KRISTI K. DuBOSE, District Judge.
Eric Myree Perkins claims that based on his race (African-American) he was discriminated against by Kushla Water District, Chairman of the Board William Silver, and employees Roy King and James Todd concerning the terms and conditions of his employment. Perkins also contends that he was subjected to a racially hostile work environment and retaliated against for filing an EEOC complaint.
The matter is now before the Court on the motion for summary judgment filed by defendants Kushla Water District, William Silver, Roy King, and James Todd (the defendants) (docs. 38-42), the response in opposition and documents in support filed by pro se
The Kushla Water District (the District) is "a public utility organized pursuant to the laws of the State of Alabama." (Doc. 16, p. 1) The District is a "non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alabama to provide rural water service in a portion of Mobile County." (Doc. 41-1, p. 2) The District is operated under the direction of an eight-member Board of Directors (the Board). Defendant William Silver is the Chairman of the Board. The District has always had less than fifteen (15) employees. (Doc. 41-1, ¶ 5)
Perkins who is African-American applied for a position as a Water Operator Trainee.
The District already employed defendant James Todd as the office manager, defendant Roy King, a "contract employee" as the Superintendent, Charles Skipworth as a part-time meter reader, and William Joe Manley as a full-time employee.
Perkins began work on November 3, 2011. On December 7, 2011, Defendant Todd issued an Employee Warning Notice to Perkins. The Notice indicates that the "Type of Violation" was "time allowed for meters." The word "warning" was marked through and the word "interview" written in. "Oral" was checked. The interview lasted 8 minutes. Defendant Todd signed as "Supervisor" and the "action to be taken" was that Todd would "observe future performance." Perkins wrote on the warning: "This is my first introduction/discussion on this matter. I would like an opportunity to clean up some sites before reading again." (Doc. 44, p. 21)
On December 8, 2011, Perkins showed the Notice to King. (Doc. 44, p. 11) King told Perkins
Perkins worked from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. during the first six months of employment. (Doc. 44, p. 19) On meter reading days, Perkins hours were initially 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Doc. 41-1, p. 5). In May 2012, Perkins hours were changed to 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., when King instructed Perkins that he had to take a thirty-minute lunch and leave at 4:30 p.m. (Doc. 41-2, p. 3) At the July 24, 2012 Personnel Committee meeting, Perkins complained that his hours were changed. King responded that the Board had set the hours of 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with a thirty-minute lunch. (Doc. 44, p. 18)
The District has a cell phone usage policy that all employees are required to read and sign. (Doc. 41-3, George Affid. at ¶ 6) On July 24, 2012, King brought Perkins before the Personnel Committee for refusing to sign the District's cell phone usage policy. (Doc. 44, p. 16) Perkins signed the policy that day. (Doc. 41-3, p. 8) There is
There is no evidence that Larry Smith, who was hired at the same time as Perkins, ever signed a cell phone policy. However, Lenora George also signed the policy on July 24, 2012. (Doc. 41-3, p. 7) Before Perkins was hired, Skipworth and Manley had signed the policy on March 31, 2009, and former employee Rachel Winslett had signed the policy on March 26, 2010. (Doc. 41-3, p. 4-6) Todd signed the policy on September 20, 2012. (Doc. 41-3, p. 9) Another employee who was hired after Perkins, Daryl Taylor signed the policy on November 16, 2012. (Doc. 41-3, p. 10)
On August 22, 2012, Perkins filed a Charge of Discrimination based on race with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Doc. 41-6) Perkins complained that he had been harassed by his supervisors and co-workers and cited a list of complaints including not being certified by King for the Water Operator position, receiving the December 2011 write-up and having King fill his personnel file with rumors and lies, having his work hours changed, being required to sign the cell phone policy and the failure of the District to enforce the cell phone policy. Perkins also claimed that he, not Larry Smith, was hired to work in the office. (Doc. 41-6)
On September 14, 2012, Silver, King and Todd signed a memorandum to Perkins and Manley which set forth as follows:
(Doc. 41-1, p. 11) The memorandum also states that Todd would supervise Perkins and Manley as to their meter reading duties.
On September 19, 2012, Todd issued Perkins an Employee Warning Notice. The Notice indicates that Perkins was late for work and "did not report until 6:45 a.m.", failed to follow instructions because he "did not install and use platform on rear bumper of truck" and violated company policies because he "did not take lunch period during the day while on route as required" and "left work at 2:30 p.m." Perkins did not sign this Notice. (Doc. 44, p. 22)
On September 20, 2012, Todd issued Perkins another Employee Warning Notice. The Notice indicates that Perkins was late for work and "reported for work at 7 a.m.", failed to follow instructions because he "did not use readers platform", and violated company policies because he "did not take lunch period on route" and "left work at 2:30 p.m." Perkins did not sign this Notice. (Doc. 44, p. 24)
On September 21, 2012, Todd issued Perkins another Employee Warning Notice. The Notice indicates that Perkins failed to follow instructions because he "did not use platform" and violated company policies because he "did not take lunch period on route" and "left work at 2:30 p.m." Perkins did not sign this Notice. (Doc. 44, p. 23)
On September 25, 2012, Todd issued Perkins another Employee Warning Notice. The Notice indicates that Perkins
On September 26, 2012, Todd issued Perkins another Employee Warning Notice. The Notice indicates that Perkins failed to follow instructions because he "did not use platform" and violated company policies because he "did not take lunch period on route" and "left office at 2:30 p.m." Perkins did not sign this Notice. (Doc. 44, p. 26)
On September 27, 2012, Todd issued Perkins another Employee Warning Notice. The Notice indicates that Perkins failed to follow instructions because he "did not use platform" and violated company policies because he "did not take lunch period on route" and "left office at 2:30 p.m." Perkins did not sign this Notice. (Doc. 44, p. 27)
On September 28, 2012, Todd issued another Employee Warning Notice. The Notice indicates that he failed to follow instructions because he "did not use platform" and violated company policies because he "did not take lunch period during the period between 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m." and "left office at 2:30 p.m." Perkins did not sign this Notice. (Doc. 44, p. 28)
On October 1, 2012, Perkins filed a second Charge of Discrimination based on retaliation. Perkins stated as follows:
(Doc. 41-8)
On October 22, 2012, Perkins resigned from the District effective immediately. Perkins explained that he hoped to be with the company for many years but now felt that he was not welcome. Perkins wrote that the "policy changes to harass me solely have become burdensome. It is clear that the hostility and harassment will never cease and I am moving on." (Doc. 41-9)
Summary judgment should be granted "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a). If a party raises the assertion "that a fact cannot be or is genuinely disputed", the party must
Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(1)(A)(B).
The defendants, as the parties seeking summary judgment bear "the initial burden
Once the defendants have satisfied their responsibility, the burden shifts to Perkins, as the non-movant, to show the existence of a genuine issue of material fact. Id. "In reviewing whether the nonmoving party has met its burden, the court must stop short of weighing the evidence and making credibility determination of the truth of the matter. Instead, the evidence of the non-movant is to be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his favor." Tipton v. Bergrohr GMBH-Siegen, 965 F.2d 994, 999 (11th Cir.1992) (citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. 242, 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)); Adickes v. S.H. Kress & Co., 398 U.S. 144, 158-159, 90 S.Ct. 1598, 1608-1609, 26 L.Ed.2d 142 (1970). However, a "moving party is entitled to summary judgment if the nonmoving party has `failed to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of her case with respect to which she has the burden of proof'" In re Walker, 48 F.3d 1161, 1163 (11th Cir. 1995) (quoting Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S.Ct. at 2552). Overall, the Court must "resolve all issues of material fact in favor of the [non-movant], and then determine the legal question of whether the [movant] is entitled to judgment as a matter of law under that version of the facts." McDowell v. Brown, 392 F.3d 1283, 1288 (11th Cir.2004) (citing Durruthy v. Pastor, 351 F.3d 1080, 1084 (11th Cir.2003)).
However, the mere existence of any factual dispute will not automatically necessitate denial of a motion for summary judgment; rather, only factual disputes that are material preclude entry of summary judgment. Lofton v. Secretary of Dept. of Children and Family Services, 358 F.3d 804, 809 (11th Cir.2004). "An issue of fact is material if it is a legal element of the claim under the applicable substantive law which might affect the outcome of the case. It is genuine if the record taken as a whole could lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving party." Reeves v. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., 594 F.3d 798, 807 (11th Cir.2010) (citation omitted).
In the amended complaint, Perkins alleges as follows:
(Doc. 15, p. 1)
Perkins alleges that defendants violated his rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. However "both the Fourteenth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 provide a cause of action only against state governments and state actors." Shell v. HUD, 355 Fed. Appx. 300, 304 (11th Cir.2009); Griffin v.
Defendants move for summary judgment on basis that Perkins' "§ 1983 claims are inapplicable to these Defendants and due to be dismissed." (Doc. 39, p. 11)
Perkins did not allege in his complaint that the defendants were acting under color of state law but instead alleged only that the District was a "public utility". (Doc. 15) Moreover, since Perkins did not respond to this argument on summary judgment, he has presented no evidence or legal argument that supports his claim that the District or any other defendant was acting under color of state law. (Doc. 44) The Court finds that Perkins has abandoned his claims brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Therefore, defendants are entitled to summary judgment as to any claim or cause of action brought pursuant to § 1983.
Title VII provides that it is unlawful for an employer "to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin." 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(1). To be an "employer" within the meaning of Title VII, the District must "have fifteen or more employees for each working day in each of twenty or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year." 42 U.S.C.A. § 2000e(b).
Defendants argue that the District is not an employer as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(1) because it does not have the requisite number of employees. In support, the District provides Silver's affidavit as to the number of employees. Perkins did not respond to this argument. As plaintiff, he has the threshold burden to demonstrate that the District has the requisite number of employees. See Lyes v. City of Riviera Beach, 166 F.3d 1332, 1340-41 (11th Cir.1999). Therefore, the District is entitled to summary judgment as to any claim or cause of action based on Title VII because it does not have the requisite number of employees.
Perkins did not respond to defendants Silver, King and Todd's argument that as a matter of law, there is no individual liability under Title VII. The defendants are correct. Individual employees and board members are not subject to liability under Title VII. See Dearth v. Collins, 441 F.3d 931, 933 (11th Cir.2006); Tompkins v. Barker, 2011 WL 3583413, at *2 (M.D.Ala. July 26, 2011). Therefore, the individual defendants Silver, King and Todd are entitled to summary judgment as to any claim or cause of action based on Title VII.
Section 1981, states in relevant part, as follows:
42 U.S.C.A. § 1981.
Section § 1981 allows claims against employers with fewer that fifteen employees. Thomas v. Meister Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., 98 Fed.Appx. 508, 510 n. 1 (7th Cir.2004) (Section 1981 "does not set a limit on the minimum number of employees required to state a claim for employment discrimination."). Also, § 1981 allows claims against individual defendants. See, e.g., Shotz v. City of Plantation, Fla., 344 F.3d 1161, 1176 (11th Cir.2003). "[A] claim for individual liability under Section 1981 requires an affirmative showing linking the individual defendant with the discriminatory action.")
Ultimately, to "establish a violation of either Title VII or § 1981" Perkins "must show that a challenged action was the result of intentional discrimination on the part of the defendant[s]". Sirpal, 509 Fed.Appx. at 926 (citing Howard v. BP Oil Co., Inc., 32 F.3d 520, 524 n. 2 (11th Cir. 1994) and Elston v. Talladega Cnty. Bd. of Educ., 997 F.2d 1394, 1405-06 & n. 11 (11th Cir.1993)). Perkins "may use direct evidence or, in the absence of direct evidence, circumstantial evidence that satisfies the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework.[ ]" Sirpal, 509 Fed.Appx. at 926 (citing Standard v. A.B.E.L. Servs., Inc., 161 F.3d 1318, 1330-31 (11th Cir. 1998)) (footnote omitted).
Perkins has submitted no direct evidence of discrimination based on race, therefore, Perkins must support his claims with circumstantial evidence. In that regard, the Court applies the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework:
Sirpal, 509 Fed.Appx. at 927.
To establish his prima facie case of race discrimination, Perkins must show that he was a member of a protected class, that he was qualified for the position, and that he "was subjected to an adverse employment action in contrast with similarly situated employees outside the protected class." Barnett v. Athens Reg'l Med. Ctr. Inc., 550 Fed.Appx. 711, 713 (11th Cir.2013) (citing Wilson v. B/E Aerospace, Inc., 376 F.3d 1079, 1087 (11th Cir.
The parties do not dispute that Perkins was a member of a protected class or that he was qualified for his position. Defendants argue that Perkins is unable to show any adverse employment action and that he cannot point to any facts to show that the defendants treated him less favorably than similarly situated white co-workers.
In response, Perkins relies on the following to establish the required adverse job action: that he was written up by Todd in December 2011, that he was singled out by King for not signing the cell phone usage policy, that his time sheets were scrutinized by King and Silver
As to the December 2011 notice, the verbal reprimand before the Personnel Committee for failing to sign the cell phone policy, and the alleged scrutiny his time sheets received, a reasonable person could not view these actions as a "serious and material change in the terms, conditions, or privileges of his employment." This is because there is no evidence that any disciplinary action was taken against Perkins or that he was subjected to any tangible consequence. Davis, 245 F.3d at 1239 (emphasis in original) (finding that "negative job performance memoranda" did not constitute an "adverse employment action" where plaintiff did not receive a "tangible consequence from the memo, in the form of loss of pay or benefits or further discipline."); Barnett, 550 Fed. Appx. at 713. ("We have held that `memoranda of reprimand or counseling that amount to no more than a mere scolding, without following disciplinary action, do not rise to the level of adverse employment actions sufficient to satisfy the requirements of Title VII'"); Davis, 245 F.3d at 1242 (a discrimination claim "rarely may be predicated merely on employer's allegedly unfounded criticism of an employee's job performance, where that criticism has no tangible impact on the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. . . . [T]he protections of Title VII simply do not extend to everything that makes an employee unhappy.") (internal quotation marks and citation omitted); Embry v. Callahan Eye Found. Hosp., 147 Fed. Appx. 819, 828-829 (11th Cir.2005) ("On the other hand, Embry's allegation that Callahan did not equitably enforce its policy requiring employees not to eat during work hours involved the fact that Elkins reprimanded her in February 2002, in part because she violated this policy. However, similar to the facts in Davis, Embry failed to cite to evidence showing that this reprimand
In regard to changes in duties, Perkins alleges that in late December 2011, he gave King a list of meters that he thought needed to be dug out or raised. King and Manley looked at the meters and disagreed with Perkins as to the need. King then assigned the work to Perkins. Even if this work was not initially one of Perkins' job duties, there is no evidence that King's decision to re-assign this work to Perkins' was based on his race. Moreover, there is no evidence that this one time additional job duty resulted in a "serious and material change in the terms, conditions, or privileges of his employment" because the change did not affect Perkins' job status in that it was not a demotion, or change in job title, pay, or benefits. Davis, 245 F.3d at 1239 (emphasis in original).
In regard to changes in work hours, Perkins alleges that in May 2012, King told Perkins that he must work until 4:30 on regular workdays (non-meter reading days) and take a 30-minute lunch break. In September 2012, King, Silver and Todd signed a memorandum that formalized this change as to both Perkins and Manley and formalized a change to the hours for meter reading days. However, this change in work hours did not result in a "serious and material change in the terms, conditions, or privileges of his employment" because the change did not affect Perkins' job status in that it was not a demotion, or change in job title, pay, or benefits. Davis, 245 F.3d at 1239 (emphasis in original). Moreover, Perkins has not shown that a similarly situated employee outside his protected class was treated differently. Manley appears to be the employee most similarly situated to Perkins, but there is no evidence that he was treated more favorably concerning work hours.
The failure to give a raise would be an adverse employment action. Perkins states that he was not given a raise after he obtained the Water Operator's license on September 1, 2012. Perkins states that when he was hired he had been promised by the Board he would receive the raise once he received his license. In support of his argument, Perkins cites to Exhibit XIX which appears to be his hand-written notes stating "$18 once operator status achieved". (Doc. 44, p. 39) However, to establish a prima facie case on this claim, Perkins must show that a similarly situated employee outside his race was given a raise once an Operator's license was received. Perkins has presented no evidence that he was treated differently from a similarly situated employee, much less that it was based on his race. Perkins has only presented evidence that the Board did not keep its promise, but this alone does not establish a claim under Section 1981. Accordingly, defendants are due summary judgment on these claims.
Perkins alleges that "he faced numerous cases of harassment from supervisors and coworkers" and that an "environment of hostility was persistent." He also alleges that the harassment was racially motivated. (Doc. 15, p. 2, 4) Perkins hostile work environment appears to be based on the December 2011 notice, the enforcement of the cell phone policy, the change of work
Specifically, Perkins states that he was the only employee required to submit time sheets that denoted a thirty-minute lunch period and that only his time sheets were scrutinized. In support, Perkins provides one un-dated time sheet signed by Manley wherein Manley did not log a time for lunch but instead logged his hours as 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Doc. 44, p. 29, Manley's time sheet). Other than this, Perkins provides no evidence to support his assertion.
As to the cell phone policy enforcement, Perkins believed that no one else except Manley had signed the cell phone policy. The evidence shows otherwise. Perkins also believed that the policy was enforced only as to him as the only black employee, but was not enforced as to the white employees. As support, Perkins states that he saw other employees use their personal cell phones in the presence of Superintendent King but he took no action against them. However, Perkins has presented no evidence that he was accused of violating the policy or that any personnel action was taken against him in this regard. In other words, Perkins has not shown any actions regarding the enforcement of the cell phone policy that could be considered harassment of any kind, much less based on race, against Perkins.
As to the December 2011 write-up, Perkins believed that Todd was trying to get him fired by "stuffing [his] personnel file with bogus write up sheets." (Doc. 44, p. 14-16) The write-ups that occurred in September 2012 were primarily for failing to abide by the new policy on work hours. Perkins does not contend that the write-ups were not accurate, rather he contends that he should not have had to abide by the work hour policy and take lunch. Moreover, there is no evidence that the new work hours were only applied to Perkins. An across the board enforcement of work hours can hardly be considered harassment.
The District is liable to Perkins for a racially hostile work environment if he proves that:
Jones v. UPS Ground Freight, 683 F.3d 1283, 1292 (11th Cir.2012); Bryant v. Jones, 575 F.3d 1281, 1296 (11th Cir.2009) (quotation marks omitted).
The question of whether the harassment was so severe or pervasive as to alter the terms and conditions of Perkins' employment with the District requires both a subjective and an objective component. Hooks v. Bank of Am., 183 Fed.Appx. 833, 836 (11th Cir.2006) (citing Mendoza v. Borden, Inc., 195 F.3d 1238, 1246 (11th Cir.1999)); Miller v. Kenworth of Dothan, Inc., 277 F.3d 1269, 1276 (11th Cir.2002). "Thus, to satisfy this element, [Perkins] must show that [he] subjectively perceived the harassment as severe and pervasive enough to change the terms or conditions of employment and present facts sufficient for the district court to find that this perception was objectively reasonable." Hooks, 183 Fed.Appx. at 836. (italics in original) "In making this objective determination, the following factors should be considered: `(1) the frequency of the conduct; (2) the severity of the conduct; (3) whether the conduct is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive
The Court finds that the incidents relied upon by Perkins are not sufficiently severe enough or pervasive enough to satisfy the "objective component of the fourth element" of Perkins' prima facie case. Id. at 837. (finding Hooks did not establish the objective component of the fourth element by relying upon the same incidents underlying her discrimination claim because those "incidents were not frequent, severe, or physically threatening, and Hooks admitted that none of those incidents interfered with her job"). Because Perkins has failed to make his prima facie case of hostile work environment based on race, the defendants are entitled to summary judgment as to this claim.
Perkins alleged that King was "the supervisor who made the initial discriminatory discharge" and that "the discharge decision was finally made by" the District's Board. (Doc. 15, p. 1) Perkins alleges that he "eventually resigned". (Id., p. 4)
Defendants assert that the amended complaint does not state a claim for constructive discharge. However, they argue that should the Court construe such a claim, Perkins' working environment and conditions were not so intolerable that a reasonable person would have felt compelled to resign. They also argue that if an employer is not given time to remedy a situation, there is no constructive discharge. (Doc. 39, p. 22-23)
"A constructive discharge qualifies as an adverse employment action." Menzie v. Ann Taylor Retail Inc., 549 Fed.Appx. 891, 894 (11th Cir.2013) (citation omitted). "To establish a constructive discharge, a plaintiff must show that `working conditions were so intolerable that a reasonable person in her position would have been compelled to resign.'" Id. at 894-895 (citation omitted). "This objective standard sets a high threshold; it requires a plaintiff to show harassment that is more severe or pervasive than the minimum level required to establish a hostile working environment." Id. at 895 (citing Hipp v. Liberty Nat'l Life Ins. Co., 252 F.3d 1208, 1231 (11th Cir.2001)); Bryant, 575 F.3d at 1298. ("Establishing a constructive discharge claim is a more onerous task than establishing a hostile work environment claim"). Thus, the Eleventh Circuit has "`required pervasive conduct by employers before finding that . . . a constructive discharge occurred.'" Id. at 895 (citing Hipp, 252 F.3d at 1231). Because constructive discharge requires a higher threshold than hostile work environment, the defendants are entitled to summary judgment as to any claim for constructive discharge.
In his amended complaint, Perkins alleged that the harassment increased when the District received his first Charge of Discrimination filed in August 2012. In an effort to broadly construe Perkins' claim of retaliation, the Court looks to his EEOC Charge of Discrimination in which Perkins stated as follows:
(Doc. 41-8) Giving Perkins' response a very liberal construction, he identifies the retaliatory actions as the September 2012 written Notices from Todd, which were primarily based on Perkins' failure to abide by the set work hours.
Filing an EEOC charge is a protected activity and Section 1981 prohibits retaliation against Perkins for filing an EEOC charge of discrimination. CBOCS West, Inc. v. Humphries, 553 U.S. 442, 457, 128 S.Ct. 1951, 1961, 170 L.Ed.2d 864 (2008). Retaliation claims brought pursuant to Section 1981 are analyzed the same as Title VII retaliation claims. Barnett, 550 Fed.Appx. at 714; Anyanwu v. Brumos Motor Cars, Inc., 496 Fed.Appx. 943, 945-46 (11th Cir.2012) (citing Standard, 161 F.3d at 1330.) ("Racial discrimination and retaliation claims are cognizable under both Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and they `have the same requirements of proof and use the same analytical framework.'").
Perkins has not alleged any direct evidence of retaliation based on race. Where there is no direct evidence, the McDonnell Douglas analytical framework for evaluating circumstantial evidence applies. Bryant, 575 F.3d at 1307. "Under this framework, a plaintiff alleging retaliation must first establish a prima facie case by showing that: (1) he engaged in a statutorily protected activity; (2) he suffered an adverse employment action; and (3) he established a causal link between the protected activity and the adverse action." Id. at 1307-08. An adverse employment action in the retaliation context is an act that would "dissuade a reasonable worker from making or supporting a charge of discrimination." Burlington N. & Santa Fe Ry. v. White, 548 U.S. 53, 64, 126 S.Ct. 2405, 2415, 165 L.Ed.2d 345 (2006). Thus, it is not limited to retaliatory actions that affect the terms and conditions of employment. Id. at 68, 126 S.Ct. at 2412-2413. However, the "materiality of the alleged adverse action is judged by an objective standard." Foshee v. Ascension Health-IS, Inc., 384 Fed.Appx. 890, 892 (11th Cir.2010).
If Perkins makes his "prima facie case of retaliation, the burden of production shifts" to the defendants "to rebut the presumption by articulating a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the adverse employment action." Bryant, 575 F.3d at 1308. If they carry this burden of production, the burden shifts to Perkins to demonstrate that the defendants' proffered reason was a pretext for discrimination and that the plaintiff's protected activity was the "but-for" cause of the adverse action. Mealing v. Georgia Dept. of Juvenile Justice, 564 Fed.Appx. 421, 427, 2014 WL 1613206, *5 (11th Cir. Apr. 23, 2014) (citing Univ. of Tex. Sw. Med. Ctr. v. Nassar, 570 U.S. ___, ___, 133 S.Ct. 2517, 2534, 186 L.Ed.2d 503 (2013) (holding that the plaintiff must demonstrate that his protected activity was the "but-for" cause of the adverse employment decision)); see also Perry v. Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Bd., 973 F.Supp.2d 1263, 1295-96 (M.D.Ala.2013) ("Recently, the Supreme Court has declared that the ultimate issue is whether the retaliation would not have occurred but for the protected conduct" and that "[e]ven if any of the alleged discrete actions of retaliation were sufficient to make out a prima facie case, they would not survive the `but-for' test" based on the Supreme Court's clarification that the "level of causation" requires plaintiffs to show that the adverse employment action "would not have occurred
Assuming for purpose of retaliation only, that Perkins has made his prima facie case, he has failed to show that the written Notices would not have issued "but for" his protected activity. Review of the written Notices indicates that Perkins was late two mornings, did not use the "reader's platform", and did not take his lunch break while on the meter reading route but instead left work at 2:30 p.m. (Doc. 44, p. 22-28) Perkins does not dispute that he committed the actions noted in the write-ups. He also does not dispute that his supervisors Todd and King and Board Chair Silver changed his hours and gave him notice of this change. Instead, he quibbles with their authority to change his hours. Since Perkins violated the specific terms of employment applicable to both Manley and him, Perkins has failed to establish that the written Notices would not have occurred but for his filing the EEOC in August 2012. Mealing, 564 Fed. Appx. at 428-29, 2014 WL 1613206, *7 (applying the "but for" analysis at the final step of the McDonnell Douglas analysis). Because Perkins has failed to establish that "but for" filing the EEOC charge, he would not have received these written Notices, the defendants are entitled to summary judgment as to this claim for retaliation.
Additionally, the McDonnell-Douglas "framework is not, and never was intended to be, the sine qua non for a plaintiff to survive a summary judgment motion in an employment discrimination case." Smith v. Lockheed-Martin Corp., 644 F.3d 1321, 1328 (11th Cir.2011). Thus Perkins' claims may proceed to trial "if the record, viewed in a light most favorable to [him], presents `a convincing mosaic of circumstantial evidence that would allow a jury to infer intentional discrimination by the decisionmaker.'" Id. (internal citations and footnote omitted); see also Chapter 7 Trustee v. Gate Gourmet, Inc., 683 F.3d 1249, 1255-56 (11th Cir.2012) (applying Smith in holding that an employee "d[id] not have to use the McDonnell-Douglas framework to survive summary judgment because the record contain[ed] enough non-comparator evidence for a jury to reasonably infer that [her supervisor] discriminated against [her] because she was pregnant").
An overall review of the facts, viewed in the light most favorable to Perkins shows that he has failed to present sufficient evidence to create a convincing mosaic of circumstantial evidence from which a jury could reasonably infer that defendants discriminated on basis of race or retaliated against Perkins for filing the EEOC charges.
Upon consideration of the evidence and for the reasons set forth herein, the Court finds that the individual defendants and the District are entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See McDowell v. Brown, 392 F.3d 1283, 1288 (11th Cir.2004) (having resolved all issues of material fact in favor of the non-movant, the court must "then determine the legal question of whether the [movant] is entitled to judgment as a matter of law under that version of the facts.") (citation omitted). Accordingly, the motion for summary judgment is
Additionally, an exception to the hearsay rule may apply. Federal Rule of Evidence 801(d)(2)(D) explains that an opponent's statement is not hearsay if the statement is offered against an opposing party and the statement "was made by the party's agent or employee on a matter within the scope of that relationship and while it existed[.]" Fed. R.Evid. 801(d)(2)(D); Fed.R.Civ.P. Rule 56(c)(2) (stating that a proper objection would be that "a fact cannot be presented in a form that would be admissible in evidence").
