ANDREW P. GORDON, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE.
Plaintiff Judith Samuels was employed as a bookkeeper at We've Only Just Begun Wedding Chapel ("WOJB") before being discharged by owner Charolette Richards. Ms. Samuels, who is Jewish, claims that she suffered discrimination and a hostile work environment because of her religious beliefs and practices. I previously dismissed one of Ms. Samuels' claims and remanded five others to the state court. (Dkt. #37 at 7.) Her remaining claims against WOJB and Ms. Richards assert (1) religious discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act ("Title VII") and Nevada law; (2) religious discrimination based on a failure to accommodate under Title VII and Nevada law; (3) harassment/hostile work environment; and (4) intentional infliction of emotional distress. Defendants now seek summary judgment on all of these claims. Defendants also request that I dismiss Ms. Richards from this lawsuit, arguing that there are no valid claims asserted against her.
WOJB operates the Little White Wedding Chapel, which provides wedding ceremonies to its customers. Ms. Richards is the president and owner of WOJB. WOJB employed Ms. Samuels as a part-time bookkeeper between December 2010 and April 2011. Ms. Samuels was first placed at WOJB by a temporary agency in September 2010. (Dkt. #57-1 at 9; Dkt. #58-1 at 12.) She worked part-time at WOJB. receiving approximately $13-$15 per hour from the temporary agency for this work. (Dkt. #57-1 at 9, 11.) In December 2010, Ms. Samuels accepted a position with WOJB as a part-time bookkeeper for a salary of $ 18 per hour. (Id. at 19.)
Ms. Samuels is Jewish and observes the Jewish holidays. Ms. Samuels states that while employed by WOJB: (1) Ms. Richards conducted prayer sessions at the end of staff meetings that made her uncomfortable, (2) she felt compelled to attend one after-work prayer service, (3) Ms. Richards sang Christian songs to her both at work and over the telephone, and (4) that Ms. Richards does not deny once telling her. "You know the Jews killed our Savior." (Dkt. #57-1 at 31-37; Dkt. #58-1 at 63-64.) Ms. Samuels further alleges that she believes she was paid less than prior bookkeepers because of her religion. (Dkt. #10 at 4.) Neither Ms. Samuels nor Ms. Richards is sure when Ms. Richards learned that Ms. Samuels was Jewish, but at the latest Ms. Richards would have been aware of this fact in March 2011 when Ms. Samuels asked for time off to celebrate the Passover holiday. (Dkt. #57-1 at 14-15.) The defendants contend that Ms. Samuels was never required to attend any prayer services and Ms. Richards' singing of Christian songs in the office was not directed at Ms. Samuels specifically. (Dkt. #57-1 at 31-35.)
Ms. Richards initially approved Ms. Samuels' request to take off April 18 and 19 to celebrate Passover with her family. (Id. at 14-15.) Around that same time. Ms. Samuels also asked for an advance on her salary to travel to a family member's bar mitzvah. (Id. at 16-17.) Ms. Richards also granted this request. (Id.) On the evening of April 18, on the first night of Passover and after Ms. Samuels had taken the day off, Ms. Richards terminated Ms. Samuels via a text message which read:
(Id. at 73-76.)
Ms. Richards says that Ms. Samuels was never discriminated against and that Ms. Samuels' religion had nothing to do with her termination. Rather, she says that there were several reasons why Ms. Samuels was terminated and all relate to her poor work performance, including that she had failed to keep a clean work area, manipulated WOJB's payroll system, and that she had failed to maintain its ATM machine. (Dkt. #57 at 28-29; Dkt. # 57-1 at 25-26; 28-29.) According to Ms. Richards, the concerns she had with Ms. Samuels' performance came to a head over the Passover holiday when it was discovered that certain of WOJB's vehicles did not have their proper proof of insurance information which resulted in a WOJB driver being ticketed. (Dkt. #57 at 32; Dkt. #57-1 at 28-29.)
Ms. Richards does not remember if she ever discussed with Ms. Samuels any of her poor work habits prior to Ms. Samuels' termination. (Dkt. #58-1 at 52.) Ms. Samuels states Ms. Richards never spoke to her about any concerns about her performance. (Dkt. #58-1 at 13.) Ms. Samuels also contends that many of the performance issues the defendants complain of are events for which she was not responsible. For example, she states that she was not responsible for loading the ATM machine the day it was improperly maintained and that Ms. Richards* grandson, not Ms. Samuels, had been delegated the responsibility of placing the proof of insurance in WOJB's vehicles. (Dkt. #58-1 at 25-26; 32-33.)
Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings, discovery responses, and affidavits "show there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 330, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986) (citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)). For summary judgment purposes, the court views all facts and draws all inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Kaiser Cement Corp. v. Fischbach & Moore, Inc., 793 F.2d 1100, 1103 (9th Cir. 1986).
If the moving party demonstrates the absence of any genuine issue of material fact, the burden shifts to the nonmoving party to "set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 256, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986); Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. The nonmoving party "must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts." Bank of Am. v. Orr, 285 F.3d 764, 783 (9th Cir.2002) (internal citations omitted). She "must produce specific evidence, through affidavits or admissible discovery material, to show" a sufficient evidentiary basis on which a reasonable fact finder could find in her favor. Bhan v. NME Hosps., Inc., 929 F.2d 1404, 1409 (9th Cir.1991); Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248-49, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
Ms. Samuels' Seventh Cause of Action asserts a religious discrimination claim
In response, Ms. Samuels argues that Ms. Richards' text informing her of her termination, directly references her request to take time off for Passover. Further, she argues that all of the defendants' non-religious reasons for terminating her were manufactured after the fact and conflict with the reason given in Ms. Richards' text.
Title VII makes it unlawful for an employer "to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment" because of religion. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(1). N.R.S. § 613.330(1)(a) makes the same conduct unlawful under state law. Claims for unlawful discrimination under § 613.330 are analyzed under the same principles applied to similar Title VII claims. See Apeceche v. While Pine Co., 96 Nev. 723, 615 P.2d 975, 977-78 (1980) (comparing § 613.330 to section 703(a)(1) of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and analyzing § 613.330 according to federal precedent): see also Wilson v. Greater Las Vegas Ass'n of Realtors, No. 2:14-CV-00362-APG-NJK, 2015 WL 1014365, at *4 (D.Nev. Mar. 9, 2015). Accordingly, I will address Ms. Samuels' state and federal claims of religious discrimination based on a protected class together.
To prevail on a Title VII discrimination claim based on a protected class, the plaintiff must establish a prima facie case by presenting evidence that "gives rise to an inference of unlawful discrimination." Cordova v. State Farm Ins. Co., 124 F.3d 1145, 1148 (9th Cir.1997); see also McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green. 411 U.S. 792, 802, 93 S.Ct. 1817, 36 L.Ed.2d 668 (1973). A plaintiff can establish a prima facie case through direct evidence or through circumstantial evidence via the burden shifting framework set forth in McDonnell Douglas. See Metoyer v. Chassman, 504 F.3d 919, 931 (9th Cir. 2007).
Religious discrimination occurs if the plaintiff's religion was a "motivating factor for any employment practice, even though other factors also motivated the practice." 42 U.S.C. § 2000c-2(m). "[A] single discriminatory comment by a plaintiff's supervisor or decisionmaker is sufficient to preclude summary judgment for the employer" in a Title VII discrimination
Here, there is direct evidence of discrimination. In cases where direct evidence of discriminatory animus is present, the McDonnel Douglass framework requiring a prima facie showing of discrimination is inapplicable.
Making all inferences in Ms. Samuels' favor, she has submitted evidence creating a triable issue as to whether her religion was a motivating factor for her termination. Ms. Samuels was informed of her termination through a text message from Ms. Richards which states, in part, "Judy I did not want to call you as I know this is a special time for you. However if I allow you to take off for a special holiday I would have to allow everyone that works here to take off for special holidays." (Dkt. #57-1 at 73-74.) Defendants point to the rest of the text which makes reference to the misplaced vehicle insurance as proof that the reason for the termination was non-discriminatory. (Id. at 74-76.) However, the latter part of the message does not negate the former. In addition to the text message, viewing the facts and making all inferences in Ms. Samuels' favor. Ms. Richards often sang religious songs to Ms. Samuels, Ms. Richards conducted prayer services at work that Ms. Samuels felt required to attend, and Ms. Richards does not deny telling Ms. Samuels, "You know the Jews killed our Savior." (Dkt. #58-1 at 34-36; 64.)
As to the allegation that Ms. Samuels was paid less because she was Jewish, Ms. Samuels has failed to provide any evidence that the defendants knew she was Jewish at the time she was hired and her salary was set. She also has not provided evidence of the religion of previous bookkeepers she believes were paid more or evidence that any difference in pay was based on religion. Therefore, her claim for religious discrimination based on her salary fails.
I therefore grant partial summary judgment to the defendants on the Seventh Cause of Action to the extent it is based on Ms. Samuels' salary. However because there are triable issues as to whether Ms. Samuels was terminated, at least in part, because of a protected characteristic, I deny summary judgment on the portion of the Seventh Cause of Action that is based on her termination. Ms. Samuels may proceed with her Seventh Cause of Action against WOJB asserting liability under both Title VII and Nevada law based on her termination. As explained below, she may proceed with her Seventh Cause of Action against Ms. Richards asserting liability only under Nevada law based on her termination.
Ms. Samuels' Ninth Cause of Action asserts a religious discrimination claim against the defendants under Title VII and Nevada law based on a "failure to accommodate" theory, alleging that the defendants failed to reasonably accommodate her religious practices and beliefs. (Dkt. #10 at 18-19.) Ms. Samuels has not stated under which Nevada law she asserts this claim, nor have the defendants argued for summary judgment on Ms. Samuels' claim under Nevada law. Therefore. I review the defendants' motion for summary judgment only as to Ms. Samuels' Title VII claim for failure to accommodate.
As noted above, Title VII makes it an unlawful employment practice for an employer "to discharge any individual... because of such individual's ... religion." 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(1). Title VII defines "religion" to include "all aspects of religious observance and practice. as well as belief, unless an employer demonstrates that he is unable to reasonably accommodate to an employee's or prospective employee's religious observance or practice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business." 42 U.S.C. § 2000e(j).
Claims for failure to accommodate are analyzed using a two-part framework. Heller v. EBB Auto Co., 8 F.3d 1433, 1438 (9th Cir.1993). First. Ms. Samuels must establish a prima facie case by proving that: (1) she had a bona fide religious belief, the practice of which conflicted with an employment duty; (2) she informed her employer of the belief and conflict; and (3) the employer threatened her or subjected her to discriminatory treatment, including discharge, because of her inability to fulfill the job requirements. See id. If the employee
As described above, and viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Ms. Samuels. Ms. Samuels has demonstrated a prima facie case: she asked for time off to celebrate Passover and was terminated as a result. The defendants respond that Ms. Samuels received days off for Passover and therefore her religious practices were reasonably accommodated. But they subsequently terminated her on the first night of the holiday. A reasonable jury could find that Ms. Samuels' request for days off for Passover influenced the decision to terminate her. The circumstances of Ms. Samuels' termination create an issue of fact as to whether the defendants made reasonable efforts to accommodate her religious practices. As a result, the defendants' motion for summary judgment on this claim is denied. Ms. Samuels may proceed with her Ninth Cause of Action against WOJB asserting liability under both Title VII and Nevada law based on her "failure to accommodate" theory. However, as explained below, she may proceed with her Ninth Cause of Action against Ms. Richards asserting liability only under Nevada law.
Ms. Samuels does not specify under which law she is seeking relief for her Eighth Cause of Action, which asserts harassment/hostile work environment. In their motion, the defendants cite Title VII legal standards and precedent. (Dkt. #57 at 10-11.) In her opposition Ms. Samuels adopts the Title VII legal standard and offers no other legal basis for this claim. (Dkt. #58 at 8-9.) Therefore, I presume that Ms. Samuels asserts this claim based on Title VII liability only.
Under Title VII, to prevail on a hostile work environment claim based on religion, Ms. Samuels must show that: (1) she was subject to verbal or physical conduct of a harassing nature that was based on her religion; (2) the conduct was unwelcome; and (3) the conduct was sufficiently severe or pervasive as to alter the conditions of her employment and create an abusive work environment. See Kang v. U. Lim America, Inc., 296 F.3d 810, 817 (9th Cir.2002); Cohen-Breen v. Gray Television Grp., Inc., 661 F.Supp.2d 1158, 1167 (D.Nev.2009). Defendants allege that the environment at the chapel was not sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of her employment or create an abusive working environment. Viewing the facts in a light most favorable to Ms. Samuels, I agree.
To determine whether conduct was sufficiently severe or pervasive, I consider "all the circumstances, including the frequency of the discriminatory conduct: its severity; whether it is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive utterance: and whether it unreasonably interferes with an employee's work performance." Clark County Sch. Dist. v. Breeden, 532 U.S. 268, 270-71, 121 S.Ct. 1508, 149 L.Ed.2d 509 (2001). "The working environment must both subjectively and objectively be perceived as abusive." Fuller v. City of Oakland, California, 47 F.3d 1522, 1527 (9th Cir.1995) (citing Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 114 S.Ct. 367, 126 L.Ed.2d 295 (1993)).
Here, Ms. Samuels has failed to establish that the alleged conduct by the
Ms. Samuels has failed to establish by admissible evidence frequent or severe discriminatory conduct and has failed to show how it unreasonably interfered with her workplace performance. Therefore. I grant the defendant's motion for summary judgment on this claim.
In support of her Tenth Cause of action asserting a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress ("IIED"). Ms. Samuels relies on the same set of facts as she does to support her religious discrimination and harassment/hostile work environment claims. To prove a claim of IIED in Nevada, Ms. Samuels must show: (1) the defendants' conduct was extreme and out-rageous: (2) the defendants either intentionally or recklessly caused the emotional distress; (3) she actually suffered severe or extreme emotional distress; and (4) the defendants' conduct actually or proximately caused her suffering. Star v. Rabello, 97 Nev. 124, 625 P.2d 90, 92 (1981); Nelson v. City of Las Vegas, 99 Nev. 548, 665 P.2d 1141, 1145 (1983).
A discriminatory termination, by itself, does not constitute extreme and outrageous conduct. Alam v. Reno Hilton Corp., 819 F.Supp. 905, 911 (D.Nev.1993) ("[T]ermination of employees, even in the context of a discriminatory policy, does not in itself amount to extreme and outrageous conduct actionable under an intentional infliction of emotional distress theory."). Only where an employer's treatment of an employee "go[es] beyond all possible bounds of decency, is atrocious[.] and utterly intolerable" will the defendant be liable. Id. at 911. Occasionally treating another person in an inconsiderate, unkind, or rude manner is not enough to support a claim for IIED. Maduike v. Agency Rent-A-Car, 114 Nev. 1, 953 P.2d 24. 26 (1998) (per curiam) (quotation omitted); Schneider v. TRW, Inc., 938 F.2d 986, 992-93 (9th Cir.1991) (affirming summary judgment against plaintiff's IIED claim where her supervisor "screamed and yelled in the process of criticizing her performance, threatened to throw her out of the department and made gestures she interpreted as threatening"). Nor is conduct extreme and outrageous merely because a person knows the other person will "`regard the conduct as insulting, or will have h[er] feelings hurt." Chehade Refai v. Lazaro, 614 F.Supp.2d 1103, 1121 (D.Nev.2009).
The cases cited by Ms. Samuels are inapposite. Those cases involved conduct more far egregious than what Ms. Samuels alleges here. See e.g., Russo v. Clearwire US, LLC, No. 2:12-CV-01831-PMP-VCF, 2013 WL 1855753 (D.Nev. April 30, 2013) (alleging employer discouraged the plaintiff, who was legally blind, from applying for new management positions because of his disability, refused him the equipment and software needed to do his job, and moved him to a building with lighting which made it impossible for him to see); Dannenbring v. Wynn Las Vegas LLC, No. 2:12-CV-00007-JCM-VCF, 2012 WL 3317500 (D.Nev. Aug. 13, 2012) (alleging employer refused to allow pregnant employee to switch shifts in order to avoid cigarette smoke, fired her one month before her maternity leave, and retaliated against the employee when she sought unemployment benefits). The one case cited by Ms, Samuels in which the court denied defendants' summary judgment motion on an IIED claim addressed a situation where the employer engaged in far more outrageous conduct than Ms. Samuels alleges happened in this case. In Dillard Dep't Stores, Inc. v. Beckwith, evidence showed that the defendant admitted to the plaintiff that she was demoted because of her worker's compensation claim, that upon demotion the plaintiff was placed in a department where it would be difficult for her to make daily sales quotas, that she was ridiculed by younger employees, and that the plaintiff's complaints about her harmful work environment were ignored. 115 Nev. 372, 378, 384, 989 P.2d 882 (1999).
Here, the defendants' conduct was potentially wrongful, but it was not beyond all possible bounds of decency. I therefore grant summary judgment in defendants' favor on Ms. Samuels' IIED claim.
The defendants argue that Title VII liability is limited to employers and does not extend to individual supervisors, corporate officers, or shareholders. Ms. Samuels concedes that the Ninth Circuit has ruled that Title VII does not extend to individual supervisors, but she argues that other circuits have applied a more liberal construction.
Civil liability under Title VII is limited to employers. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(g). Miller v. Maxwell's Int. Inc., 991 F.2d 583,
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the defendants' motion for summary judgment