ORDER AFFIRMING THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED DECISION

JOHN A. WOODCOCK, JR., Chief Judge.

Kevin Brown, a former employee of Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc., (Hartt) suffered two heart attacks while he was Hartt's Director of Sales. While on a medical leave of absence, Mr. Brown learned that he had been reassigned and was no longer Director of Sales. Three weeks after his return, Hartt fired Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown claims Hartt violated state and federal law by failing to reinstate him to the same or a similar position upon his return to work, discriminating against him because of his disability, and retaliating against him for taking medical leave. The Court concludes that there is a genuine issue of material fact on all these issues. The Court affirms the Magistrate Judge's Recommended Decision and denies Hartt's Motion for Summary Judgment except as regards the Rehabilitation Act claim.

I. FACTS

A. Procedural History

Mr. Brown's Complaint against Hartt alleges discriminatory demotion and termination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act), and the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA); failure to reinstate to the same or an equivalent position upon completion of medical leave in violation of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Maine Family Medical Leave Requirements law (MFMLR); retaliatory demotion and termination for having taken medical leave in violation of the FMLA and the MFMLR; and failure to provide a complete copy of his personnel file in violation of Chapter 7 of the Maine Employment Practices Act. Complaint at 1 (Docket # 1) (Compl.)

On February 16, 2010, Hartt moved for summary judgment on all claims except the Maine Employment Practices Act claim. Id. at 12; Def.'s Mot. for Summ. J. at 21 (Docket #22) (Def.'s Mot.). Mr. Brown filed his opposition on March 23, 2010. Pl.'s Opp'n to Def. Hartt Transportation's Mot. for Summ. J. (Docket # 42) (Pl.'s Opp'n). The Court referred the motion to the Magistrate Judge for a recommended decision. On April 28, 2010, in a thorough and careful opinion, the Magistrate Judge filed her Recommended Decision in which she recommended that the Court deny summary judgment on those counts arising under the ADA, MHRA, FMLA, MFMLR, and grant summary judgment on Count II, the Rehabilitation Act claim.1 Rec. Dec. at 39 (Docket # 50) (Rec. Dec.).

On May 17, 2010, Mr. Brown and Hartt filed objections to the Recommended Decision. Def.'s Objs. to Recommended Dec. on Def.'s Mot. for Summ. J. (Docket # 53) (Def.'s Objs.); Pl.'s Limited Objs. to Magistrate Judge's Recommended Dec. (Docket #54) (Pl.'s Objs.). On June 6, 2010, Mr. Brown filed his response to Hartt's objections. Pl.'s Reply to Def. Hartt Transportation's Objs. to Magistrate Judge's Recommended Dec. Den. Summ. J. (Docket # 60) (Pl.'s Reply). Hartt objects to the Magistrate Judge's use of circumstantial evidence to find a reasonable inference of retaliation and discrimination.2 Def.'s Obj. at 8. Mr. Brown does not object to the Magistrate Judge's recommendation to grant Hartt's Motion for Summary Judgment as to Count II of the Complaint, but he objects to the Magistrate Judge's conclusion that he met only one of three definitions of "disabled" under the ADA. Pl.'s Objs. at 1.

The Court has reviewed and considered the Magistrate Judge's Recommended Decision together with the entire record,3 and has made a de novo determination of all matters adjudicated by the Magistrate Judge's Recommended Decision. The Court affirms the Magistrate Judge's Recommended Decision over the objections of Hartt and Mr. Brown and denies Hartt's Motion for Summary Judgment on all claims except the claim arising under the Rehabilitation Act.

II. DISCUSSION

A. The Recommended Decision

Because there is no direct evidence in this case of discriminatory or retaliatory animus, the Magistrate Judge analyzed Mr. Brown's FMLA and MFMLR claims under the familiar burden-shifting framework in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 93 S.Ct. 1817, 36 L.Ed.2d 668 (1973). Rec. Dec. at 27. As for the first step of this analysis, the Magistrate Judge concluded that Mr. Brown demonstrated a prima facie case—that is, Mr. Brown took a qualifying leave, he was adversely affected by Hartt's reassignment4 and termination, and there was a causal connection between Mr. Brown's medical leave and his reassignment and termination. Id. at 27-28. The Magistrate Judge then concluded that "Hartt satisfies its burden of articulating legitimate explanations for the various adverse actions it imposed on Mr. Brown." Id. at 28. Hartt objects to neither determination.

As for the final step, the Magistrate Judge concluded that Mr. Brown raised a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Hartt's justifications for his reassignment and termination were a pretext for discriminatory or retaliatory animus. Id. at 29-30. Important to this determination is "a very strong temporal proximity." Also, at the same time Hartt was planning to reassign Mr. Brown "the evidence would permit findings that Mr. Castonguay spoke positively of company profitability with Brown." Id. at 29. Further, "no significant performance issues were raised with Brown at that time or previously," and Mr. Michaud had not complained about unfair workloads earlier. Id. An inference can also be made that Mr. Brown's work reassignment was unreasonable and that the changes in Mr. Brown's work conditions were "not merely the inevitable realignment of personnel to maximize workplace efficiencies or to recognize the relative merit of Brown and Michaud," but were retaliatory and discriminatory. Id. at 30. Finally, "Mr. Castonguay's and Mr. Hartt's refusal to talk with Mr. Brown upon his return[,] ... the exclusion of Mr. Brown from lunch outings[,]" and Mr. Castonguay's failure to explain Mr. Brown's demotion in terms of Mr. Brown's alleged performance issues "further call[] into question [Hartt's] stated justification." Id.

Id.

B. Hartt's Objections

Hartt's objections center on the third part of the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework, and the Magistrate Judge's reliance on circumstantial evidence to conclude that there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Hartt's stated reasons for Mr. Brown's reassignment and termination were a pretext for discrimination and retaliation. Def.'s Objs. at 2; Colburn v. Parker Hannifin/Nichols Portland Div., 429 F.3d 325, 335 (1st Cir.2005) (explaining that if employer provides legitimate reason for termination, "the plaintiff retains the ultimate burden of showing that the employer's stated reason for terminating him" was merely pretext for retaliating against him for taking FMLA leave); Hodgens v. Gen. Dynamics Corp., 144 F.3d 151, 160 (1st Cir.1998).

1. Objection Number 1: Analysis of the Demotion and Termination Decisions

First, Hartt argues that the Magistrate Judge made "no real effort" to analyze "the demotion issue separately from Mr. Brown's termination." Id. Each decision by the Hartt "involved a completely different set of relevant facts," and Hartt objects to the Magistrate Judge's "lumping an analysis of both events together." Id. Analyzing the demotion and termination issues together "made it possible for the Magistrate Judge to largely ignore unrebutted evidence of Mr. Hartt's perceptions about Mr. Brown's weak managerial skills prior to his leave and desultory performance in the three weeks immediately after his return from leave." Id. (footnote omitted).

Hartt's objection, however, minimizes the importance of temporal proximity in retaliation cases. The First Circuit has held that for claims under FMLA and Title VII alike, "[a] showing of discharge soon after the employee engages in an activity specifically protected by [statute] is indirect proof of a causal connection between the firing and the activity because it is strongly suggestive of retaliation." Oliver v. Digital Equip. Corp., 846 F.2d 103, 110 (1st Cir.1988).5 The parties do not dispute that the adverse employment actions of reassignment and termination occurred only a few weeks after Mr. Brown engaged in the protected activity of taking medical leave. That alone may be sufficient to demonstrate a retaliatory motive. See Hodgens, 144 F.3d at 167-168 (recognizing that "protected conduct closely followed by adverse action may justify an inference of retaliatory motive") (citation omitted).

But Mr. Brown presents more. Mr. Brown says that before his medical leave there were virtually no complaints about his work performance and he daily interacted with his colleagues. Def.'s SMF ¶ 62; PRDSMF ¶¶ 62, 91, 96; Pl.'s ASMF ¶¶ 11, 107. Upon his return, Mr. Brown was relegated to a historically unsuccessful division within Hartt, and Hartt imposed unreasonable expectations. Def.'s SMF ¶ 93; PRDSMF ¶ 93; Pl.'s ASMF ¶¶ 81-89. His communication with colleagues dramatically decreased; further, his supervisors failed to immediately notify him of the reassignment or to explain it consistently to him. Def.'s SMF ¶ 62; PRDSMF ¶¶ 62, 91, 96; Pl.'s ASMF ¶¶ 44, 55, 57. This evidence may be considered when determining whether the employer's explanation is pretextual. Hodgens, 144 F.3d at 161 (stating that "the evidence and inferences that properly can be drawn from the evidence presented during the employee's prima facie case may be considered in determining whether the employer's explanation is pretextual").

Finally, since the employer's intent is at issue, the trier of fact should assess whether the evidence supports the employer's stated reason for the employment action or the employee's allegation of pretext. Rossy v. Roche Products, Inc., 880 F.2d 621, 626 (1st Cir.1989) (stating that "[a]ll of Roche's explanations may in fact be accurate, but they must be decided after trial, especially in cases such as this where Roche's intent is the central issue"). Mr. Brown has generated a trial-worthy issue as to whether Hartt's explanations for Mr. Brown's reassignment and termination were pretexts for discrimination and retaliation.

2. Objection Number 2: Interpretation of Facts

Second, Hartt objects to the Magistrate Judge's interpretation of three key circumstantial facts from which she derived the inference of retaliation and discriminatory motive: (1) Mr. Brown's reassignment to the flatbed division; (2) the changed relationship between Mr. Brown and his supervisors; and (3) Mr. Castonguay's conversation with Mr. Brown on January 15. Def.'s Objs. at 2-3. Hartt argues that "[n]o ... inference [of a retaliatory and discriminatory motive] can reasonably be derived from any of these facts, regardless whether they are considered separately or viewed together." Id. at 2.

The answer in brief is "it is elementary that at summary judgment a court must view the record in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the same." Chadwick v. WellPoint, Inc., 561 F.3d 38, 40 (1st Cir.2009); P.R. Elec. Power Auth. v. Action Refund, 515 F.3d 57, 62 (1st Cir.2008). If such facts and inferences could support a favorable verdict for the nonmoving party, then there is a trial-worthy controversy and summary judgment must be denied. Azimi v. Jordan's Meats, Inc., 456 F.3d 228, 241 (1st Cir. 2006).

Although Mr. Brown's relegation to Hartt's flatbed business and work assignments may support Hartt's proposition that the "re-assignment decision for Mr. Brown was logical, considering the ... respective strengths and skills attributed to Mr. Brown and Mr. Michaud" and in response to Mr. Brown's poor work performance, the evidence also supports at least as strong an inference that Hartt had "set up [Mr. Brown] to fail upon his return" by reassigning him and imposing unrealistic expectations. Def.'s Objs. at 5; Rec. Dec. at 30. Also, although the decrease in communication between Mr. Brown and his former colleagues may have been Mr. Brown's fault and a legitimate attempt by Hartt to reinforce Mr. Michaud's new supervisory role, a reasonable jury could find that the treatment of Mr. Brown by his colleagues and the differences in the management style of the Sales Department before and after his medical leave support an inference that Mr. Brown's "standing at Hartt fell precipitously following his heart attack precisely because of his medical condition and/or exercise of FMLA rights." Def.'s Objs. at 6; Rec. Dec. at 30. Finally, Hartt's contention that Mr. Castonguay's conversation with Mr. Brown on January 15 does not support an inference of pretext because "no evidence of animus is found in Mr. Castonguay's sworn deposition testimony on what he said to Mr. Brown" is a nonstarter because the McDonnell Douglas burden shifting analysis would not be necessary if direct evidence, rather than mere inferences, of animus was available. Def.'s Objs. at 6; Hodgens, 144 F.3d at 160-161.

When the facts are viewed in the light most favorable to Mr. Brown, there is a genuine issue of fact as to whether Mr. Brown's reassignment was an effort by Hartt to turn around a struggling division or a decision motivated by discriminatory and retaliatory animus. When the "undisputed facts require a choice between competing inferences, and ... both inferences are plausible, the choice cannot be made under the banner of summary judgment." In re Varrasso, 37 F.3d 760, 764 (1st Cir. 1994). Hartt's objections are overruled.

C. Mr. Brown's Objection

In its Motion for Summary Judgment, Hartt argues that the fact that Mr. Brown was cleared to return to work without restriction suggests that Mr. Brown did not suffer from a substantial impairment, and thus had not satisfied the first element of his prima facie case of disability. Id. at 16-18. The Magistrate Judge disagreed and determined that Mr. Brown demonstrated that he was regarded as having an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, and had satisfied the first element of his prima facie case. Rec. Dec. at 32, 37. Mr. Brown does not object to this finding, but objects to the Magistrate Judge's determination that he failed to demonstrate a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity or a record of such an impairment. Pl.'s Objs. at 1-4; Rec. Dec. at 37-38.

The Court overrules Mr. Brown's objection. The Magistrate Judge's order does not prevent Mr. Brown from arguing at trial that he was "actually disabled" or had a "record of" a disability to satisfy his prima facie case.

III. CONCLUSION

It is therefore ORDERED that the Recommended Decision of the Magistrate Judge (Docket # 50) is hereby AFFIRMED. The Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment (Docket #22) is GRANTED as to Count II arising under the Rehabilitation Act and DENIED as to all other counts.

SO ORDERED.

RECOMMENDED DECISION ON DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

MARGARET J. KRAVCHUK, United States Magistrate Judge.

Plaintiff Kevin Brown has sued his former employer, Defendant Hartt Transportation Systems Inc., alleging violations of the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Maine Human Rights Act, and the Maine Family Medical Leave Requirements. Brown's claims are premised on a demotion and termination following his return from leave associated with a heart condition. Brown also alleges a violation of Section 631 of the Maine Employment Practices Act based on Hartt Transportation's alleged failure to produce his entire employment record on request. Hartt Transportation has filed a motion for summary judgment against all claims except the claim arising under the Maine Employment Practices Act. Brown opposes the motion, but concedes that judgment should enter against the Rehabilitation Act claim. The Court referred the motion for report and recommendation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636. I recommend that the Court deny the motion except in regard to the request for judgment on the Rehabilitation Act claim.

FACTS

The following factual recitation is drawn from the parties' statements of material fact submitted and construed in accordance with District of Maine Local Rule 56. The underlying statements are found in the Defendant's Statement of Material Facts ("DSMF," Doc. No. 23), the Plaintiff's Opposing Statement ("POS," Doc. No. 43), the Plaintiff's Additional Statement ("PAS," also Doc. No.43), and the Defendant's Reply Statement ("DRS," Doc. No. 46). Because Kevin Brown is the party opposing the summary judgment motion, where disputes exist as to the proper characterization of "the facts," the following recitation states the facts in the manner that favors Brown, provided he has cited evidentiary support for his version of events.

Defendant's Statement1 and Plaintiffs Opposing Statement

Hartt Transportation Inc. hired Kevin Brown in September 2001. In July 2003, Mr. Brown received a promotion to the position of Sales Manager. As Sales Manager, Mr. Brown reported to Jeffrey Castonguay, Hartt's General Manager. During Mr. Brown's employment, William Hartt was president of the company. Rick Parisien was Hartt's human resource safety director. In November 2005, Hartt hired Dan Michaud as a salesperson. In this position Mr. Michaud reported to Mr. Brown. Mr. Castonguay directed that the sales accounts be divided between Mr. Brown and Mr. Michaud. The men worked as a sales team and Mr. Michaud had discretion with respect to the conduct of his workday, though Mr. Brown held the management title and avers that he held extra responsibility as a result. (DSMF ¶¶ 1-10, 13; POS ¶¶ 8-10.)

On November 3, 2006, Mr. Brown had a heart attack. This heart attack was followed by another on December 3, 2006. Mr. Brown took medical leave from work commencing November 6 and continuing through January 22, 2007. While Brown was on leave, Hartt supplemented his short-term disability payments by paying the difference between that benefit and Brown's salary until Brown announced his intention of returning to work. However, while Brown was on medical leave, Mr. Hartt and Mr. Castonguay promoted Michaud to the position of Director of Sales, effective January 2007. (DSMF ¶¶ 28-32; POS ¶ 30.) Mr. Castonguay determined that, if Mr. Brown returned to work, he would thenceforth report to Mr. Michaud. (DSMF ¶¶ 34, 50.)

Mr. Brown dropped by Hartt's business office on January 15, 2007. As of that date, Mr. Brown's primary care physician, Dr. Bruehl, had not yet cleared Mr. Brown to return to work and Brown did not know when he would be ready to return. (Id. ¶¶ 41, 44-45, 48.) During his visit to the office, Brown learned from Mr. Michaud that Michaud had taken the role of Director of Sales and that Brown would be filling the role of salesperson going forward. (Id. ¶¶ 27, 36-38, 41.) Brown told Michaud that he might take the position, but not without "a court battle." (Id. ¶ 39; POS ¶ 39.) Brown also met with Mr. Castonguay on January 15. (DSMF ¶ 40.) Castonguay told Brown to take as much short term disability leave as he needed and that, if he returned to work, he would have a job in sales reporting to Michaud with the same salary and benefits he previously had. (Id. ¶¶ 49-51.) Castonguay did not mention any quality of work problems to Mr. Brown during their discussion on January 15. (Id. ¶ 47.)

On January 17, 2007, Dr. Bruehl prepared a return-to-work slip for Mr. Brown. Dr. Bruehl did not impose any restrictions, understanding that Brown was returning to an office/desk job. (Id. ¶¶ 52-54; POS ¶¶ 53-54, 56.) It is undisputed that Mr. Brown did not require or request any accommodation to perform his duties as a member of the sales department. (DSMF ¶¶ 57-58; POS ¶¶ 57-58.) He did request periodic leave to attend physical therapy thrice weekly. (POS ¶ 59.)

A few days after the January 15 visit to the office, Mr. Brown met with Mr. Hartt. At that meeting, Hartt told Brown that the company had not been happy with Brown's work performance and that the company had received a couple of customer complaints about Brown. (DSMF ¶¶ 61-62; POS ¶ 62.)

Mr. Brown returned to work on January 22, 2007. On his first day back to work, Brown met with Castonguay and Michaud. (DSMF ¶ 64.) Castonguay and Michaud instructed Brown to concentrate his efforts on the Company's flatbed freight business. The decision to direct Brown's work efforts toward this line of work was made sometime between January 18 and 22 by Mr. Castonguay and Mr. Hartt. (Id. ¶¶ 66-67, 70.) According to Mr. Castonguay, Brown's biggest talent was to go in and obtain very detailed information from customers that would enable Hartt to capture freight business. (Id. ¶ 65.) Castonguay and Michaud instructed Brown to get information from flatbed customers and pay personal visits to flatbed customers identified, in part, on a specific list. (Id. ¶ 71.) Within a day following his return to work, Brown was provided with a computer and was given access to the Company's instant messaging system. (Id. ¶ 72.) Mr. Brown's pay, benefits, and expense account were unchanged. (Id. ¶¶ 60, 63; POS ¶ 60.) However, both status within the office and the assignment of sales accounts had changed, as Michaud was now the director of sales and Brown was being directed to develop sales accounts in the flatbed freight portion of Hartt's business. (DSMF ¶ 35; POS ¶ 35.)

Mr. Castonguay has testified that his expectations for Mr. Brown focused on the quality of information he would generate from potential customers that could grow the Company's flatbed business. (DSMF ¶ 68.) Brown denies this statement based on the fact that he was expected to make 5 or 6 flatbed calls per day. (POS ¶ 68.) The parties agree that Brown was expected to make 5 or 6 "face-to-face" sales calls per day. (DSMF ¶ 83.) In Brown's view, this was an unreasonable expectation. (Id. ¶ 93.) On January 26, 2007, at the end of his first week back, Brown had a discussion with Michaud in which Brown expressed concerns about the sales calls he was expected to make. In particular, he indicated that the number of calls he was making was limiting the quality of the calls. (Id. ¶ 92; POS ¶ 92.) During that week, Michaud gave Brown and other sales employees a document identifying the types of information he wanted them to provide in connection with sales calls.2 (DSMF ¶ 94.)

Hartt offers several statements to the effect that Mr. Brown's post-return sales work was below satisfactory in terms of the number of sales calls Brown made and the quality of the information he obtained. Hartt offers these statements to explain its decision to terminate Brown's employment three weeks after his return. Most of the statements are denied. These disputes are described in the following paragraphs.

On one day in January 2007, Mr. Brown attended a landscaping show in Portland with exhibitors, which would have included some potential flatbed customers. There were a number of exhibitors at the show and Mr. Brown spent an afternoon or part of an afternoon at the show. Brown recalls making "a half dozen good contacts" at the show. (Id. ¶¶ 77-79.) Hartt offers a statement that Brown only provided Mr. Michaud with one business card after the show when asked what contacts he made. (Id. ¶ 80.) In opposition, Brown denies the statement and reports that he provided Michaud with 5 or 6 business cards. This denial is supported by his affidavit. (POS ¶ 80; Brown Aff. ¶ 9, Doc. No. 44.) Hartt states that Michaud was extremely disappointed, but that statement is premised on the assertion that Brown only supplied a single business card. Additionally, Brown avers that Michaud never expressed that disappointment to him. (DSMF ¶ 81; POS ¶ 81.) Hartt states that Mr. Castonguay was "amazed" that little benefit came from Brown's attendance at the show, but Brown says he was given tickets by a customer, that neither he nor Michaud had previously attended the show, and that he did not realize that the show was geared toward hobbyists and small-scale landscapers rather than landscapers who might transport large loads. (DSMF ¶ 82; POS ¶ 82.)

In his deposition testimony, Mr. Castonguay stated that he felt, as of sometime between February 2 and February 5, that Mr. Brown was not exerting himself and was failing to deliver on his "marching orders to develop information," returning only limited information on two calls made in two of the work days during Brown's second week back. The parties mutually acknowledge that Brown provided Michaud with a report concerning his sales calls during his second week back.3 (DSMF ¶ 88; Castonguay Cont'd Dep. at 276, Doc. No. 27-3.) Brown also provided Michaud with a report of the sales calls he made during his third week back.4 (DSMF ¶ 90.) Castonguay discussed Brown's performance with Mr. Hartt following Brown's return to work and expressed the view that Brown's demeanor, attitude problems and actions indicated that "he did not want to be there." (Id. ¶¶ 91, 96.)

On February 12, 2007, Mr. Michaud finished a report for Mr. Castonguay that summarized his activities from the date he returned to work. (Id. ¶ 95; POS ¶ 95.) On that same date, Michaud informed Mr. Brown that he was terminated. (DSMF ¶ 97.) The decision was supported by Castonguay and by Mr. Hartt. (Id. ¶¶ 97-98.) Mr. Hartt testified at his deposition that he supported the decision due to Brown's "lack of performance, lack of sales, lack of producing." (Id. ¶ 98.) According to him, he based his assessment on what was reported by Castonguay.5 (Id. ¶ 99; POS ¶ 99.)

No one at Hartt ever said to Mr. Brown and Brown never overheard anyone saying that he was terminated because Hartt was concerned about the future medical costs it would incur on account of his health status. Nor did Brown ever see any document that suggested the possibility. (DSMF ¶¶ 103-105.)

In its Statement, Hartt offers a series of assertions to suggest that Mr. Michaud's ascent to Director of Sales was essentially determined prior to Mr. Brown's leave. These statements lead to a swearing contest between Mr. Brown and Mr. Michaud. Michaud testified that in 2006 he was requested to process many action items that were previously performed by Brown and that Michaud felt that he was doing a disproportionate amount of action items in comparison to Brown, feeling overburdened and overwhelmed at times. (DSMF ¶ 17-18.) Brown testified that they allocated the accounts and the work fairly and that they each worked half of the accounts. (POS ¶¶ 17-18.) Mr. Hartt testified that he had the perception that Brown was pushing work over to Michaud and that Michaud was responsible for most of the customers at one point in 2006, prior to Brown's heart attacks. (DSMF ¶ 20.) At some unspecified time, Brown had a conversation with Mr. Castonguay about a conflict Brown had with a colleague in Hartt's brokerage department. (Id. ¶ 21.) At another unspecified point in time Castonguay asked Brown about his efforts to increase back haul business from New York and New Jersey into New England. (Id. ¶ 22.)

Mr. Castonguay and Mr. Hartt have testified that they discussed restructuring the sales department and replacing Mr. Brown prior to his heart attack. (Id. ¶¶ 23-24.)

Plaintiff's Additional Statement and Defendant's Reply Statement

At the time of Brown's demotion and termination, Hartt's written FMLA policy did not provide for reinstatement, contrary to federal law. (PAS ¶ 2.) Hartt claims that it informs employees about their right to FMLA leave at their orientation, though its orientation agenda says nothing concerning FMLA leave. (Id. ¶¶ 3-4.) Brown maintains that the right to take FMLA leave was not discussed at his orientation and that he never received any policy concerning FMLA leave from Hartt other than a form in his handbook about medical leave. (Id. ¶ 5.) Brown also avers that he was never informed about FMLA leave and had never heard of it when he took leave for his heart attack. (Id. ¶ 6.) According to Brown's sworn declaration, nobody at Hartt ever informed him about his right to reinstatement to his pre-heart attack position. (Id. ¶ 7.) Hartt denies this statement with a citation to Brown's deposition transcript, but the cited passage reflects only that Jeff Castonguay told Brown he would have a job in sales reporting to Dan Michaud when he returned to work. (DRS ¶ 7; Brown Dep. at 233-34, Doc. No. 24-3.)

Brown states, and Hartt admits, that Hartt terminated fourteen employees from February 22, 2005, to September 1, 2007, for exhaustion of FMLA leave. (PAS ¶ 8.) However, Hartt objects and argues that the fact is not material because it cannot support any inference in favor of Brown, as "[t]here is nothing in the discovery record indicating that any of the persons identified were deprived of their rights..., only that these persons separated from employment ... following their exhaustion of their family and medical leave." (DRS ¶ 8.) Because there is insufficient evidence in the record, I am not persuaded that this basic fact calls for an inference that there is a pattern of terminating employees with family medical concerns.6 Brown argues in his surreply that this evidence merely explains why he was reluctant to remain out on leave as long as he might have. Brown also argues that the fact explains why Castonguay encouraged him to remain out on leave as long as short term disability benefits were available, because that would have carried him beyond the limit of FMLA leave. (Pl.'s Surreply ¶ 8, Doc. No. 48.) I overrule the objection and will treat this fact as something that could be considered in conjunction with the fact that Castonguay allegedly encouraged Brown to remain out for the duration of his short-term disability benefits.

Neither Mr. Castonguay nor Mr. Hartt had much awareness of any particulars concerning Hartt's nondiscrimination policy. Mr. Castonguay was aware that there was a nondiscrimination policy, but without being shown evidence of a written policy that was in place when Mr. Brown was an employee, Mr. Castonguay would not acknowledge that the written policy in place when Brown was terminated prohibited discrimination based on handicap. (PAS ¶ 9; Castonguay Dep. 223:5-225:10, Doc. No. 25-2.) Mr. Hartt admitted he was not familiar with the written policy, but stated that he understood that it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of disabilities. (PAS ¶ 10.) I overrule Hartt's objection that Mr. Hartt's relative awareness of the content of the written policy is immaterial. However, I do not make any inferential finding that he must have discriminated on the basis of disability simply because he was not familiar with the language of the written policy.

Mr. Brown attests that no one at Hartt expressed any concerns or complaints to him about his job performance prior to his heart attack. (Id. ¶ 11.) I accept this as true for purposes of summary judgment, though it is denied by Hartt. There has been an admission by Brown that Mr. Castonguay spoke to him about a conflict with someone in brokerage, but the underlying statement does not relate that Brown was at fault for the conflict or that he received any criticism from Castonguay. (DSMF ¶ 21.)

During the period of time that Brown served as Director of Sales, Hartt's revenues grew annually. (PAS ¶ 12.) 1 overrule an objection that this statement is immaterial. During the period of time that Brown worked with only one other person in Sales (a Mr. Rideout), Hartt's fleet increased from 120 tractors to 350, and from 300 trailers to 900. Brown's testimony is to the effect that these increases were due to a team effort, but relates that they happened while there were only two persons working sales (not including Mr. Michaud). (Id. ¶ 13; Brown Dep. at 52-53, Doc. No. 23-3.) I overrule another materiality objection.

According to Brown, he was responsible for bringing in Wal-Mart as a customer and was awarded use of a new company car for bringing that account in. (PAS ¶¶ 14-15.) I credit this testimony for purposes of summary judgment and overrule Hartt's materiality objections. I similarly credit the following statements concerning Brown's work for Hartt and overrule materiality objections to each:

(Id. ¶¶ 16-23.)

Regarding the conditions of his employment, Mr. Brown relates that Hartt failed to provide him with a laptop, unlike Mr. Michaud, even while Brown was the Director of Sales. He also relates that his desktop computer could not print an Excel spreadsheet. (Id. ¶¶ 24-25.) These statements reflect conditions as they existed prior to Brown's heart attacks as well as after, so it is not apparent that they demonstrate any retaliatory or discriminatory animus. However, the computer facts explain why Brown would, at times, forward emails with Excel attachments to Michaud and why he would at times have Michaud enter information into an Excel format. (Id. ¶¶ 26-27.) On the topic of relative work load, Michaud does not recall having any conversation, subsequent to June 2006, in which he commented or complained to Mr. Castonguay that his workload was too heavy or unfair compared to that being handled by Brown. (Id. ¶ 28.)

Mr. Brown's Additional Statement relates that the first heart attack on November 3, 2006, required quintuple bypass surgery plus an angioplasty. There was a second heart attack on December 3, 2006. Mr. Brown experienced a period of heart pain resulting in another angioplasty procedure around Christmas 2006. Mr. Brown was hospitalized on three occasions. He took medical leave from November 6, 2006, through January 22, 2007. (Id. ¶¶ 29-32.)

Brown asserts that his hospitalizations cost Hartt $188,000. (Id. ¶ 33, citing HARTT 000795, Doc. No. 43-1.) The cited document is titled Diversified Admin. Corp Paid Claims Analysis and is dated April 3, 2007. Mr. Brown's name does not appear anywhere on the document, but the documents reflects that an enrollee had "total claims charges" of $188,159.81 for claims incurred during the period of Brown's absence on leave. The document reflects a corresponding amount paid of $91,591.44. Hartt objects to the statement on the ground that the document in question is hearsay, asserting that the document has "never been introduced through any credible witness" and that "nothing in the discovery record is sufficient to establish its admissibility." (DRS ¶ 33.) In his next statement, Mr. Brown relates that Hartt is self-insured for purposes of medical insurance. (PAS ¶ 34.) Hartt qualifies this statement and cites the Declaration of Joanna Bradeen, who avers that Hartt is self-insured up to $40,000 per covered individual. (DRS¶ 34; Bradeen Decl. ¶ 6, Doc. No. 46-1.) In her Declaration, Ms. Bradeen states that she has reviewed the document HARTT 000795, that Diversified Administration Corporation is Hartt's third-party insurance administrator, and that the document does not reflect payments by Hartt in the amount of $188,000. (Bradeen Decl. ¶ 3.) She does not deny the authenticity of the document, but explains that Hartt paid only $40,519.11 in connection with Brown's medical care. (Id. ¶ 4.) Mr. Brown is satisfied if the record reflects that his heart attack cost Hartt $40,000, which is what I find based on this record. (Pl.'s Surreply ¶ 33, Doc. No. 48.)

According to Mr. Brown, Mr. Castonguay told him that when someone has a serious medical condition it costs Hartt a lot of money. (PAS ¶ 35.) Hartt denies this statement with an affidavit from Castonguay. For purposes of summary judgment, Brown's testimony is credited. Hartt argues that this testimony cannot be credited because Brown previously testified at his deposition that no one at Hartt ever said he was terminated because of medical costs related to his health. It is true that Brown so testified. However, Brown also testified at his deposition that Castonguay told him that employee medical conditions cost the company a lot of money. (Brown Dep. at 240:8-23.) These two statements are not inconsistent and can both be credited for summary judgment purposes.

Prior to Mr. Brown's heart attack, Mr. Castonguay never discussed with Brown the possibility of replacing Brown or restructuring the Sales Department. (PAS ¶ 36.) At his initial deposition, Castonguay testified that he had some informal discussions with Mr. Hartt about replacing Brown or restructuring the sales department, that these discussions occurred "[p]robably late August and then they intensified as the year continued," and that there is no written record of any such conversations. (Id. ¶ 37; Castonguay Dep. at 166:5-22, Doc. No. 25-1.)

Brown states: "When Brown requested a copy of his personnel file on March 1, 2007, Hartt failed to provide him with memoranda for October 2005, November 2005, week of June 10, 2006, week of August 26, 2006, and week of October 30, 2006 purportedly memorializing performance issues by Brown prior to Brown's heart attack." (PAS ¶ 38.) Hartt admits this fact "with objection." Hartt complains that Brown has cited the Maine Human Rights Commission Investigator's Report (Doc. No. 43-2), which is hearsay and is not admissible evidence as the record lacks supportive testimony establishing its admissibility. Brown also cites his own deposition testimony in support of the statement, but that is to the effect that he believes all of the "typed up notes" and "documents" are "fraudulent and something that Jeff [Castonguay] cooked up just to help defend this case." (Brown Dep. at 178:20-25.) In a surreply filing in response to the objection, Brown cites Rule 803(8)(C) of the Federal Rules of Evidence and supplies an affidavit from his counsel to the effect that the Report was provided to him as counsel to Brown as part of the administrative process. (Supplemental Decl. of Jeffrey Neil Young ¶ 2, Doc. No. 49.) I overrule the objection and treat the finding as a material fact for purposes of summary judgment.7

Sometime in late 2006, Mr. Castonguay discussed with Mr. Michaud for the first time the possibility of Michaud becoming Director of Sales at Hartt. (PAS ¶ 39.) This conversation occurred at a time when Hartt did not know if Brown would be returning to work from his heart attack. (Id. ¶ 40.) Mr. Castonguay decided to promote Michaud during Brown's medical leave of absence. (Id. ¶ 41.) Hartt acknowledges that Michaud's move to Sales Director was a promotion. (Id. ¶ 42.)

Hartt announced Mr. Michaud's promotion to some employees in an email dated January 4, 2007, but did not copy Mr. Brown on the email or inform Brown of Michaud's promotion until Brown visited the office on January 15, 2007, and found Michaud at his desk. In the email announcing Michaud's promotion, Hartt also announced that Ricky Hughes had been transferred from brokerage to the sales department where he would work under Michaud's direction. (Id. ¶¶ 43, 45.) At the time of Brown's departure on leave, the Sales Department was composed of two full-time employees, Sales Director Kevin Brown and salesman Dan Michaud, plus a part-time employee, Dick Rideout, who was semi-retired. (Id. ¶ 46.)

Mr. Brown called in to the office on virtually a daily basis while he was on leave. Although he spoke to Mr. Michaud, Michaud did not mention Michaud's promotion or Brown's demotion. (Id. ¶ 44.) On January 15, 2007, Brown stopped in at Hartt to drop off some papers prior to a doctor's appointment and found that Michaud was working in Brown's former office at his former desk, that a second desk was added to the office for Ricky Hughes, and that Brown's personal belongings were in a box in the corner. (Id. ¶¶ 47-48.) Michaud informed Brown that Michaud had been promoted and Brown demoted to a salesperson. (Id. ¶ 49.) According to Brown, Michaud also indicated that Hughes would be taking Michaud's former position. (Id. ¶ 51.) At that time Brown told Michaud that he would not take his position without a court battle, (Id. ¶ 50.)

Later that day, Mr. Brown met with Mr. Castonguay and Castonguay encouraged Brown to remain out on short-term disability benefits. Brown stated that he might not get a full release to return until February or March. According to Brown's testimony, Castonguay said that he thought Brown always wanted to retire. Brown also testified that Castonguay claimed that the changes in the office were for Brown's benefit because they would reduce the stress level if he returned and that Castonguay also stated that, if Brown remained out on short-term disability, Hartt would supplement his income by paying the difference between the STD benefit and his normal salary during that time. (Id. ¶¶ 52-56.) Hartt denies that any "restructuring" at the office was motivated by Brown's health needs, "since the decision makers had no idea if Mr. Brown would ever return to work for Hartt." (DRS ¶ 55.) During this meeting, Castonguay made no mention of the quality of Brown's work when he explained why Brown was not being restored to his position as Director of Sales. (PAS ¶ 57.) Toward the end of their conversation, Brown told Castonguay that Hartt's decision to demote him was illegal.8 (Id. ¶ 58; Brown Dep. at 192, Doc. No. 24-1.) Brown told Castonguay that he wanted to return to work and Hartt stopped supplementing his shortterm disability benefit as of "that day." (PAS ¶ 60; Brown Dep. at 192.) Brown asserts in his Additional Statement that the supplemental payments were discontinued as of the January 15 meeting. Hartt responds with a qualification stating that the decision to discontinue payments was not causally connected to Brown's desire to return or anything that Brown said about the legality of the changes, without denying that the payments were discontinued as of January 15 (Brown returned to work January 22). (DRS ¶ 60.) I interpret this as an acknowledgement that the supplemental payments did not extend past January 15. As of that date, Hartt understood that Brown intended to return to work, but there is no indication that it knew when he would be cleared to return. Thus, the summary judgment papers reflect that Hartt withdrew the supplemental payments for the balance of the January 15 work week, as Brown did not return to work until January 22.

In a memo concerning the January 15 meeting, Mr. Castonguay wrote: "We were hesitant to make Kevin aware of this decision up to today because we were concerned about his fragile state health wise in also hearing he had another heart attack a few weeks after his surgery." (PAS ¶ 59.)

A few days after the January 15 meeting with Mr. Castonguay, Mr. Brown arranged a meeting with Mr. Hartt. Brown offers a statement that Hartt told him at the meeting "that Hartt had lost money like no other time while Brown was out on leave." (Id. ¶ 61, citing Brown Dep. 196:8-20.) Hartt denies the statement, citing Mr. Hartt's deposition transcript. Ordinarily, Brown's testimony would be credited for summary judgment. However, Brown's testimony does not support his summary judgment statement:

(Brown Dep. at 196:19-21.) At his deposition, Brown asserted that Hartt had lost money during his absence. Brown did not testify that Mr. Hartt told him that Hartt had lost money. Consequently, I do not credit Statement 61.

Hartt would not allow Mr. Brown to return to work until he received an unconditional release with no restrictions. (PAS ¶ 62.) Dr. Bruehl released Brown to return to work on January 17, 2007. (Id. ¶ 63.) Although Dr. Bruehl ostensibly released Mr. Brown with no restrictions on January 17, 2007, he told Brown that he did not want him to engage in heavy lifting, which was not a requirement of Brown's sales work. (Id. ¶ 64.) Dr. Bruehl has characterized Brown as having an elevated risk of sudden death following his heart attacks, including in the time frame of his return to work. (Id. ¶ 65.) Upon his return to work, Brown still had to complete a cardiac rehabilitation program that required attendance two to three times per week. (Id. ¶ 66.) This physical therapy was ongoing at the time of Brown's termination. (Id. ¶ 67.)

Upon his return to work, Mr. Brown was situated at Mr. Michaud's former desk in an office outside of where Brown formerly had been located by himself. This new office space was less private than his former office. (Id. ¶¶ 69-70.) As a salesperson, Mr. Brown now reported to Mr. Michaud rather than having supervisory authority over Michaud and the Sales Department. (Id. ¶ 73.) Hartt admits that Brown's new job as a salesman was less prestigious than his job as Director. (Id. ¶ 76.) Brown no longer was responsible for disciplinary action regarding the Sales Department support staff, (Id. ¶ 74.) Brown also had less control over his day to day work. (Id. ¶ 75.) The Chevy Avalanche was no longer assigned for his use, but instead he was assigned a less significant Chevy pickup. (Id. ¶ 77.)

According to Brown, the loss of his former van customers and the requirement that he concentrate his efforts of Hartt's flatbed business (Id. ¶¶ 78-79) was another adverse condition imposed upon his return. The flatbed business in Maine is mostly seasonal work associated primarily with building and construction products. (Id. ¶ 80.) Hartt offers a qualification that the seasonal nature of the business does not mean that there is little for sales personnel to do during the winter season. (DRS ¶ 80.) It is undisputed that Hartt's flatbed business was losing money and was underperforming; that the flatbed portion of the business had not made any money in 20-25 years; that flatbed business had been discontinued for some 15 years and was only resumed in 2003; that Hartt lost $142,648 on flatbed business in 2004, $538,000 in 2005, $196,574 in 2006, $658,888 in 2007, and $82,855 in 2008; and that flatbed business at Hartt was "somewhere near a wash" in 2009.9 (PAS ¶¶ 81-89.)

On Mr. Brown's first day back to work, late in the afternoon, Mr. Michaud directed Brown to prepare a list of lumber yards for potential flatbed customers. This list was prepared and Michaud told Brown that he wanted Brown to make calls on the listed lumberyards. Michaud told Brown that Brown was expected to make 5-6 face-to-face flatbed calls per day. Before calling on the flatbed prospects, Brown reviewed company files for information that Hartt already had on hand. Brown was to have a company vehicle to use for making sales calls and he had that vehicle available by his third day back. (Id. ¶¶ 90-97.) Hartt asserts by way of qualification that Brown would have needed a few days to "get his act together," do some preliminary work, and prepare a strategy for his forthcoming sales calls. (DRS ¶ 97.)

Mr. Brown states that the calls he made the first week back generated new and additional business for Hartt. (PAS ¶ 99.) He cites a portion of Mr. Michaud's continued deposition transcript that is not particularly helpful in drawing that conclusion and Hartt denies the statement for that reason. Mr. Michaud's testimony supports an inference that Mr. Brown's work in January more likely than not generated some business "activity" the following season. (Michaud Cont'd Dep. at 19:5-8, 20:16-20, 21:20, 22:10-23:5.)

In an email to Mr. Brown dated January 25, 2007, Mr. Michaud requested that Mr. Brown provide him with the following information about his sales calls: shipper name, contact, telephone number, and pricing required for various traffic lanes to secure business; and broker names, contacts, and pricing required to secure business. (PAS ¶ 100.) Sales call reports in the record demonstrate that Brown followed the format for the information Michaud requested (PAS ¶ 101), though there is generally no entry for "pricing required for various traffic lanes to secure business." (See Hartt's Summary Judgment Ex. I, Doc. Nos. 29-4 & 30-1 ("Exs. 74-77").) Hartt denies the statement for this reason and critiques the quality or usefulness of the information Brown obtained. (DRS ¶ 101.)

The only discussion that Mr. Castonguay had with Mr. Michaud about Mr. Brown's activities during week two of Brown's return occurred on Friday, February 2, 2007, when Castonguay asked Michaud to obtain information from Brown concerning Brown's activities during the week. (PAS ¶ 102.) After Mr. Hartt's discussion with Brown about Hartt's expectations on Brown's first day back at work, Mr. Hartt had no further discussions with Brown about his performance prior to Brown's termination. (Id. ¶ 106.) By comparison, prior to the medical leave, Brown had lunch with Castonguay and Hartt virtually daily.10 (Id. ¶ 107.) Brown has testified that Castonguay and Hartt "pretty much" didn't even speak to him anymore and that Michaud and Hughes would decline his inquiries whether they wanted to go to lunch with him. (Id. ¶ 108.) For summary judgment purposes, this statement overrides Hartt's denial to the effect that Brown isolated himself. (DRS ¶ 108.) Castonguay never spoke to Brown during both the second or third week about Castonguay's purported concerns with Brown's performance. (PAS ¶ 110.) Castonguay does not "even think we said hello." (Castonguay Cont'd Dep. at 279:11-15, Doc. No. 27-3.)

Brown offers a statement to the effect that Hartt closely scrutinized his performance looking for errors after he returned, which repeats a line from his summary judgment affidavit. (PAS ¶ 109.) Hartt qualifies this statement, cites its own witnesses, and argues that Michaud monitored Brown closely because of Brown's poor demeanor and performance. (DRS ¶ 110.)

Mr. Brown had a number of "cardiorehab" appointments scheduled for the week he was terminated. Mr. Hartt, Mr. Castonguay, and Mr. Michaud were all aware of these appointments. On Monday, February 12, 2007, at 3:44 PM, Mr. Brown emailed Michaud a report of his activities during the third week of his employment following his return to Hartt. Less than an hour after receiving Brown's report, Michaud told Brown he was terminated. Brown and Michaud were the only two people present when this was communicated. (PAS ¶¶ 112-115.) Michaud did not offer any explanation for the termination to Brown other than to say: "We don't need you anymore. You must have seen this coming." (Id. ¶ 116.) Hartt did not give Brown a letter explaining the termination.11 (Id. ¶ 117.)

At his deposition, Mr. Brown testified that he anticipated being fired after his return because it "wasn't the first time" he had seen "[s]omeone come back from medical leave and only be around a very short amount of time." (Brown Dep. at 223:5-12, cited in PAS ¶ 121.) Mr. Brown offers testimony from a Mr. Peter Freeman, who hauled freight for Hartt for roughly eight years, that is much to the same effect. (Freeman Dep. at 26, 28-29, 36-38, Doc. No. 43-4, cited in PAS ¶ 122.) I consider this testimony to be unreliable for purposes of the discriminatory motive issue. Even if the Court accepts as true that some employees separated from employment after returns from medical leave, this evidence is not sufficient to support an inference of illegal conduct on Hartt's part.

Brown also testified about Hartt's termination of a former employee named Darlene Frati who worked in the Sales Department. According to Brown, Ms. Frati's husband suffered a heart attack and thereafter Mr. Castonguay instructed Brown to "build a file on her" and "put everything in it ... so I can get rid of her." (Brown Dep. at 321:23-323:6, cited in PAS 104.) Hartt denies the statement with opposing testimony from Castonguay. I decline to draw an inference from Brown's deposition testimony that Castonguay's requests began after Frati's husband had a heart attack. When asked whether Castonguay's request was "somehow related to her husband having the stroke and requiring care," Brown testified: "I don't know that it was related" and "I'm not sure why he wanted her gone but he wanted her gone." (Id. at 321:23-322:2.) Although he need not be certain of Castonguay's intentions in order for this testimony to support a material inference, Brown also could not recollect when Castonguay made the request. (Id. at 323:19-22.) In this regard, it is not apparent from Brown's deposition testimony that the request did not predate the medical event experienced by Frati's husband. (Id. at 324:5-6: "I didn't refuse to do it but as time went on after her husband had a stroke I wouldn't do it.") If the request predated the medical event, the request would not demonstrate any animus toward an employee with significant family medical issues.

SUMMARY JUDGMENT STANDARD

A party moving for summary judgment is entitled to judgment in its favor only "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). A fact is material if its resolution would "affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law," and the dispute is genuine "if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). When reviewing the record for a genuine issue of material fact, the Court must view the summary judgment facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and credit all favorable inferences that might reasonably be drawn from the facts without resort to speculation. Merch. Ins. Co. v. U.S. Fid. & Guar. Co., 143 F.3d 5, 7 (1st Cir.1998). If such facts and inferences could support a favorable verdict for the nonmoving party, then there is a trialworthy controversy and summary judgment must be denied. ATC Realty. LLC v. Town of Kingston, 303 F.3d 91, 94 (1st Cir.2002).

DISCUSSION

Kevin Brown asserts eight counts in his complaint. Hartt Transportation argues that it is entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law against all claims but the last, for reasons discussed below. For purposes of discussion, I group the claims and discuss them in the following order: First, counts IV and VI (the interference/reinstatement claims) and counts V and VII (the retaliation claims) under the Family Medical Leave Act and Maine Family Medical Leave Requirements. Second, counts I and III (the Americans with Disabilities Act and Maine Human Rights Act discrimination claims). Counts II and VIII are not discussed because Brown concedes that summary judgment should enter against Count II (the Rehabilitation Act claim) and Hartt has not requested summary judgment against Count VIII. Based on my review of the record and the applicable legal standards, I conclude that genuine issues of material fact prevent an award of summary judgment on the contested claims.

A. Family Medical Leave Claims

The Family Medical Leave Act prohibits employers from interfering with certain rights guaranteed under the Act. 29 U.S.C. § 2615. As interpreted by the First Circuit, the prohibitions against "interference" break down into two categories. The first category involves employee entitlements prescribed by the Act. It is unlawful for an employer to deny these entitlements to its workers and the employer can be liable for non-compliance, whether or not the employer's non-compliance is motivated by bias against employees who take advantage of their leave rights. Hodgens v. Gen. Dynamics Corp., 144 F.3d 151, 159 (1st Cir.1998). The second category involves employer conduct specifically proscribed by the Act. Under this category fall acts by the employer amounting to leave-related discrimination or retaliation. The Act prohibits employers from discriminating against employees for opposing violations of the Act and prohibits employers from retaliating (or otherwise discriminating) against employees who exercise their leave-related rights. Id. at 159-60. Proof of discriminatory animus is necessary with the second category of claims. Id. at 160. See also Colburn v. Parker Hannifin/Nichols Portland Div., 429 F.3d 325, 330-31 (1st Cir.2005).

The Maine Family Medical Leave Requirements (MFMLR) are to the same effect. See 26 M.R.S. § 845(1) (requiring "restoration" to an equivalent position upon return from qualifying leave unless "the employer proves that the employee was not restored ... because of conditions unrelated to the employee's exercise of rights") & 847 (prohibiting "interference or denial" of rights, "discrimination against exercise of rights," and "discrimination against opposition"). I treat the MFMLR claims as coextensive with the FMLA claims, including both the prescriptive and proscriptive categories outlined by the First Circuit in relation to the FMLA.

Mr. Brown advances claims in both categories. For reasons that follow, I conclude that genuine issues of material fact preclude summary judgment in favor of Hartt because a fact finder could reasonably conclude from the evidence that Brown was not restored to an equivalent position following his return from qualifying leave,12 achieved persona non grata status based on his exercise of FMLA and MFMLR rights and opposition to his demotion, and suffered a retaliatory demotion and subsequent discharge based on his exercise of rights and/or opposition to Hartt's failure to honor those rights.

1. Interference with Family Medical Leave (Counts IV and VI)

Mr. Brown asserts that Hartt violated the FMLA by failing to reinstate him to the same or equivalent position upon his return from leave. (Opp'n Mem. at 5-6; Compl. Counts IV & VI.) Among the rights prescribed by the FMLA is the right "to be reinstated to the same position or an alternate position with equivalent pay, benefits, and working conditions," upon return from qualifying leave. Hodgens, 144 F.3d at 159 (citing 29 U.S.C. § 2614(a)(1); 29 C.F.R. § 825.100(c)). As to this right, "the employer's subjective intent is not relevant" and the issue is "simply" whether the employer provided the entitlement in question. Id. Hartt argues that it is entitled to summary judgment on this claim because Brown was restored to a position with the same pay and benefits and would have been demoted from managing or directing the Sales Department regardless of his medical leave. (Mot. at 5-8.)

Brown easily raises a genuine issue of fact whether he was restored to an equivalent position upon his return from leave. In addition to equal pay and benefits, an equivalent position is one that affords "virtually identical" conditions of employment, "including privileges, perquisites and status." 29 C.F.R. § 825.215(a). The record is sufficient to demonstrate that (1) Brown's status was reduced in that he became subordinate to Michaud and subject to Michaud's orders; (2) both Michaud and a new member of the sales department staff had taken over Michaud's former office; (3) Brown's involvement with his former sales accounts was reduced as a consequence of directions that he devote essentially all of his time to making sales calls out of the office for an underperforming sector of the business, while the new member of Sales took over Michaud's former duties; (4) Brown's post-leave company vehicle had reduced status; and (5) Brown's access to Hartt's general manager and president was essentially nil postleave, whereas pre-leave he would lunch with and have more regular association with them. Taken together, these changes in Brown's position, status, privileges and perquisites are sufficient to demonstrate that he was not restored to an equivalent position upon his return from leave. The question is where the claim goes from there.

The FMLA provides that the right to reinstatement, or "restoration," does not entitle a restored employee to "any right, benefit, or position of employment other than any right, benefit, or position to which the employee would have been entitled had the employee not taken the leave." 29 U.S.C. § 2614(a)(3). Hartt also cites a regulation to the same effect. 29 C.F.R. § 825.216. That regulation states that the burden falls on the employer to prove that the right, benefit, or position would have been taken away regardless of leave. Id. § 825.216(a)(1). Hartt itself states that it "must show that its decision... was finalized before [Brown] ... commenced FMLA leave or noticed his intent to return." (Mot. at 7, citing Patterson v. Alltel Info. Servs., Inc., 919 F.Supp. 500, 505 n. 9 (D.Me.1996).) In support of its bid for summary judgment, Hartt maintains it is undisputed that Brown had performance issues prior to his leave, that Mr. Hartt and Mr. Castonguay perceived Michaud as stronger in several performance areas in comparison to Brown, and that the decision was made before Hartt and Castonguay knew of Brown's intention to return. (Mot. at 7-8.) For reasons set out in the subsequent discussion of Brown's retaliatory/discriminatory discharge claims, I conclude that the record raises genuine issues that preclude judgment on Hartt's defense to the interference claims set out in Counts IV and VI.

2. Family Medical Leave Discrimination/Retaliation (Counts V and VII)

To succeed with his FMLA and MFMLR discrimination claims, Brown must demonstrate that Hartt's decisions to demote and fire him were motivated by retaliatory animus arising from his exercise of rights protected by the FMLA and MFMLR. Colburn, 429 F.3d at 335; Hodgens, 144 F.3d at 160. The claims are analyzed in accordance with the burdenshifting framework established in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 93 S.Ct. 1817, 36 L.Ed.2d 668 (1973), except where direct evidence of animus is available. Colburn, 429 F.3d at 335; Hodgens, 144 F.3d at 160.

The first step in the process requires the plaintiff to demonstrate that he has a prima facie case, which consists of evidence that "(1) he availed himself of a protected right under the FMLA; (2) he was adversely affected by an employment decision; (3) there is a causal connection between the employee's protected activity and the employer's adverse employment action." Hodgens, 144 F.3d at 161. Hartt makes passing reference to the prima facie case requirement but does not argue that Brown cannot satisfy it. My assessment is that Brown easily satisfies the standard. First, it is undisputed that Brown took qualifying leave. Second, for reasons discussed in the previous section, Brown was adversely affected by a demotion while he was on leave and by a termination shortly after his return from leave. Third, and finally, the record permits an inference of a prima facie causal connection because of the close temporal connection between Brown's leave and his demoted status, the imposition of more onerous work conditions following his protests, and the close temporal connection between his protests and his termination. Calero-Cerezo v. United States DOJ, 355 F.3d 6, 25 (1st Cir.2004). Because Brown satisfies his initial burden, Hartt must articulate a legitimate, non-retaliatory justification for its decisions to demote and fire Brown.

As for the decision to demote Brown, Hartt's position is, essentially, that Mr. Castonguay and Mr. Hartt had begun to discuss making Mr. Michaud Director of Sales in May of 2006, prior to Mr. Brown's leave, perceiving Michaud to be the sales employee who did most of the work, but that they did not get around to implementing any related employment actions until Mr. Brown's leave of absence. In its motion, Hartt cites paragraphs 24, 34-35, and 66 of its Statement of Material Facts. (Mot. at 10.) I assume that these record references suffice to carry Hartt's limited burden of production on the demotion decision, although 1 am somewhat concerned that Hartt did not clearly set forth a "legitimate justification" paragraph in its Statement of Material Facts.13 As for the decision to relegate Brown to flatbed calls upon his return, Hartt states that Mr. Castonguay considered Brown to have a special talent for soliciting information from prospective customers. (DSMF ¶ 65.) As for the decision to terminate Brown, Hartt relies on desultory performance, poor follow through, and failure to follow proper procedure. (Id. ¶¶ 97-100.) Hartt satisfies its burden of articulating legitimate explanations for the various adverse actions it imposed on Mr. Brown. Consequently, the burden returns to Brown, who must now demonstrate that Hartt's justifications are pretexts designed to mask discriminatory or retaliatory animus. Calero-Cerezo, 355 F.3d at 26; Wright v. CompUSA, Inc., 352 F.3d 472, 478 (1st Cir.2003).

Demonstrating pretext in the context of the McDonnell Douglas framework is the customary way of overcoming a summary judgment motion disputing the existence of any discriminatory motive. This can be done by showing that the movant's stated justifications could be regarded by the fact finder as specious because they are weak, implausible, inconsistent and contradictory, or perhaps even incoherent. Hodgens, 144 F.3d at 168. Evidence of close temporal proximity between two events is also probative of a causal connection. Id. Additionally, the historical background to a decision (or lack thereof), the use of a particular evaluative process, contemporaneous statements by decision makers, and evidence of unfairness can all be called upon to help raise an issue as to the existence of discriminatory motive. Id. at 168-69.

Brown raises a genuine issue as to the existence of retaliatory and discriminatory animus with his combined factual presentation. At the foundation of this presentation is a very strong temporal proximity. Added to this are facts that call into question Hartt's assertion that demotion was inevitable. Hartt states that the intention to demote Brown or promote Michaud was forming in June of 2006, but the evidence would permit findings that Mr. Castonguay spoke positively of company profitability with Brown at that time, that no significant performance issues were raised with Brown at that time or previously, and that Michaud did not complain about unfair workloads subsequent to June 2006. Moreover, in its Statement, Hartt attempts to create the impression that Brown and Michaud were really a team of relative equals, yet if that was so, it begs the question why Hartt was so determined to place Brown under Michaud's constant supervision upon his return and why Hartt tasked Brown with making sales calls almost entirely devoted to flatbed freight, an underperforming sector of its business, during the off season, while grooming a newcomer to the Department to assume Michaud's accounts or former duties. On top of these circumstances, Hartt never offers a statement, supported by the testimony of its decision makers, to the effect that it was reasonable to instruct Brown to make 5 or 6 face-to-face sales calls per day while trying to schedule roughly 25 more for the following week. Hartt merely relates that Brown was instructed to do so and that Brown thought the assignment was unreasonable. (DSMF ¶¶ 83, 93.) This aspect of the record supports an inference that the assignment was unreasonable. A reasonable fact finder could regard these changes in Brown's work conditions as retaliatory or discriminatory measures and not merely the inevitable realignment of personnel to maximize workplace efficiencies or to recognize the relative merit of Brown and Michaud, as proposed by Hartt. Mr. Castonguay's and Mr. Hartt's refusal to talk with Mr. Brown upon his return and the exclusion of Mr. Brown from lunch outings only reinforces such a finding. Castonguay's failure to explain the demotion to Brown on January 15 in terms of Brown's alleged performance issues further calls into question the stated justification.14 In combination, these several items of circumstantial evidence are sufficient to permit the finder of fact to reject Hartt's justifications and to conclude that Brown's standing at Hartt fell precipitously following his heart attack precisely because of his medical condition and/or exercise of FMLA rights and that he was set up to fail upon his return, in very short order, for the same reason.15

B. Disability Discrimination

Hartt also seeks summary judgment in its favor on Brown's claims of disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA). Hartt contends that Brown's claim must fail because he was not "substantially limited in any major life activity during the time period relevant to the two alleged acts of discrimination." (Mot. at 17.) Otherwise, Hartt contends that the record is not sufficient to demonstrate that these adverse employment actions were motivated by discriminatory animus toward the disabled. (Id. at 18.) These challenges pertain to distinct aspects of the McDonnell Douglas framework as applied in the context of disability discrimination.

The ADA prohibits discrimination against "a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability of such individual in regard to ... terms, conditions, and privileges of employment." 42 U.S.C. § 12112(a). The MHRA provides analogous protection. It, too, prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in regard to, among other things, discharge and the terms, conditions and privileges of employment. 5 M.R.S. § 4572(2). It is appropriate to analyze both claims "hand in hand," following the McDonnell Douglas rubric. Carmichael v. Verso Paper, 679 F.Supp.2d 109, 124-25 (D.Me.2010) (citing Soileau v. Guilford of Me., Inc., 105 F.3d 12, 14 (1st Cir.1997)) (quoting Winston v. Me. Tech. Coll. Sys., 631 A.2d 70, 74 (Me.1993)).16

1. Prima Facie Disability Discrimination

To establish a prima facie case under the ADA and MHRA, Mr. Brown must demonstrate (1) that he was disabled within the meaning of the Acts; (2) that with or without reasonable accommodation, he was qualified to perform the essential functions of his job; and (3) that Hartt demoted and/or discharged him because of, in whole or in part, his disability. Thornton v. UPS, Inc., 587 F.3d 27, 34 (1st Cir.2009). Hartt's summary judgment motion focuses on the first element of the prima facie test.17 Hartt observes that Brown was cleared to return to work and that there were no restrictions suggesting he suffered from a substantial impairment. (Mot. at 16-17.) Based on this development, Hartt says that Brown categorically cannot qualify as disabled. (Id. at 17-18.) Should the Court conclude that Brown has a prima facie case, Hartt argues that Brown fails to raise a genuine issue on the ultimate issue of discriminatory motive. (Id. at 18.) I conclude that Brown has made a sufficient prima facie showing under both the ADA and the MHRA and that there is enough circumstantial evidence in the record to raise a jury question on the existence of discriminatory motive.

a. Brown qualifies as disabled for purposes of the MHRA

Before addressing whether Brown qualified as disabled under the ADA, it is clear that Brown raises a genuine issue whether he qualified as disabled under the MHRA. When his claim accrued, the MHRA extended disability protection for "any ... infirmity ... caused by ... disease, ... environmental conditions or illness." Whitney v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 2006 ME 37, ¶ 24, 895 A.2d 309, 315 (quoting Rozanski v. A-P-A Transp., 512 A.2d 335, 340 (Me.1986), and 5 M.R.S.A. § 4553(7-A) (1979)). Brown's heart attacks, which required quintuple bypass surgery and two angioplasties, demonstrate a qualifying disability for purposes of Maine law.

b. Brown fails to demonstrate a substantial limitation of permanent or long-term duration

A qualifying disability under the ADA is defined as an impairment that "substantially limits" an individual's ability to engage in one or more "major life activities." 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2) (2005).18 Brown obviously suffered a significant impairment in his cardiovascular system when he suffered heart attacks in late 2006. For purposes of federal law, the question is whether Brown's heart attacks reflected or resulted in a substantial limitation in Brown's ability to perform a major life activity. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has defined "substantially limits" as:

29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(j)(l). The EEOC prescribes the following factors to determine whether an individual is substantially limited in a major life activity:

29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(j)(2). In Toyota Motor Manufacturing v. Williams, 534 U.S. 184, 122 S.Ct. 681, 151 L.Ed.2d 615 (2002), the Supreme Court reified the "permanent or long term" regulation, treating it as inherent in the idea of substantial limitation. Id. at 198, 122 S.Ct. 681. Consequently, where there are "large potential differences in the severity and duration of the effect" of an impairment, a "diagnosis, on its own, does not indicate whether the individual has a disability within the meaning of the ADA." Id. at 199, 122 S.Ct. 681.

Because Mr. Brown's ADA claim arose in 2007, his impairment must not only be long term, it must also be substantially limiting despite the impact of mitigating measures taken to restore his health. Sutton v. United Air Lines, 527 U.S. 471, 482-83, 119 S.Ct. 2139, 144 L.Ed.2d 450 (1999), superceded by statute, ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Pub.L. No. 110-325, 122 Stat. 3553 (2008); Carreras v. Sajo, 596 F.3d 25, 33 (1st Cir.2010). Thus, Mr. Brown's cardiovascular functioning would need to be assessed in light of his quintuple bypass surgery and angioplasty procedures.

Mr. Brown maintains that as of January 4, 2007, when the decision was made to demote him, he had been through three procedures and been hospitalized three times, and "was suffering a severe impairment of indeterminate duration that had, potentially, permanent long-term impact." (Opp'n Mem. at 15.) At that time, Brown had been out on leave for two months and believed he might be out of work for more than two additional months. (Id.) In addition to these considerations, Brown has introduced evidence that his physician opines that Brown had an elevated risk of sudden death following his heart attacks, including in the time frame of his return to work. (PAS ¶ 65.) Moreover, at the time, Brown still had to complete a cardiac rehabilitation program that required attendance two to three times per week. (Id. ¶ 66.) Brown was still participating in this program when Hartt terminated him. (Id. ¶ 67.) On top of this evidence, Hartt itself had indicated that its decision makers, as of January 4, "had no idea if Mr. Brown would ever return to work for Hartt." (DRS ¶ 55)

Because of the exacting phraseology that developed in this area of the law, it is actually difficult to find that two heart attacks, quintuple bypass surgery, and two angioplasties raise a genuine issue as to the existence of a substantially limiting cardiovascular disability. For example, in Katz v. City Metal Co., the First Circuit recognized that "a rational jury could conclude, even without expert medical testimony," that a heart attack reflects a physical impairment of the cardiovascular system. 87 F.3d 26, 31 (1st Cir.1996). However, the First Circuit also stated that it presented "a very close question" whether a cardiac event that resulted in a period of convalescence involving shortness of breath and a significant limitation in the ability to walk satisfied the substantial limitation standard. In the Court's words:

Id. at 32. The same would have to be said of this case, as the record lacks evidence of any physical limitations on the order of what was experienced by the plaintiff in Katz. In another, more recent opinion, the First Circuit indicated that it would be difficult to determine whether any temporary infirmity involving a period of convalescence of only 6 to 24 months could satisfy the "permanent or long-term requirement" of the ADA, as it was construed at the time of Brown's impairment. Guzman-Rosario v. UPS, 397 F.3d 6, 10 (1st Cir.2005) (involving ovarian cysts that required surgery and brief hospitalization). In Guzman-Rosario, the First Circuit ultimately decided to resolve a summary judgment dispute based on the absence of evidence of a substantial limitation on a life activity of any duration. Id. at 10-11 (involving intermittent dizziness and pain). That escape hatch does not as easily open here. Two heart attacks and quintuple bypass reflect a severe impairment of cardiovascular function that can be expected to severely disrupt anyone's life activities for a spell. The issue here is, squarely, the duration of such impairment. On balance, I conclude that the facts of the instant case are not sufficient to place Brown in the category of "disabled" under the ADA, as the term was construed at the time, because his impairment, though severe, was not of long enough duration.

c. Brown fails to demonstrate a record of a substantial limitation of permanent or long-term duration

Brown argues, in the alternative, that he qualifies as disabled under the ADA because he had a record of being disabled and/or because Hartt regarded him as disabled. The ADA extends its protection to those who are discriminated against based on a record of a qualifying disability or based on a mistaken perception that they suffer from a qualifying disability. 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(B), (C) (2005). To come within either of these categories, Brown must show that he had a record of, or was regarded as having, an impairment that substantially limited one or more life activities. Ruiz Rivera v. Pfizer Pharms., LLC, 521 F.3d 76, 83 (1st Cir.2008). The limitation would also have to be permanent or long term.19 Katz, 87 F.3d at 32; Guzman-Rosario, 397 F.3d at 10. For reasons already indicated, the summary judgment record does not support a finding that Brown had a record of a permanent of long-term limitation when he returned to work at Hartt.

Brown argues that he has a record of a qualifying disability because his treatment required hospitalization, citing School Board of Nassau County v. Arline, 480 U.S. 273, 107 S.Ct. 1123, 94 L.Ed.2d 307 (1987). (Opp'n Mem. at 16.) In Arline, the Supreme Court held that acute tuberculosis requiring hospitalization demonstrated a record of a substantially limiting impairment of respiratory function. Id. at 281, 107 S.Ct. 1123. However, Arline was decided prior to Williams, where the Supreme Court held that an "impairment's impact must also be permanent or longterm." 534 U.S. at 198, 122 S.Ct. 681. This is not to say that Williams overruled Arline, but the hospitalization in Arline lasted in excess of one year. Arline v. Sch. Bd. of Nassau County, 692 F.Supp. 1286, 1289 (M.D.Fla.1988) ("Plaintiff was hospitalized for tuberculosis from May of 1957 until August of 1958.") Arline, in other words, does not reflect that any period of hospitalization requires a finding that a plaintiff has a record of a substantially limiting impairment. Even prior to the Williams decision, courts were refusing to treat a brief period of hospitalization as establishing a record of a qualifying disability. Bilodeau v. Mega Indus., 50 F.Supp.2d 27, 37 (D.Me.1999) ("This Court agrees with the decisions of the Courts of Appeal for the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Circuits that a hospitalization for an impairment does not in and of itself establish a record of such disability.") (collecting cases). This Court has more recently denied summary judgment to an employer based on a "record of claim, where the plaintiff was twice hospitalized for the same impairment (depression and resulting suicide attempts)." However, those hospitalizations occurred more than a decade apart, which would suggest a long-term impairment. Trafton v. Sunbury Primary Care, PA, 689 F.Supp.2d 180, 189-90 (D.Me.2010).

d. Brown succeeds in demonstrating that he was regarded as having a substantial limitation of long-term duration

The purpose of the "regarded as" provision "is to protect impaired individuals from discrimination on the part of their employers who exclude such individuals because of the stereotypes, myths, and fears they hold of people who are so impaired." Bilodeau, 50 F.Supp.2d at 38. A person is regarded as having a qualifying disability where: "(1) a covered entity mistakenly believes that a person has a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or (2) a covered entity mistakenly believes that an actual, nonlimiting impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities." Sutton, 527 U.S. at 489, 119 S.Ct. 2139. Brown argues that Hartt regarded him as having a qualifying disability. He bases his argument on the following facts:

That Hartt demanded a full release before Brown would be permitted to return. (Opp'n Mem. at 17-19.) In addition to these facts, I note that Hartt itself has indicated it did not know whether Brown would ever return to work. (DRS ¶ 55.) These facts, plus the circumstantial evidence of pretext, are sufficient to support an inference that Hartt regarded Brown as having an impairment of sufficient duration to meet the Williams "permanent or longterm" requirement, which is the only factor otherwise preventing Brown from establishing a prima facie case of a qualifying disability or record of a qualifying disability.

e. Pretext

The discussion of pretext set forth above, in the context of the FMLA and MFMLR claims, applies with equal force here. Viewing all of the evidence in the record in the light most favorable to Brown and drawing all reasonable inferences in his favor, the finder of fact could fairly conclude that Hartt discriminated against Brown in regard to the terms, conditions, and privileges of employment based on an actual (MHRA) or perceived (ADA) disability.

CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing recitation of material facts and discussion of the law, I RECOMMEND that the Court GRANT Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 22) solely as to Count II (Rehabilitation Act) and otherwise DENY the Motion.