Coast Language Academy of Santa Monica learned a quick lesson in employee relations last week.
The school was sued in small claims court for just over $1,000 by former employer Ismaelite Stewart of Culver City. Stewart, who provided housing for the school’s students in addition to working at the school, claimed she had not been reimbursed for bringing international students into her home.
But Natalina Rogers, housing coordinator for Coast Language Academy, told the court Stewart had not finished her job before leaving the school. Rather than pay Stewart for housing students, Rogers said the school had deducted the money owed from salary already paid to Stewart.
Coast Language Academy even filed a counter-suit for $2,200, saying Stewart owed them more than they owed her.
“We did not expect her to sue us for money she did not earn,” Rogers told the court. “We had to hire someone else to do the job. Her salary was paid for a job not completed.”
Commissioner Donna Groman asked Rogers to point out the clause in Stewart’s contract where it says she is required to fulfill certain duties in order to be paid.
When Rogers conceded that there was no such clause, the commissioner ruled in favor of the plaintiff on both the original lawsuit and the counter-suit. Stewart will also be reimbursed for court expenses.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 25, 2002. Read the original PDF.