California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from Pichon v. Pacific Gas & Electric Co., 212 Cal.App.3d 488, 260 Cal.Rptr. 677 (Cal. App. 1989):
Cole v. Fair Oaks Fire Protection Dist., supra, 43 Cal.3d 148, 233 Cal.Rptr. 308, 729 P.2d 743, addressed the question whether the exclusive remedy provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act prior to the 1982 amendments preclude an employee from bringing a cause of action for intentional infliction of emotional distress against his employer. The court concluded that "when the misconduct attributed to the employer in actions which are a normal part of the employment relationship, such as demotions, promotions, criticism of work practices, and frictions in negotiations as to grievances, an employee suffering emotional distress causing disability may not avoid the exclusive remedy provisions of the Labor Code by characterizing the employer's decisions as manifestly unfair, outrageous, harassment, or intended to cause emotional disturbance resulting in disability. The basis of compensation and the exclusive remedy provisions is an injury sustained and
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