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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 4Ch. 7Art. 3§ 8251 Employee Discipline Hearing Rights

§ 8251 Employee Discipline Hearing Rights

Public Utilities Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 8251 Employee Discipline Hearing Rights

Key Takeaways

  • •If a company uses a 'spotter' (someone who watches employees) to report bad behavior, they can't fire or punish you based on that report alone.
  • •The company must tell you what you're accused of and give you a chance to defend yourself if you ask for it.
  • •At the hearing, the company has to say exactly what you did wrong, and you can explain your side.

Example

Your boss hires someone to watch employees and accuses you of stealing from work.

Your boss can't fire you just because the 'spotter' said you stole. They have to tell you what you're accused of and let you explain yourself at a hearing if you ask for one.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 8251 Employee Discipline Hearing Rights

It is unlawful for any public service corporation, or agent, superintendent, or manager thereof, employing any special agent, detective, or person commonly known as a “spotter,” for the purpose of investigating, obtaining, and reporting to the employer information concerning its employees, to discipline or discharge any employee, where such act of discipline or the discharge is based upon a report by such special agent, detective, or spotter, which report involves a question of integrity, honesty, or a breach of rules of the employer, unless such employer, its agent, superintendent, or manager, gives notice and accords a hearing to the employee thus accused, when requested by the employee. At such hearing the employer shall state specific charges on which act of discipline or discharge is based, and the accused employee shall have the right to furnish testimony in his defense. (Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

spottercorporationbreachfireemployeeportemployerhearing

Related Statutes

  • § 99564.1 Transit Union Recognition Rules
  • § 99569 Public Transit Labor Proposals
  • § 8252 Violation Penalties And Enforcement
  • § 99560.1 Public Transit Labor Definitions
  • § 99560.2 La Metro Labor Relations Act

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 8251.
View Official Source