DFEH has entered into a settlement agreement with Verizon Services Corporation (Verizon) to settle claims of current and former Verizon employees who were unlawfully denied medical leave and/or terminated from Verizon in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act and California Family Rights Act (CFRA).

If you were employed by Verizon between June 18, 2007 and November 23, 2010 and believe you were improperly denied medical leave and/or terminated due to denial of medical leave, you may be entitled to a monetary award under the settlement.

 Verizon has agreed to settle claims according to the following formula: 

1.       Claimants whose applications for CFRA leave were improperly denied will receive $3,000;

 2.      Claimants who were disciplined for requesting or using CFRA leave will receive $6,000; 

3.       Claimants who were terminated, or resigned in lieu of termination, due to absences associated with CFRA leave will receive $25,000

The DFEH may increase individual awards by as much as 20%.

If you believe you fall within one of the above tiers and would like to make a claim to receive a monetary award, YOU MUST TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTION BEFORE FEBURARY 15, 2011:

 Complete and mail a claim form to the Claims Administrator postmarked no later than February 15, 2011. 

Please click this link for the Verizon Services Corporation claim form or a claim form can be obtained from:

                                                                      Simpluris, Inc.

Attention: Verizon Claims Administrator

3176 Pullman Street #123

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Toll free: (888) 836-1292

Tel: (714) 824-8590

If you choose to participate in the settlement, you will be bound by the terms of the settlement, including a full release of claims which will prevent you from separately suing Verizon for claims released by the settlement agreement.

You may also opt-out of the settlement by contacting the Claims Administrator and submitting an opt-out form on or before February 15, 2011. Further, you may also object to the settlement by submitting a written objection to the Claims Administrator on or before February 15, 2011.

The settlement is subject to final Court approval. If the Court approves the settlement and you fall within one of the above tiers and do not make a claim or opt-out of the settlement, you will not be entitled to collect any monetary award and will be prevented from suing Verizon for claims released by the settlement agreement.

If you would like a copy of the settlement agreement, or have additional questions, you may contact:

                                                                     Alexandra Seldin

Special Investigations Unit Administrator

Department of Fair Employment and Housing

2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100

Elk Grove, CA 95758

(619) 985-3608