CONTI, District Judge.
Pending before the court is the motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 39) filed by the defendant UPMC Health Plan, Inc. ("UPMC" or the "Defendant"), with respect to claims made by Shane Stadtmiller ("Stadtmiller" or the "Plaintiff") in his five-count, third amended complaint. (ECF No. 36). Count I is premised on the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act ("USERRA"), 38 U.S.C. § 4301-33. Count II is brought pursuant to Pennsylvania's Military Affairs Act, as amended, 51 Pa. Con. Stat. §§ 7301 et. seq. In count III, the Plaintiff alleges wrongful discharge under Pennsylvania law. Count IV is based upon alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., and count V sets out a claim under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ("RA"), 29 U.S.C. § 794.
The Plaintiff entered military service in 2000, when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served as a platoon leader in the Republic of Korea, and later "as a member of the faculty and staff at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York." (ECF No. 36 ¶ 4). Stadtmiller was deployed to Iraq in January 2005. (Id. ¶ 5; ECF No. 48 at 2). Soon after arriving in Iraq, the Plaintiff caught his right hand in the door of a Humvee, breaking at least one finger and suffering shortening of the other fingers on that hand. (Stadtmiller Depo. 41-42, Feb. 13, 2010 (ECF No. 42-1 at 43-44)). As a result, he is unable to "write for long periods of time and [his] handwriting isn't as good as it used to be." (Stadtmiller Depo. 42 (Id. at 44)). In April 2005, the Plaintiff suffered additional injuries as a result of shrapnel thrown by a "vehicle borne improvised explosive device." (Stadtmiller Depo. 50 (ECF No. 42-2 at 3)). During his deposition, Stadtmiller testified that after the explosion, he became sensitive to light and loud noises, suffered anxiety when startled, found it "terribly troublesome" to work with his back to the door, experienced cluster headaches and tinnitus, could not concentrate or multitask, and had impaired recall. (Stadtmiller Depo. 38-40 (ECF No. 42-1 at 40-42)). Despite these difficulties, Stadtmiller remained in Iraq until February 2006. (Stadtmiller Depo. 45 (Id. at 47)). Upon his return to the United States, he assumed the position of project liaison officer for the Joint Interagency Training Center in Kingswood, West Virginia, (Stadtmiller Depo. 36 (id. at 38)), and, from 2007 through 2008, served as a company commander in the West Virginia National Guard. (ECF No. 36 ¶ 6).
Stadtmiller was scheduled to enter the Army's Captain's Career Course in November 2007, but instead accepted a position as a project manager in UPMC's Quality Assurance Department. (Stadtmiller Depo. 62 (ECF No. 42-2 at 15; ECF No. 36 ¶ 10)). Stadtmiller located this position though Hire Heroes USA, a job placement service for disabled veterans. (ECF No. 48 at 2). Gregory Peaslee ("Peaslee"), a UPMC senior vice president, directed UPMC's resource staff to work with Hire Heroes USA in order to match military veterans with UPMC job vacancies. After reviewing Stadtmiller's resume,
During her deposition, Walsh, who was Stadtmiller's supervisor, explained her conviction that the skill set, reflected in Stadtmiller's resume made him an excellent candidate for the project manager position. He was skilled at leading teams, having accountability, and tracking what was happening. He led and mentored over a hundred people, had operation of classes as a training component, strong management and organization. He multi-tasked frequently and was skilled and successful in performing those tasks:
(Walsh Depo. 50-51 (Id. at 16)).
Stadtmiller began work at UPMC on November 19, 2007. (ECF No. 42-10 at 6). He was immediately assigned two mentors, or "preceptors," Sherry Askey ("Askey") and Louise Dobbins ("Dobbins"). These women worked with the group to which the Plaintiff was assigned. They "supported him and his learning team, mentoring him through his tasks that he could see what he was supposed to be doing." (Walsh Depo. 65 (ECF No. 42-9 at 19)). Until January 2008, Stadtmiller "didn't have a whole heck of a lot to do." (Stadtmiller Depo. 98 (ECF No. 42-3 at 1)). He shadowed other project managers and observed "probably a handful of meetings," so that he could learn. (Stadtmiller Depo. 98-99 (Id. at 1-2)). He asked a lot of questions, "try[ing] to get familiar with the terminology, vernacular, and that was about it." (Stadtmiller Depo. 99 (Id. at 2)). This situation lasted about six weeks, until "a lot of folks" returned from vacations. (Stadtmiller Depo. 99 (Id.)).
One of Stadtmiller's first assignments was data entry, which was to be carried out with another project manager, Marlie Bruno ("Bruno"). (Walsh Depo. 76 (ECF No. 42-9 at 22)). Walsh described this project as a "simple" task. (Walsh Depo. 83 (Id. at 24)). She, however, was almost immediately disappointed with Stadtmiller's performance. "[Bruno] ... repeatedly asked Mr. Stadtmiller to please ask questions because his work was not satisfactory...." (Walsh Depo. 77 (Id. at 22)). "[D]aily performance deficiencies were ... reviewed with him." (Walsh Depo. 79 (Id. at 23)). "[A]t least 50 percent of [his] work was done incorrectly, [and] the repeated effort to have this done correctly and showing him the errors, actually resulted in us [sic] having somebody else do it." (Walsh Depo. 81) ((Id.)). During her deposition, Walsh testified:
(Walsh Depo. 83 (Id. at 24)). Walsh testified that she asked Bruno to prepare a memo documenting her experience with Stadtmiller's work. (Walsh Depo. 78 (Id. at 23)). "[T]here were opportunities for improvement here and because there were performance issues, and the business strategy is at risk with this type of performance. And it was a lot of work for her to do this oversight, and so I asked her to put her experience to paper." (Walsh Depo. 78 (Id.)).
Bruno's notes indicated that following a sample review of Stadtmiller's data entries, she talked with him "about the importance of systematically reviewing [and] organizing data entry to minimize errors." (ECF No. 42-10 at 8). Another project manager working with the Plaintiff on the data entry project, James D'Alessandro ("D'Alessandro"), was similarly inexperienced. (Walsh Depo. 79-80 (ECF No. 42-9 at 23)). Bruno's audit showed that D'Alessandro had an abstraction error rate of ten percent, while Stadtmiller's was "at least 50%." (ECF No. 42-10 at 8). On January 11, 2008, Bruno met with Stadtmiller to review the audit results. Stadtmiller "did not want to review the records... but said that he got distracted because the system was slow and he got confused about what to enter because [the] documentation did not look alike." (Id.). According to Bruno, "[t]he records reviewed by [Stadtmiller] were not acceptable." (Id.). The record does not show that Stadtmiller attributed his distraction to the location or configuration of his work space, or that he raised any issue with the lighting in his cubicle.
When Stadtmiller was hired, the Quality Control Department was responsible for monitoring certain quality control outcomes via a program known as the Health Employer Information Set ("HEDIS"). (Walsh Depo. 21 (ECF No. 42-9 at 8)). At her deposition, Walsh described the HEDIS process as follows:
(Walsh Depo. 29-30 (Id. at 10-11)).
None of the project managers had worked with HEDIS prior to coming to UPMC. At some point in or prior to January 2008, Stadtmiller was assigned responsibility for the musculoskeletal work team. (ECF No. 42-10 at 27). Bruno's notes, as identified by Walsh, reflect that on January 11, 2008, Bruno and Stadtmiller "talked at length about the HEDIS project and the work plan in particular." (Id. at 8). Bruno noted Stadtmiller's statement that he was "feeling overwhelmed and ... confused." (Id.). She "tried to answer his questions," and suggested "he read more about the HEDIS project." (Id.). She gave Stadtmiller her "Work Plan to integrate into his." (Id.). The two agreed to meet for further discussion. On January 16, 2008, Bruno wrote that although Stadtmiller had agreed to follow-up questions relating to the work plan, "[t]o data [sic],
On February 12, 2008, Stadtmiller returned to human resources an employment health inventory form that indicated that he did not have disabilities, limitations or physical work restrictions. (Czyzewski Depo. 103-04) (ECF No. 42-8 at 29); Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 124, May 27, 2010 (ECF No. 42-12 at 34). Later that month, he told a number of his co-workers, including Dobbins and D'Alessandro, that he could be redeployed to Iraq within the next eighteen months. (Stadtmiller Depo. 124) (ECF No. 42-3 at 37). Their reaction was essentially neutral. (Stadtmiller Depo. 135 (Id. at 38)).
On March 7, 2008, Walsh documented shortcomings in Stadtmiller's work, stating that the musculoskeletal work plan was incomplete, and that the tasks listed in the plan were not generated by the work group, but were instead "what [Stadtmiller] thought." (ECF No. 42-10 at 10). Walsh had been told that the plan was very poorly run.
(Walsh Depo. 133-34 (ECF No. 42-9 at 36-37)).
Walsh's notes reflect that early in March 2008, she met with Stadtmiller and another project manager in order to begin a HEDIS work plan, which was essentially an internal quality control assessment. (Walsh Depo. 103 (Id. at 29)). She reflected that "Stadtmiller needs closely
This same day, Walsh asked Stadtmiller how he was progressing. He responded that he was not grasping the concepts and could not manage a work group without Walsh being present. Walsh wrote that the Plaintiff fell asleep in the March 14, 2008 meeting, and was not taking notes. He was nearly thirty minutes late for the meeting on March 20, 2008. When asked to explain why he was late, Stadtmiller stated that he went to get lunch and by the time he returned, the meeting was over. His work plans were not updated, even with Walsh's direction. Too much reworking and revision were required. (Id. at 12). Walsh told Stadtmiller that she expected him to attend other project managers' meetings as an observer, that his work plans needed to be updated and submitted for her review, and that he was required to report to meetings on time and remain engaged. (Id. at 13). When Stadtmiller commented that he did not know what to prepare between meetings, Walsh told him that this uncertainty resulted from having an incomplete work program. She reiterated that things had devolved to a point where she
(Walsh Depo. 87 (ECF No. 42-9 at 25)).
At the conclusion of the March 20, 2008 meeting, Walsh gave Stadtmiller an Employee Assistance Program ("EAP") referral. She stated that she made this referral in order to see if EAP might suggest ways to alleviate Stadtmiller's work-related problems. She did this either shortly before learning of Stadtmiller's disabilities or immediately afterward. Either way, she promptly initiated this effort to secure help for Stadtmiller.
On March 31, 2008, Walsh gave Stadtmiller a document titled "Orientation Period Performance Warning." (ECF No. 42-10 at 27). Prior to preparing this document, Walsh contacted a human resources representative, Kimberly Lipscomb-Jones ("Lipscomb-Jones"), and shared Walsh's concerns about Stadtmiller's performance with her. Lipscomb-Jones "advised [Walsh] of the steps of corrective action that would be appropriate in the orientation period for six months of employment and told [Walsh] that if she felt it was at this point, then she should provide the documentation." (ECF No. 42-12, Ex. F at 27). Walsh drafted the warning, notifying Stadtmiller that he was "not meeting performance expectations, and had not progressed adequately for [his] responsibilities." (ECF No. 42-10 at 27). Stadtmiller was informed that "[f]ailure to show immediate and sustained improvement" during his orientation period would "result in termination of [his] employment." (Id. at 28). Walsh set out Stadtmiller's shortcomings
Walsh's criticism of Stadtmiller's performance on the HEDIS administrative work team was equally pointed. At each of three meetings attended by this team, the work plan was inadequate in that Stadtmiller failed to incorporate information generated at prior meetings, or to update the status of work to be completed. (ECF 42-10 at 20-28.) He was thirty-five minutes late for the first scheduled meeting of the "Cactus Credentialing Team." (Id. at 28). He arrived as the meeting was ending, explaining that "[he] had gone to lunch ... after 1 p.m. and did not know where [the] meeting was held." (Id.). Deficiencies in the data entry project to which he was first assigned were also reviewed. Walsh wrote:
(Id.).
The warning set three immediate performance requirements. First, Stadtmiller was directed to manage work team meetings consistently and with focus. Work plans were to be timely, accurate, complete, and useable. Sleeping at meetings was to cease, and there was to be immediate attention to detail and meeting attendance. (Id.). Stadtmiller signed the document.
According to Stadtmiller, he was unaware that Walsh was dissatisfied with his work until he received the March 31, 2008 warning. Prior to that time, she had criticized his work, "but [he] didn't think anything was out of the ordinary me being so new to the environment." (Stadtmiller Depo. 94 (ECF No. 42-2 at 47)). He remembered Walsh saying that he should be further along, but he did not know that Walsh felt that he was having difficulty getting his work done. "No. I would always get my work done. It was a matter of she said I was having a problem grasping the concepts." (Stadtmiller Depo. 95 (Id. at 48)). According to Stadtmiller:
(Stadtmiller Depo. 96 (Id. at 49)). The transcript of Stadtmiller's deposition reflects the following exchange:
(Stadtmiller Depo. 100-01 (ECF No. 42-3 at 3-4)).
On April 7, 2008, Walsh documented multiple problems that surfaced in Stadtmiller's handling of that day's musculoskeletal group meeting. (ECF No. 42-10 at 16). The problems included his failure to understand why questions he was asking were not valid, and his inability to pinpoint the logical next steps in carrying out the plan. In addition, he had not completed an information gathering task assigned to him more than a month earlier, or asked questions prior to the meeting. Walsh wrote that Stadtmiller "feels he is prepared but is not." (Id.)
Walsh's memorialized in her notes a meeting with the Plaintiff on April 9, 2008. She reviewed Stadtmiller's revised osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis work plans, remarking that they were "clearer and complete." (Id. at 17). Walsh noted that she made clear to project managers the day before that she would email work groups advising them about a transition to quarterly meetings. Before she could do so, however, Stadtmiller notified his own work group that they would no longer meet on a monthly basis. When Walsh asked him why he had done this on his own, he "stated that he wanted to be `aggressive.'" (Id.). Walsh explained that his announcement was "premature," inconsistent with her directions, and that there was "no need for aggression." (Id.) Walsh's notes contain the following description of Stadtmiller's condition:
(Id. at 17-18).
Throughout the month of April 2008, Walsh "constant[ly]"
On May 8, 2008, Walsh told the Plaintiff that his performance required immediate improvement. (ECF 42-10 at 24). She identified a number of areas requiring attention, including the need for focus in the management of work team meetings, the ability to multi-task, and the importance of completing work that is "timely, accurate, complete, [and] usable." (Id.). She commented on specific projects, noting that Stadtmiller did not understand the 2009/2009 work plan or the intent of the RHU project, despite multiple explanations. Walsh shared this information with Lipscomb-Jones the same day. (Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 112 (ECF No. 42-12 at 31)).
On May 9, 2008, Walsh met with Lipscomb-Jones. (Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 109 (Id.)). According to Lipscomb-Jones, there had not yet been a "definite decision" to terminate Stadtmiller. (Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 110 (Id.)). "[H]is manager was still expressing concerns that ultimately led, within the next several days, to that decision being made and followed up on.". (Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 111 (Id.)). On the same day, Lipscomb-Jones shared Walsh's concerns with her supervisor, Sharon Czyzewski, vice president of Human Resources. (Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 118 (Id. at 33)).
Walsh made the decision to terminate Stadtmiller a couple of days later, and Lipscomb-Jones assisted with the necessary paperwork. (Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 110 (Id. at 31), Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 121 (Id. at 34)). This documentation included both a letter to Stadtmiller from Walsh notifying him that his employment would be terminated effective May 15, 2008, and a Corrective Action/Discipline Authorization Form dated May 13, 2008. (ECF No. 42-6 at 1-3). Both of these documents outlined performance-related issues. In a document dated May 15, 2008, Tim Holt ("Holt"), senior human relations consultant, documented observations made during the course of his attendance at a May 14, 2008 meeting between Walsh and Stadtmiller. At that time, Walsh explained the reasons underlying her decision to terminate Stadtmiller's employment. (Id. at 4). Holt wrote:
(Id.).
Stadtmiller was not replaced after his employment was terminated. A new system
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 provides in relevant part:
FED. R. CIV. P. 56(a), (c)(1).
Rule 56 "mandates the entry of summary judgment, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial." Marten v. Godwin, 499 F.3d 290, 295 (3d Cir.2007) (quoting Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)). A mere scintilla of evidence is insufficient; "there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the [non-movant]." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). See Doe v. Abington Friends Sch., 480 F.3d 252, 256 (3d Cir.2007) ("A genuine issue is present when a reasonable trier of fact, viewing all of the record evidence, could rationally find in favor of the non-moving party in light of his burden of proof.") (citing Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505; Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548). As the United States Supreme Court has emphasized:
Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 380, 127 S.Ct. 1769, 167 L.Ed.2d 686 (2007) (quoting Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586-87, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986)).
In deciding a summary judgment motion, a court must view the facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and must draw all reasonable inferences, and resolve all doubts in favor of the nonmoving party. Doe, 242 F.3d at 446; Heller v. Shaw Indus., Inc., 167 F.3d 146, 151 (3d Cir.1999). A court must not
Claims of employment discrimination made by those with disabilities are governed by Title I of the ADA. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111-17.
The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has defined the parameters of a failure to accommodate claim:
Williams v. Phila. Hous. Auth. Police Dept., 380 F.3d 751 (3d Cir.2004) (internal citations omitted), see 42 U.S.C. § 12112(b)(5)(A) (2000).
In order to survive summary judgment on a failure to accommodate claim under the ADA or the RA,
Taylor v. Phoenixville School Dist., 184 F.3d 296, 311 (3d Cir.1999) (alterations in original). "[I]t is the employee's initial request for an accommodation that triggers the employer's obligation to participate in the interactive process.... If the employee fails to request an accommodation, the employer cannot be held liable for failing to provide one." Taylor v. The Principal Fin. Grp., Inc., 93 F.3d 155, 165 (5th Cir.1996).
The interactive process called for in the regulations "requires `a great deal of communication'" through "which the employer and the employee determine the appropriate reasonable accommodation." Rehling v. Chicago, 207 F.3d 1009, 1015 (7th Cir.2000) (quoting Bultemeyer v. Fort Wayne Comm. Sch., 100 F.3d 1281, 1285 (7th Cir.1996)). Nonetheless, "there is no per se liability under the ADA if an employer fails to engage in an interactive process...." Cravens v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, 214 F.3d 1011, 1021 (8th Cir.2000); Rehling, 207 F.3d at 1015-16 (because the interactive process is not an end in itself, it is not sufficient for plaintiff to show an employer's failure to engage, or responsibility for breakdown in process; failure to engage will not "render an otherwise reasonable accommodation unreasonable").
Stadtmiller's account of his requests for accommodation and UPMC's response expanded over time. In October 2008, when he filed a Discharge Intake Questionnaire for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC"), he alleged that his employment with UPMC was terminated in violation of the ADA and that UPMC failed to accommodate his disabilities. (ECF No. 42-6 at 16). When asked to describe when he had made UPMC management aware of his disability and UPMC's response, Stadtmiller wrote: "I advised my supervisor of my traumatic brain injury in late February, 2008. With regard to my hand injury, my supervisor was made aware of limitations in note-taking in January 2008 and authorized me to record meetings on my voice recorder." (Id. at 19 ¶ 9). Describing his need for reasonable accommodation, Stadtmiller
Stadtmiller now contends that UPMC failed to engage in good faith consideration of a wide range of requests for accommodation:
(ECF No. 49 ¶ 70).
A number of components of Stadtmiller's failure to accommodate claim can be summarily addressed. The first is his contention that UPMC failed to accommodate his limited ability to multi-task when it refused a group of project managers' request to use Microsoft rather than Excel software. The record is devoid of evidence that Stadtmiller tied this group request to his alleged disability or that he framed the request as one for accommodation. Stadtmiller's deposition testimony makes this clear:
(ECF No. 42-4 at 24). Similarly, the record fails to establish that he requested additional time to demonstrate that he could perform his duties. Although he did contact human resources about the possibility of transferring to another job, the record shows that this request was not one for accommodation, but was motivated, ironically, by the fact that he found his job too easy. (ECF No. 51-9 ¶ 4). "The telephone interviews involved data collection and, like data entry, seemed to be more clerical than managerial. Because these assignments did not seem to fit my job title as `project manager,' my training, experience, education and salary level, I
Stadtmiller concedes that he did not discuss additional accommodations with Walsh until the second or third week in March 2008, when he revealed to her the full extent of his impairments. Walsh remembers, and her notes indicate, that this conversation did not take place until April 9, 2008. The parties, however, agree on the substance of what took place during that meeting. Stadtmiller stated that after he discussed his injuries with Walsh "she seemed fairly supportive for the most part." (Stadtmiller Dep. 119 (Id. at 22)). Without his having to bring it up, she asked if he wanted to be moved to another location. Stadtmiller's response was equivocal. "[He] said that would be the best; however, all of [his] peer interaction—[he] would be isolated." (Stadtmiller Depo. 88 (ECF No. 42-2 at 41)).
Human resources' records show that on April 9, 2009, Stadtmiller visited that department where he had an unscheduled meeting with his assigned representative, Lipscomb-Jones. Lipscomb-Jones testified at her deposition that Stadtmiller began this meeting by expressing concern over his inability to concentrate. (Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 35-36 (ECF No. 42-12 at 12)). It was only then that she was made aware of the existence of his multiple medical issues, including traumatic brain injury. (Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 33 (Id.)). In response to this revelation, Lipscomb-Jones gave Stadtmiller a "physical capacities—like an accommodation form that wesask the employee—we ask them what they need, and then we have them ask their [medical] provider to complete a physical capacities form so that we can address whatever their needs are." (Lipscomb-Jones Depo. 50 (Id. at 16)).
Stadtmiller stated that during this meeting he asked whether there was additional job training that he could take, or an available job coach, and was told that neither was available. (Stadtmiller Depo. 105 (ECF No. 42-3 at 8)). By the time this conversation took place, Lipscomb-Jones was well aware of Stadtmiller's performance-related problems, and that Walsh had given him extra help and attention, and had assigned him two experienced mentors. Stadtmiller admits that he received supplemental instruction, and does not suggest what additional benefit a job coach might have provided beyond what had already been available to him. (Stadtmiller Depo. 78 (ECF No. 42-2 at 31)).
In an email to Walsh dated April 14, 2008, the Plaintiff confirmed that he had visited human resources. (ECF No. 42-6 at 9). During his deposition, Stadtmiller testified that at some point "well before the 14th," he had spoken with a male human resources representative about "an ideal environment." (Stadtmiller Depo. 131-32 (ECF No. 42-3 at 34-35)). Lipscomb-Jones testified that Stadtmiller spoke to this alternative representative because, for reasons she did not know, he was dissatisfied with her. Stadtmiller asked the male representative about a specific unoccupied office with a door and the potential for indirect lighting, but was told that the space was "off the table" because the office was on a different floor from the rest of Stadtmiller's unit, and was, in fact, assigned to a different department. (Stadtmiller Depo. 132 (Id. at 35)). This representative also denied the Plaintiff's request for a larger cubicle because it was already occupied by one of Stadtmiller's
When these requests were denied, the human resources representative asked Stadtmiller whether he would like a partition in his cubicle.
On April 14, 2008, Stadtmiller and his doctor signed the completed physical capacity form and returned it to human resources. (ECF No. 42-6 at 11-14).
The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit discussed in detail the nature and purpose of the ADA's interactive process
Id. at 317. The record leaves no doubt that UPMC participated in the interactive process and that its actions closely approximated the steps found by the court in Taylor to have been indicative of good faith.
Although Stadtmiller recognizes that UPMC made some effort at providing accommodations, he states that the record demonstrates that UPMC was merely "going through the motions"; i.e., its participation in the interactive process was, in fact, a sham. In support of this contention, Stadtmiller relies on the delay between his first request for a voice recorder and the time that he was given permission to use it, and on a small portion of Walsh's deposition testimony in which she discusses her notes regarding the March 3, 2008 performance warning. The Plaintiff draws the court's attention to the following excerpt from Walsh's testimony:
(Walsh Depo. 145-47 (ECF NO. 42-9 at 39-40)). According to Stadtmiller, this exchange establishes that UPMC "had already decided to terminate Stadtmiller's employment, within days of receiving [his] physical capacities form," and, therefore, UPMC did not demonstrate good faith in the interactive process. (Pl.'s Br. in Opp'n to Def.'s Mot. for Summ. J. 12 (ECF No. 48)). This argument does not bear the weight that Stadtmiller places upon it.
First, the document referenced is a single page of Walsh's handwritten notes made at a weekly meeting with Stadtmiller on April 9, 2008, the date on which Walsh contends that he first advised her about the extent of his combat-related impairments. Stadtmiller stated that on that date Walsh seemed supportive. She stated that she gave him permission to keep medical appointments and to adjust his schedule to allow him to avoid the stress he experienced with heavy morning traffic. Walsh mentioned that she promised Stadtmiller a six-month evaluation by April 16, 2008. Stadtmiller, however, was hired on November 19, 2007. Therefore, his six-month evaluation would not have been due until May 2008. When Walsh was asked whether the evaluation was due on April 16, 2008, she replied, "The six-month evaluation would have been due at the 16th, and his termination date was the 20th." (Walsh Depo. 145 (ECF No. 42-9 at 39)). She was then asked, "His termination was in May of 2008?" She responded, "Correct." (Id.)
The state of the record leaves significant room for confusion regarding when the six-month evaluation was actually to take place. If it was on May 16, 2008, which was within three days of Stadtmiller's six-month anniversary, it made sense to cancel the evaluation because, by that point, the decision to terminate his employment was final. If the evaluation was to take place in mid-April, it also made sense to forego the evaluation since, as the human resources representative indicated, Stadtmiller had received a detailed evaluation only two weeks earlier, on March 31, 2008. Walsh's use of the word "termination" at this point in her deposition is insufficient to raise an inference that all accommodation efforts made by Walsh and by UPMC human resources representatives after he returned his physical capacities form were undertaken in bad faith. This is particularly true given that Stadtmiller refers to
Even if the six-month evaluation had been due on April 16, 2008, the record contains nothing beyond rank speculation to connect the decision to cancel it and the receipt of Stadtmiller's physical capacity form. That form contained nothing that Stadtmiller had not revealed to Walsh weeks earlier, and to Lipscomb-Jones at the time she gave him the form. Furthermore, the record does not contain any evidence showing that Walsh saw or was made aware of the contents of the physical capacity form or what about that form in particular would have led her to terminate his employment.
Having carefully examined the record in its entirety, the court finds that the evidence is insufficient to permit a reasonable fact-finder to conclude that UPMC failed to engage in the interactive process or that it acted in bad faith in doing so. Even after the March 31, 2008 warning was issued, Walsh and Stadtmiller's co-workers continued to help him with his work, met with him to explain in detail what needed to be done, permitted him to use a voice recorder, modified his work hours, permitted him to attend every scheduled doctor's appointment, and attempted to modify his cubicle in a manner that would reduce noise and visual distraction.
The court's conclusion is not altered by Stadtmiller's argument that UPMC's lack of good faith is demonstrated by its delay in implementing his request for a voice recorder, or his contention that too little time was allotted to see if the accommodations put in place were effective before he was terminated. Any argument based on delay is disingenuous in light of the length of time that Stadtmiller waited to reveal the extent of his impairments and to request accommodation, especially given that he knew—or certainly should have known—at the time he began his employment that there were environmental factors at UPMC which would impact his performance. Stadtmiller admits that he did not share any details of his disability or its effects with UPMC until he asked to use a voice recorder, and that it was at least four months after joining the organization before he first revealed the full impact of his disability to anyone.
By the time he requested accommodation, months after he began work, Stadtmiller had exhibited numerous, significant, and persistent performance issues, which he failed to recognize, minimized or denied and did not successfully address. Though he claims to have had serious impairments including excruciating headaches brought on by fluorescent lights and severe problems with memory and concentration, it was not until he had already received a warning notifying him that he was in danger of losing his job that he chose to approach human resources regarding his need for accommodation. When he did reveal the extent of his impairments, UPMC did not exhibit undue delay in putting accommodations in place. Stadtmiller was using a voice recorder prior to his April 2008 visit to human resources, and his schedule was adjusted during his revelatory conversation with Walsh. Depending on which version of Stadtmiller's testimony is credited, a modification was made to his cubicle before or very soon after he returned the physical capacity form completed by his physician.
It is Stadtmiller's burden to show that the accommodations that he contends were requested and denied would have rendered him capable of performing the essential functions of his job as a quality control manager with or without accommodation. See Stanley v. Lester M. Prange, Inc., 25 F.Supp.2d 581, 584 (E.D.Pa.1998). If a plaintiff is unable to make this showing, the employer avoids liability altogether on a failure to accommodate claim. The plaintiff must "`supply evidence sufficient [to] allow a jury' to conclude that reasonable accommodations could or should have been fashioned that would have allowed him to perform [his job] in a manner that would meet or exceed [the employer's] legitimate expectations and satisfy the essential functions of that position." Hammel v. Eau Galle Cheese Fact., 407 F.3d 852, 863-64 (7th Cir.2005) (quoting McPhaul v. Bd. of Comm'rs, 226 F.3d 558, 563 (7th Cir.2000)). Thus, summary judgment may be granted for a defendant "in cases in which the plaintiff's proposal [would be] clearly ineffective . . . ." Walton v. Mental Health Ass'n of Southeastern Pa., 168 F.3d 661, 670 (3d Cir.1999). So it is here.
By the middle of April 2008, UPMC had attempted to address each of the accommodation requests that Stadtmiller can be shown to have made, with the exception of elimination of fluorescent lighting.
Walsh commented on her observations of Stadtmiller's performance after accommodations were in place:
(Walsh Depo. 150-52 (Id. at 42-9)).
Stadtmiller does not argue and the record does not support the proposition that his performance would have improved had he been given additional accommodations. In fact, the record shows that Stadtmiller thought that his performance without accommodation was acceptable and took the position that there was little room for improvement. In his deposition, he states that after the March 31, 2008 warning, Walsh did not address the same concerns again; her comments about his work were "mostly positive." (Stadtmiller Depo. 79 (ECF No. 42-2 at 32)). "My performance was satisfactory . . . if you're on a losing football team, that doesn't make you a terrible football player." (Stadtmiller Depo. 149 (ECF No. 42-4 at 2)). Walsh did not criticize his work any more than she did the work of his peers. (Stadtmiller Depo. 79 (ECF No. 42-2 at 32)). In his third amended complaint, Stadtmiller makes the claim that Walsh and Holt "provided no explanation . . . for the termination of his employment." (ECF No. 36 ¶ 16). This statement is flatly contradicted by the record,
(Stadtmiller Depo. 167 (ECF No. 42-4 at 19-20)).
In 1994, the USERRA replaced the Veteran's Reemployment Rights Act in order
38 U.S.C. § 4301(a)(1)-(3).
Under the burden of proof allocation applicable in USERRA cases, an employee must show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that his or her protected status as a member of the service was a substantial or motivating factor in an adverse employment action. Once this threshold showing is made, an employer can avoid liability only by showing, as an affirmative defense, that it would have taken the same action despite the employee's protected status. See Leisek v. Brightwood Corp., 278 F.3d 895, 898 (9th Cir. 2002). The court must assess whether there is sufficient evidence from which a jury could find that Stadtmiller's reserve status was a substantial or motivating factor in UPMC's decision to terminate his employment, and, if there is, whether UPMC established that it would have terminated his employment even had he not been a member of the National Guard.
Having reviewed all the record evidence, the court finds nothing to support the inference that Stadtmiller's military status played any role-much less that it was a "motivating factor"—in UPMC's determination to terminate Stadtmiller. First, personnel who participated in Stadtmiller's hiring process, his supervisor, and his co-workers were aware of Stadtmiller's National Guard status and his continuing service obligations at the time or shortly after he was hired. (Stadtmiller Depo. 161 (ECF No. 42-4 at 14)). When asked to explain the basis for his contention that his military service was a motivating factor in his termination, Stadtmiller answered:
(Stadtmiller Depo. 154-55 (Id. at 7-8)). Stadtmiller admitted that during the course of his employment at UPMC, he was never denied time off to fulfill his military commitments and that he was never told he was being terminated because he was a member of the uniformed services. (Stadtmiller Depo. 157-58 (ECF No. 42-4 at 10-11)). Stadtmiller claimed that he was never provided with an explanation for his termination, but stated that someone, whose position and status were
(Stadtmiller Depo. 159-60 (ECF 42-4 at 12-13)). Stadtmiller did not recall anyone else saying anything negative about his service commitment. (Stadtmiller Depo. 160-61 (ECF No. 42-4 at 14)).
Stadtmiller does not cite authority for the proposition that the type of evidence reflected in the record is sufficient to raise an inference of discrimination in violation of the USERRA. The court finds that it is not. Stadtmiller was hired as part of a program that honored his uniformed service and UPMC was aware that Stadtmiller was in the West Virginia National Guard, with continuing service requirements. (Stadtmiller Depo. 58, 61, 63 (ECF No. 42-2 at 12, 14, 16)). The evidence cited by Stadtmiller would not permit a reasonable fact-finder to conclude that his termination was effected as a result of his service obligations.
As the court already recounted in detail, no reasonable jury could find that the reason given for his termination—that Stadtmiller was terminated because his job performance was unsatisfactory—was pretextual. A reasonable jury could only conclude that these shortcomings, rather than his uniformed service, brought about his termination. The Defendant is, therefore, entitled to summary judgment on the Plaintiff's USERRA claim.
Two claims remain—one brought pursuant to Pennsylvania's Military Affairs Act, as amended, 51 Pa. Con. Stat. §§ 7301 et. seq., and the other alleging wrongful discharge in derogation of Pennsylvania law.
Supplemental jurisdiction in the district courts is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 1367. This statute provides that "the district courts shall have supplemental jurisdiction over all other claims that are so related to claims in the action within such original jurisdiction that they form part of the same case or controversy under Article III of the United States Constitution." 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a). A district court may decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction if it "has dismissed all claims over which it has original jurisdiction." 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(3). Because granting the Defendant's motion for summary judgment resolves the only extant federal claims, the court, in the exercise of its discretion, declines to retain supplemental jurisdiction
For the reasons set forth above, the Defendant's motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 39) will be granted with respect to the claims brought pursuant to the ADA, the RA, and the USERRA. The remaining state law claims will be dismissed without prejudice to their being raised in state court. An appropriate order will be entered.
42 U.S.C. § 12112(a).
(Stadtmiller Depo. 89-90 (ECF No. 42-2 at 42-43)).
(Walsh Depo. 124 (ECF No. 42-9 at 34)). Ninety percent of the meetings of project managers were face-to-face. (Walsh Depo. 127 (Id. at 35)). They took place around cubicles for easy communication. (Walsh Depo. 128 (Id. at 35)). Meetings with Walsh took place in her office, and other group meetings were held in conference or work rooms. Ursiny testified that lighting throughout the floor where Quality Control was located was "[o]verhead fluorescent lights throughout the floor and then each cubicle had overhead fluorescent lights beneath the partitions up top." (Ursiny Depo. 89 (ECF No. 42-11 at 26)). Stadtmiller has not suggested that the lighting in these areas where he was required to spend a great deal of time could have been modified.
(ECF No. 42-6 at 1).