SAN FRANCISCO — Plaintiffs may have a harder time holding corporations responsible for the actions of franchise employees, following the California Supreme Court’s decision Thursday to release Domino’s Pizza from sexual harassment claims.
Domino’s isn’t liable for alleged sexual harassment by a manager in one of its independently operated franchise locations, the panel ruled. In a 4-3 decision, the court found the owner of the Southern California franchise implemented his own sexual harassment policy and made hiring, training and disciplinary decisions without input from Domino’s.
