LAMBERT, Judge:
Jennie Miller has appealed from the opinion of the Jefferson Circuit Court affirming the decision of the Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Commission (the Commission) to deny her application for unemployment benefits. Finding no error in the procedures followed or in the ultimate decision, we affirm.
Miller began working for Cumberland Brews in February 2007, and at the time she left her employment on July 24, 2010, she was the front house manager. Her duties included serving, bartending, closing and cleaning responsibilities, and managing the restaurant and staff. She contended that she took a leave of absence due to her pregnancy, and she was unable to work for six to eight weeks after giving birth. Miller had her baby on September 2, 2010, and when she was ready to return to work in October, Miller was informed that there were no positions available and that her job would not be available until spring.
Miller filed an application for unemployment benefits on October 24, 2010. In the employer's statement, Cumberland Brews, through owner Mark Allgeier, noted that the reason for separation was Miller's resignation. He indicated that Miller worked from February 2, 2007, through July 24, 2010. In a letter attached to the employer's statement, Mr. Allgeier stated that he had offered Miller a leave of absence, but that she told him she was going to find a different job with more stable income after having her baby. He indicated that Miller had been granted an eight-week leave of absence in the past to study yoga in South America. In a separate letter, General Manager Molly Robison stated that Miller told her that she did not plan on returning to work at Cumberland Brews after she had her baby. Another letter from Assistant Manager Von Price indicated that Miller told her that she was not planning to return to her position after the birth of her baby, but was planning to get a new job with more reliable income.
In a notice of determination mailed December 10, 2010, the Division of Unemployment Insurance ruled that Miller was not eligible to receive benefits because she voluntarily quit without good cause attributable to her employment, citing Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 341.370(1)(c). Miller appealed the notice of determination,
The referee held a hearing on January 31, 2011. Cumberland Brews did not appear. The referee entered a decision on February 10, 2011, in which he reversed the determination and found that Cumberland Brews initiated Miller's discharge and that the discharge was not for misconduct. The referee stated that Cumberland Brews failed to present any evidence to establish that Miller had committed any misconduct. Therefore, Miller was qualified to receive unemployment benefits.
On February 22, 2011, Cumberland Brews filed an appeal from the referee's decision. In its appeal, Cumberland Brews stated that it had not received notice of the January 31, 2011, hearing and also disputed the referee's findings. It included an affidavit from Mr. Allgeier related to the lack of notice of the hearing. Mr. Allgeier also indicated he wanted the opportunity to participate in a rehearing. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the appeal, and stated:
The acknowledgement also permitted the parties to submit written summary statements or briefs.
Cumberland Brews filed a brief and argued that its due process rights were violated when it did not receive notice of the hearing and that it could demonstrate a meritorious defense to Miller's claim. It then indicated what evidence it would have presented at the hearing, had it been able to attend, related to the circumstances of Miller leaving her employment. Miller filed a responsive brief, disputing the issues raised by Cumberland Brews. She argued that Cumberland Brews' appeal was untimely filed, since it should have sought a rehearing by February 17, 2011, but did not file its appeal until February 22, 2011, citing 787 Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR) 1:110 Section 4(5). Miller also argued that Cumberland Brews failed to show good cause for failing to appear at the hearing and that it was afforded due process because the notice was issued in compliance with the Commission's policies and procedures. In reply, Cumberland Brews asserted that it had timely and properly filed its notice of appeal.
By order mailed March 16, 2011, the Commission remanded the case back to the Appeals Branch referee for an additional hearing. The order provided, in relevant part:
The additional hearing was held on May 9, 2011, after which the case returned to the Commission for a decision. Based upon the evidence presented at the hearing, the Commission reversed the referee's decision, finding that Miller initiated the separation from her employment without good cause attributable to her employment. The Commission found that Miller did not follow the protocol for requesting maternity leave because "she did not intend to return to the work following child birth[.]" The Commission did not find credible or plausible Miller's assertion that "she could simply begin a leave period without approval and return to work, at her sole discretion, anytime she desired and was physically capable[.]" It went on to state:
On June 17, 2011, Miller filed a verified petition for judicial review and complaint in Jefferson Circuit Court pursuant to KRS 341.450(1) and 452.460(1). Miller named as defendants the Commission; Allgeier Brewing Co., Inc., d/b/a Cumberland Brews; Mark Allgeier; Molly Robison; and Patricia Allgeier as defendants. She requested judicial review of the Commission's order reversing the referee's decision based upon the violation of its regulations and because it was arbitrary; fraud
The Commission moved the circuit court to sever the case into separate actions, which it granted by order entered December 19, 2011, thereby severing Miller's petition for judicial review of the Commission's decision from the remaining claims. The parties filed briefs related to the unemployment issue. Miller argued that the Commission exceeded its authority in reopening the hearing process, that it failed to address the notice issue on appeal, and that its determination that Miller voluntarily left her employment was not supported by substantial evidence. In its responsive brief, the Commission argued that its findings of fact were supported by substantial evidence and that it did not act outside of its regulations. Cumberland Brews argued that the Commission acted within its discretion in remanding the case for a supplemental hearing and that its order was proper.
On June 22, 2012, the circuit court entered an opinion and order affirming, holding that the Commission's action in reopening the evidence was within its discretion, that the Commission did not have to determine that Cumberland Brews' due process rights were violated in order to obtain additional evidence, and that substantial evidence supported the Commission's decision that Miller voluntarily resigned without good cause attributable to her employment. This appeal now follows.
On appeal, Miller continues to argue that the Commission exceeded its authority in reopening the hearing process and that the Commission's determination that she voluntarily left her employment was not supported by substantial evidence. Both the Commission and Cumberland Brews have filed responsive briefs disputing Miller's arguments.
Our standard of review in administrative appeals is well-settled in the Commonwealth:
Kentucky Unemployment Ins. Com'n v. Cecil, 381 S.W.3d 238, 245-46 (Ky.2012). "A court's function in administrative matters is one of review, not reinterpretation." Thompson v. Kentucky Unemployment Ins. Com'n, 85 S.W.3d 621, 624 (Ky.App. 2002) (footnote omitted).
Miller's first argument addresses her procedural challenges to the Commission's decision to reopen the hearing process. Generally, the process for obtaining unemployment benefits is as follows:
Burch v. Taylor Drug Store, Inc., 965 S.W.2d 830, 834 (Ky.App.1998), abrogated on other grounds by Kentucky Unemployment Ins. Com'n v. Cecil, 381 S.W.3d 238 (Ky.2012).
In the present case, Miller contends that because Cumberland Brews failed to attend the first referee hearing, it was subject to 787 KAR 1:110 Section 4:
Because Cumberland Brews did not request a rehearing within seven days of the hearing date, Miller contends that the Commission exceeded its authority in ordering a rehearing. Miller also contends that Cumberland Brews had adequate notice of the first hearing and did not show any good cause for missing the hearing, and that the Commission failed to make any findings or provide any reasoning to support its decision to grant a second hearing.
Here, Cumberland Brews did not request a rehearing, but rather filed an appeal. As both the Commission and Cumberland Brews argue, and as recognized by this Court in Burch, supra, KRS 341.430(1) permits the Commission to direct the taking; of additional evidence at its discretion:
The regulations echo this statute. 787 KAR 1:110 Section 2(2)(b)1. provides that "[t]he commission may direct the taking of additional evidence before it, if needed, in order to determine the appeal." 787 KAR 1:110 Section 2(2)(c)1. provides that "[t]he commission may return any case or issue to a referee for the taking of additional evidence." Accordingly, the Commission was well within its discretion and in compliance with KRS 341.430(1) and 787 KAR 1:110 Section 2(2)(c)1. in returning Miller's case to the referee to take additional evidence. The Commission was not required to address whether Cumberland Brews was afforded due process regarding notice or whether it had good cause for missing the first hearing. Therefore, we find no merit in any of Miller's arguments related to her procedural challenges.
For her second argument, Miller asserts that the Commission's determination that she voluntarily left her employment is not supported by substantial evidence. She argues that the Commission's determination is supported only by inadmissible hearsay and innuendo from witnesses who were not privy to her conversation with Cumberland Brews' general manager. The Commission and Cumberland Brews have both argued that the decision was based upon substantial evidence of record and should therefore be upheld.
Miller specifically argues that the evidence related to Ms. Robison cannot support the Commission's determination. Because Ms. Robison did not appear to
Both the Commission and Cumberland Brews dispute Miller's statement of the law. The Commission points out that Haste holds as follows:
Haste, 673 S.W.2d at 740-41. It further points out that 787 KAR 1:110 Section 4(4)(a) provides that "[a]ll hearings shall be conducted informally without regard to common law, statutory or technical rules, or procedure and in a manner as to determine the substantial rights of the parties." KRS 13B.090(1), in turn, provides:
The residuum rule was further described by this Court in Drummond v. Todd County Board of Education, 349 S.W.3d 316, 321 (Ky.App.2011):
In the present case, there is evidence other than the affidavit of Ms. Robison to support the Commission's finding that Miller voluntarily left her employment, including the testimony of Mr. Allgeier and other employees.
This case certainly represents a credibility contest between Miller and Cumberland Brews. In addition to Cecil's discussion of our method of review in administrative appeals, we have considered the statement of the law in Thompson v. Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Commission, 85 S.W.3d 621, 624 (Ky. App.2002):
While we do not have the transcript or recording of the second hearing, we have reviewed the documentary evidence presented, and we must hold that substantial evidence supports the Commission's finding that Miller voluntarily left her employment. Because this finding is supported by substantial evidence, neither the circuit court nor this Court is permitted to substitute its judgment for the findings below. Therefore, we must uphold the findings and conclusion that Miller voluntarily left her employment.
For the foregoing reasons, the Jefferson Circuit Court's opinion and order upholding the Commission's decision is affirmed.
MAZE, Judge, concurs and files separate opinion.
MAZE, JUDGE, CONCURRING:
I fully concur with the reasoning and the result of the majority opinion, but I write separately to add an additional point. Based on 787 KAR 1:110 Section 4(5), Miller argues that Cumberland Brews failed to file a timely motion to reopen the referee hearing, and consequently the Commission did not have the authority to order a new hearing. At first blush, the argument seems logical: if a party fails to attend a hearing, then the regulation allows seven days for that party to file a motion to reopen. If a party fails to file a motion within the required time, that party should not be allowed a "second bite at the apple," and obtain a new hearing during the course of the appeal to the Commission.
However, this interpretation, while reasonable, is not consistent with the statutory and regulatory scheme for unemployment insurance actions. First, the regulation at issue sets out "General Rules for Referee and Commission Appeals." 787 KAR 110 Section 4. This section sets out procedural rules for the referee and the Commission, including provisions for the issuance of subpoenas; maintenance of the appeal record; furnishing of information from the records of the Division of Unemployment Insurance; conduct of hearings; and creation, retention and destruction of recordings. Among these provisions, subsection (5) establishes a procedural mechanism for reopening hearings when a party has failed to appear. This subsection merely allows the referee (or the Commission) to reopen hearings under the specified circumstances. But when viewed in context with the accompanying provisions, this subsection does not purport to limit the scope of issues which may be raised on appeal.
Rather, appeals from the referee to the Commission are governed separately. A party to a referee determination must file an appeal to the Commission within fifteen days or the referee's determination will become final. KRS 341.420(4). But, if an appeal is filed within that time, the Commission has broad authority to "affirm, modify, or set aside any decision of a referee on the basis of the evidence previously submitted in such case, or direct the taking of additional evidence...." KRS 341.430(1). As the majority points out, 787 KAR 1:110 Section 2(2)(c) echoes the statutory language and specifically authorizes the Commission to remand the matter to the referee for the taking of additional evidence.
In this case, Cumberland Brews did not file a motion with the referee to reopen the hearing based on its alleged lack of notice. Rather, Cumberland Brews filed a timely appeal to the Commission from the referee's decision. The Commission did not directly address Cumberland Brews' claim that it failed to receive notice of the referee hearing, but nevertheless chose to remand the matter for a new hearing. That decision was within the Commission's statutory and regulatory authority. Thus, this Court can only set aside that decision if it is arbitrary or characterized by abuse of discretion. Burch v. Taylor Drug Store, 965 S.W.2d 830, 834 (Ky.App.1998), citing American Beauty Homes Corp. v. Louisville and Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission, 379 S.W.2d 450, 456 (Ky.1964). Although I do not necessarily endorse the Commission's decision to order remand under the circumstances presented in this case, I must agree with the majority that the Commission did not abuse its discretion in doing so. Therefore,