O'TOOLE, District Judge.
The magistrate judge to whom this matter was referred has filed a Report and Recommendation (dkt. no. 31) with respect to the motion to dismiss filed by one defendant, athenahealth, Inc. (dkt. no. 10). I have reviewed the relevant pleadings, the parties' motion papers, supporting documentation, the Report and Recommendation itself, and the subsequent objections. I concur with the magistrate judge's conclusion that the plaintiff has failed to state a plausible claim of discrimination against athenahealth and that, consequently, the complaint should be dismissed.
I also agree with the magistrate's conclusion that the dismissal should be without prejudice so as to provide the plaintiff with the opportunity to amend his complaint. In his objection to the Report and Recommendation, the plaintiff references Mr. Costa's practices regarding the selection of supervisors, a list of previously-selected supervisors, and a witness which may have information material to the plaintiff's claims of discrimination. In light of the plaintiff's possible allegations and in accordance with the magistrate's recommendation, it is not clear that amendment would be futile. See Adorno v. Crowley Towing & Transp. Co., 443 F.3d 122, 126 (1st Cir.2006).
I do not adopt the magistrate judge's conclusion that an argument raised by athenahealth in a footnote should be deemed waived. If appropriate, that issue may be raised with respect to any future amended complaint.
Accordingly, I ADOPT the recommendation of the magistrate judge. The defendant's Motion to Dismiss (dkt. no. 10) is GRANTED and the complaint is dismissed without prejudice as to athenahealth. The plaintiff shall file an Amended Complaint within thirty-five (35) days. Failure to do so will result in dismissal of this action against athenahealth.
It is SO ORDERED.
DEIN, United States Magistrate Judge.
Plaintiff Alfred Araujo ("Araujo") has brought this action pro se against his employer, DTZ-UGL Unicco ("DTZ"), and athenahealth, Inc. ("athenahealth"), claiming that the defendants discriminated against him on the basis of his race when he was employed as a cleaning and maintenance supervisor at the Arsenal on the Charles property in Watertown, Massachusetts. Specifically, Araujo, who is from the Dominican Republic, claims that DTZ decided to transfer him from the Watertown property to a less desirable location in Chelsea, Massachusetts because a manager at athenahealth did not like the color of his skin. Although the plaintiff has not alleged any specific causes of action in his Verified Complaint, it is undisputed that he is attempting to assert claims against the defendants under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq. ("Title VII") and/or Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151B ("Chapter 151B").
The matter is presently before the court on "athenahealth, Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss" (Docket No. 10), by which athenahealth is seeking the dismissal of Araujo's claims against it, with prejudice, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). The defendant contends that dismissal is warranted because the plaintiff failed to file a timely charge of discrimination against it with either the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") or the Massachusetts
When ruling on a motion to dismiss brought under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6), the court must accept as true all wellpleaded facts, and give the plaintiff the benefit of all reasonable inferences. See Cooperman v. Individual, Inc., 171 F.3d 43, 46 (1st Cir.1999). Where, as here, the plaintiff is proceeding pro se, the court must construe his allegations liberally. See Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106, 97 S.Ct. 285, 292, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976) (a pro se complaint, however inartfully pleaded, must be liberally construed). "Ordinarily, a court may not consider any documents that are outside of the complaint, or not expressly incorporated therein, unless the motion is converted into one for summary judgment." Alt. Energy, Inc. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 267 F.3d 30, 33 (1st Cir.2001). "There is, however, a narrow exception `for documents the authenticity of which are not disputed by the parties; for official public records; for documents central to plaintiffs' claim; or for documents sufficiently referred to in the complaint.'" Id. (quoting Watterson v. Page, 987 F.2d 1, 3 (1st Cir.1993)).
The plaintiff, Araujo, is an employee of DTZ, a company that provides cleaning
Araujo claims that Lou Amaral ("Amaral"), the Director of Operations at DTZ, and Antonio Costa ("Costa"),
Araujo alleges that during his employment at Arsenal on the Charles, he was one of three supervisors who were responsible for cleaning and maintenance at the site. (Id. ¶ 3). The other supervisors were Hector Flores, who was responsible for approximately 70,000 square feet of space that was occupied by Harvard University, and Vital DaSilva, who was responsible for approximately 120,000 square feet of space that was occupied by athenahealth. (Id.). Araujo claims that he had responsibility for the remaining portions of the property, which included over 700,000 square feet of space. (Id.).
The record indicates that the plaintiff valued the job in Watertown, not only because it provided him with a supervisory role, but also because it afforded him certain benefits. In particular, it enabled him to obtain a scholarship from Harvard University in order to study computer science and English as a second language. (Compl. Ex. at 28). It also enabled him to obtain health insurance, which was vital to Araujo because he suffers from diabetes. (Compl. ¶ 5(P)). Additionally, the record shows that other members of the plaintiff's family were working at Arsenal on the Charles at the time Araujo was employed there. (Id. ¶ 5(Q); Compl. Ex. at 62). Thus, it appears that it was convenient for him to remain at that location.
Although the plaintiff was not responsible for any of the cleaning or maintenance work that was performed at athenahealth, and had no relationship with that defendant, he claims that Costa, athenahealth's Office Manager, repeatedly expressed hostility toward him. (See Compl. ¶¶ 5(D), 9-10; Compl. Ex. at 32). For example, Araujo asserts that in September 2010, Costa requested that the plaintiff return his access card to athenahealth's facility. (Compl. Ex. at 18, 32). Because he was not required to perform work for athenahealth, and had already given up access to the defendant's premises, Araujo "did not pay much attention to the matter" and did
On March 3, 2011, Araujo allegedly learned that Amaral, DTZ's Director of Operations, was having him transferred to another property where he would be demoted to the position of day-porter and be required to switch his work schedule. (Id. at 28). Araujo believed that such a move would jeopardize his academic scholarship and force him to drop out of school. (Id.). Accordingly, he contacted his supervisor and expressed his objection to the transfer. (See id.).
Subsequently, on or about March 4, 2011, Araujo was asked to attend a meeting with Amaral. (Id. at 28, 32). During the meeting Amaral allegedly spoke to the plaintiff in a threatening manner and informed him that DTZ would be transferring him to another property. (Id.). Araujo claims that when he asked Amaral to explain the reason for the transfer, Amaral told him that Costa and athenahealth did not want him to remain at Arsenal on the Charles. (Id.). Although there is no indication that Amaral provided any further explanation for the decision to have Araujo transferred or for Costa's objection to the plaintiff's presence at the property, Araujo contends that the defendants' actions were based on his skin color. Thus, in an email dated March 7, 2011 and directed to Jonathan Bush, the President and CEO of athenahealth, the plaintiff complained about Costa's alleged role in the decision to have him transferred, and he stated in pertinent part as follows:
(Id. at 32; see also Compl. ¶ 10). However, Araujo has not alleged any specific facts describing the basis for his belief that Costa was motivated by the plaintiff's skin color or that his actions were discriminatory.
The record indicates that Araujo remained employed at Arsenal on the Charles for nearly six additional months after his discussion with Amaral. (See Compl. ¶¶ 5(I), 5(K)). Then, on August 29, 2011, he was summoned to a meeting at which Roberta Newcomb, a DTZ representative, allegedly informed him that he was being transferred to a facility in Chelsea, Massachusetts, effective immediately. (Id.). According to Araujo, Ms. Newcomb also told him that he was no longer allowed to step foot on the Arsenal on the Charles property, and that any belongings he had left there would be picked up by another DTZ employee. (Id. ¶ 5(K)). In a letter dated August 29, 2011, Alex Pena, DTZ's Area Manager, confirmed the company's decision to transfer the plaintiff to Chelsea as follows:
(Compl. Ex. at 4). Although DTZ attributed its decision to "operational needs," Araujo contends, based on his communications with Amaral and Ms. Newcomb, that DTZ's decision to reassign him to Chelsea was really attributable to Costa's desire to have the plaintiff removed from the Watertown site. (See Compl. Ex. at 62).
Araujo alleges that he had never received a complaint regarding his work prior to the events surrounding his transfer, and that his expulsion from the property was both inappropriate and illegal. (Compl. ¶¶ 5(L), 8). Consequently, on September 9, 2011, eleven days after the effective date of the transfer, the plaintiff filed a charge of discrimination with the MCAD in which he claimed that DTZ and athenahealth had discriminated against him on the basis of his race, in violation of Title VII and Chapter 151B, § 4(1). (Def. Ex. 1 at 1). In describing the basis for his charge, Araujo stated in relevant part as follows:
(Id.). By his complaint in the instant action, Araujo also claims that the defendants discriminated against him on the basis of his skin color. (See Compl. at Closing Argument).
Additional factual details relevant to this court's analysis are set forth below where appropriate.
Motions to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) test the sufficiency of the pleadings. Thus, when confronted with a motion to dismiss, the court accepts as true all well-pleaded facts and draws all reasonable inferences in favor of the plaintiff. Cooperman, 171 F.3d at 46. Dismissal is only appropriate if the complaint, so viewed, fails to allege a "plausible entitlement to relief." Rodriguez-Ortiz v. Margo Caribe, Inc., 490 F.3d 92, 95 (1st Cir.2007) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 559, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 1967, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007)).
"The plausibility inquiry necessitates a two-step pavane." Garcia-Catalan v. United States, 734 F.3d 100, 103 (1st Cir.2013). "First, the court must distinguish `the complaint's factual allegations (which must be accepted as true) from its conclusory legal allegations (which need not be credited).'" Id. (quoting Morales-Cruz v. Univ. of P.R., 676 F.3d 220, 224 (1st Cir.2012)). "Second, the court must determine whether the factual allegations are sufficient to support `the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.'" Id. (quoting
athenahealth argues, as an initial matter, that Araujo's claims under both Title VII and Chapter 151B must be dismissed because the plaintiff failed to file his MCAD charge within the applicable limitations period. (See Def. Mot. at 7-9). For the reasons that follow, this court finds that the plaintiffs charge was timely.
Pursuant to Title VII, an aggrieved individual must file a charge "with a State or local agency ... within three hundred days after the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred[.]" 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)(1). See also Thomas v. Eastman Kodak Co., 183 F.3d 38, 47 (1st Cir.1999) (explaining that in Massachusetts, Title VII requires the filing of a charge with the EEOC within 300 days following the occurrence of the alleged unlawful employment practice). Similarly, under Chapter 151B, "[t]he applicable limitations period for filing an administrative complaint is 300 days" following "the act of discrimination" alleged by the plaintiff. Navarro v. U.S. Tsubaki, Inc., 577 F.Supp.2d 487, 504 (D.Mass.2008) (quotations and citation omitted). See also Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151B, § 5 ("Any complaint filed pursuant to this section must be so filed within 300 days after the alleged act of discrimination"). In the instant case, the record establishes that Araujo filed a charge of discrimination with the MCAD on September 9, 2011, only 189 days after he first learned of DTZ's intention to transfer him away from the Arsenal on the Charles property and 11 days after the effective date of his transfer from Watertown to Chelsea. (See Def. Ex. 1 at 1; Compl. Ex. at 28; Compl. ¶¶ 5(I), 5(K)). Therefore, his administrative charge was filed well within the requisite time period.
The defendant argues that "the only adverse event that has any plausible connection to athenahealth occurred no later than September 2010, when, at athenahealth's request, Plaintiff was required to return his access card for the athenahealth premises." (Def. Mot. at 8). It further reasons that because Araujo did not file his administrative charge until September of the following year, "his claim under both the federal and state statutes is time-barred." (Id.). If, as athenahealth contends, the plaintiff's claims were based on the incident involving the access card, this court agrees that they would be barred as untimely. However, the record indicates that his claims against athenahealth are based not on Costa's alleged request for the return of the access card, but rather on Costa's involvement in the decision to transfer Araujo from the Watertown property. Thus, in his complaint, Araujo repeatedly complains about Costa's alleged
The defendant's assertion that the plaintiff has not alleged sufficient facts to link athenahealth to his transfer away from the Watertown premises is also unpersuasive. As described above, both the complaint and Araujo's MCAD charge contain allegations attributing DTZ's decision to transfer the plaintiff to Costa's efforts to have him removed from the property. In addition, the documents attached to the complaint indicate that the plaintiff believed that DTZ was acting at Costa's request when it decided to assign the plaintiff to an alternative location. (See, e.g., Compl. Ex. at 28, 32, 62). The fact that six months elapsed between the time Amaral informed Araujo that Costa did not want him to remain at the property and the time when DTZ effectuated the transfer does not undermine the plaintiff's claim that Costa was instrumental in the adverse employment action. At this stage in the litigation, Araujo's assertion that Costa "made it his mission to get [him] out of the property[,]" as well his allegation that he was transferred because athenahealth determined that it "did not want [him] as the supervisor" at Arsenal on the Charles is adequate to support a plausible link between athenahealth and the allegedly unlawful conduct. (See Compl. ¶ 8; Compl. Ex. at 32).
In short, the record shows that Araujo filed his MCAD charge within 300 days of the relevant conduct, as required under both Title VII and Chapter 151B. Therefore, athenahealth is not entitled to dismissal based on his failure to file a timely administrative charge.
In his charge filed with the MCAD, Araujo alleged that he had been discriminated against "in violation of M.G.L. c. 151B Section 4 Paragraph 1 and Title VII." (Def. Ex. 1 at 1). athenahealth argues that Araujo cannot maintain a claim against it under either Chapter 151B, § 4(1) or Title VII because he has not alleged, and could not allege, that he was an employee of athenahealth. (Def. Mot. at 9-10). This court agrees, and finds that any such claims must be dismissed.
42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a) (emphasis added). "One of Congress' objectives in enacting Title VII was `to achieve equality of employment opportunities. . . .'" Adcock v. Chrysler Corp., 166 F.3d 1290, 1292 (9th Cir.1999) (quoting Griggs v. Duke Power Co., 401 U.S. 424, 429, 91 S.Ct. 849, 28 L.Ed.2d 158 (1971)). "Consequently, there must be some connection with an employment relationship for Title VII protections to apply." Id. (quoting Lutcher v. Musicians Union Local 47, 633 F.2d 880, 883 (9th Cir.1980)). See also Lopez v. Massachusetts. 588 F.3d 69, 72 (1st Cir.2009) ("The Title VII claim depends on the [defendant] being the `employer' of the [plaintiff] officers"). In the instant case, there is no dispute that there was no such relationship between Araujo and athenahealth. (See Pl. Opp. Mem. (Docket No. 21) ¶ 2 (conceding that "there was no relationship between Plaintiff and Defendant (athenahealth, Inc.)")). Therefore, Araujo has not and cannot state a claim against athenahealth pursuant to Title VII.
To the extent Araujo is attempting to state a claim against athenahealth under Chapter 151B, § 4(1), any such claim must be dismissed as well. That statute reads in relevant part as follows:
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151B, § 4(1) (emphasis added). "[N]o Massachusetts appellate decision ever has interpreted § 4(1) to apply to an action brought by or against someone outside the employment unit." Thomas O'Connor Constructors, Inc. v. Mass. Comm'n Against Discrimination, 72 Mass.App.Ct. 549, 555-56, 893 N.E.2d 80, 85-86 (2008). Because there was no employment relationship between Araujo and athenahealth, the plaintiff has failed to state a claim against athenahealth under Section 4(1) of Chapter 151B.
athenahealth contends that to the extent Araujo is attempting to state a claim under the sections of Chapter 151B that do not require an employment relationship, he
Section 4(4) of Chapter 151B makes it unlawful "[f]or any person, employer, labor organization or employment agency to discharge, expel or otherwise discriminate against any person because he has opposed any practices forbidden under this chapter or because he has filed a complaint" with the MCAD. Mass. Gen. Laws c. 151B, § 4(4). "[T]o make out a prima facie case of retaliation, the plaintiff must show that he engaged in protected conduct, that he suffered some adverse action, and that a causal connection existed between the protected conduct and the adverse action." Sisco v. DLA Piper LLP, 833 F.Supp.2d 133, 147 (D.Mass.2011) (quoting Psy-Ed Corp. v. Klein, 459 Mass. 697, 707, 947 N.E.2d 520 (2011)).
The plaintiff's allegations in the instant case do not satisfy the elements of a retaliation claim. Araujo has alleged that he learned about DTZ's decision to transfer him to another property on March 3, 2011, but he did not complain about any discrimination until March 7, 2011, when he sent an email to athenahealth's President and CEO, Jonathan Bush. (See Compl. Ex. at 28, 32: see also Compl. ¶ 10). Even assuming that the email constituted protected conduct, the earlier decision to transfer Araujo to Chelsea could not have been in retaliation for his complaint.
Similarly, the complaint does not support a finding that his transfer on August 29, 2011 was in retaliation for his complaining email. First of all, according to the plaintiff no one responded to his email or otherwise commented on his claim of discrimination. (Compl. ¶ 10). Therefore, there is nothing to link Araujo's complaint to the transfer almost six months later. Second, and even more fundamentally, Araujo has not alleged any facts in support
athenahealth contends that the plaintiff has failed to allege sufficient facts to make out a claim under § 4(4A) of Chapter 151B, which makes it unlawful "[f]or any person to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with another person in the exercise or enjoyment of any right granted or protected by this chapter. . . ." "There is no question that G.L. c. 151B, § 4(4A), prohibits interference with an employee's right to work in an environment free of unlawful [race] discrimination." McLaughlin v. City of Lowell, 84 Mass.App.Ct. 45, 72, 992 N.E.2d 1036, 1057 (2013). Assuming, without deciding, that such a claim may be asserted against athenahealth for its employee's conduct in encouraging the plaintiff's re-assignment to another property,
In order to maintain a claim under § 4(4A), the plaintiff must allege, at a minimum, facts showing that he was subjected to discrimination. See id. at 74, 992 N.E.2d at 1058 ("Absent actionable discriminatory conduct, there exists no basis on which to ground a claim of interference" under Chapter 151B, § 4(4A)). Araujo's complaint does not meet this requirement. While Araujo has alleged that he "was discriminated against for the simple fact that [he is] a dark skin[ned] immigrant man," and has asserted that Costa's opposition to his presence at Arsenal on the Charles was based on his skin color, the complaint is void of any specific facts supporting his conclusory allegation that Costa's actions were motivated by the plaintiff's race. (Compl. at Closing Argument; Compl. Ex. at 32). As described above, allegations that are too "conclusory to remove the possibility of relief from the realm of mere conjecture" are insufficient to withstand a motion to dismiss under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). Morales-Cruz, 676 F.3d at 224 (quotations and citation omitted). Where, as here "there is no support for [Araujo's] position other than his own speculation" that Costa's conduct was racially motivated, the plaintiff has failed to state a plausible claim for relief. McBride v. Mass. Comm'n Against Discrimination, 677 F.Supp.2d 357, 362 (D.Mass.2009).
The defendant also argues that Araujo has failed to state a claim for aiding and abetting under Chapter 151B, § 4(5). That provision "makes it unlawful for `any person, whether an employer or an employee or not, to aid [or] abet . . . the doing of any of the acts forbidden under [G.L. c. 151B] or to attempt to do so.'" Lopez v. Commonwealth, 463 Mass. 696, 713, 978 N.E.2d 67, 81-82 (2012) (alterations in original). Again, this court finds that the plaintiff's allegations are insufficient to support such a claim.
Id. at 713, 978 N.E.2d at 82 (quoting Harmon v. Malden Hosp., 19 Mass. Discrimination L. Rep. 157, 158 (1997)) (alteration in original). Moreover, "[a]n aiding and abetting claim under § 4(5) . . . is . . . `entirely derivative of the discrimination claim.'" Id. (quoting Abramian v. President & Fellows of Harvard Coll., 432 Mass. 107, 122, 731 N.E.2d 1075 (2000)). Therefore, "in addition to the `individual and distinct wrong' that the defendant must be alleged to have committed, the complaint must allege the commission of an underlying act of discrimination under G.L. c. 151B (the `main claim') by the principal offender." Id.
As described above, the plaintiff has provided nothing more than conclusory allegations to show that his re-assignment from Watertown to Chelsea was based on race or the color of his skin. The complaint is devoid of any factual support for the conclusory allegation that Costa's opposition to his presence at Arsenal on the Charles was motivated by racial animus or that DTZ acted with a discriminatory intent when it decided to transfer him to Chelsea. Accordingly, Araujo has not stated a plausible claim that athenahealth, through the actions of its Office Manager, aided and abetted DTZ in carrying out an act of employment discrimination.
athenahealth requests that Araujo's complaint be dismissed with prejudice because that plaintiff has failed "to `raise a reasonable expectation that discovery will reveal evidence' of any unlawful conduct by athenahealth." (Def. Mot. at 16). While this court finds that dismissal is appropriate, this court recommends that the dismissal be without prejudice. Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 15(a), leave to amend should be freely given "when justice so requires." Araujo has not sought leave to amend, and has not had an opportunity to present arguments in favor of an amendment. Moreover, this court is not able to conclude, at this early stage in the proceedings, that any effort by Araujo to amend his complaint would necessarily be futile. Accordingly, this court recommends that the complaint be dismissed, but that the dismissal be without prejudice.
For all the reasons detailed herein, this court recommends to the District Judge to whom this case is assigned that "athenahealth Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss" (Docket No. 10) be ALLOWED, and that the complaint be dismissed WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
