McBeth v. Shearer's Foods, Inc., No. 1:2012cv00086 - Document 42 (W.D. Va. 2014)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 9/4/14. (ejs)

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CLERK' OFFI U. DI COURT S CE S. ST, AT Y OKE, A V F k I THE UN I N TED STATES D I STRI COU RT CT FOR TH E W ESTERN DI STRI O F V I W I CT RG A A BW GD ON D I I ON V SI E i2ù F 2 BJ . D& Y GM t ' R K RH ON DA T.M CBETH , Ci lA c i N o.1: 2CV 0008 vi ton 1 6 Pl i if a ntf , M EM O M N DU M O PINIO N SHEARER' FO OD S,I C . S N , H o Gl n E. n. e Conr d a Chi Unie St t s D it i tJ e ef t d a e s rc udg D e e nt f nda . The pl i iff l d t sac i aga ns he f m e e pl e ,a l gi vi a i oft a ntf ie hi ton i t r or r m oy r le ng ol tons he FamiyandM e ca Le Ac of1993(ç l di l ave t ( FMLA' , U. C. 2601t 2654, ndTil V1 oft ' 29 S. jj ) o a te I he Cii Rih sAc o 1 6 (-il V1', 2U. C. j2 0 et 20 0 - 7 Thec s i p ee ty v l g t t f 9 4 i - e l' 4 S. j 0 0 o 0 e 1 . dt l ) a e s r s nl b f r t c u t nt ed fn a tsmoinf rs mmayj d me t F rt era o sstf rh eo e he o r o h ee d n ' to o u r u g n . o h e s n e o t be o , he m oton w ilbe gr nt lw t i l a ed. 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Pr ort t r vi w ,She r ras m e be soft Brs olm a m nt ea i o he e e a e ked m r he i t nage e t a m nt e m t p o iefe b c rltdt Mc t s o p ro n e M c t r c i dp st c mme t o r vd e d a k eae o Beh' j b ef nna c . Beh e eve o ive o n s i r ga di he knowldge ofHR f tonsand s tm s a hera lt t i e a twih houry e r ng r e unc i yse , nd biiy o nt r c t l a s aes Howe r t f e s ocit . ve , he e dbac a s s k lo ugge t d,asM c t ac se Beh knowl dge d i he e d urng r de ii t ts w asnota S ea pl r'a t ts ne d t be l s c r t tona w ih pos ton, ha he s m aye ' nd ha he ede o t e s onf on a i l t o he m e r oft ma ge e tt m . M cBeh De 1 Doc tNo.41. l a ton, t r mbe s he na m n ea t p. 25, ke n ddii M cBe h C e ei d c ii i m f pr di i ti o ot ra ea , os no a y Sa e y. M c t t ' c ve r tc s or ovi ng npu nt he r s m t t bl f t ' r ' Be h Af. 9, ke No.38 8. She rrpr dedt f l ngs f! 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Ba e N o. 0011 D oc tN o. lr ' ' s û . on r ' t not ng o s hi i ' a ' ts SF 3, ke The ne da M a c 27, 2, c t e aie She r a H e m a a a s t m xt y, r h 201 M Be h m l d a er nd r n, nd dvi ed he t ts w asgoi t ne d t ha s de s r r She i c t d t ts di no ye know ha he ng o e o ve houl r u ge y. ndi a e ha he d t t w he t s ge y w oul t ke pl e a t ts w oul ke p t m posed. n he ur r d a ac nd ha he d e he t On M a c 28,2012,W a tFi r e ve a t e rh l nk ec i d el phone ca lf om M i Pa ks V i e Pr i nt l r ke r , c esde ofM a ac urng,a J ni e W ag r a Ope a i Cons t nta t de e nts Her i t n, nuf t i nd a c ne , n r tons ula t he f nda ' m so O r gon pl nt W ag ri or ed Fi t tJ i M e c r a H e m it a s i t had r c nty e a . ne nf m nk ha ule r e , r s on s oc a e, ee l s poke w ih J yce H ughe , he f m e HR Supe vi ora t H e m i t f iiy, nd t tHughes n t o s t or r r s t he r son ac lt a ha ha a s d M e ce ofc ran confde i le pl d dvie r r e ti i nta m oymen i or ton t ts had la ne . 1 t nf ma i ha he er d M e c f t rr td t tHughe ha i ntfed M cBe h ast s ceoft c i nta r er urhe epore ha s d de ii t he our he onfde il i o m a i whi h i l nf r ton, c nc uded c r a n c pe a i i or a i n f as oc a e a t He m i t e t i om ns ton nf m t o or s i t s t he r s on f lt aciiy. Fit s e nty s ke t M e c rby phone, nd s r a wha Hughe ha a l ge y rk ubs que l po o r e a he el yed t s d le dl t d he . O n M a c 29,201 Fi s ntM e c ra e ai s m a i i t c e soft i ol r rh 2, nk e r e n m l um r z ng he ont nt he r t l phone c ee onve s ton,a M e c c im e t tt s m m a y w asac ur t . He t n r a i nd r er onfr d ha he u r c ae he i tuc e She r rt m e twih M c t r gar ng t alega i ns nsr t d ae o e t Be h e di he l t o . 'J oyceH ughe w ast m i e by Shea ersi J 20ll. Folowi hert mi i s tld a s er natd r ' n une l ng er naton, he ie char ofdic i naton wih t Or gon Bur u ofLab a l ti ,whi wasuli t y dim i e . ge s rmi i t he e ea or nd ndusres ch tma el s ss d She r rta e t Brs olt s k w ih M c t on A prl5, 2. U nbe a e r vel d o it o pea t Be h i 201 know ns t to Shear , M cBe h r or d por i oft i c er i he t ec de tons he r onver a i w ih herc l pho 2 D ur ng t s ton t e l ne. m e tng,She r r e ai d t tHug knew ve y pr ci e de a l a ei a e xpl ne ha hes r e s t is boutva i H e m it r ous r s on as oc a es a t the ha bee a s d t tM c t w a t s c oft i o ton. s i t , nd ha d n dvi e ha Be h s he our e he nf nna i A lho h M c t a it d t ts ha r c nty s t ug Be h dm te ha he d e e l poke t Hughes s i ta l de e di c sng no , he nii ly ni d s us i a s cfcdeal a t co ny. Se Tr ofRec r dConverai 5,Doc t 22- (i ny pe ii tis bouthe mpa e . o de s ton ke No. 3 $1 ha s ve pokel t J ebutno ons cfcdeal.) Lae i t c rai M c t r c l nq o oyc t pe ii tis' . tr n he onve ston, Beh e aled ' t ts a H ughe ha di cus e $ c e peo e ' tt H e s on f ciiy,a t ts ha ha he nd s d s s d ; oupl a pl ' a he nnit a lt nd ha he d s e c pe a i r co dsf e pl esa t tf c lt 1 a 1 15;s e a s M c t Dep. e n om ns ton e r or m oye t ha a iiy. d. t 2, e l o Be h 26- (c 27 a knowldgi t ts a e s da rviwe s ayi or tonf e o esa t e ng ha he cc s e nd e e d alr nf mai or mplye t he H e m i t n f ciiy,i l ng H R M a gerSha n O l e a t ts ha no S i sr a on' f r s o a lt nc udi na w s n, nd ha he d t nes e s ' or bus doi s . Howe r M cBehde e s rnga e oye c mpe ai daawihHughe . ng o) ve , t nid ha i ny mpl e o ns ton t t s O n A pr l26,201 M c t e a l d She r ra a s d hi t ts woul s n be i 2, Be h m ie a e nd dvi e m ha he d oo s ndi hi he r ques f rFM LA l ve. M c t not d t ts w a s il aii t fnd ou t e ng m r e to ea Be h e ha he s tl w tng o i t he e tda e ofhers de s ge y,a t ts w oul 1 thi know a s a pos i e. l xac t houl r ur r nd ha he d e m s oon s s bl n rs e pons ,She r ra ke M cBe h t s i J ni e Herel w o d be i e es e i fli i d i he e ae s d t o ee f a c r l ul nt r t d n ilng n ur ng r a e . I ar pl e a ls ntt f l ngda She r ri c t t tt c bs nce n e y m i e he olowi y, a e ndi aed ha he ompa c dr r ny oul ehie He r l a as as le o ea t houry equi l n ofHe r l' f m e s l r r el s e ona mplye t he l va e t r els or r a ay. By e a lda ed M a 2, 2, cBe h a s d Shea e ,He n, nd Fi t the s de m i t y 201 M t dvi e r r nna a nk ha r houl r s ger w oul bepe f r e o J 1 201 t ts w o d nee t pr p f s ge y on J 11 ur y d r o m d n une 2, 2, ha he ul d o e or ur r une , 201 and t s expect t be of w or bet een si and ei w eeks. The nextday,she 2, hat he ed o f k w x ght 2 Thi wa t s s s he econdconve s ton wih Shear t tM cBeh s ety r cor , D urng he rai t er ha t ecr l e ded i r deposton,M c eh alo adm it t r cor ng ac ii B t s ted o e di onveratont tt y ha i m i M a ch201 H ow e r s s i ha he d n d- r 2. ve , he coul notr cal whatwa s d durngt converaton. Shealo a t edt r or aconve s ton wih Fi i d e l s ai i he s i s tempt o ec d r ai t nk n M a 20l butt tr or ng tdi nottke' M cBeh Dep.14. y, 2, ha ec di ç d a .' t 6 s ubmit aRe tf rFa iy a M edia Le ve ofAbs nc f t f l ng da e :J 11 ted ques o m l nd cl a e e or he olowi t s une , 201 t August6,2012. 2 o On M a 4,201 She r rs ntM c t a e alt nki herf c y 2, a e e Beh n m i ha ng or omm unia i he c tng r r ue t d l a daes Her mi d he t ts woul as ne d t havehe docorco e ea eq se e ve t . e nde r ha he d lo e o r t mplt ce ttca i f m ,whi h hea t he I r pons t a tona ques i f om M c t r gar ng rii ton or c tac d. n es e o ddii l tons r Be h e di t ce tfc ton f m , a e e a l d he on M a 8, 2,a a s d he t ts woul nee t he ri i a i or She r r m ie r y 201 nd dvi e r ha he d do ha t f r c pl t w ihi t tr tt o w e ks ofl a ve he o m om e ed t n he i s w e e ve. H e r om m ende t ts i ti ec d ha he d t ge tke caeofs rs t tghe di nothavet wor a iwhieonl ve. Pl' Add' Ex. a n r oone o ha s l d o ry bout t l ea ' .s ' l R- D oc tN o.388, ke 5. M c t t tfe athe de ii t t i a ton t t rc m uni to vi e a l s Be h es ii d r poston ha , n ddii o hei om ca i ns a m i, he a She r rha s ve a con r ai nsr ga di he FM LA l ve t pM i ulrdaesofwhih nd a e d e r l ve s to e r ng r ea , he c a t c s c d notr a l Durngoneoft co ra i ,s as d She r rwhen s woul ne d t he oul ec l, i he nve s tons he ke ae he d e o s ubmi t ( ppr it doc e 't t cor r t o fc M cBeh De 45. Ac or ngt t he i opra e um nt' o he po ae fi e. a t p. c di o M c t Shea e advi e he d ha i ne d t be t nw d i ass n aspos i e,buti di not Be h, rr s d r d t t ede o t u n oo s bl t d guaa e a a ova ofla ' L a 46. Durnga herco rai She e alge ytl rnte ny ppr l e ve. /, t ' i not nves ton, arr le dl od M c t t ts k oul no be e i bl t ha f m iy m e ca l a w ihou a opra e tm i ' Be h ha he é w d t lgi e o ve a l di l e ve t t ppr i t i ng, ' a dt a t i t o l rs t nE e) o n t en a albe' 1 M c t f rh rtsiidt a n h t hs t u d euli h r j b o b ig v ia l. d. Beh u te etfe h t c ' m a ge e uli a el de de nott r hie H e r lt f l i w hie s w a on l a ,a t t na m nt tm t y ci d o e r r el o il n l he s e ve nd ha She r i ca ed t tM c t s a e e w oul be a S r hi ' I a 63. a er ndi t ha Be h' bs nc d k ds p. d, t ha ' On M a 15, 2, cBet pa tc pa e i a f c lt w a kt ough wih Gr g K e m e t y 201 M h ri i t d n a iiy l hr t e r dy o l f s f t haz r . The s f t co m it e a Br s oli ta e t spr c i e a t rKe ook or a e y a ds a e y m te t it nii t d hi a t c f e nnedy w as pr m ot d t Sa e y,Sec iy,a W e l s M a o e o ft urt nd lne s nage . The wal hr h l s e a o m a e y r kt oug a t d ppr xi t l t rt m i es. hi y nut Folow i t w a kt oug G r gor M c a d,t Pr l ng he l hr h, e y D vi he oduc i M a ton nage ,a oa he r ppr c d M c t t di c s c nge i t c pa shii s r t Be h o s us ha s n he om ny' r ng t a egy. A c r ng t t de e n ' co di o he f nda t s e de e,M cDavi t r t s vi nc d d d he ound ofa t pe r co de S lc a t s und ofa t pe r nd.' hea a e r r c i k' nd he o a ewi ' M c vi Af.!5, ke No.22- W hieM c t d ni ha ngatperc der Mc vi Da d f Doc t 4. l Beh e es vi a e or , Da d manti t thesw he te c i ohe lf fontpa spoc tpulg outatper or r t nl i i ans ha a rt a h nt r e tr r nt ke, l) a ec de,ur l t of , a pl eu iunde af de onhe des ,3 jj f nd ac t , r ol r r k. t. M c vi s e nty l t d He man i he ofie a a s d he t theha s e Da d ubs que l ocae r n r fc nd dvie r ha d en M c t w ih a t pe r cor r H e m a a M c a d i m e a el c le She r r who i t uc e Be h t a e de . r n nd D vi m di t y a l d a e, ns r t d t m nott c r M c t un i Fi k had be n ad s d oft i de . he o onf ont Be h t l l e vie he nci nt On t m o ni ofM ay 1 201 H e m a a M c a d c l Fi a M c a d r l ye he r ng 6, 2, r n nd D vi aled nk, nd D vi e a d wha he had a l ge y s n. Fi as d M c a d w he he he c d ha m it ke a r c de f t le dl ee nk ke D vi t r oul ve s a n e or r or s t nges t whihM c vi rs omehi le,o c Da d e ponde i ' I a ! 1 .s ealoFi Af. 45,Docke d ' ' d. t 0, e s nk f ! no. t N o.251. 3Durng di ove y, t defndantpr ed at i sc r he e oduc yped ( et Fie,'sgne by M cDa d,whih i i Not o l ' i d vi c s c itntwihM cDavi ss n decarton, Pl' Ex.0,Doc No 38- l r pons t t de e nts onsse t d' wor l ai .s ket 2. n es e o he f nda ' moinfrs mma yj g n, c t camst t c vdoii lyh n wrt hssae n , ndt tte to o u r ud me tM Beh li ha M Da i rgnal a d oe i ttme t a ha h ha wrte sae n wa S if rn'fo t etpe sae n. Mc t De l!3 Ho v r s eha n t nd itn ttme t s ç fee t rm h y d ttme t Beh c. . we e , h s o d ' pr oducedany handwrten saeme t s it tt nt o uppor t sa eri orexpl ned how s hadt opporuniyt t hi ss ton, ai he he t t o r viw a sat ntprort r cei ngt t e e ny t eme i o e vi he yped saemen i dicover Even a umi t tM c vi tt tn s y. ss ng ha Da d orgi l pr ded adif enthandwrte satment i i undiput t M c vi r pored t hes w i naly ovi fer itn t e ,t s s ed hat Da d e t hat a M c t wih at r or r Beh t ape ec de : Ar you a e ofwha M r M c e war t . Davi cai syou di d lm d? lm a e ofhi al tons ' war s legai . Q. W hatst al ton? ' he lega i Healegest t1ha ar cor r l ha d e de . M cBe hD ep.214. t 8 La e t tmor ng,Fi a Shea e ha at lpho c e e ewih He ma a t r ha ni nk nd r r d ee ne onf r nc t r n nd M c t Dur ng t phone c e e ,M c t deni d ha ng ar co de . She cl i e t tt Be h. i he onf r nce Be h e vi e r r a m d ha he de cewashe da htrsc lphonet ts nee dt tkei f rrpar. Se Fi Af. 48; e vi r ug e ' el ha he de o a n o e is e nk f! s e as M c t De 21 ($wasa ke di lha ar or ngde cet tGrgalgest tldi t t lo Beh p. 7 11 s d d ve ec di vi ha e le ha d,ha hesw i,a 1de edi. 1sae ldi ha my da htrsc l phone...(halnee drpar' . a t nd ni t ttd d ve ug e ' el t t de e i.) ' A lhough M cBe h of e e t pr t t f r d o oduce t ce lpho f ri pe i t of e w asde i he l ne o ns d on, he f r clned. A cc di t t de e nt se de e Fil She r r a He m a e h obs r d t t or ng o he f nda ' vi nc , rk, a e , nd r n ac e ve ha M c t s e e ne v a eva i durng t c l,a di notbele t the e a ton w a Be h e m d r ous nd sve i he a l nd d i ve ha r xpl na i s crdi e. Fi iemi t dlhe .. ont s wihnoi fom a nees ' Fi Af. 51. e bl nk i r nael r . he pot t nput r nyo le. nk f ! t ' H e de ai d t M s M c t t tt s wasye a he is r a e t t s a ongs he t a d xpl ne o , Be h ha hi t not r s ue el t d o nz t m t r em m e be s' and t the di no be i ve t the r a i hi w ih ot rm e be soft Brs ol m r, ' ha d t le ha r el tons p t he m r he it ma ge ntta c dbes vag d. l a 5 s as Compl! 1 Doc tNo.1(l antf na me e m oul al e d. t 2; ee lo . 3, ke ç i if pl w a a s d by m a s dvi e nage en s wasbe ng t r i t a l dl be us s C ul notbe m t he i e m na ed lege y ca e he co d tuse '' r td ' ) A tt tm e ofhe t r i to M c t w a no l e t co pa s hi tpa d H R he i r e m na i n, Be h s ong r he m ny' ghes i Ma nage . Sha n O l e w ho ha w o ked f r She r r s snce M a 201 asa Ta e Acqui ii n r w s n, d r o ae' i y 0 l nt s to Ma nage ,waspr m o ed t t va ntpos ton ofHR M a ge a t Henui t n,Or gon f iiy. r o t o he ca ii na r t he so e ac lt Hewa gi n a $6, 00r ie, a ng hi s a y $83, s ve 1 as m ki s alr 000. Folo i hert r i ton,Shea e ' l a ned t tM cBet ha t l d a a l w ng e m na i r rs e r ha h d i e n nonym ous c pl i tw ih t V igi a Occ pa i lSa e y a H e lh Adm i sr ton i M ar h of201 om a n t he r ni u tona f t nd a t ni ta i n c 2, whi h i ntfe 1 al ged s f t vi ai nsa t Brsolf clt The c c de ii d 9 le a ey olto t he it a iiy. ompli wasr ol ant es ved wiht ct tonsand a$2,00 fne. t wo iai 1 i 9 ProceduralH i t s orv M c t tl t i t n a i aga ns She r r s on D e e be 3,201 She c a m st t Be h ied he ns a t cton i t a e ' cm r 2. l i ha She r r svi a e t FM LA by t nni tng he i r t la i f r que tng FM LA l ave. She a e ' ol t d he e na i r n e a i ton or e s i e a s c ai s t tShe r r svi a e he rght unde Til Vl by pa ng he a l w e s a y t n l o l m ha a e ' ol t d r i s r te 1 yi r o r al r ha Shaw n O l .4 sen Folwi gt ec mplto o ds o ey S ae ' mo df rs mmayj dg n . Th lo n h o ein f ic v r , he rrs ve o u r u me t e co the d a he r ng on t m oton on J 25,201 The m oto ha be n f l bref d a i ur l ai he i une 4. i n s e uly i e nd s rpe f r vi w . i or e e St andard ofR e ew vi Ana r o s mmayj d me ti a p o raeûft mo a ts o ta t eei n wad f u r u g n s p r p it s he v n h ws h t h r s o i g n i ds uea t a ymaeil a ta dtemo a t se tte t j d me t samatro lw, e une ip t s o n tra fc n h v n i n ild o u g n a te f a ' ' Fed.R. v. 56() I dee ni whehert ga amotonf s Ci P. a . n tnui ng t o rnt i or ummayj me ,hec t r udg ntt our m us vi w t r or i t lghtm os f vor bl t t non- o nt Ande s n, U . a 255. t e he ec d n he i t a a e o he m va . r o 477 S. t Towih tn as mmayj d me t to ,h n n- v n mu t r d c s fiin e i n efo t sa d u r u g n mo in t e o mo a t s p o u e u fce t vde c r m whc ar a o a l j r c ul rtr av r iti h rfv r L- a 2 . ç n l oyo ih e s n b e u y o d eu n e dc n e a o . d t 48 t cus r r a co s ultvealgai dono s fc nordoesaû r s i il ofe denc i s r ofghe pec ai le tons t ufie, mee cntla vi e'n uppo t t no mo a ts c s . Th mps nv P tma Elc Po rCo.31 F.d 6 , 4 ( t Ci. 0 2 n- v n 'l ae' o o . o o c e . we , 2 3 45 6 9 4h r 2 0 ) ' ( tngPhilpsv.CSX Tr ns ,nc. 1 0F. 285, ( hCi.1 ) s ealoBe' v. w quoi li a p.I , 9 3d 287 4t r 999); e s ts Ne t CateYout De Ct.621F. 249,252( Ci. 0)(lM lr s pii aei ufi e t sl h v. r, 3d 3d r 201 ûg ee us cons r ns fcint o 4 I hercompl nt M cBe h as a s t t ts wastr natd i r alaton f t l dl pr di n ai , t lo s ered ha he e mi e n et i i or s ege y ovi ng al a ssa c t Ms Hu e r ltv t Hu h s s xds rmi to c mplita is d fn n . Co . 1 sitn e o . gh s eaie o g e ' e ici nain o an gan t ee da t' mpl! 6. ' Ho ve,h tcam wa a a d ne ons mmayj d me t Se Me thv. senSa Ba ,FS 94 F. we r ta li s b n o d u r u g n . e nc Ea tr v. nk B, 9 Su .1 36 1 47( Md.1 9 )( odigta tepanifa n n dh rh r sme t li b f iigt a drs pp 2 , 2 D. 9 7 h l n h t h lit ba do e e aa s n cam y al o d e s f n hi he o poiint ted fn n'moinfrsmmayj j nlseas F lma v. w Enocmet n r p sto o h ee dats to o u r ud me t;e lo ed n La fre n Asoc . r , 55F. p 2 5 8, 3 ( D. C. 01 )(idn ta teplitf ha c n e e ta s mmay s s Co p.9 Su p. d 2 5 6 E. N. 2 3 fn lg h t h anif d o c d d h t u r j g n wa a pr raeo c rancams snc h fie t r s o dt t eagu nsrie wi r s c t ud me t s p op it n eti li , i e e ald o e p n o h r me t asd t epe t o h t s camsi tedee a t'me rnd m i s p r ofs ho e li n h fnd ns mo a u n up o t ummayj d n) r u gme t. 10 o ec meamoinf rs mmayj d me t' , I as s igas mmayj d me t to , c u t v ro t o u r u g n ,) n se sn u r u g n moi n a o r o ' m a onl c i re de t twoul be a i s bl a ti l Se M a yl H i w a y y ons de vi nce ha d dm s i e t r a . e r and gh ys Conta or As' l v.Stt ofMar a 933F. 1 1 ( h Ci.1 ) rct s sn.nc. ae ylnd, 2d 246, 251 4t r 991. D i cuss on s i 1. FM LA C l m ai M cBet t s cl m st Shear svi at t FM LA by t m i i heri r alaton f h ir t ai hat er' ol ed he er natng n et i i or rquesi media l ve. Se 29U. C.j261 a ;seas 29C. R.j8 220()(' e tng c l ea e S. 5() e lo F. 25. c $ The ( FMLA'qpr bii agans i efr epr bisane o fom dici nai or S ohi ton i tntreenc ohi t mplyer r srmi tng rtlai agans a e oye ...orha nge rie oratmptdt execs FM LA rght. eaitng i t n mpl e f vi xecs d te e o rie i s' ). C LA r t la i cl i sa e a l L FM e a i ton a m r na ogoust dicrm i ton cl i sbr o s i na i am oughtunde Til V 1 . r te 1' ' Lai v. d.Expr sCor ,703F. 71 71 ( hCi. 3) Acc di y,t pli ifma nc Fe es p, 3d 3, 7 4t r 201 . or ngl $ antf y a s c d e t rby pr di die te de e ofdi c i i ton orby s t s yi t bur n- hi tng uc ee ihe ovi ng r c vi nc s rm na i a i f ng he de s f i fa wor stfrhi M c r me k e o t n DonnelDoucasCor v. e n,411U. 79 ( 973)' l l t s l l p. Gre S. 2 1 . d. n hi ' c s ,h panifa p a st ag et t e cam s o l s r ies mmayj dg n u d rb t a e t e litf p e r o r u ha h r li h ud u vv u r u me t n e oh a oac s A c di y,t c t nsde sea h i tln. ppr he . cor ngl he our co i r c n t r A. Di rect Evi dence Die te de eofdicrmi ton k nc rc vi nc s i nai ' ompase tonduc orsae nt t tbot () e ss c t ttme s ha h 1 (el tdie tyt alge dic i naor att 'a ( C rdiecl ont conesed rfec r cl he le d srmi t y tiude, nd 2) bea r ty he t t e oy ntde ii '' Lang,7 F. a 71 ( i W ac v.Ohi Ca .ns. ,435F. mpl me cson.' i 03 3d t 7 quotng rh o s l Co, 3d 51 520( hCi. 0, 4t r 2006). ûl , vienc i diec iiesa ihe dici naoymotvewihno ) l- e d e s r tft tbls s s rmi tr -hus i t ne df a i ee orpr umpton.' Youngv. e or n nfrnce es i ' UPS,707F.d437,446( h Ci. 3) s e 3 4t r 201 ; e as Clnev.Roa vExp e s l ,689F. 481 485( h Ci.1 (xpli ngt tdie t lo i dwa r ss nc. 2d , 4t r 982) e ani ha r c evi nce ofdi c i i ton ç a c i tof. . vi nc t tt em pl de s rm na i k y ons s m . e de e ha he oyera nnounc d, ra it d, e o dm te orohe wieunmitkabl i c tdt t(ni r s i econsd ai wasadee mi ng t r s sa y ndiae ha a mpe misbl iertonl tr ni fcor' at ' ) I t sca e M cBe h c e t tShea e ,he diec s pe v s ,di pl d a n hi s , t ont nds ha r r r r t u r i or s aye di c i i t y a tt a t s a s d hi o herne d f m e c ll ve. She c t st pori ns s rm na or tiude fer he dvi e m f e or di a ea ie o to ofhe de ii tsi r poston etmony, i whih s desrbe t eec rai t tt durng c he c i d hr onves tons ha k made( r f l hel ee unc f t bl w ih r quesi t t ke f m iy m e c ll a ' M c t D e 3 Dtr ng t fr t om or a e t e tng o a a l di a e ve. ' Be h p. 0. z i he i s c onve s ton,M c t i r d a t whe s w oul ne t ha t he a o i t doc e ' rai Be h nquie s o n he d ed o ve û ppr pr a e um nt' t i o t c po a e of i e. I a 45. She r pup ore y r ponde t tt doc e ç de t nt he or r t f c d. t a er tdl es d ha he um nt ' nee d o bet nedi a s on a posi e bu . . dnotguaa e a appr lofla ' laa 46. ur n s o s sbl, t . di rnte ny ova e ve.' p. t Dur ng a he c i not r onve s ton,Shea e a l gedl t d M c t t ts k rai r r le y ol Be h ha he d woul notbe elgi e t d i bl o ha efmi me ia la wih u a p o raetmig'a dta ti k o l r s l i gel o n t v a l dc l e ve t o t p r p it i n , n h t h s ç ud e ut n h r j b o y ' c bei a l e. I ;s as i a 47(onfr ngt ts wast dt ts C g notbe ng vaiabl ' d. ee lo d. t c imi ha he ' ol ha he ' ht mi elgi ef la 'i s di notd tt pa r ki ontme'. i bl or e ve' f he d ç he pewor n i ' ge ) A t t s s a of t pr e ngs t c t ac e s a t ue M c t s a ount o t s hi t ge he oc edi , he our c pt s r Be h' cc f he e co r a i ns Howe ,e n as u i t ts s a e e s w e e m a by Shea e ,t y do not nve s to . ver ve s m ng ha uch t t m nt r de r r he co tt e die te de e ofa di c i i or a m us l t a t a e c i t tw ih de s ons ns iut r c vi nc s rm nat y ni . ns e d, hey r ons sen t ci i i e pr tng a a yi t FM LA a is a om pa ng r gul tons The e de i i m a nt r e i nd ppl ng he nd t cc nyi e a i . s c s ons ke c e rt tt tla empl l a ha ha tn oyeem us pr vi ç quae'a ii y'notc oft nee f c r d t o de ade t nd tmel ie he d or ove e l ve 'bef e a e pl r s dut t pr vi FM LA l ve i t i r d,Pe pl s v.Co t lOf i e ea ' or n m oye ' y o o de ea s r gge e e e as a fc Pr ,l ,6 F.App' 860,863 ( h Ci.2003 ( i Care v.For M ot Co. 1 F.d ods nc. 4 x 4t r ) quotng tr d or , 21 3 11 11 ( hCi.1 ) a t ta e oye ha t rg t rquiet ta e oye slave 46, 48 8t r 997), nd ha n mpl r s he iht o e r ha n mpl e' e requestbe s uppored by aceriicaton i ued by t em pl t tt i ss he oyee' healh car pr der SeeRhoads s t e ovi . iW hen tm el and adequat com m uni i i not i i y e caton s 12 gi t pr e tonsoft g LAIdonota y, ve it e oyeei f tha as i he t ven,he otci he FM ppl e n f he mpl n ac s erous alh c ton. Rodrg v.Smihted Pa ki Co.l .545F.Supp.2d508 51 ( Md. ) ondii ' ' iuez t i l c ng ,nc, , 6 D. 2008 . Li s ,shef iur t pr deamedia ce tfc toni a i kewi e ç al e o ovi t c l rii a i s n ndepe ntbassf de ngFM LA nde i or nyi l ve not ihs a ng t a pr i t ne soft tl a ' K i v.Ohi Bel Te e ea w t t ndi he p opra e s ha e ve. ' nds o l l phone Co. 724 , F. 648,65 (t Ci. 3) Addii ly,i i wels tldt tt ei noçs olt rghtt 3d 4 6h r 201 . tonal t s l-ete ha her s labs ue i o r sorton''f l ng me c la Lai 703 F.d a 71 ( tng Ya he 446 F. a et ai ' olowi dial e ve. ng, 3 t 8 quoi s nko, 3d t 548) W hiedg mplyee whos t yquaiyf FM LA l veaeenttedt ber tr t . l sel o s how he lf or ea r il o esoed o t i postonsort equi e uponr ur ngt wokll(j oye whofi t c y wih her ii he valnt et ni o r , empl es al o ompl t l gii at r pori r quiem e ss tb t i em pl sar note il t r i t t m e ,... e tm e e tng e r nt e y he r oyee e ntted o e ns a e nt nor ae e l y e wh wee s be tt d s h r e frra o sohe t a terr q et f rFMLA r mp o e s o r u jc o ic ag o e s n t r h n h i e u ss o la ' W oodsv.Damlr yse Cop .409 F. 98 9 ( t Ci.2005 (ntr lciai e ve.' i e chr lr , 3d 4, 91 8h r ) i ena ttons omitd) te . Bec us t fr t w o c l ng sa e e t a e c i t ntw ih t f eg ng prnc pl s no a e he is t hale ed t t m n s r ons s e t he or oi i i e, r a o bej r e ud fn t e t b d rc e i e c o ds rmiain. S eLang 7 3F.da e s na l u y o l id h m o e ie t v d n e f ici n to e i , 0 3 t 718( di t tamana me ofi ildi no de taeadicrmi t y a musd nhe hol ng ha ge nt tca d t monsrt s i naor ni t whe ac urtl e aned t tt FM LA di no ne saiy'r q r t co ny t kee ghe e aey xpli ha he d tS ee srl e uie he mpa o p t pli ips j ope ',s as Huc s v.Bl Cr s a Bl Shil ofKa a ,I . No. antf l ob n' ' ee lo he ) ue os nd ue ed ns s nc, 1 2339--5 2013 U. Dit LEXI 951 a * ( Kan.J y 9,201 ( tng t ta 2.1 4, 1S. s. S 60, t 20 D. ul 3) noi ha s r iors c upe vs ' omme (ha t tmi ( t pli ifs FM LA l velwas not good wa nt C t he i ng of he antf t ea s saut iy pe mitd' a t ,note de e ofa dici naoy ani )(ii 29 C. R.j tt orl r te ' nd, hus vi nc s rmi tr mus ctng F. 8 302( . 25. 0) The c tlke s co l s t tno ras bl j y c d tnd t t r pur td our i wie ncude ha e ona e ur oul i he hid pore com m e t- t tM c t sa e e w asgoi t pos a t r hi ' t c pa - t be die t n ha Be h' bs nc ng o e d ds p' on he om ny o ha rc e de e of di c i i ton. Si pl s a e t s c m e doe no r f e t a di c i i t r vi nc s rm na i m y t t d, hi om nt s t e l c ny s rm na o y a tt , a c r a nl doe not pr tiude nd e t i y s ove,t ihout i e e e or pr s ptonr't t M c t w a ' t w nf r nc e um i ' ha Be h s t r i t d i r t la i n f r r q s i FM LA l a . O' e m na e n e a i t o o e ue tng e ve Connor 56 F. a 5 - s e alo , 3d t 48 49; e s Na Akua Takyi a Shaom v.Pa e sShoe o c W ordwi I ,921 F. nawa l yls s ur e l de, nc. supp.2d 470,48 4 ( Md.201 )(bsr i t tig nl t mos bltntrmaks (he i e ofwhihqco d be D. 3 o e vng ha 'ol y he t aa e r , t ntnt c ul not ng ot r t n t di c i i t . .. c nsi e die te de ofdici nai ' (ntr l hi he ha o s rm na e o tt ut rc vi nce s rmi ton' i e na ) cttona quotto maksomitd) iai nd ain r te . B. Burden- f i Fram e ork shit n: w W ihoutt be ftofdiec evi nc t s pol he c a m u rt FM LA ,t pl i if t he ne i r t de e o up ' r l i nde he t he a ntf ne s e t r l on t bur n- hi ng f a e o k s tf r h i M c onnel D ougl s U nde t s xt e ks o e y he de s hi r m w r e o t n D l a. r hi fa wor t pli ifi tfrtma aprmafces ngt tghe e r me k, he antf k mus is ke i a i howi ha s l ngage i prtce d n oe td aci t t tt e oye t a re acin agans g r,a t tt a re acin was tviy, ha he mpl r ook dve s to i t hel nd ha he dve s to ca al c ce t t pli ifspr ece aci t ' Yas nko,446 F. a 551 (ntr l us ly onne td o he antf' ot td tviy.' he 3d t i ena cttona q ttonmaksomitd) t fghepl nif pusf t s tce evi ncet esa ih iai nd uoai r te . t t aitfl t orh ufi int de o tbls l aprmaf i ca eofr tlai a (hee o r ofe sanon- s rmi t y e a ton f i ace s eaiton, nd t mplyej fr dici naor xplnai or ghepli ifs t mi ton,ghepli if be r t buren ofesa ihi t tt e oye ' t antf j er nai t antfj as he d tbls ng ha he mpl rs pr fr de a toni prtxtf FM LA rt iton. I (nenalcttona q ttonmaks ofe e xplnai s ee or ealai ' d.itr iai nd uoai ' r omitd) te . l t sca e e n a s i t tM c t ha s tf r h a prm a f c e c e ofdi c i i ton, n hi s , ve s um ng ha Be h s e o t i a i as s rm na i She r r sha a tc a e a l gii a e nondi c i i t y r as f t r i tng here pl e . a e ' s r i ul t d e tm t , s rm na or e on or e m na i m oym nt Spe ii aly,She r r s m ai a nst the e pl e w ast r i t d be aus i w a de e m i d c fc l a e' nt i ha r m oym nt e m na e c e t s t r ne t s s ety recor a s et wal hr hat he ecr l ded af y kt ough and t led about t i dent Shearer' has hen i he nci . s pr de a c ovi d opy of is Em pl ym e Polc es a Pr ed es H a t o nt i i nd oc ur ndboo whi h s c fc ly k, c pe ii a l 14 p o iisç ih n sy'a wela t Cu n uhoie p se so o u eo ... e o d r ...o r hbt ç s o e t, s l s he û l a t rz d o s sin r s f rc r e s d ' l r ot rel c r c de c on Com pany pr m i e a a tm e. Ba e N o.SF 00245 00247,D oc t he e t oni vi es e s s t ny i ' ' ts ke N o.25- . W hie M c t t s i i d durng he de ii t ts di no r ca ls m e oft ot r 1 l Be h e tfe i r pos ton ha he d t e l o he he pr s o of t ha ovi i ns he ndbook,5 she ha of e ed no a i sbl e de e t diput t de e nt s s fr dm s i e vi nc o s e he f nda ' as e ton t t t of e e f w hi h s w a t r i t d we e vi a i of e s i c pa s r i ha he f ns s or c he s e m na e r ol tons xitng om ny polc e .6 A ccordi y,t c r fnds t tt de e nthas m e is bur n ofde ons r tng a iis ngl he ou t i ha he f nda tt de m tai l ii ae,nondic i nat y r s f M c t st nui to Se Hans v.M e a He t egtm t s rmi or ea on or Beh' e nai n. e on nt l a1h Res.l ,948 F.Supp.2d 1 4,1 ( M i 2013 (k oyeedihonet i al ii t . nc. 03 045 D. nn. ) t Empl s sy s egtmae nondici naor ra on f tr nai an e oye ' (ii c e l s e as M oha d v. srmi t y e s or emi tng mpl e.) ctng ass; e lo ' ma D alas Count Cm t Colege Di t,N o.3: CV - 189- BF,2012 U . D i t LEX I 141578,at l y y. l s. 10- 1 LS. s . S *27( D. x. pt28, 2)(i l r co t ha u l t tr nai ofe o e f N. Te Se . 201 Cl umeous urs ve phed he emi ton mplye s or malngoratmptngt ma s rtrco di i vi ai ofac nypolc ' (ii c es. d te i o ke ece e r ngs n olton ompa iy.' ctng as ) ) H a ng r c t sdec s on,M cBe h bea st bur n ofes a i hi a s e t e oft vi ea hed hi ii t r he de t bls ng t t p hr e he Mc Donn lD ougl f a e or t tt de e ntsas e t r s f he t r i ton i C e e el as r m w k ha he f nda ' s red ea on or r e m na i s t t xt pr 5Fori t , M cBe htsiid t ts di dnotr l't pr sonoft empl nsance t e tfe ha he d d ecal' he ovii he oyeehandbook,whih c pr bisuna horzed a s t confdentalcompany i or ton. M cBeh Dep.35. ohi t ut i cce s o i i nf ma i t 6I herownde artonsgned onM a ch20, 201 t pl ntf saed t ts wasdve yf lar'wih n cl a i i r 4, he ai if tt ha he ç r amii ' t tee o eh n bo ks b te b Sh a e', n ta dthsha b o c n an n p iy o i e e c ofa h mplye a d o u mi d y e rrs a d h tçj i nd o k o tis o ol , r nfrn e t g c p iy whc pohbi arc r igo a yc v rai . Mc t De l!5. Folwigtes mmay ol , ih r i t e o dn f n on eston' Beh c. c s ' lo n h u r j d n h aig panifsc un e s n t ec ura e ia k o e igta ti as rinwa i o rc, n u gme t e rn , litf' o s l e th o t n mal c n wldgn h ths se t o s nc re ta d t t handbook doesi f tpr bi t unaut i d us ofr or s. Pl ntf scouns lt n ar hat he n ac ohi t he horze e ec der ai if e he gued,i a n s e ubs quentemai, ha t s m ehandbook wasnoti efe twhe M c h wase pl lt t he a n fc n Bet m oyed byt def nda ,a he e nt nd t tt def nthad no polcypr bii empl esfom r cor ng conver ai durng he t m of ha he enda i ohi tng oye r e di s tons i r er e oyment Howe ,couns ct no s cii e de t s mpl . ver el ied pe fc vi nce o uppor eiheroft sea s tons and i i t t he s eri , ts wel-etld t tc elsown a gument ar Snotevi ls te ha ouns ' r s e: dence, cannotpr deapr rbasst de s and ovi ope i o ny umm a y r j g n a Pik ro v. l De to Tr n p.5 F.d 1 5 1 61( 0hCi. 0 ) seas Bac meia ud me t' n e tn Coo. p' f a s , 63 3 0 2, 0 1 t r20 9 , e lo ra rc ' . ltl n 'USA Tr s v Tvil l res lc, 8 F. 5 9 5 n. ( t Ci. 00 )(ûAlg nt a dsae ns u t . fed mpo tr.n .2 9 3d 8 , 93 4 9h r 2 2 û rume s n ttme t g ofcouns la enotevi e r denceand do notc eaeis sofmatralf tca bl ofdef a i a ot r s vald r t s ue e i ac pa e e tng n he wie i moinfrs mmayj g n .)Pe nv. tz n Tee o Sev . . to o u r ud me t'; n Ciie s lc m r s Co.LLC, 2:2 c - 7 1 201 U. ' No. 1 -v 0 31 , 4 S. DitLEXI 24 94 a # 7( D. . . b 2 2 4 CTotee tntha ( anifswrte rs on ema e s. S 0 , t 1 S. W Va Fe . 6, 01 ) ( h xe t t plitf' itn) e p s k s uns uppored and c us y a s tons t Coul obs ve t ts saeme sbycouns ar obvi l not t oncl or s eri , he ' er s ha uch tt nt t el e ousy f cso e ie c .) a t r vd n e' . ' f FM LA rtlai ' Nihol v.As a Hos Cor ,251 F. 496,502 ( h Ci.2001. or eaiton. c s ' hlnd p. p. 3d 4t r ) W hie M cBe h ad nc s ve a a g e s i a a t m ptt e t bls pr t , he c tc l es l t va es e r l r um nt n n te o s a i h e ext t our onc ud t ts hasf ie t c e t a ge ne i s ofm a e i lf c wih r s c t t s i s ha he a ld o r a e nui s ue t ra a t t e pe t o hi s ue. M c t fr ta g t tts ne rha pos es i ofa gr y t pe r or r a t ts Be h is r ues ha the ve d s s on ny a a ec de , nd ha he di nott pe r or t s f t wal hr d a ec d he a e y kt ough i que ton. P1' Br i Opp' 9,D o tN o.37.s e n s i ' .s . n ' n cke ,e a s i a l 1 Thi a gum e ,how e r m i c t ue M c e h' bur n. W he a e pl ye l o d. t 3- 4. s r nt ve , s ons r s B t s de n n m o r a tc a esa l gii a e no s rm i t y bas s f t nni tng a e pl e, hi c tdoe not r i ul t e tm t , ndi c i na or i or e na i n m oye t s our s é ci whe he t r as w asw i e,f i ,ore n c r c ,uli a el s l ng as i t ul w ast d de de t r he e on s ar ve or e t tm t y, o o tr y he ras f t pli ifstr nai ' Ha nsv.Pe i l ,203 F. 274,279 ( h Ci. e on or he antf emi ton.' wki psco. nc. 3d 4t r 2000) (ntr ctton a q ai maks omitd) l a s sng whehe a empl rs i enal iai nd uotton r te . n sesi t r n oye ' pr f r d r a on i pr t xt l t t i t pe c pton o t d i i a r w hi h i r l va . of e e e s s e e ua , i s he r e i f he ec s onm ke i c s e e nt' ' Hola v. ahi t Homes I ,487F.d 208, 7( h Ci.2007 . lnd W s ncon s nc. 3 21 4t r ) l t eisa t a e tep an if a fie t p o fre ie efo whihara o a l j r n h n tn c s ,h litf h s ald o r fe vd nc rm c e s n be u y c d fnd t tW a tFi t co pa of i i r pons bl f t nni tng he e pl ym e ,di oul i ha l nk, he m ny f c al es i e or e na i r m o nt d no ho s l be i t ts had s r ty r or d t s f t w a kt ough. Ther c d es a i hes t ne ty leve ha he ec e l ec de he a e y l hr e or t bls t tFi s ha nk poke t M c a d a tt i i e ,t the obt i M c t s s de oft s or a o D vi bou he nc d nt ha a ned Be h' i he t y, nd t the uli at l dec de t M c h' e a ton w a notc edi e a t ts c d notbe ha tm e y i d hat Bet s xpl na i s r bl nd ha he oul tuse SeeFiz Af. !49- (ddi notbeleveMs Mc t se anainwa ce bl She r td. lk f ! 51 CI d i . Beh' xpl to s rdi e. s ounde ve y ne v a e i d i t c l M s M cBe h ne r e ai d why a br d r r ous nd vasve urng he al. . t ve xpl ne oken c lphone woul m a a clc ng a r w i ng s el d ke i ki nd e ndi ound orw hy s w oul t ke i ou ofhe poc t he da t t r ke a pl ce i o t des I f tt t gi n t s l t s i i nt M s M c t co d notbe tus e nd a t n he k. el ha , ve hi a e t nc de , . Be h ul r t d, t r woul benowayt rha ltt t tus is swiht Brsolma ge ntt mlja I he e d o e biiae he r t sue t he it na me ea r nd de i d t tr nae he .) W hie M c t obviusy dia e wih t outome of t cde o emi t r' ' l Beh o l s gres t he c he 16 i v si ain,f u h dia re n d e n tp o e t a g e d cso t fr h rf r ge rty n e tg to s c s g e me t o s o r v h t t ) e iin o ie e o s cel s h r or ngt sft wakt oug wasdihones orno t r lr s n f he tr nain, c ec di he aey l hr hl s t t he ea ea o or r emi to whih i w ha i r quie a s e t r e of t bur n- hi tng f a e o k. La ng,703 F. a 722. s t s e r d t tp h e he de s fi r m w r ' ' i 3d t Thus e n i M c t c ds , ve f Be h oul how t tFil e r d i fndi t ts e ge i t m ic ha rk re n i ng ha he nga d n he s onduc a tt i s s h a s i i nots f c e t de ons r t pr t x . See G i on v. uo D a e Se vs s ue, uc how ng s uf i i nt o m ta e e e t bs Fl r ni l r . Cop . 281 F.App' 1 1 ( h Ci.2008 (mphaszi t t'gl emplye who frsa , x 77, 79 4t r )e i ng ha 'an o r ie n empl oyeeunde t m it ken b hone ti e sont tt e oyeevi aeda wor r e i no r he sa ut s mpr s i ha he mpl olt k ul s t la ef dici naor c ibl or srmi t y onduc )(nt na ciai a quottonmaksomitd) f' i er l tton nd ai r te . Theco tmus as rj c Mc t sagume t tt i tgai o t i i nti ur t lo ee t Beh' r nt ha he nvesi ton f he ncde n quesi wasi quae. Se Pl' Br i Opp' 1 (uggesi t tFi s d ha a e ed ton nade t e .s .n n 4s tng ha nk houl ve cc pt he ofe t pr de he da htr' c lpho f ri pe ton) Ast Unie Stt Cour of r fr o ovi r ug e s el ne o ns ci . he td aes t Appe l f t Fourh Cic t ha pr vi l e ane f usng on t qualt of t a s or he t r ui s e ousy xpl i d, oc i he iy he ivetgai C s e t poi y snceig)f rlc r C snotsta aki ofs rpe s l n si ton s s s he nt' i ka edea ou t doe mi ' i s nd upe- ronne de rm e w e ghi t pr de e of e pl e de i i pa t nt i ng he u nc m oym nt c s ons m a by fnns c r d w ih de i ha ge t e oyme tdic i nai '' Cupplsv.Amsa LLC,28 F. x 205,21 ( h Ci.2008 mpl n srmi ton.' e m 2 App' 0 4t r ) ( i De anet v.Cor ng.l , quotng l r te ni nc. F. 293,299 ( h Ci. 1 ) Thus e n i 3d 4t r 998). , ve f ma ge ntsi tgai wass tndad,iha doe ltl t hep (hepli it etbls t t na me ' nvesi ton ubsa r d t s ite o l t antfl sa ih ha t t r s gi n f hert r i to w e e no t a t r a o ,a i c t i y doe notgi r s he ea ons ve or e m na i n r t he c ual e s ns nd t era nl s ve i e t a ra ona e i ee t t g r r s f r FM LA la l wa t r l ras fr t o e s bl nfrnce ha he equet o e ve s he ea e on o he tr nai ' Bondsv.Le vit 629F. 369,386( hCi. 1 . emi ton. ' a t, 3d 4t r 201 ) Fi ly, hem e e f c t tM c t w a t r i t d l st n t o w e ks a t rs m itng he na l t r a t ha Be h s e m na e es ha w e fe ub ti r FM LA l a r ue ti i uf i e t c e t age ne i s ofm a e i lf c ast t r as f he e ve eq s s ns fci nt o r a e nui s ue t r a a t o he e on or r t mi i er naton. W hie tm i can be cons der i as i whet an em pl l i ng i ed n sessng her oyer' expl i i s anaton s 17 pr t xt l tti notus ly i pe n l s fce t c e t a ti bl is off t' M e ce v. e e ua, ' s i ual nde nde ty ufi int o r a e ra e s ue ac . ' r r TheAr ofPrnceGe ge Counv-I ,532F.App' 392,399( h Ci.201 ;s as Lanc, c i or s t nca x 4t r 3) ee lo i 703 F.d a 720 ( di t tt cos t 3 t hol ng ha he l e emporlpr miybewee t pl ntf sus ofFM LA a oxi t t n he ai if e l a a he t r i ton was s fc e t es a i h t c us lne r r d a s e one oft e ve nd r e m na i ufi i nt o t bls he a a xus equie t t p he M c omw l D ougl s f a e or but t t t pl i tf s e de e w as i ufi i ntt s D l a r m w k, ha he a n if vi nc ns fc e o uppor a t r ao bl j r fn n o p ee t; t a v. k d P a ms Am. l c,8 0 F.S p 2 6 e s na e u y idig f rtx) Nah n Ta e a h r . . n . 9 u p. d 29 ( D.Va.201 (tA1 t Fourh Cic tha sae tmporlpr miy aone,whiepeha E. 2) $( s he t r ui s ttd, e a oxi t l l r ps s tcintt e tbls c us ton f t pu os o a p i f ci c e,c no c e t a s tc e ufi e o sa ih a ai or he p es f rma a e as an t r a e ufi i nt i e e eofpr txt' . nfr nc ee .' ) For a l of t e r a ons t c t c ncl s t t M cBe h' e de e f is t c e t a l hes e s , he our o ude ha t s vi nc a l o r a e ge ne i s ofm a e i lf tas t w he he She r r st r i t he e pl e f r que tng nui s ue t r a ac o t r a e ' e m na ed r m oym nt or e s i F LA la e Ac o dn l temoinfrs mmayj d me t lb g a tdwi rs c t ti M e v . c r igy,h to o u r u g n wil e rn e t epe t o h s h cl m . ai II, Ti e V I C l m tl l ai M c t al o c a m s t t She r ' vi a e Til V 1 by pa ng he a l w e s l r on t Be h s l i ha a er s ol t d te l yi r o r aay he bassofhe ge r See42 U. C.j20000e2()1 . l t a enc ofa die te de of i r nde. S. - a () n he bs e ny rc vi nce i e i ldi c i i ton,M cBe h' Til V I c a m i a l e unde t M c o l l D ougl s nt ntona s r m na i t s te 1 l i s na yz d r he D m e l a bl de s fi f a ewor See Di m ond v.Col a Li e & A c i z n- hi tng r m r k. a oni l f c dentl .Co. 41 F. 31 ns , 6 3d 0, 31 ( hCi. 8 4t r 2005) Unde t sfa wor a stfrha ve it pl ntf put f t s fce . r hi rme k, s e o t bo ,f he ai if s orh ufiint e de e t es a i h a pr m a f ci c e of di c i i ton a t de e nt o f s a l gii a e vi nc o t bls i a e as s r m na i nd he f nda f er e tm t , nondi i i or expl i f is em pl ent deci i t pl ntf bear t iuli at scrm nat y anaton or t oym s on, he ai if s he t tm e burden' of est i ng t t em pl ' pr f ed expl i i (pret f gender ' ablshi hat he oyer s of er anaton s C ext or dicrmi ton.' Ta o v.Vigni Uni Uni ,l F.d21 23132( hCi.1 . s i nai ' ylr r i a on v. 93 3 9, - 4t r 999) 18 l t s c e M c t s e t e t bls a prma f c e ca e of g nde dic i nai by n hi as , Beh e ks o sa ih i ai s e r s rmi ton poi i t t f c t s waspa d $1 0 l st n Sha Ole whowast HR M a e o ntng o he a t he he i 3,00 es ha wn s n, he nag r f t de e nt s f c lt i H e m it Or on a t tm e of M c t s t r i ton. Eve he f nda ' a iiy n r s on, eg t he i Be h' e m na i n as umi t t M cBeh c d e tbls a prm a f c c e of dic i i ton, Shea e ' ha s ng ha t oul sa ih i a e as s rm na i r rs s a tc aed l tma e no s rmi t y r s f r t pa dipa iy. Ac or ng t Fi s riul t egii t , ndic i naor ea ons o he y s rt c di o nk' a fdavi, l e had be n w or ng asa Ta e Acqui ii n M a fi t O s n e ki l nt s to nage f r Shea e ' s nc M ay 201 ro rrs i e 0 a t tm e he w a pr o e t t H R M a ge poston i He m it t he i s om t d o he na r ii n r s on. Bec us t Her i t a e he m son f c lt ha bee e a iiy d n xpere ng c i r e t nove ,Ol e s ba i nci ons de abl ur r s n' ckgr ound i r c uii m a hi n e r tng de m ak riulrygoodc ie'f t poston. Fi Af. 1 Fi manti t thec i r da ' tc al pa hoc 'or he ii nk f! 0. nk i ans ha onsde e n be of f c or i de e m i ng O l e s s l r i l ng hi pror w or hi t r a hi um r a t s n t r ni s n' a a y, nc udi s i k s o y nd s pa i ul r y r e n m ase ' de e i HR M a ge e . The ç os i po t ntf t ,' e r rtc a l el va t t r s gr e n na m nt i t m r a ac or' how ve , m w as t f c t t She r r s ne ded t pr vi a i e i f O l e t r oc t fom O hi t he a t ha ae ' e o o de n nc ntve or s n o el a e r o o Or n. 1 ego d. I h rrs o s t ted fn a tsmoi nf rs mmayj d me t Mc t manan t a n e e p n e o h ee d n ' to o u r u g n , Beh iti s h t s ha tf r m or e e i e he d ta e xt ns ve xpere ' t n O l e Pl s Br i O pp' 9. H o e r s has i nce' ha s n. ' . n n w ve , he of e e no evi ncet r frd de o ebutt l tm a e, he egii t nondi c i i t r r as pr de f Ol e shi r s rm na o y e ons ovi d or s n' ghe r e of pay. I t abs nc of s h e d e t cour c l at n he e e uc vi enc , he t onc udes t t M c t ha f ied t ha Be h s a l o e t bls a ge ne ti bl i s a t w he he Shea e ' dicrm i t d a ns he on t bas sof s a ih nui , r a e s ue s o t r r r s s i na e gai t r he i ge r See Gr ve v.l nde . a s ndus Pow e Ge r tng Co . N o.3: cv71 2011 U . D i t LEXI . r ne a i m , 09 7, S. s . S 8 1 a * ( D. Va J n. 5, 2011 ( di t t t e oye ofeed a l tmae 7 , t 47 E. . a ) hol ng ha he mpl r fr egii t, nondi c i i t y r a on f r a he em pl s r m na or e s o not r oyee' hi r r t of pa a t t t pl i if s s ghe a e y, nd ha he a ntf ' a g ntt tt ohe e oye ha ls e re et ul nots ti as ng ofprtxf'. r ume ha he t r mpl e d e s xpeinc t d co usan howi ee ) Ae or ngl She rrsi aloe tte t s c di y, ae ' s s nild o ummayj r udgme o t scli nt n hi am. 19 C oncl i us on Fort r a onssae t c twilgrntt dee n ' motonfrs he e s ttd,he our l a he fnda ts i o ummayj me . r udg nt The Cl r i die t d t s nd c r ii d co e oft sm e o a e k s r c e o e e tfe pi s hi m r ndum opi on a t ni nd he a om pa ng or rt a lc cc nyi de o 1 ouns lofr cor e e d. s sR:hs 4 dyo spe e,04 xv ' i r a f etmbr2 1. Chi fU nied St t D i ti tJ e t a es sr c udge 20

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