MICHAEL J. DAVIS, Chief Judge.
This matter is before the Court on Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment. [Docket No. 11] The Court heard oral argument on May 24, 2013. For the reasons that follow, the Court grants Defendant's motion for summary judgment.
Plaintiff Marie Johnson was hired as a patrol officer by the Defendant City of Blaine's ("City") Police Department in July of 1993. (Ex. 1, Johnson Dep. 31-32.) In 2004, Plaintiff was assigned the position of provisional detective and was later promoted to the position of permanent Detective. (Id. at 34-35.) Plaintiff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement in 2001 and a Master's Degree in Police Leadership, Administration, and Education in 2003. (Ex. 157.) From 1993 to approximately 1999 the Plaintiff generally performed her job satisfactorily. (Def. Mem. in Supp. of Mot. for Summ. J. at 3.) During her employment with the City of Blaine, Plaintiff was represented by the Law Enforcement Labor Services union ("LELS"). (Johnson Dep. 31.)
On February 5, 1999, Plaintiff was the primary responding officer on a fatal pedestrian accident in which a 14-year-old boy died. (Ex. 8.) A few days later, Plaintiff responded to a second fatal pedestrian accident on the same highway. (Id.) After responding to these fatalities, Johnson experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. (Exs. 10, 19.) She took a short leave of absence. (Exs. 8-9)
In April of 2000, Plaintiff responded to a homicide. (Johnson Dep. 89-99, 108-10, 114-16; Ex. 23.) Plaintiff, along with another patrol officer, administered first aid,
In June 2001, Plaintiff's supervisors observed signs that Plaintiff again experienced symptoms of PTSD and depression, such as Plaintiff's tearful statement on the firing range that she had recent feelings of self-harm. (Exs. 42-43, 44.) Pursuant to the "Reentry Agreement" completed at the end of Plaintiff's leave in January of 2001, the City of Blaine placed Plaintiff on "leave of absence" status on June 15, 2001. (Ex. 42.) Plaintiff returned from leave on June 26, 2001. (Ex. 43.)
On July 15, 2001, Johnson was issued a written reprimand for her conduct on June 1, 2001. (Ex. 45.) On that date, Plaintiff drove her patrol vehicle over a concrete curb and sidewalk, up a steep incline, and through a residential backyard while in pursuit of two juvenile suspects for misdemeanor theft. (Id.)
From approximately July of 2001 to 2006, Plaintiff did not exhibit any significant symptoms of depression or PTSD. (Johnson Dep. 130; Ex. 65.) In 2004 the City assigned Plaintiff to the position of provisional detective, and, in April 2006, the City promoted Plaintiff to permanent detective. (Johnson Dep. 34-35, 138-39.)
In late 2006 and early 2007, Johnson was confronted with several deaths within a short period of time. (Ex. 65.) In August of 2006, Plaintiff's coworker committed suicide. (Id.; Johnson Dep. 135-36.) Plaintiff expressed that she had planned to shoot herself the way that he did and was angry that he had "stolen her thunder." (Ex. 65 at 3.) In early 2007, one of Plaintiff's friends died suddenly, and the mother of a different friend died. (Id.) Plaintiff's father died in April 2007. (Id. at 2-3; Johnson Dep. 136.) She was also experiencing problems in her marriage at this time. (Ex. 65 at 3-4.)
In August of 2007, Johnson was hospitalized with symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation. (Johnson Dep. 161; Exs. 5, 49.) On August 13, 2007, Plaintiff requested Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA") leave until September 15, 2007; however, Plaintiff did not know how long her mental health condition would last. (Ex. 49.) She was hospitalized intermittently between August 12, 2007, and October 13, 2007. (Ex. 5.)
On October 16, 2007, the Human Resources Director for the City of Blaine wrote to Plaintiff notifying her that her FMLA leave would expire on October 22, 2007. (Ex. 50.) Plaintiff responded by sending a memorandum to Robert Therres, the Blaine City Manager, stating that she was unable to return to work on October 23, 2007. (Ex. 52.) Further, Plaintiff stated that she hoped to return to work by January 2008.(Id.) Plaintiff's memorandum was based on the recommendation of her psychologist, Dr. Kristin Kunzman, who opined that Plaintiff would be able to return to work in January 2008. (Ex. 51.)
(Ex. 53.)
In response to Therres' letter, Plaintiff requested that Defendant schedule the "Readiness for Duty" examination and requested a return date of December 10, 2007 rather than December 3, 2007. (Ex. 54.) Plaintiff made this request, for extended unpaid leave, because she had registered and paid for a retreat from December 2 to December 7. The retreat was intended to help public service workers overcome issues with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. (Id.)
On November 3, 2007, Kunzman wrote a letter to Therres laying out an incremental plan for Johnson's gradual transition back to full time employment. (Ex. 56.) In that letter, Kunzman also requested that Plaintiff be allowed to return the week of December 10, 2007, so that Plaintiff could attend the retreat during the first week in December. (Id.) Finally, Kunzman stated that "[f]ull time active duty before Christmas just does not seem feasible.... I think this holiday will be very difficult because of [Plaintiff's father's] death and her recent separation." (Id.)
In response to Plaintiff's and Kunzman's requests, Therres responded with a November 16, 2007 letter stating, "The requirements for your return to Police Detective for the Blaine Police Department were detailed in my letter to you dated October 26, 2007 and they remain unchanged." (Ex. 57.) Therres went on to repeat the requirements set forth in his previous letter. (Id.) Specifically, a "leave of absence" had been approved until December 3, 2007; Plaintiff was required to submit a letter from her doctor stating that Plaintiff was clear to return to work with no restrictions or conditions; and Plaintiff was required to submit to a "Readiness for Duty" examination that would be scheduled once Defendant received the letter from Plaintiff's doctor. (Id.)
On November 27, Kunzman issued a return-to-work authorization allowing Johnson to return to work as a detective without limitations on December 3, 2007, although that recommendation appeared to be based on Kunzman's assumption that Johnson did "not currently work as a first responder at this time," and although she stated that two additional weeks of leave would be beneficial. (Ex. 58.) On the same day, Johnson's union attorney wrote to Therres requesting that the City extend Johnson's leave of absence to allow her to attend the retreat. (Ex. 136.)
In response to Kunzman's November 27, 2007, letter issuing a return to work authorization, Chief of Police David Johnson requested that Kunzman provide a clarifying
Plaintiff was instructed to choose one of three doctors to complete the "Readiness for Duty" exam. (Ex. 64.) However, Plaintiff's first choice was not available until late January. (Id.) Although Plaintiff told Defendant that she did find any of the doctors on the list to be acceptable, Plaintiff consented and was examined by her second choice, Judy Pendergrass, on December 14, 2007. (Exs. 64-65; Ex. 137.)
In her January 2008 report, Pendergrass concluded that Plaintiff was prepared to return to duty as a police officer with the Blaine Police Department. (Ex. 65 at 5.) Pendergrass further concluded, however, that Plaintiff's return to work as a police officer would likely be difficult:
(Id.)
Pendergrass recommended that Plaintiff (1) continue her therapeutic relationships with her psychiatrist and her psychologist; (2) continue the medication that has been prescribed to her; (3) gain skills to use in controlling her temper and reducing her hostility; (4) develop greater personal fortitude and resilience; (5) learn to function with a higher degree of tact in dealing with others; and (6) work with her supervisors to learn more about how to reason her way through issues that are ambiguous in nature. (Id. at 7-9.) Pendergrass concluded that "it will be difficult for [Johnson] to undertake and complete successfully the full scope of assignments typically given to a Police Officer if she is unable to reduce considerably her tendency to react at an emotional level." (Id. at 9.)
On January 25, 2008, Interim Safety Services Manager/Police Chief Kerry Fenner sent a letter to Plaintiff entitled "Return from Leave of Absence Status — Reentry Agreement." (Ex. 66.) The letter indicated that Plaintiff would "return to full and unrestricted patrol duty status, upon [Plaintiff] signing this agreement by the date noted below." (Id.) The reentry agreement set forth numerous requirements: 1) Plaintiff was to be assigned to the patrol officer function in order to allow a more structured setting and more interaction with supervisors; 2) Plaintiff was not permitted to engage in any outside
The reentry agreement was in effect from February 6, 2008 — the date Plaintiff returned to work — until March 5, 2009 — the date that an arbitrator decided that the reentry agreement constituted demotion without just cause. (Exs. 67, 103.) During the period that the reentry agreement was in effect, Defendant asserts that Plaintiff violated the agreement on several occasions. Specifically, on March 2, 2008 Plaintiff left a message on Sergeant Olson's voicemail explaining the issues she had with Sergeant Sloneker:
On February 17, 2008, Plaintiff wrote an email to Fenner requesting that she be removed from the overtime list. In the email Plaintiff stated:
(Ex. 142.) On February 25, Fenner denied Plaintiff's request to be removed from the regular overtime list. (Ex. 143.) Fenner explained that the Regular Overtime List, as opposed to the Reimbursable Police Overtime list, was "mandatory for all nonexempt sworn personnel as a way of distributing overtime as fairly as possible pursuant to ... the labor agreement between [LELS] and the City of Blaine. Further the City of Blaine Position Description for Police Officer lists `Extended Day' under environmental factors for the job." (Id.) He stated, "All of our police officers are responsible for meeting all duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position description therefore I am not going to allow you to be removed from the `Regular Overtime List.'" (Id.)
In September 2008, Plaintiff requested permission to take on a second job during her off-duty hours in order to "maintain financial wellness" based on her divorce and pay cut by the City. (Ex. 140.) Defendant denied this request pursuant to its authority under the reentry agreement, but reminded Plaintiff that she was able to work reimbursable overtime to address her financial wellness. (Ex. 141.)
In June 2008, Defendant conducted an internal promotional process for two sergeant positions and twelve candidates applied, including Plaintiff. (Exs. 81, 83.) Defendant contracted with Campion, Barrow & Associates ("Campion") to develop and administer the written portion of the testing. (Exs. 81, 84.) The testing process included both an oral and a written exam. (Ex. 81.) The oral board examination included an interview by a panel of three external law enforcement officials. (Ex. 83.)
After Campion administered the written test, a candidate complained about the questions contained in the sergeant leader interview form. (Johnson Dep. 303; Ex. 3, Dussault Dep. 65-70.) The written test included a peer assessment form which indicated that the reviewer should "put an
After complaints regarding the questions were brought to the City's attention, the City decided to omit consideration of the written testing until after making a conditional offer and to make the oral board interview count for 100 percent of a candidate's score; at no time would the City have access to the written test materials. (Dussault Dep. 61-70; Johnson Dep. 303; Ex. 82.) The City determined that it did not have the time and resources to conduct an entirely new testing process. (Dussault Dep. 67)
Three men — a captain from White Bear Lake, a deputy chief from Champlin, and a lieutenant from Brooklyn Park — interviewed the candidates. (Exs. 83.) Lt. Pelkey and Human Resources Coordinator Sheri Chesness observed the interviews. (Id.) Most of the questions were designed to elicit responses about the candidates' leadership and supervisory skills. (Ex. 86.) During Plaintiff's July 30, 2008 interview, she stared down Pelkey and stated that the City's police supervisors did not "have the balls" to tell the public something. (See, e.g., Exs. 88 (response to question 10), 100.)
The City selected the top five candidates for an interview with Interim City Chief Olson and Captain Fenner. Plaintiff was ranked eleventh. (Ex. 88.) In August 2008, the City promoted two male police offers. Before the final interview, one of the men had ranked first in the process and one had ranked fourth. (Exs. 88-90.) Plaintiff points out that neither man had ever been a permanent detective, and both had only two-year degrees. (Exs. 89-90.) Plaintiff had been with the Blaine Police Department longer than either man. (Id.) Both men had received very positive performance evaluations and numerous commendations and had additional expertise. (Id.) Neither had ever been disciplined by the City.
At the time, the Department had approximately 60 sworn officers and approximately 5 of these were women. (Ex. 6; Ex. 2, Olson Dep. 35, 55.) All of the supervisory officers are male. (Olson Dep. 60.)
On March 5, 2009, the arbitrator issued her determination regarding Plaintiff's reentry agreement grievance. The arbitrator sustained Plaintiff's grievance and concluded that "[t]he City violated the contract [collective bargaining agreement] when it required [Plaintiff] to sign a reentry agreement that placed her in a Patrol Officer position." (Ex. 103 at 12.) The determination went on to find:
(Id. at 10-11 (footnote omitted).) The arbitrator concluded that Plaintiff "should return to her position as detective and restored to her assignments as FTO, Use of Force Instructor, and to her entitlement
In June 2009, Defendant received several complaints of Plaintiff engaging in misconduct, insubordination, and/or harassment of supervisors and co-workers. (Exs. 107-112.) Specifically, on June 5, 2009, Defendant received a complaint that Plaintiff had approached Sergeant Brian Owens and called him a "spineless dickless bastard," said "Your slithering ways are bullsh*t and you better not ever do that again are we clear," and made other inappropriate comments while yelling inches from his face. (Exs. 107-09.) Plaintiff admitted calling him a "dickless wonder," while leaning over him, "in his face." (Ex. 109.)
Also in June 2009, Defendant received a complaint from the police chief's administrative assistant that in December 2008, Plaintiff had threatened to harm or kill the assistant's spouse and dog. (Exs. 110-11.) Specifically — according to the assistant — in December of 2008, Plaintiff was complaining about Blaine Police Department's administration and said to the assistant: "Oh that's right, you're part of Administration. If you tell Administration what I said, I will get your husband and kill your dog." (Ex. 111; see also Johnson Dep. 81-83 (claiming she told the assistant that she "would come and get [her] husband and get [her] dog").) Effective June 29, 2009, Defendant placed Plaintiff on paid administrative leave while the assistant's allegations were investigated for potential criminal conduct by the Maple Grove Police Department. (Sullivan Aff., Exs. 110, 111.) When a police officer is on paid administrative leave, she must be available to work, may use vacation or sick time, and is not authorized to act as a police officer. (Ex. 110.)
While on paid administrative leave Plaintiff began experiencing severe depression and was admitted to Abbot Northwestern Hospital on July 11, 2009. (Exs. 5, 114.) She was stabilized and released on July 15, 2009.(Id.) Plaintiff had multiple stays at the hospital between July 16, 2009 and November 9, 2009.(Id.)
On July 29, while on paid administrative leave, Plaintiff informed Defendant that she was "incapacitated" in the hospital for mental illness and participating in a six month treatment program. (Exs. 113-114.) She submitted an FMLA leave request on July 29, 2009, but requested that her FMLA leave begin after her paid administrative leave ended. (Ex. 114.) However, Plaintiff's health care provider indicated that the approximate date that Plaintiff's condition commenced was July 12, 2009. (Ex. 114.) For this reason, Defendant designated July 12, 2009 as the start of Plaintiff's FMLA leave. (Ex. 115.)
Defendant sent a letter to Plaintiff on October 30, 2009, explaining that she had exhausted her FMLA as of October 3, 2009. (Ex. 118.) Defendant further informed Plaintiff that she owed Defendant payments for her employment benefits for the month of October, and that she was required to provide a fitness for duty certificate or request an unpaid leave of absence in writing by November 13, 2009, or she would be deemed to have abandoned her job. (Id.) On November 17, 2009, Plaintiff's doctor submitted a note stating
Plaintiff then underwent a "Readiness-for-Duty" exam by licensed psychologist John Fennig, which included psychological testing, an interview with Plaintiff, interviews with Plaintiff's coworkers and others, and a review of documents. (Ex. 123.) In his January 2010 report, Fennig concluded that Plaintiff "show[ed] no signs of mental health issues today," but that she was still not able to "safely and effectively" perform her police duties because of her "behavioral issues." (Id. at 2.) The report stated: "[Plaintiff's] return to work in the City of Blaine — given both her derailing behavior and the scope and scale of current stressors from the criminal charges, workplace investigations, grievances and other actions — will continue to provoke the worst behavior in [Plaintiff] and potentially destabilize her psychological health." (Id. at 5.)
On November 12, 2009, the Maple Grove prosecutor criminally charged Plaintiff with disorderly conduct for her threats to the assistant. (Ex. 120.) On January 21, 2010, before Defendant took any action with regard to Fennig's report or completed its employment investigation regarding her alleged criminal conduct, Plaintiff resigned. (Ex. 124.) After Plaintiff's resignation, Defendant concluded its investigation and determined that Plaintiff had engaged in misconduct that warranted discipline. (Ex. 127.)
On January 25, 2010, Plaintiff entered into a plea agreement in the criminal matter under which the prosecutor agreed to suspend prosecution and dismiss the charges after one year if Plaintiff had no contact with the victim except as required by employment, did not commit assault, harassment, or disorderly conduct, and complied with the recommendations of her therapist and signed a medical release so that the prosecutor could verify compliance. (Exs. 125-126.)
Plaintiff subsequently was granted total disability benefits through the Public Employees Retirement Association ("PERA"). (Johnson Dep. 281-82.) She admits that she is not capable of working as a police officer or working full time at any job. (Id. 285-87.) Between January 2010 and February 2013, Plaintiff was hospitalized at least twelve times. (Ex. 5.)
Plaintiff filed two discrimination charges against Defendant with the EEOC. The first charge was sworn on October 30, 2008 and alleged discrimination based on sex, retaliation, disability, and failure to accommodate beginning in November 2007. (Ex. 151) The second charge was sworn on December 8, 2009 and alleged discrimination based on sex, retaliation, disability, and failure to accommodate beginning in November 2007. (Ex. 152.)
Johnson filed a Complaint in this Court against the City of Blaine on February 21, 2012. She alleges: Count One: Disability Discrimination in Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"); Count Two: Disability Discrimination in Violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act ("MHRA"); Count Three: Failure to Accommodate in Violation of the ADA; Count Four: Failure to Accommodate in Violation of the MHRA; Count Five: Sex Discrimination in Violation of Title VII; Count Six: Sex Discrimination in Violation of the MHRA; Count Seven: Retaliation in Violation of the ADA; Count Eight: Retaliation in Violation of Title VII; Count Nine: Reprisal in Violation of MHRA; Count Ten: Interference with FMLA Rights; and Count Eleven: Retaliation in Violation of the FMLA.
Summary judgment is appropriate if, viewing all facts in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). The party seeking summary judgment bears the burden of showing that there is no dispute issue of material fact. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. "A dispute is genuine if the evidence is such that it could cause a reasonable jury to return a verdict for either party; a fact is material if its resolution affects the outcome of the case." Amini v. City of Minneapolis, 643 F.3d 1068, 1074 (8th Cir.2011) (citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)).
Pursuant to the ADA, an employer may not "discriminate against a qualified individual on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees, employee compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment." 42 U.S.C. § 12112(a). Plaintiff also asserts a disability discrimination claim under the MHRA. Both ADA and MHRA claims are analyzed under the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting analysis. Dovenmuehler v. St. Cloud Hosp., 509 F.3d 435, 439 n. 4 (8th Cir.2007). "A plaintiff seeking relief under the ADA must show (1) he is a disabled person as defined by the ADA, (2) he is qualified to perform the essential functions of his job with or without reasonable accommodation, and (3) he suffered an adverse employment action because of his disability." St. Martin v. City of St. Paul, 680 F.3d 1027, 1032 (8th Cir.2012) (citation omitted). "The burden then shifts to the employer to articulate some legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the employer's actions. If the employer articulates such a reason, the burden returns to the employee to show the employer's justification is a pretext." Lors v. Dean, 595 F.3d 831, 834 (8th Cir.2010) (citations omitted).
Neither party disputes that Plaintiff is disabled within the meaning of the ADA and MHRA.
The next step in the prima facie case is whether Plaintiff was qualified to perform the essential functions of her job. "The determination of qualification takes two parts: (1) whether the individual meets the necessary prerequisites for the job, such as education, experience, training, and the like; and (2) whether the individual can perform the essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodation." Benson v. Nw. Airlines, Inc., 62 F.3d 1108, 1111-12 (8th Cir.1995).
Here, Plaintiff possessed the necessary prerequisites for the job, such as education, experience and training. However, she could not safely perform the essential functions of her job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Plaintiff's ADA and MHRA claims cannot survive because she posed a direct threat to the health or safety to herself or others in the workplace. 42 U.S.C.
Id. at 571 (citations omitted). Here, the Court is not bound by the arbitrator's 2009 decision, which did not address the question of direct threat, disability, or reasonable accommodation. Nor did the arbitrator's decision address the 2010 Fitness for Duty Report.
In the 2010 Fitness for Duty Report, Fennig found that Plaintiff could not function "safely and effectively" in the police department. (Ex. 123 at 2.) Specifically, the Report states:
(Id. (footnote omitted)).
Based on the 2010 Fitness for Duty Report, issued by an objective medical professional after a thorough and individualized assessment, Johnson was a direct threat to the safety of herself and others. Additionally, it is undisputed that Johnson had an extensive history of suicide ideation, and her position required her to be armed with a firearm.
The Eighth Circuit has explained:
Burroughs v. City of Springfield, 163 F.3d 505, 508 (8th Cir.1998).
The cases upon which Plaintiff relies do not support a denial of summary judgment in this case, where Defendant's assessment of the threat posed by Plaintiff in the position of armed police officer was based on an individualized psychological assessment. For example, in McKenzie v. Dovala, the court found a fact issue remained on the question of direct threat because the law enforcement agency could have placed the applicant, who had a mental illness and had previously attempted suicide, into a position that did not require
Plaintiff alleges that Defendant constructively discharged her from Blaine Police Department.
Carpenter v. Con-Way Cent. Express, Inc., 481 F.3d 611, 616-17 (8th Cir.2007) (citations omitted).
The Court concludes that there is no evidence that, leading up to and at the time Johnson resigned, the City deliberately rendered her working conditions intolerable, forcing her to quit. Rather, there was a substantiated report that she threatened another City employee's spouse and dog. Johnson, herself, admits the substance of the allegations. And the City put her on paid leave while that allegation was investigated by an outside law enforcement agency. While on paid leave, it is undisputed that Plaintiff became unable to perform her job due to mental health issues and long-term hospitalizations, so she was placed on FMLA leave. The City then ordered her to undergo a fitness for duty exam before returning, which is standard procedure, and the independent examiner found that she was not fit for duty. None of these actions by the City qualify as deliberately rendering Johnson's working conditions intolerable in the six months leading up to her resignation.
To the extent that Johnson asserts that the 2008 reentry agreement and demotion were part of a pattern of harassment leading up to a constructive discharge, the Court notes that those actions were remedied with elimination of the reentry agreement requirements save medication and continued therapy, reinstatement to the position of detective, and the award of back pay as of March 6, 2009, ten months before Johnson resigned. There is insufficient evidence to allow a reasonable jury to find constructive discharge in January 2010.
Because the Court holds that Plaintiff cannot raise meet the prima facie case, the Court need not reach the question of whether Plaintiff can show pretext. Defendant is entitled to summary judgment
In a failure to accommodate case, "the `discrimination' is framed in terms of the failure to fulfill an affirmative duty — the failure to reasonably accommodate the disabled individual's limitations." Peebles v. Potter, 354 F.3d 761, 767 (8th Cir.2004).
Id. (citations omitted).
The Court applies a modified burden-shifting analysis to reasonable accommodation claims. Fenney v. Dakota, Minn. & E. R.R. Co., 327 F.3d 707, 712 (8th Cir.2003). A plaintiff must make a facial showing that she has an ADA disability, that she suffered an adverse employment action, and that she is a "qualified individual," with or without reasonable accommodation. Id.
Battle v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 438 F.3d 856, 862-63 (8th Cir.2006) (citations omitted).
The plaintiff need only "make a facial showing that a reasonable accommodation is possible." Fjellestad v. Pizza Hut of Am., Inc., 188 F.3d 944, 950 (8th Cir.1999). The burden of production then shifts to the defendant "to show that it is unable to accommodate." Id. "There is no precise test for what constitutes a reasonable accommodation, but an accommodation is unreasonable if it requires the employer to eliminate an essential function of the job." EEOC v. Convergys Customer Mgmt. Group, Inc., 491 F.3d 790, 796 (8th Cir.2007) (citations omitted).
To the extent that Johnson's claims are based on the City's refusal, in the fall of 2007, to extend her leave after her FMLA leave had been exhausted to permit her to attend a West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat in December 2007, the claims fail. Because the fitness for duty exam could not be completed until January 2008, Johnson was, in fact, granted leave until February 2008. Moreover, Plaintiff's FMLA leave had been exhausted and the City was not obligated to provide an indefinite leave of absence. "[R]egular attendance at work is an essential function of employment. While allowing a medical leave of absence might, in some circumstances, be a reasonable accommodation, [a]n employer is not required by the ADA... to provide an unlimited absentee policy." Brannon v. Luco Mop Co., 521 F.3d 843,
The Court also dismisses Johnson's claims to the extent that they are based on the City's failure to remove her from the mandatory overtime list so that she could go to her group therapy and treatment appoints at regular times. Working overtime was a job duty for all officers, contained in the job description and the collective bargaining agreement, and Johnson could request leave if she needed to go to a particular appointment. Johnson does not point to any particular appointment that she was forced to miss or treatment that was impacted, and "[t]he employer is not obligated to provide the accommodation requested or preferred by the employee." Cravens v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield, 214 F.3d 1011, 1019 (8th Cir. 2000). Additionally, mandatory overtime was an essential part of the patrol officer position, and "an accommodation is unreasonable if it requires the employer to eliminate an essential function of the job." Convergys Customer Mgmt. Group, Inc., 491 F.3d at 796.
Plaintiff also objects that Defendant violated the ADA and MHRA by requiring her to be completely free of any restrictions in order for her to return to work. During the fall of 2007, as the City and Plaintiff were communicating regarding the possible extension of Plaintiff's leave, the City stated that, before Plaintiff could return to work, she must provide a letter from her doctor stating that she could fulfill her job duties and responsibilities "with no restrictions or conditions." (See, e.g., Ex. 53, Oct. 26, 2007 Letter at 2; Ex. 59, Nov. 28, 2007 Letter at 2.) On December 1, 2007, Plaintiff's doctor did provide such a letter. (Ex. 61.) While an employer may not issue a blanket refusal to accommodate an employee, this record does not support a failure to accommodate claim. Here, apart from the requests for extended leave during December 2007 through January 2008, the request to attend to trauma retreat, and the request to be removed from the mandatory overtime list, all which the Court has addressed above, Plaintiff can point to no particular accommodation that the City should have made, but did not make, for her.
The Court grants summary judgment for Defendant on Plaintiff's failure to accommodate claims.
The FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period if, among other things, they have a serious health condition that makes them unable to perform the functions of their position. 29 U.S.C. § 2612(a)(1)(D).
Stallings v. Hussmann Corp., 447 F.3d 1041, 1050 (8th Cir.2006) (citing 29 U.S.C. § 2615(a)(1, 2)). "The difference between the two claims is that the interference claim merely requires proof that the employer denied the employee his entitlements under the FMLA, while the retaliation claim requires proof of retaliatory intent." Id. at 1051. "Although in some circumstances, a given set of facts will fall clearly into either (a)(1) or (a)(2), it appears that the lines between the two categories
Stallings, 447 F.3d at 1050 (citations omitted).
"In an interference claim, an employee must show only that he or she was entitled to the benefit denied." Stallings, 447 F.3d at 1050 (citation omitted). However, "where an employer's reason for dismissal is insufficiently related to FMLA leave, the reason will not support the employee's recovery," because "strict liability does not apply." Id. at 1051 (citation omitted).
Stallings, 447 F.3d at 1051 (citations omitted).
Smith v. Allen Health Sys., Inc., 302 F.3d 827, 832 (8th Cir.2002) (citation and footnote omitted). "If the employer comes forward with evidence of a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its treatment of the employee, the employee must then point to some evidence that the employer's proffered reason is pretextual." Id. at 833.
The Court grants summary judgment for Defendant on Plaintiff's FMLA claims. Plaintiff bases her claims on the City's decision to place her on FMLA leave on July 12, 2009, after she had already been placed on paid administrative leave starting June 29, 2009 in light of the criminal investigation into her threat to another City employee. There is no case law to support Plaintiff's claim that an employer must allow an employee to take paid administrative leave when she is unable to perform her job due to a serious health condition. As the Eighth Circuit noted in Chubb v. City of Omaha, "[t]he FMLA does not require employers to provide paid leave." 424 F.3d 831, 833 (8th Cir.2005). See also 29 U.S.C. § 2612(c), (d)(2)(B).
Plaintiff points to no statute, City policy, or union contract provision that requires the City to provide paid administrative leave when an employee is unable to work. Under City policy, while on paid administrative leave, an employee must be available for work; the employee may use sick time or vacation time if she is unavailable. This policy is logical; otherwise, an employee under investigation for misconduct would be placed in a better position than an employee not under investigation because she could go on vacation and receive full pay while not using vacation time. Here, Plaintiff was not available for work as of July 12, 2009. There is no evidence that Plaintiff was entitled to paid administrative leave.
Finally, Johnson does not point to evidence to support an FMLA retaliation claim. Johnson does not appear to allege FMLA retaliation based on her demotion and reentry agreement after her 2007 FMLA leave; in any case, such a claim would be barred by the 3-year statute of limitations for FMLA claims. See 29 U.S.C. § 2617(c)(1)(2); 29 C.F.R. § 825.400(b). Regarding the City's actions following Plaintiff's 2009 FMLA leave, as the Court explained in its discussion of Plaintiff's disability discrimination claims, no constructive discharge occurred. There is no evidence of any adverse employment action taken by the City after Plaintiff's 2009 FMLA leave.
Johnson asserts that the City engaged in sex discrimination when it failed to promote her to sergeant in 2008. Both the MHRA and Title VII prohibit an employer from discriminating against an employee because of her sex. See 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2; Minn.Stat. § 363A.08. The Court applies the same analysis to both MHRA and Title VII claims. Torgerson v. City of Rochester, 643 F.3d 1031, 1043 (8th Cir.2011).
The Court concludes that Plaintiff has not pointed to direct evidence of discrimination. Johnson claims that the application materials for the sergeant position constitute direct evidence of sex discrimination. Defendant did not create the written materials and, when the inappropriate questions were brought to Defendant's attention, it omitted the written materials from consideration in the rankings. There is no evidence of remarks or actions by a decision maker that evidence sex discrimination.
When there is no direct evidence of discriminatory motive, the Court applies the McDonnell Douglas analysis to the plaintiff's claim. Jackson v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 643 F.3d 1081, 1086 (8th Cir.2011).
Id. (citation omitted).
"[T]he defendant may rebut the prima facie case by articulating a non-discriminatory rationale for its action. [Then], the plaintiff must prove that the defendant's proffered rationale was merely pretext for discrimination." Id. (citations omitted).
At this stage, Defendant admits that Plaintiff meets the prima facie case.
The City articulated a non-discriminatory rationale for its action. It claims that it promoted the two successful male candidates because of their superior qualifications and performance in the hiring process. In contrast, Plaintiff performed poorly and did not demonstrate leadership ability during the hiring process, such as when, during the interview, she said that the police supervisors did "not have [] balls."
Plaintiff cannot show pretext. First, Plaintiff has failed to point to any other employee who made similarly inappropriate comments during the interview process. Although, as Plaintiff points out, she had worked for the City's police department longer than the two men who were promoted, had a more advanced degree, and had previously been a detective, she also had been disciplined. Neither promoted officer had ever been disciplined, and only a two-year degree was required for the promotion.
Second, Plaintiff cannot show that the City's proffered explanation is unworthy of credence or that a prohibited reason more likely motivated the City. There is no evidence of gender bias, other than the circumstantial fact that the interview panel consisted of men and the two officers promoted were men. Although the rankings for the top five candidates were based entirely on the interview process, the fact that a subjective interview process was used is not enough, alone, to create a fact question for a jury. The fact that an employer uses an interview process for an employment decision is not evidence of discrimination merely because it is subjective. See, e.g., Torgerson v. City of Rochester, 643 F.3d 1031, 1050 (8th Cir.2011). This is particularly true when the interviews include uniform questions and a scoring matrix. Additionally, here, outside police supervisors were used to conduct and score the interviews. All three outside interviewers gave Plaintiff a similarly low score. Moreover, it is undisputed that Johnson admittedly stated during the interview that the City's police supervisors did not "have [] balls," resulting in a poor score on that question. There is no indication that any other candidate made a similarly improper comment during the interview process.
The Court grants summary judgment to the City on Johnson's sex discrimination claims.
Johnson claims that the City unlawfully retaliated against her in violation of Title VII, the ADA, and the MHRA. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 12203(a), 2000e-3; Minn.Stat. § 363A.15. The McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework applies to ADA, Title VII, and MHRA retaliation claims. Stewart v. Indep. Sch. Dist. No. 196, 481 F.3d 1034, 1042-43 (8th Cir.2007) (ADA, Title VII); Hoover v. Norwest Private Mortg. Banking, 632 N.W.2d 534, 548 (Minn.2001) (MHRA).
Stewart, 481 F.3d at 1043 (citations omitted).
Johnson asserts that she engaged in protected conduct when she filed charges for violations of Title VII, the ADA, and the MHRA. See 42 U.S.C. § 12203; Minn. Stat. § 363A.15; Sutherland v. Mo. Dept. of Corrections, 580 F.3d 748, 752 (8th Cir. 2009). She also argues that she engaged in protected conduct when she requested reasonable accommodations for her disability, such as permission to attend the trauma retreat.
Johnson further claims that Defendant took adverse action against her such as demoting her, denying her a promotion, forcing her onto paid administrative leave, changing the paid administrative leave to unpaid FMLA leave, disciplining her, referring her for criminal charges, and constructively discharging her.
Assuming, without deciding, that Plaintiff could establish a prima facie case, the Court holds that she is unable to show pretext.
Defendant points out that, to show pretext, an employee must establish more than a temporal connection between the protected conduct and the adverse employment action. Barber v. C1 Truck Driver Training, LLC, 656 F.3d 782, 802 n. 10 (8th Cir.2011). Evidence that the employer was concerned about the employee issue before the employee engaged in protected activity undermines the significance of temporal proximity. See Hervey v. County of Koochiching, 527 F.3d 711, 723 (8th Cir.2008).
As previously addressed with regard to Plaintiff's sex discrimination claim, there is no evidence that the City's failure to promote Johnson to sergeant was pretextual. She performed poorly in the interview, as scored by three disinterested interviewers, and made a highly inappropriate comment during the interview.
As discussed with regard to Plaintiff's FMLA claim, Defendant's act of changing Johnson's paid administrative leave to unpaid FMLA leave was legally justified and not pretextual.
Johnson provides no specific evidence to support her allegation of unwarranted discipline. She does not dispute leaning over Sergeant Owens and, inches from his face, calling him an offensive and insubordinate name in June 2009. She admits the substance of the threat that she made to the police chief's administrative assistant, which was confirmed by an outside agency investigation. She cannot show that the discipline was pretextual.
Nor can Johnson show that the referral for criminal charges or placement on paid administrative leave was retaliatory. The City placed Johnson on paid administrative leave while the Maple Grove
As the Court explained with regard to the disability claims, the record cannot support an assertion of constructive discharge.
Finally, to the extent that Johnson relies on the City's demotion of Johnson to patrol officer as part of the 2008 reentry agreement, the demotion could not have been retaliation for filing EEOC charges because both charges were filed after that date. The only accommodation for a disability that Plaintiff requested before the 2008 reentry agreement was implemented was her request for extended leave beyond her FMLA leave and beyond the month-and-a-half of additional leave that the City had agreed to grant her in 2007. As previously discussed, the City had no obligation to provide the requested extended leave. However, in fact, the City did end up keeping Plaintiff on leave through January 2008, as she had originally requested, and did allow her to attend the trauma retreat February 2008, so there is simply no causal connection.
Accordingly, based upon the files, records, and proceedings herein,
