Strand v. Charles Mix County, No. 4:2016cv04037 - Document 39 (D.S.D. 2017)
Court Description: Memorandum Opinion and Order denying 20 Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by U.S. District Judge Lawrence L. Piersol on 5/5/2017. (JLS)
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Strand v. Charles Mix County Doc. 39 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT filed DISTRICT OF SOUTH DAKOTA ® ^ 2017 SOUTHERN DIVISION **************************************************** * TRACY STRAND, * CIV 16-4037 * Plaintiff, * * -vs- * * CHARLES'MIX COUNTY,A POLITICAL * SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF ORDER ON MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT * SOUTH DAKOTA, MEMORANDUM OPINION AND * * Defendant. * * **************************************************** Defendant Charles Mix-County("County"), filed a motion for summary judgment in this discrimination action brought by Plaintiff,Tracy Strand("Strand"),pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act("ADA"). (Doc. 20.) For the following reasons, the motion will be denied. BACKGROUND The facts are taken primarily from Plaintiffs Supplemental Statement of Material Facts in Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment,Doc.27,because,on summaryjudgment, this Court views the facts in the light most favorable to the non-movant. Strand began working for the County as a road grader in its highway department in 2007. He was primarily responsible for grading the road east of Platte with a coverage area of approximately 127 miles. Rick Stemberg("Stemberg") has been employed with the County since the early 1990s and was Strand's direct supervisor and foreman at all relevant times. From 2009 to present,Doug Kniffen("Kniffen")was the highway superintendent and Stemberg's supervisor. The County has thirteen employees in its Highway department including Stemberg and Kniffen. Dockets.Justia.com During the spring,summer and fall, the County's grader operators could have work days up to ten hours long. They were given two fifteen minute breaks during the day and a half-hour break for lunch. The County did not have a written policy on bathroom usage or a policy on whether employees could drive to the shop to use the bathroom. (The highway department had shops in Platte, Lake Andes and Wagner.) It was commonly understood that ifthe County employees had to go to the bathroom,they wouldjust go outside wherever they were. County employees brought toilet paper with them while working in the event they had to go to the bathroom. There were times, but not often, that Strand had to urinate outside while he was working, but he does not recall ever defecating outside during his work prior to his cancer diagnosis in 2010. Strand observed other employees drive to use a bathroom and other employees told him that they did so. According to Stemberg, getting leave "isn't a big deal." There is a calendar hanging on the break room wall and employees just write down the days they are going to be gone. It is "common courtesy" for the employee to tell him what days they have written down to be gone. Likewise, if an employee is sick,the employee calls Stemberg; when the employee comes back,he fills out"sick leave" on his time card and gives the time card to the secretary. Employees out on sick leave can also decide to use vacation time too. An employee should call and let Stemberg know that they will be out for a couple of days. If they can't get ahold of him, they should call Kniffen or the next channel. There is no training for employees about how to get leave approved. In May2010,Strand was diagnosed with advanced stage colon cancer. He was offwork from May 2010 until the summer of 2011. During that time he had two surgeries, the second of which involved removal ofa portion ofhis colon. Chemotherapy and radiation followed. After completing his cancer treatment. Strand retumed to work as a road grader for the County part-time for a while and then full-time beginning July 1,2011. Prior to his cancer diagnosis. Strand did not have issues with bowel control or frequent waste elimination. As a result ofhis colon resection surgery. Strand experienced a change in his bowel movements. In his deposition. Strand describes his post-surgery bowel movements as loose, more frequent and more problematic. It varies from day to day. Sometimes he has to eliminate waste up to ten times a day. He would bring his own toilet paper to work, and his wife had to bring toilet paper to him at work on a couple occasions when he ran out. When he returned to work after his cancer treatments, Strand told supervisors Stemberg and Kniffen that the effect ofthe treatment was more fi-equent or more problematic bowel issues. Strand recalls talking to Kniffen twice and Stemberg about a halfdozen times about his bowel elimination needs between his retum to work in 2011 and his termination in 2014. Kniffen said it was"common sense"that Strand would have bowel frequency;he thought Strand wouldjust stop work more often. Stemberg told Strand to defecate in a field, in a tree belt or to go behind a tire. Strand said that was unacceptable and indicated that he wanted to be able to driye to use a toilet to eliminate waste, preferably at one ofthe County's shop buildings. Stemberg told Strand that he could not drive to use an indoor toilet. Strand asked Kniffen about the possibility of having a port-a-potty at the County gravel pit or at roadside locations where he worked. Strand claims that Kniffen's response was to say that port-a-potties were not necessary. Kniffen denies that conversation and says he would have aeeommodated Strand if he had known Strand needed a place to go to the bathroom. Kniffen says he even would have allowed Strand to drive to the shop to use an indoor bathroom. Stemberg recalls Strand generally asking about having port-a-potties around the County and in the gravel pit, and he replied that it was the contractors'responsibility to have port-a-potties, nothis. But Stemberg denies that Strand ever asked for any accommodation of his bathroom needs. When asked ifStrand would have asked for accommodations, Stemberg testified: Q.[Ms. Poehop] What would you - what should you have said if[Strand] would have brought up [his need to go to the bathroom more frequently after his cancer treatments?].... What do you imagine your response to that would have been under your policies? A.[Mr.Stemberg]I assume that-you know,like I said, call. It'sjust common sense. If you got a-anybody sick or got problems,ifyou-if you got to go every 5 minutes, you shouldn't be in a blade. Call me and I'll switch with you, and you can go home. You know,if you got a medical condition, you shouldn't be in a blade. Q. What do you mean,"if you've got a medical condition, you shouldn't be in a blade?" A. If you got medical condition, you shouldn't be running a 230,000-dollar piece of equipment on a public road where people can get hurt. (Stemberg Depo at 61-62). In April 2014, Strand was driving a gravel dump truck at the County's gravel pit in Wagner when be needed to use the bathroom. After Strand dumped the gravel from bis truck, be told a coworker that be would briefly be out ofthe line oftrucks, and be drove 5 or 6 miles to the County's shop bathroom in Wagner.When Strand retumed to the County's Platte shop that evening,Stemberg confronted bim and asked why be bad left the line that day. Strand told bim that be bad to use the restroom in Wagner. Stemberg told Strand that be should relieve himself behind the gravel pile at the pit. Strand said be can't do that. Strand bad observed other drivers drive to use a bathroom and other drivers have told bim that they do so. Strand testified that every time be left work for a doctor's appointment, Stemberg would follow bim out oftown. Stemberg denies this. On one occasion in May 2014,Stemberg told Strand that be bad followed bim to see if be went to a chiropractic appointment from work. Stemberg accused Strand of going home instead of to bis chiropractic appointment because Strand bad not driven to a chiropractic office in Platte. But Strand has seen a chiropractor in Gregory,South Dakota since 2007. Stemberg admitted that be disagreed with Strand taking sick leaye instead of vacation time after going to a chiropractor one day. Strand's wife called Stemberg on May 13, 2014, to inform bim that Strand was sick due to a kidney infection. Strand also missed work on May 14 and 15,but did not call in. He did not know that be needed to call in those days. A note from Strand's doctor releasing bim from work on May 13,14 and 15 was filed in Strand's personnel file by the County auditor on May 16,2014. Stemberg admitted that the leave policy is "very relaxed" and that be does not know if Strand violated any County policy by not calling in on May 15 and 16. Strand bad not been required to call in during bis extended leave for bis cancer treatment so this was new to bim. Stemberg did not say anything to Strand about this sick leave when Strand returned to work after May 15 until his termination on June 12. On June 10,2014, Stemberg expressed disagreement with how Strand was blading the road and asked him to do it differently. Stemberg talked to Kniffen about reprimanding Strand. Kniffen talked to the County Commissioners. On June 12,2014, Stemberg called Strand into his offiee and gave him two reprimands. The first sheet titled "Tracy Strand 1st Reprimand" states: Was told by Forman [sic] to pick windrow up when Blading on Tues. June 10 Thursday June 12th was told Again and Was Snippy about it when I told him to do it Right. Was told By Myself and other froman [sie] on How to Law Graven and eontinuously does it different way. (Doe. 27, Tab 4.) Stemberg first told Strand that he was reprimanding Strand for not blading properly.(Strand Depo at 89). Strand replied that he had been blading for the County for seven years without any prior eomplaints. {Id). Stemberg told Strand that he should go home and think about whether he could do the job the way Stemberg wanted it done.(Strand Depo at 90). The seeond sheet, titled "Traey Strand 2nd Reprimand," states: "Called In Sick Tues. May 13th gone 14th 15th No Call Either Day."(Doe.27,Tab 5.) When Strand saw that he was also being reprimanded because he had allegedly failed to call about his sick leave on May 13,14 and 15, Strand advised Stemberg that his wife had ealled in for him and that Strand had also provided a doetor's note to be excused from work for those dates. (Stemberg was not aware ofthe doctor's note until after he reprimanded Strand.) When Strand said that there had been a eall in and a doctor's note for his May absences, Stemberg replied,"You're fired." That was the end of the conversation. Kniffen has not terminated or reprimanded any County employees.(Kniffen Depo at 39). Stemberg has not diseiplined any other employees besides Strand.(Stemberg Depo at 36). He is not aware ofanybody else who has ever reeeived a written reprimand. {Id. at 45.) Stemberg eould think of only one other County employee who has ever been fired other than Strand. One County Commissioner testified that an employee who was accused ofsexual harassment was only talked to and told to quit the harassing behavior. In December 2014, Strand filed a Chkrge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission("EEOC"). On or about December 28,2015, Strand received a Notice of Suit Rights from the EEOC. This action followed. In his Complaint, Strand alleges that the County violated the ADA by refiising to provide reasonable accommodations for Strand's disability, subjecting him to disciplinary actions and terminating his employment because of his disability. The County asserts that it is entitled to summaryjudgment because Strand fails to establish he has a disability and, even if he has a disability, he fails to show that his employment was terminated because of his disability. LEGAL STANDARD FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that summary judgment shall be granted "ifthe movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter oflaw."FED.R.CIV.P. 56(a). In ruling on a motion for summary judgment,the Court is required to view the facts in the light mostfavorable to the non-moving party and must give that party the benefit of all reasonable inferences to be drawn from the underlying facts. AgriStor Leasing V. Farrow, S26F.2d 732,734 {Sth Civ. 1987). The moving party bears the burden of showing both the absence of a genuine issue of material fact and its entitlement to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., All U.S. 242, 257(1986). Once the moving party has met its burden, the non-moving party may not rest on the allegations ofits pleadings but must set forth specific facts, by affidavit or other evidence,showing that a genuine issue of material fact exists. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Anderson, All U.S. at 257; City of Mt. Pleasant v. Associated Elec. Coop., Inc., 838 F.2d 268, H7>-1A (8th Cir. 1988). All facts presented to the district court by the non-moving party are accepted as true ifproperly supported by the record. See Beck v. Skon, 253 F.3d 330, 332-33 (8th Cir. 2001). Employment discrimination cases are not immune from summary judgment, and there is no separate summary judgment standard that applies to these cases. See Fercello v. Cty. ofRamsey,612 F.3d 1069,1077(8th Cir. 2010). DISCUSSION The ADA provides that"[n]o covered entity shall discriminate against a qualified individual on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees, employee compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges ofemployment."42U.S.C.§ 12112(a). In employment discrimination eases,theplaintiff bears the initial burden of establishing a prima facie case to survive summaryjudgment. Miners v. Cargill Commc'ns, Inc., 113 F.3d 820, 823(8th Cir. 1997)."To establish a prima facie ease under the ADA,a plaintiffmust show [(1)] that she was a disabled person within the meaning ofthe ADA, [(2)] that she was qualified to perform the essential functions ofthejob, and [(3)] that she suffered an adverse employment action under circumstances giving rise to an inference of unlawful discrimination."/J. (citing Price V. 5-5 Power Tool, 75 F.3d 362,365 (8th Cir. 1996)). Once the plaintiff demonstrates a prima facie case,"the burden of production shifts to the employer to articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its actions." Id. (citing McDonnell Douglas Corp. V. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802 (1973)). Finally, after the employer produces its nondiscriminatory reasons for its actions,"the burden ofproduction then shifts back to the plaintiff to demonstrate that the employer's proffered reason is a pretext for unlawful discrimination." Id. (citing 5t. Mary's Honor Ctr. v. ifrcAs, 509 U.S. 502, 507-08(1993)). The evidence produced by the plaintiff to demonstrate the prima facie ease "and the 'inferences drawn therefrom may be considered by the trier offact on the issue of whether the [employer's] explanation is pretextual.'" Id. (quoting Texas Dep't of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 255 n.lO (1981)). Moreover, "[t]he proof necessary for discrimination eases is flexible and varies with the specific facts of each case." Id. (citing Young v. Warner-Jenkinson Co., 152 F.3d 1018, 1022 (8th Cir. 1998)). I. Strand's Prima Facie Case 1. Disabled Person within Meaning of ADA The County first argues that Strand is not disabled within the meaning ofthe ADA because his alleged impairment does not substantially limit a major life activity, and therefore Strand fails to establish the first element of his prima facie case. The ADA Amendment Act of 2008 ("ADAAA"), effective January 1, 2009, altered the analysis ofthis element of a plaintiffs prima facie case. The ADAAA substantially broadened the definition of a disability under the law,in explicit response to Sutton v. United Air Lines, 527 U.S. 471 (1999), and Toyota Motor Mfg. v. Williams, 534 U.S. 184(2002), in which the ADA's terms defining disability had been limited, "thus eliminating protection for many individuals whom Congress intended to protect." Rohr v. Salt River Project Agric. Imp. and Power Dist., 555 F.3d 850, 861 (9th Cir. 2009)(citing 122 Stat. at 3553). Under the ADAAA "disability" is to be broadly construed and coverage is to apply to the "maximum extent" permitted by the ADA and the ADAAA.Rohr, 555 F.3d at 861 (citing 122 Stat. at 3553); see also 42 U.S.C. § 12102(4)(A). The ADA defines "disability" as: (A)a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities ofsuch individual; (B)a record of such an impairment; or (C)being regarded as having such an impairment. 42 U.S.C.A. § 12102(1). Strand relies on the first definition of disability, arguing that he has an actual disability, i.e., a substantial limitation on his ability to control elimination of waste. 42 U.S.C.A. § 12102(4) provides the following rules of construction for determining a disability under the ADA: (A)The definition of disability in this chapter shall be construed in favor of broad coverage ofindividuals under this chapter, to the maximum extent permitted by the terms ofthis chapter. 8 (B)The term "substantially limits" shall be interpreted consistently with the findings and purposes ofthe ADA Amendments Act of2008. (C)An impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be considered a disability. (D) An impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active. (E)(i) The determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures such as- (I) medication, medical supplies, equipment, or appliances, low-vision devices (which do not include ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses), prosthetics including limbs and devices, hearing aids and cochlear implants or other implantable hearing devices, mobility devices, or oxygen therapy equipment and supplies; **** 42U.S.C.A. § 12102. i. Imnairment The EEOC regulations define a "[pjhysical or mental impairment" to mean (1) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more body systems, such as neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary,immune,circulatory, hemic,lymphatic,skin, and endocrine; or 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(h). To prove impairment. Strand relies on his diagnosis ofcolon cancer and the resulting complications from surgery, chemotherapy and radiation that caused him to have the frequent and unpredictable need to eliminate waste. Strand's medical history and testimony supports that he has a physical impairment, and the County does not contend otherwise. ii. Major Life Activity After the enactment ofthe ADAAA,major life activities include "the operation of a major bodily function, including but not limited to, functions ofthe immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions." 42 U.S.C.A. § 12102(2)(B). The County agrees that the operation of Strand's bowel meets the definition of a major life activity. (Doc. 22 at 8.) hi. Substantial Limitation The County argues that there is insufficient evidence from which a jury could find that Strand's bowel problems substantially limit his ability to perform a major life activity as compared to most people in the general population. The EEOC regulations provide the following rules of construction for determining whether an impairment substantially limits an individual: (i) The term "substantially limits" shall be construed broadly in favor of expansive coverage,to the maximum extent permitted by the terms ofthe ADA."Substantially limits" is not meant to be a demanding standard. (ii) An impairment is a disability within the meaning ofthis section ifit substantially limits the ability ofan individual to perform a major life activity as compared to most people in the general population. An impairment need not prevent, or significantly or severely restrict, the individual from performing a major life activity in order to be considered substantially limiting. Nonetheless, not every impairment will constitute a disability within the meaning ofthis section. (iii) The primary object of attention in cases brought under the ADA should be whether covered entities have complied with their obligations and whether discrimination has occurred, not whether an individual's impairment substantially limits a major life activity. Accordingly, the threshold issue of whether an impairment "substantially limits" a major life activity should not demand extensive analysis. (iv) The determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity requires an individualized assessment. However,in making this assessment, the term "substantially limits" shall be interpreted and applied to require a^ degree of functional limitation that is lower than the standard for "substantially limits" applied prior to the ADAAA. 10 (v) The comparison of an individual's performance of a major life activity to the performance ofthe same major life activity by most people in the general population usually will not require scientific, medical, or statistical analysis. Nothing in this paragraph is intended,however,to prohibit the presentation ofscientific, medical,or statistical evidence to make such a comparison where appropriate. (vi) The determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity shall be made without regard to the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures. However,the ameliorative effects ofordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses shall be considered in determining whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity. (vii) An impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active.' (viii) An impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not substantially limit other major life activities in order to be considered a substantially limiting impairment. **** 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(j)(l). In arguing that Strand's bowel problems are not substantially limiting, the County focuses on the fact that Strand continued to work for the County for three years after his cancer treatment, that he could go to the bathroom outside if he needed to,"and his more frequent need to eliminate waste did not preclude him from working or limit his ability to do so." (Doc. 22 at 9-10.) Strand counters that he did not ever need to defecate outside in the three years ofemployment prior to his cancer diagnosis, but now he sometimes voids up to ten times a day. He takes prescription medication to try to normalize his bowel control, but it is not entirely effective. There were times he needed his wife to deliver toilet paper to him on the job when he ran out. Viewing all facts in the light most favorable to Strand, there are genuine issues of material fact as to whether the limitation on the major life activity of the operation of his bowels is substantial. 11 2. Qualified to Perform Essential Functions of Job There is no dispute that Strand was qualified to perform the essential functions of his job driving the road grader for the County, the second element of a prima facie ADA ease. 3. Adverse Employment Action Assuming Strand was disabled and was able to complete the essential functions of his position with or without reasonable accommodation, Strand must also meet the third element of a prima facie ADA ease, i.e, an adverse employment action under eireumstanees giving rise to an inference of unlawful discrimination. To satisfy this third and final element of a prima facie ease, -Strand must show a specific link between the alleged discriminatory animus and the challenged decision,sufficient to support a finding by a reasonable fact finder that an illegitimate criterion actually motivated the adverse employment action. In the absence ofdirect evidence,the plaintiffmay survive summaryjudgment with evidence thatthe adverse employment action occurred under circumstances giving rise to an inference of unlawful discrimination. Simpson v. Des Moines Water Works, 425 F.3d 538, 542-43 (8th Cir. 2005), abrogated on other grounds by Torgerson v. City ofRochester,643 F.3d 1031 (8th Cir. 2011). Strand admits he does not have direct evidence that his alleged disability played a role in his termination, which is common in employment discrimination cases. Strand argues that the following facts give rise to an inference of unlawful discrimination: 1. After Strand returned to work in 2011 and prior to this termination in June 2014, he talked to Stemberg and Kniffen about his bowel control needs. When he asked to be able to drive to a County building Stemberg told him to go behind a tree, go into a field or behind a tire; Strand replied that suggestion was "unacceptable for what I have." 2. Kniffen admits that he and Strand talked about Strand's bathroom fi-equency; Kniffen said that he anticipated Strand would have bowel frequency after his cancer treatment. BCniffen acknowledges that this would cause Strand to "stop more often" and said that it was fine. Kniffen's testimony about bathroom accommodations for Strand conflicts with what Stemberg told Strand. In fact, Kniffen testified that if he were Strand's direct supervisor, permitting Strand to drive back to the shop to use an 12 indoor bathroom would have been a reasonable accommodation if he was close enough to make it back. 3. Stemberg did recall that Strand had asked him about whether the County was supposed to have port-a-potties at the gravel pits where the County was hauling from. Stemberg recalls telling Strand that port-a-potties were a contractor duty, not the County's responsibility. Stemberg did not ask anyone at the County about getting port-a-potties because "that's not my position" even though he was responsible for requisitioning other items for Highway projects. 4. Kniffen testified that Stemberg should have brought accommodation requests forward to him. According to Kniffen, Kniffen would have asked the County Commissioners about making the port-a-potty accommodation for Strand. On the other hand.Strand testified that he asked Kniffen directly about the port-a-potties and Kniffen said that that was not "necessary." 5. Strand testified that Stemberg discovered in April 2014 that Strand had driven a gravel tmck out ofa hauling line in order to drive to an indoor bathroom. Stemberg found out about this and confronted Strand at the end of the day. Strand said that Stemberg was belligerent about it and remarked, again, that Strand could relieve himselfbehind a gravel pile. This confrontation was approximately a month and half before Stemberg terminated Strand. 6. The County has a very relaxed leave policy. It was not a hassle for other employees when Strand missed work in May of2014 due to illness. 7. After denying that Strand talked to him about his bathroom needs, Stemberg testified: Q.[Ms. Pochop] What would you- what should you have said if[Strand] would have brought up [his need to go to the bathroom more frequently after his cancer treatments?].... What do you imagine your response to that would have been under your policies? [Mr. Stemberg] I assume that- you know,like I said, call. It's just common sense. If got a- anybody sick or got problems, if you- if you got to go every 5 minutes, you shouldn't be in a blade. Call me and I'll switch with you, and you can go home. You know,if you got a medical condition, you shouldn't be in a blade. Q. What do you mean,"if you've got a medical condition, you shouldn't be in a blade?" 13 A. If you got medical condition, you shouldn't be ranning a 230,000-dollar piece of equipment on a public road where people can get hurt. (Stemberg Depo. at 61-62). Strand argues that this testimony reveals Stemberg's discriminatory animus about Strand's requests for bathroom access and port-a-potties. 8. Strand believed that Stemberg was following him when he left work for medical appointments,and Stemberg admitted that he was noticing Strand's use ofsick leave versus vacation time after going to the chiropractor. While employees are generally allowed to take time.off and use either sick leave or vacation time, Stemberg had a problem with Strand putting down the missed time as sick leave instead of vacation time when Strand left work for a medical appointment. Reviewing the record in the light most favorable to Strand, the Court finds that sufficient evidence exists from which ajury could,find an inference of discrimination. Thus, Strand has met his initial burden of establishing a prima facie case of disability discrimination under McDonnell Douglas. II. Legitimate, Non-Discriminatory Reason for Discharge As stated earlier, once a plaintiffhas made out a prima facie case ofdisability discrimination, the burden shifts to the defendant to articulate a legitimate,non-discriminatoryreason for the adverse employment action. McDonnell Douglas, 411 U.S. at 802. The County asserts that Strand was terminated for his "documented insubordination and repeated inability to follow directions from his supervisors." (Doc. 22 at 17.) The following discussion is taken directly from the section ofthe County's Briefin Support ofSummary Judgment where the proof of this asserted reason for Strand's firing is set forth. {See Doc. 22 at 16-17.) The County contends that, on more than one occasion, Strand was told by Stemberg that he needed to grade the road pursuant to Stemberg's direction, and Strand ignored these requests. (Stemberg Depo., pp. 71-73; Kniffen Depo., pp. 21-22; Strand Depo., pp. 85-86). Additionally, in 14 May 2014, Strand was off work for three consecutive days on May 13, 14, and 15, due to a kidney infection, and Strand only called in sick on May 13.(Strand Depo., pp. 77-78). Strand testified that no one told him that he did not have to call in ifhe was sick. {Id. at p. 79). Stemberg was not aware of Strand's whereabouts on May 14 or May 15, 2014, and testified that just like with all other employees, Stemberg simply wanted to know whether Strand was coming into work or not so,in his role as the supervisory, he could plan accordingly. (Stemberg Depo., p. 65). Strand knowingly ignored his supervisor's policy regarding calling in to work if he would not be coming in that day. Thereafter, in a meeting on June 12, 2014, Stemberg issued two reprimands to Strand: one for continuing to ignore the repeated requests to blade the road properly and one for failing to call in to inform his supervisor that he would not be coming in to work for several days.(Stemberg Depo., pp 68-70). The reprimands given to Strand were approved by Kniffen and the County Commissioners.(Stemberg Depo., p. 69-70; Kniffen Depo., pp. 30-32; Vonesehen Depo, p. 39; Mushitz Depo., p. 29). Kniffen testified that Stemberg, as a supervisor, has the authority to fire his employees.(Kniffen Depo.,p. 38). Stemberg issued the reprimands to Strand at the meeting on June 12,2014, without the intention offiring Strand,but rather to remind him,via a written notice, ofthe things that needed to be done and what was expected of Strand as an employee.(Stemberg Depo., p. 43). After getting insubordinate with Stemberg,Stemberg requested that Strand take the weekend to cool-down and Strand refused to do so and repeatedly told Stemberg to fire him. Ultimately Stemberg determined Strand was disrespectful and insubordinate and terminated him during this exchange.{Id. at 15;42-43). Strand's termination, and the reasons therefore, were later approved by Kniffen and the County Commissioners.(Kniffen Depo., p. 41; Vonesehen Depo., pp. 36-37). III. Pretext The burden then shifts back to the plaintiffto adduce sufficient evidence to establish that the employer's legitimate reason was a pretext for the employment discrimination. According to the Eighth Circuit There are at least two ways a plaintiff may demonstrate a material question of fact regarding pretext. A plaintiffmay show that the employer's explanation is unworthy of credence ... because it has no basis in fact. Altematively, a plaintiff may show 15 pretext by persuading the court that a [prohibited] reason more likely motivated the employer. A plaintiff may show pretext, among other ways, by showing that an employer (1) failed to follow its own policies, (2) treated similarly-situated employees in a disparate marmer, or(3) shifted its explanation of the employment decision. Schaffhauser v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 794 F.3d 899,904(8th Cir. 2015)(internal citations and quotation marks omitted). Strand relies on the following facts as evidence of the pretextual nature of the County's explanation of Strand's reprimand and termination: 1. Neither Stemberg or Kniffen had ever written up a disciplinary action for anyone before the two reprimands for Strand. 2. County Commissioners and supervisors could not come up with many examples of employees who have been fired by the County.' 3. A County Commissioner testified in his deposition that an employee who had complaints of sexual harassment against him was talked to and told to quit the harassment. 4. It is not clear why Strand was issued a written reprimand for his blading on June 12, 2014, when he had worked for the County for seven years without a single reprimand or disciplinary incident. 5. The leave policy is very relaxed, and Strand's absence from work in May of2014 did not cause a hassle for any other employee. Stemberg admitted that he does not know if Strand violated any County policy by not calling in on May 15 and 16. Strand had not been required to call in during his extended leave for his cancer treatment so this was new to him. 'Along with its Reply Brief, the County submitted the Affidavit of Sherri Fuchs.(Doc. 34.) Fuchs, the County Auditor, attests that in the 1990s the County terminated another male highway worker who did not have a medical condition"due to his failure to follow direction,his poor attitude, and insuhordination."(Doc. 34 at ^ 2.) This evidence does not persuade the Court that the County is entitled to summaryjudgment in this case. 16 6. Stemberg could not recall talking to Strand about the sick leave issue when Strand returned to work after May 15, 2014,and Stemberg could not explain why he waited until June 12to address the sick leave issue with Strand by way ofwritten reprimand. When the evidence is viewed most favorably to Strand, giving him the benefit of all reasonable inferences,sufficient evidence has been identified to allow a reasonablejury to conclude that his alleged disability was a reason for Stemberg's decision to fire him. Thus the Court must deny the County's motion for summaryjudgment. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Defendant's motion for summaryjudgment, doc. 20,is denied. Dated this a day of May,2017. BY THE COURT: [jbtiwrence L. Piersol uted States District Judge ATTEST: JOSEPH HAAS,CLEI BY: 17
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