-RSB Phillips v. StellarOne Bank et al, No. 7:2011cv00440 - Document 30 (W.D. Va. 2012)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Samuel G. Wilson on 07/16/2012. (rkc)
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elERK' OFFI U-s Dl X URT - s CE sT, ATROANOKE, VA FI LED I THE CNI S N TEO TATESDI TRI cotlT S CT Tt FoR THE w ESTERN ol sTRl oF vI NI cT Rcl A J l6 2 1 UL 22 BJ KuuAc. nu) x excwRK f - R O A N O K E DIVISIO N R IC K IE N E AL PH ILL I PS, C i lA ct on N o.7: vi i 11cv00440 Pl nt f ai i f, M EM O R AND U M O PI IO N N V. STE LLA R O N E BA N K & STE LLA R O N E C O R PO R A TIO N , D efendant s. By:Sa ue G .W is m l l on Unied St es Di tri Judge t at s ct Thi i a a tonplrua t t AgeDici naini Empl me Ac,29U. C.j s s n ci zs nt o he s rmi to n oy nt t S. 621e s q.a t Fnmiya M e c lLe veAc,29U. C.j2601ets q.bypl ntf Riki t e , nd he l nd dia a t S. e , ai if c e Ne lPhilpsa i td e nt StlaoneBa a StlaoneCopor to ( l vey, a li gans efnda s elr nk nd elr r ain coledi l tselaone'f da gesa e tbl r i t rd e sPhilps alege yunlwf t mi ton tt lr ' or ma nd quia e elef o e r s li ' l dl a uler nai ) fo St la one' e o Philpswo ked f ryea si t f ciii de rm e a Fis Na i l r m el r s mpl y. li r o r n he a ltes pa t nt t rt tona Ba un i Fis N a i lm er d w ih a herba k i 2008 t f m St la one. St l r nk tl r t tona ge t not n n o or e l r ela one r ti d Philpsdurngt m e ge , nc e e hi r s i ltesi t f iii sde rmen ,a eane li i he r r i r as d s e ponsbiii n he aclte pa t t nd g hi a s z bl r i e. The ea tr he r c i d a s resofne tve per or a e e ua i ns ave m i a e a s r fe , e e ve ei ga i f m nc val to , w hi e nt l c m i t i hi t m i ton i Apr lof2011 Philps c a m s he e t t ch ve ualy ul na ed n s er na i n i . li l i r ha S elr etr nae h m n tfrpo r o pef r n e b t e a eo hi a ea dh sd cso tlaon emi td i o o o j b ro ma c , u b e us f s g n i e ii n t tk FMLA la e Se l eh sfldamo infrs mmayj d me ti whc ivg e , o ae e v . tlcon a i e to o u r u g n n ih t u s es e i ly, ha St l r s nta l t t ela one t nni t d Philpsonl a t rr pe t d,doc e e pe f m anc e na e li y fe e a e um nt d r or e defc e es a t tPhilpshasno e de e ofdi c i i ton u re t rt A DEA or i i nci , nd ha li vi nc s rm na i nde ihe he FM LA . V i w i t s diput t oug a M c t s ns rabl e ng hi s e hr h Donne lDoucl 11 ns t cour di cer t i e l as e , he lMçDp pndlDmual Cor v. Gre , lU.. 9 (97 ) as p. e n 41 S 7 2 1 3. is soff cta ompa ng bot ofPhilps'ca ms Ac or ngl t cour wilde sue a cc nyi h li li . c di y, he t l ny Selr esmoin frsl r j d me t tl on ' t o t a o mmay u g n . Fis Na i lBa hied Philpsasaf iii ma r t tona nk r li acltes nage i J of1 a aspa t r n une 996 nd, r of hi dutes t s d Philpsw ih r s s i , a ke li t e pondi t a t r ho sm ai e nc e e ge i . I 2002, ng o f e - ur nt na e m r nc es n Philpsr e ve l t - ghtw o d t thea r i w a l a ng i t Fis N a i l sChrs i ns g, li ec i d a e ni r ha vy a n s e ki n o r t tona ' i ta bur V igi abr nc A fe a vi on t s e Philpsw e be nd t buidi t r m ove de i r ni a h. t r ni ng he c ne, li nt hi he l ng o e br s fom ac ogge r fdr n. Ashe soope t cl rt dr i an a s ia se d fom t r l d unof ai t d o ea he an, s a lnt t ppe r he da kne s a sr k Philpsi t f c wih a m e a r c us i hi a br a ng hi nos r s nd t uc li n he a e t t l od, onc s ng m nd e ki s e. The i i nts ntPhilps t t e e ge y r ,t n t s ge y one w ee l t r a t n t nc de e li o he m r nc oom he o ur r k a e , nd he o v ro sn t lgc le auain frh ss d e l fe u n mirie .De p t hi ij re , aiu evoo ia v l to s o i u d ny rq e t g an s s ie s nu is Philpss r t nedt hi pos a Fis Na i l The ehesa d t i Fis Na i c as d t li oon eur o s t t r t tona , r t ye mtl r t tonal e e o e s, n i m e ge wih Vigi a Fi nc a Gr up t f St la one Co por to i M ayof xit whe t r d t r ni na i l o o onn elr r ai n n 2008. The m e ge br htc nge ,i l ng e pl e r unda i s a de r m e a r r oug ha s nc udi m oye ed nc e nd pa t nt l c olda i . Philps pos ton, how e r w asnotone oft e elm i t d,a St l r ne ons i tons2 li ' ii ve , hos i na e nd ela o r ti d t ffy- a - d a isf iii sm a ge .Stla oner ie Philps payby eane he it ye rol s t aclte na r e lr as d li ' ap oxi t l $5500,gavehi a$500 bonusa a a ii lda ofpai va to a pr ma ey m nd n ddtona y d cai n, nd i r as d t num be of b a he f whi h he w a r ponsbl f o t ry- i t t fy- ne. nc e e he r r nc s or c s es i e r m hi t s x o i t ni Unde Stlaone' ne or ni tona sr t e Philpsha t s r ie ( a4Lil a r elr s w ga zai l tucur , li d wo upe vses M t rkous nd Cornt a Tomes who we ebot yo e t n Philpsa hadwor wih hi f rs i hins , r h ung r ha li nd ked t m o ome 2AsofJ y 7,20 8 js atrtemeg r Selr eh d8 3e ly e , 69 o wh m weeo e fry ul 0 ,u t fe h re, tl on a 8 mpo e s 5 .% f o r v r ot. a By Dec mbe of2011 a trSt l onetr naedPhilps t c e r , fe elar e mi t li , he ompa hq 736 e oyee ,59. ofwhom we e ny d mpl s 2% r ove f t r or y. tmea Fis Nai l a onediec s r s ( ny Pat whowa fveyeasol rt n i t rt tona) nd r t upevior La ton, si r de ha Philpsa hadbe nt fcltesdiecorf Vigi aFi ncilGr .LizVa Dyke, li nd e he a iii r t or r ni na a oup) t n a f m e hi h- a ng e utve a Fi s N a i l tle t r l ofSt la o ne' Chi fOpe a i or r g r nki xec i t r t tona , i l d he o e e lr s e r tng Ofi e ,a BilHe t t f m e c e e cu i ofi ra Fis Na i l s ta c ima of fc r nd l ah, he or r hi f xe tve fce t r t tona , a s ha r n t boa d.3 he r Pa t a Philpsbeg t i wor ng r ltons p on good tr s I Philps 2008 ton nd li an her ki ea i hi e m . n li ' Pefr n erve Pat nusdwo d lk ç u sa dn , ûrme d usk o e g , a dSg e ro ma c e iw, to e r s ie d ttn i g' ie n o n wld e' n t lt o 't ' g i d atiude'ode ci Philps Mot Summ. . 2, ECFNo. 4. Pat cos d t one tt 't s rbe li .( . J Ex. 22, 24- ) ton l e t wrte r vi by g vi Philps4. of5pos i epoi sa esa ihi s ve a he it n e ew i ng li 5 sbl nt nd t bls ng e r l pe f ma e e c a i .W ihi ayea ,howe ,Pa t sa s s m e ofPhilpsha ror nc xpe t tons tn r ver ton' s e s nt li d f unda e a l cha d. O n Philps 2009 e l ton,Pa t not d t tPhilps wasnot m nt ly nge li ' va ua i ton e ha li m e tng hi pr vi usy es a ihe e ei s e o l t bls d xpec a i . Fori t nc Philpshad notvi ie a lof t tons ns a e, li st d 1 St la one' e tr gi l a i ,a hewasha ngdifc t pr di m ont y upda e o el r s as-e on oc tons nd vi fiuly ovi ng hl ts n wor or r ,Des t t ove a lnegai r viw,Pat e es e hi beleft tPhilpswa k de s pie he r l tve e e ton xpr s d s i ha li s ma ngC nypostvec rbutonst Stlaone, a t theSt caeofma is st t ki t ma ii onti i o elr ' nd ha l ookj r ' g ny sue ha ( tondi nots e.'( o.Summ. Ex. 28,ECFNo.2 4. Onc a n,t r e stou Pat dl e ' M t J. 2, 4- ) e gai he eviw e t per o m a e goa s t stm e t n oft m . f r nc l- hi i , e he A r und t s tm e, ton s o hi i Pa t ugge t d t tPhilpsa y f FM LA l a be aus of s e ha li ppl or e ve c e Philps fe ntm i a ne Philpst t ts si a i ea l Augus of201 li ' r que gr i s. li ook ha ugge ton nd, n ry t 0, delve e a c i r d ompl t FM LA c tfc ton t Ca olDuddi St la one' Hum a Re our e eed erii a i o r ng, el r s n s cs Prjc M a ge .St lr quikl a ove Philps l verques.l t me ntme Patn oe t na r ela one c y ppr d li 'ea e t n he a i , to 3Durng t mer pr s , Philpshe r Heahm e i t thewant t puti younge f e'on i he ger oce s li a d t nton ha ed o ( a r ac ' S elr e ( o . u J Ex 2 8 , No. 4 3. Ch it eLe s af r rS elr e e u ie h ad a t l on . M t S mm. . . , 2 ECF 2 - ) rsi wi, o me t laone x c t , e r a n v sm ia comm e :QBilHeah sa e t twenee dt fnds e i lr nt t l t tt d ha de o i om bodyyounge andm or atr ctvef t fontdes r e ta i or he r k p sto o wh ti n w te Ch ita s u gOp r to Ce tr' ( o . u J Ex 1 , , No 2 1 . He t o iin f a s o h rsin b r e ains ne . M t S mm. . . 1 2 ECF . 4- 3 ) ah ' r ie fom St lr etr d r ela one i Fe ta yof201 n brzr 0. bega m e tng wih Philpsr ul ry t dic sPhilps ne pe f ma egoal.Ac r ngt n ei t li eg a l o s us li ' w ror nc s co di o Pa t sm i t n e ua i f om t e m e tngs Philps pe f r a e c i d t be bel ton' te val tons r hos e i , li ' r o m nc ontnue o ow expect i atons. Eve ua l Pa t w e t hum a r o c a co e r d w ih D uddi r r ng nt ly, ton nt o n es ur es nd nf r e t ng ega di Ph lp 'o p ro ma c .Th p i d cd dt p ee t hi i wi at rte W a iga d il s j b ef r n e e ar e ie o rs n P lps t s itn nzn n i l h W Co r c i Ac i N otc ' Be or doi s Duddi a Pat n s ntt pr e do re tve ton i e. f e ng o, ' ng nd to e he opos d cume t nt o Li aCa l, hehea ofSt lr s nne lt d ela one' huma r our esde rm e : s n es c pa t nt Lia-Thi i t ewo dd c me tha ( to qwi b p e e t t Phi is s s s h r o u n t t Patn l e r s ni o l p ) l ng l at c t aW rte W ar ng f m .Tha you f tki tm et r e .Plas ta hed o it n ni or nk or a ng i o eviw e e 1tLar k o i isgi)o a t prc e sn e1wil eo t ft o tc e ry n w f t sc k y o o e d ic l b u o he fi e t m o r i Sal m . o r ow n e Thanks! Ca olJ D uddi r . ng l es h, t ( s Mot Summ. Ex.D, No.25- ) Cannel r ponded on Novem ber16t 2010,wih Re p. . J. ECF 4. a e- a lt Duddi a Pa t n m i o ng nd ton: La y, n' lhavervi dt doc ttont tyouha pr de wih g e ewe he umenai ha ve ovi d t Duddi s ng') a ssa e.Ther i a 1 ofs t nc he ea Ia fnewih you pr e ng. s itnc e s ot ubsa e r nd m i t oce di T e ei aI t fr o o hm t tr u 'tà rt i wa nn c n ie ig al h h r s o o o mf r i o t f p 'z e hs r ig o sd rn 1t e /p / a e swh r h i b lw epe tto a dtema iu eo mpr v me t n e d ra e e e s eo x cai n n h gntd fi o e ns e de Ir omme t tyouc i rho src yo a egoi t beo t s(. , r ec nd ha onsde w tit u r ng o n hi ie.zeo t ea et ne tmehedoesnotpr deatmeyrpor)andc olrnc he xt i ovi i l e t ommuni t cae a c di y s t theknowst si atuewani - a t thi j i tuyon c or ngl o ha hi s r r ng nd ha s ob s r l t lne. A lo, a s e he k w s t r i nota pr ton pe i a t e he i s m ke ur no he e s oba i r od nd hes a to plne tto aei fniegi untlyouc nget m ohe wie. cin a xpecains r ndei t scj i ha he t r s Tha , nks Li a. s (I)(mphai adde .W ihCa lha nga m o dt doc ntPat a Duddi heda LJ e z ss d) t nnel vi p ve he ume , ton nd ng l N ove be 18 h m e tng w ih Philpst d s st w a ni no i e a expl i t ti Philps m r t ei t li o i cus he r ng t c nd a n ha f li ' 4 pe f ronna di noti ove,hec nce d mpr t ompany woul i pos f rhe dicplna y me ur ,u t d m e ut r si i r as es p o and i udi t m i i ncl ng er naton. I t m ont a t rt m ee i a asPhilps 201 pe f m a e r vi w a oa he n he hs f e he tng, nd li ' 0 r or nc e e ppr c d, Philps s pe v s s a t hu a r s c s de m e c e r d: li ' u r i or nd he m n e our e pm nt onf r e H iLiz, t Afe r l ci onyo g l f t g ror nc r e meei wih tr ete tng ur oas or he pef ma e eviw) tng t Philps onM ac 25, t nkima bebett ty a ( to c li j rh we hi t y s ha ou nd Patn) onduc t s thi w ihoutHR . You w ilbe goi ove hi r e , hi h i us l do wihout t l ng r s evi w w c s ualy ne t H R pr s nt a t n a ki hi s e ques i nsa e e , nd he s ng m om to bouthi pe s c i on t s r pe tve he r e . You w ilal o a k hi t t nk a evi w l s s m o hi bouti ov rt w e ke t e he e nd. W e know t t ha hem a c eba s ng heca a wa t t do i a as ng f onemor y om ck ayi n nd n s o t nd ki or e c nc and a r a e s ppo tt c r c i s ,orhe m a r s gn,orhe m a ha e ny el t d u r o or e t s ues y ei y c omebac de i n ors et thei doi wha i e t d ar dy.Afe you k fa t ur ha s ng t s xpece lea tr hea f om hi a s e w he e he i ,t n H R c n a w ila s s wih t rr m nd e r s he a nd l s i t t he a pr pr a e ne s e W ha a e yourt p o i t xt t p. tr hought on t sa oa s hi ppr ch? Alo La r wt'oh v pr vd dtepef r nc r ve t HR s ta wec n s , ry z t a e o ie h ro ma e e iw o s oht a s r i t e ur i i a o i es nc t s wilbe hi y s sii e and t s c ub t o ns e t s ppr pr at i e hi l ghl en tv hi d c me tc ude d u b igu e i asl d# n igo ra to s Heh sn t e o u n o l n p en s d n e e dn u cin . a o yt pr d i t usa wene d s l a tmebe or M a c 25.Pl a e1 tm e ovi ed t o nd e ome e d-i f e rh es e know i you a Lar y ne m or tm e orha a quesi on t s. f nd r ed ei ve ny tons hi Tha ks n ! Li sa ( p. otSumm. Ex. ECFNo. 5)(mphassa d) Res M . J. E, 25- e i dde . Va Dyke a Pa t s m e wih Philpsf hi 2010pe f n nd ton oon t t li or s ronna r vi whih nce e ew, c i l d m a oft s m ec ii imsofPhilps pe f r a e.Afert r viw , ton d i d ncude ny he a rtcs li ' ro m nc t he e e Pat ecde t tSt l r ne s d t m i t Philpsf poo pe f m a e a he m ade a r om m e ton ha ela o houl er na e li or r r or nc , nd ec nda i al t e lnes W ih Va Dyke,Ca l Duddi a h a r our sma ong hos i . t n nnel, ng, nd um n-es ce nage Na r ncy M ic l c u rng i Pa t n' r co m e ton,V a Dyke a Pa t s ta Apr l1 2011 t he l onc r i n t o s e m nda i n nd ton e n i , t r i ton m ee i wih Philps Att m ee i V a Dyke t d Philpst the w a a good e m na i tng t li . he tng, n ol li ha s e pl e w ih a good w or e hi ,butt the S d no ftt c ie i f t ne St la one ' m oye t k t c ha s di t i he rt r a or he w e l r .' ( p. .Summ.J Ex. ,ECFNo. 1 ) Philpsl thi wor a e,fl ac r ewih Res Mot . N. 25- 4. li ef s kplc ied ha g t t Eq Em pl m e Oppo t t Com m i s on, a ne a r g -o- ue l te ,a t l d t s he ual oy nt r uniy s i obt i d i htt s e t r nd i e hi lw s t a ui. 1I. St lr ela one a gue t tPhilpshasnotesa ihe aprm af ci ca eofag r s ha li tbls d i a e s e dic i i ton a t t e n i Philpshasesa ihe aprm af ci c e,i ha pr fe e a s rm nai nd ha , ve f li tbls d i a e as t s o f r d l tm ae, egii t nondic i naor r s n f t r na i Philpst theha wholy f ie t e s rmi t y ea o or e mi tng li ha s l al d o xpos e a p ee f agedic i nai n.Vi wi t sdiput t ought M c s r txt or s rmi to e ng hi s e hr he Donne lDo l slns t l ug a e , he c tfndst tti bl i s s o f tpr l t c tf o r s vi t co r r y a t our i ha r a e s ue f ac ec ude he our r m e ol ng he nt ove s t he s mmayj u r udgme sa a a or ngl t c twilde Stlaone' moton. nt tge, nd, cc di y,he our l ny elr s i 4 TheADEA pr bisa e oye fom tdshaggngja i vi ...be us ofs h ohi t n mpl r r 'ic r i ny ndi dual ca e uc i vi lsa ' 29U. C.j623()1 .A pli ifc na r s ndi dua' ge. ' S. a( ) antf a ve t ummayj r udgme ona ADEA nt n c am i one oft wa .Fis , pli ifma ofe e de eofagedic i nai n unde li n wo ys r t a antf y f r vi nc s rmi to r t di r prncplsofpr . Bur v. s na y i i e or oof' ns AAF' McOua l , F. 728,731( h Ci.1 ) v.nc.96 3d 4t r 996 . Thepl i ifs pr ee ngm us pr ee de et tc e ry i caesadic i naor a m us antf o oc di t oduc vi nc ha l a l ndi t s rmi t y ni a t w o kpl c a a ne be w e n t ta m usa t e pl yee' di c r . See W a c v. t he r a e, nd xus t e ha ni nd he m o s s ha ge rh Ohi Cauat I .Co.435F. 51 5 -21( hCi. 06) o s lv ns , 3d 0, 20 4t r 20 . A pl i i fl c ng s h pr m ay pr e undert bur n- hi tng pr s he e a ntf a ki uc oof oce d he de s f i oof c m expl ned i M cD onnel D ouzl Cop .v.Gr ai n l as een. M oody v.Ar ofH ow ar Ct .l ,N o.11c d y. nc. 4S ummayj d me ti a p o raewh ndh pla ig ,h dso eya dsls r maeil o fl, n r u g n s p r pit e ç e edn ste ic v r nd ico u e tras n i a d t e a yafd vt s o t th r i n g n ieisea t a ymaeilata dt a temo a ti e t ldt j d me t n fia i h w ha tee s o e un su s o n tra fc n h th v n s nie o u g n s t a amatro lw. Fe R. v P. 6 c() Th p rymovn frsmmayj d me t e r t bud no s te f a ' d. Ci. 5 ()2 . e at ' ig o u r u g n b ashe r e f i or i t cou toft bassf ismotonandi ntf ng t epa t oft r co dt demonsrt t a e e nf m ng he r he i or t i de iyi hos rs he e r hat tae he bs nc o ag n ieis eo maeila t Ceoe Cop v Cart 47 U.. 7 3 (98 ) I rve n as mmay f e un su f tra fc. ltx r . . tet 7 S 31 , 23 1 6 . n e iwig u r j d me tmoinu d rRue5 ,h c u tû s da alu tf beifrnc si fv ro ten n vn p ry' u g n to n e l 6 te o r t t rw lj sii l nee e n a o fh o mo ig at. mu a ' UntdS ae v. r l aTrn fr rCo.9 8F.d8 2 8 5(t Ci.1 9 (iigAn es nv. b ryLo b . i tts Caoi a so me , 7 2 3 , 3 4h r 9 2) ct e n n d ro Liet b y I c, 7 U. 2 2, 5 ( 9 6 ) n .4 7 S. 4 2 5 1 8 ). 6 1 201 W L l1 4053,*2( hCi.Aprl1 201 . Unde t sp oofs he t pli if 720, 2 8 4t r i 0, 2)5 r hi r c me,he antf mus frte tbls aprmaf i c s ofdici nainbys ngt thewa ( )fryye r of t is sa ih i ace a e s rmi to howi ha s 1 o t as a eo od rwh n ()h se lye tr n tdh m,h t( ) wa pefr n hij bd te a a g r le e 2 i mp o r emiae i ta 3 he s ro mi g s o u is t lvelt tme hi e oyerslgii t e cai , t t( hi f rpostonr mane e ha t s mpl ' e tmae xpe ttons and ha 4) s onne ii e i d ope orwasf le by a younge pe s H ilv. khe d M a tn Loci tc M ana m e .l . n il d r r on. l Loc e ri si s ce nt nc , 354F. 277,285( hCi.200 ( ba ) l t pli ifesa ihesaprmafcec eofag 3d 4t r 4) en nc . f he antf tbls i a i as e dic i nai t bur n s fst t e oye t pr f rano s i i t r r a o f s rmi ton, he de hit o he mpl r o ofe ndicrm na o y e s n or tnni tngt pli if .sAndi t e oye doe s t bu de rt nst t e oye t e nai he antf.Jl t f he mpl r s o,he r n eur o he mpl e o pr t tt e pl r ssa e r s we enotist er a o , apr t xtf rag ove ha he m oye ' tt d ea ons r t nl e s ns but e e o e dici nai Lx a 285. s rmi ton. ds t Athes mma yj d me tsa e t d fn a ti fe t atc t eplitf sp i fce t u r u g n tg ,he ee d n s r e o ta k h an if rma a i c eby,f i tnce as e tng t tt pl i ifwasnotm e tngt e oye ' l gii t as or nsa , s ri ha he antf ei he mpl r s e tma e e c ai ns W ar h,435 F. a 51 Howe r t hi pr bist empl xpe t to . c 3d t 7. ve , k ng ohi t he not oyeefom r c ei t sa sri wihe d et tde nsrts( ra l s ceaesaq si offc) ountrng hi se ton t vienc ha mo tae o t eat r t ueton a t t tt ...t xpe t ton'i not i f c ,l gii a e a a 1' I A nd,i t pl ntf uli a el ha he e c a i s , n a t e tm t t l. d. ' f he ai i f tm t y suc e dsi esa ihi aprmafcec e,shefc-i rsrj to oft lgii t, c e n tbls ng i a i as ût a tfnde' eecin he e tmae no s rmi t y r ms pr f e byt de e nt c ed wih t ee e soft prma ndic i na or e on ofer d he f nda , oupl t he lm nt he i f ce c s ,maype mi t f c -i rt i e t uli t f c ofi di di c i nai n wih ai ae r t he a tfnde o nf r he tma e a t nvi ous s rmi to t noa to lpr ofdic i nain. Jmi zv. avW as Col.57F. 36 378( hCi. ddiina oof srmi to ' i ne M r ' h. 1, 3d 9, 4t r 5I Gr sv. FBLFi n ilS r ie,l 9S Ct2 4 (0 )whihh l t th ADEA d sn t uh rz n os na ca evc s 2 . . 3 3 2 09, c ed ha te oe o a to ie m i d- otvedic i i ton cl m sa t tplitfsm us pr b aprpo anc oft e de t ta wa xe m i s rm nai ai nd ha anif t ove y e nder e he vi nce ha ge s t ei u f r c u eo t ec le g de o e d cso , u t eTh ma (h o nin' a t o ) itd o tta t e h < t o ' a s f h haln e mply r e iin J si o s t e pi o s u h r pon e u h t h b ' c Supr Cou thasnotdefnii y decde whehe t M cDonnelDouxlsfamewor a isi t A DEA eme r i tvel i d t r he l a r k pple n he co e .Si eGr s how e r co t outi t scicui ha hedt tt M cDonnelD oual fa e ki sil ntxt nc os, ve , urs sde hi r t ve l ha he l as rm wor s tl a prpit.S e eg, s hc v. n t, 5F.d6 2, 3 ( t Ci. 01 ) Th Fo rhCic ih sn t oh l, p o rae e . ..Yec ik Miea 67 3 2 6 2 6h r2 2 . e ut rut a o s ed buti f c r i y a i M c onne lDougl t ADEA c ai bef e Gr s s .e. ,La rv. a v 438 F.3d n a t outnel ppled D l as o l ms or os , ee 2. be H r ev, 4 4 4 0(t Ci. 00 , n h ssn ea pidMc n el u lst ADEA camsi u p bl h dd cso ss e 0 , 3 4h r2 6)a d a ic p le Do n lDo aa o li n n u i e e iin ,e . s e. ,M oodv,201 W L l1 4053 a * a. 2 8 t 2. 1 95 ; e as Re v sv. a e s nPlmbi:P o s,n .5 0U. 1 3 1 7 48( 0 0 9 ) se lo e e S nd ro u n r d .Ic, 3 S. 3 , 4 - 2 0 ) (xpli ngt s me . e ani he a ) W ih t esa r i m i t c t u nst t f csoft sca ea fndst tti e t hos tnda ds n nd, he our t r o he a t hi s nd i ha rabl quesi off c t ri Philps prm af c ec s a S e lr tons a t mde le li ' i a i a e nd t la one' pr f r s ofe ed nondic i i t yr a on f isaci .Stla oneha s s rm na or e s or t tons e lz s oughtt unde nePhilps prma o nni li ' i f cec s b mas al g e ie c o P lis fiu et me tSelr e slgtmaej b a i a e y rh li vd n e f hi p ' alr o e tl on ' e ii t o n l a expe t tons Philps ho e r ha c e ed by a g ng t tSt l one s e hi wih c a i . li , w ve , s ount r r ui ha elar addl d m t i pos i e il gii a e expe t tonst tno e pl ee c d m e t l s m sbl , le tm t c a i ha m oy oul e . n uppor ofhi a gu e , t s r m nt Philpss lght t o e m a l fom St la one' he d ofhum a r our e One e m ai r e st li poti s w - is r el r s a n es c s. - l ef r o peror a ee c ai t tc d Srp u ' li ,6a t o he m e i Philps lt s f m nc xpe t tons ha oul ' i p'Philps nd he t r ntons li ' a e t t peronna e r vi w doc e a t ne t ç c u i t e ur i i a o i t .' Cl ary, f nc e e um nt nd he ed o t r b t o ns e t s ppr pra e ' e l s b t emal a es b e tt mo eta o eitprtto oh - is r u j c o r h n n ne eain.Th s emal, tn igao e a e e e - is sa dn ln , r s fcen t r s atibl que to off tr r ngt l tm a y ofSt la one' e pe ttons ufi i t o aie ra e si n ac egadi he egii c el r s x c ai a , by e e i Philps pr m a f c e c s ? The v r s nd c y ame ev de e c ls i t quesi n i nc a l n o to xt ns on, li ' i a i a e. St lr ela one' nondi c i na or e anai n f Philps t r i ton.Thef c -i ri fe t s s rmi t y xpl to or li ' em na i a tfnde s r e o u etee ie c a ab ssf rrj cigS elr ' p o fr de pln to a dma te c u e s h vd n e s a i o ee tn tlaones r fee x a ain, n y h n o pl t trj cinwi teee n so tepi f cec s t ifrt eutmaefc o a e ha ee to t h lme t f h rma a i ae o n e h li t a, f g h t 6J tbef e s ng Cannelt trp up'em aidurngherde ii , Philps c e a ke Ca l t us or howi l he t i ' - l i t poston li ' ouns l s d nnelo defnet t m t rp up. Herr po e'1lwoul a s m ei m e nss tng goass t ts e i he er t i ' ' es ns .$ d s u t a eti l o ha om body c tm e tt . aa' e hem ' ' ( s Mo. u J 2 ECFNo 2 . Rep. tS mm. . 4, . 5) 1Theparisalodia e onwhehe St lr r plce Philpswih s te s s gr e t r ela one e a d li t omeo you er St lr ne ng . elaone camsta Patn wh i od rta P il , a b e p romigP il 'o rs o sbite.An P liscams li h t to , o s le h n hli h s en efr n hli j b ep n i lis d hi p li ps ps i l ta Lik u a dTo s whoaey u g rta P il s aepefr n Phlpsj brs o i l is (tl r e h t n o s n me, r o n e h n hli , r romig ii 'o e p nsbite . Sel on p l i a ma h v gv nPhli ti ie :d- h r h v b e c rano c so swh r Mat n u a d/rCoitin y a e ie i ps hs d a t f ee a e e n eti ca in ee t Liko s n o rnha s l gl tu ir To sweemoeiv le i ap oe th nte oh r s wo l h v b e i Plitf weesi t no' me r r n ov d n rj c ta h y tewie ud a e en f anif r tl l ' l e lye . ( f. Ans t Pl slt ro . ECF No. 5 3. Nowih t n ig t eo viu q e to o fc o t i mp o d ' De s' .o . ne r g 2, ' ' 2 - ) t t sa dn h b o s u sin f a t n h s ) poi ,t l saest tPhilpsc n es iht spr ngofhi prmaf i c em e el b s i t thi f r nt he aw tt ha li a Gbls hi o s i ace as r y y how ng ha s onne poston hasç e a ne ope ' See Hil 354 F. a 285. ii K m i d n. r ' l, 3d t 8 dic i i ton. Se J m i z,57 F. at378. The c t ilt r or de St la one' m oton s r m na i e i ne 3d our w l he ef e ny e l r s i frs mmayj d me to P lis ADEA cam. o u r u g n n hi p ' l li 1 11. I ismoinf rs mmayj dg n o P il ssFM LA cam, t l r er c pt lts n t to o u r u me t n h lp ' i li S el on e a iuae a is AD EA a gum e s Philps ha f ied t e t bls a pr m a f i c s ort pr t xt lz t r nt : li s a l o s a ih i ac e a e o e e ua i e St la one' pr f r r a on f tr i tng Philps He et howe r ti eis soff c elr s ofe ed e s or e m na i li . r oo, ve , rabl s ue at prcu es mmayj d me t e ld u r u g n . The FM LA pr ec s e pl esf om di c i i ton f e r s ng t rrght t de t ot t m oye r s rm na i or xe ci i hei i s m r he FM LA.See29U. C.j261 a( 'Ya he v. ra sN. Ca i Co.LLC,446F. 541 S. 5()2) s nko Har h' C. sno . , 3d , 546( hCi.2006) I or rt esa ihaprmafcec eofFM LA dici nai t 4t r . n de o tbls i a i as s rmi ton,he e oyeemus s t tt thee ge i pr e td a tviy( g.t k FMLA l ve,t t mpl t how ha ha nga d n otce ci t e. ,oo ea ) hathe e pl rt k a r e ac i a i thi ,a t tt ad r e ac i was c us ly c m oye oo dve s ton ga ns m nd ha he ve s ton a a l onne t d t ce o t pli ifspr t c e aci t d. t551 l t pl n ifofe ss fc e evi ncet esa ih he antf o e t d tviy.I a . f he aitf f r ufii nt de o tbls aprmaf i ca eofFM LA dicrm i to and i t de e n t n ofe sanondic i i t y i ace s s i na in, f he f nda t he f r s rm naor e a ton f isaci ns t pl ntf ag n be r t bur n o e t bls ng t tt e pl rs xplna i or t to ,he ai if ai a s he de f sa ihi ha he m oye ' e plna i i apr t xtf rFM LA dic i i to I x a ton s e e o s rm nai n. d. I t sc e, he e i no diput r r ngt trtt el nt ofPhilps prm af c e n hi as t r s s e ega di he i s wo eme s li ' i a i c s .I s a e n uppor oft t r e e nt c us to Philpsonc ag n ofe sCa lsN o m be t he hid l me , a ai n, li e ai f r nnel' ve r 201 ç rp u ' - al a hehi i ht t f c t tCa l wr t t e m alonl t e m o hs 0 t i p'e m i, nd t ghlg s he a t ha nne l o e he - i y hr e nt afe Philpsfrtus FM LA l ve.Thi e de e i s fc e t r ie ati e is r ga di tr li is ed ea s vi nc s ufii nt o a s rabl s ue e r ng ca ai tnd,t rf e, li 'prmaf i FMLA c s ) And,onc a i t vey sme uston a heeor Philps i ace ae. e gan,he r a e de e r s ques i r ga di St la one snondi c i i t y e ana i f rPhilps' vi nc aies tons e r ng e l r ' s rm na or xpl ton o li 9 tr n to Th c u t lte eo ed n Selr ' moinf rs mmayj d me to emiain. e o r wilh rf r e y tlaones to o u r u g n n Philps FM LA c ai . li ' lm F rt ra o ssae ,hec u t l d n Selr e smo inf rs mma yj d me tn o he e s n ttd t o r wi e y tl on ' to o u r u g n i l a is entr y. t iet ENTER :J y 1 201 ul 6, 2. z. . ' A' UN I TED STA TES D I STRI J GE CT UD 10
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