Leonard v. Electro-Mechanical Corporation, No. 1:2013cv00029 - Document 19 (W.D. Va. 2014)

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

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CLERKS OFFI U.S, ST. CE DI COURT ATROANOKE, VA FI LED AP 29 2 1 R 29 I TH E UN I N TED STA TES D I STRI COU RT CT FO R THE W ESTERN DI STRI O F V I I I CT RG N A ABI GD ON D I N VISI ON JULA ' I ,CL ERK B; P L m.. Y y H A RO LD L LEON ARD , Ci lA c i N o.1: 3CV00029 vi ton 1 Pl ntf , ai i f M EM O R AN DU M O PI I N N O ELECTRO- ECH AN I L CO RPO RATI , M CA ON H on.Gl n E. e Conr d a Chi U nie St t s Di t i tJ ef t d a e s rc udge D e e nt f nda . l t sem pl e di c i i i a ton, he pl i ifc a m st tt de e n vi a e n hi oym nt s r m naton c i t a ntf l i ha he f nda t ol t d hi rg st rt Ame ia wihDia lte Ac ( s iht mde he rc ns t s biiis t ADA) 42U. C.jj121 1 11 a t , S. 01-2 7, nd he Fa l a M e ca Le veAc ( miy nd di l a t FMLA) 29U. C.jj2601265 Thec s i pr e l beor , S. - 4. a e s esnty f e t c r ont dee ntsmotonf s he ou t he fnda ' i or ummayj r udgme . Fort r s s tf rhbeo t nt he eaons e o t lw,he m oton w ilbe gr nt d. i l a e Fact B ackaround ual The f l ng f t a epr e e i t lg m os f vor bl t t pli if Se olowi acs r es nt d n he i ht t a a e o he antf . e Andes n v.Li ryLobby,l , U. 242,25 ( 986)( tngt ta1e de emus be ro be t nc.477 S. 51 noi ha 1 vi nc t c n tu di telg t s fv rb et tepat o p sngs mmayj d me t. o sr e n h ih mo t a o a l o h ry p o i u r u g n) F o Ap i 8 2 0 u tl ul l , 1 HaodE. o adwa e o e a aj ntrfr r m rl , 0 2 ni J y 2 20 2, r l Le n r s mply d s a io o El to- e ha ca Cor rton( e to) ama a trngc ecr M c ni l poai Elcr , nufcu i ompa he dquatrd i Brsol ny a ree n it , V igi a. Le r sprm a y d i i l d e pt ng tas ca , c ng up t a h i t r ni ona d' i r utes nc ude m yi r h ns pi ki r s n he com pany par ng l ,cl ng up br ki ot eani oken gl sweepi t si al ,vacuum i t ent yway, ass, ng he dew ks ng he r and s rppi and waxi t foor t i ng ng he l s. Leonar suf er f om degener i di di eas Durng hi perod ofem pl entw ih d f sr atve sc s e. i s i oym t El c r t sc ton pe i c ly r ule i pa n t l r - , w hi h va i d i s ve iy. Le r e t o, hi ondii rodi a l es t d n i i a e ups ' c r e n e rt t ' ona d Andls i ,Ã§ c inalyIha afae- W he ve Ido,lha t stdown agdl i aso l ve lr up. oc ne r ve o i fr u t miu eo t , y efv miu e , n l e u a dIm fne Goba kt o j s a n t rwo ma b i e n ts a d g t p n ' i . c o W 0F ' k' A nd t tw a a 1t twass i ha s l ha a d. Le r D e at1 ona d p. 35. On t a t r n ofJ 6, 2,De rs nta e a l o Hugg nsa St lngsr ga d ng he fenoo une 201 wa e n m i t i nd oli e r i hi c s onve s ton wih Leona d. Thee alsae asf lw s r ai t r m i tt d olo : Thi m or ng H a o d p l m e a i a as a tm y pr vi usbac i s ss ni r l uled s de nd ked bou e o k s ue r e ng t m y s ne s r r s e 20 ye r a ef ni o pi u ge y om a s go. Ha ol r l ed t the w a r d e ay ha s havi ba k is ofhi o n - m or s c fc ly t the had S ge r tng' di ks ng c s ues s w e pe ii a l ha Ã» ne a i ' s de a bc si hi l rba nd me n s owe ck. He saed t tt swasc i hi pa n whenhe t t ha hi ausng m i lf e t t as c nst e pt t m . He t n s i t tt spa n w o d c us hi t i t d he r h a o m y he he a d ha hi i ul a e m o sta r tf 5 t 1 m i e a tr whi h he woul f e be t rand c d con i i nd es or o 0 nut s fe c d e l te oul tnue hi w or Fi ly henot d t sw asaconsan i s hew asde lng w ih a Im a s k. na l e hi t t s ue ai t nd y s e hi f e n l C e tng. e m r que ty t s i ' r ' A tt spoi , ha c e nsw ih hi be ng on t foora hi a lt t do t hi nt 1 ve onc r t m i he l nd s biiy o he j i t s -f hi s ft a welbengaswela t tofot r. ob n he hop or s aey nd l i l s ha hes Pl as l tm e know i you ha a q s i r ga di t s dicus i n. e ee f ve ny ue tons e r ng hi s s o Le r D e Ex.1l ona d p. . Folo nghi conve s to wih De r Leona d f l wi s r ai n t wa , r oundt e m e a bal bea i i t hr e t l l rngs n he botom ofone oft tas ca t the w asr s t he r h ns ha e pons bl f dum pi i e or ng. Leona d D e a 1 - . r p. t 60 61 Hes wedt bea i st a he e oye ,Alr d Du y,who e tma e t tt y weghe ho he rng o not r mpl e fe t si t d ha he i d a oxi tl t t t nt pou . Dut De .a !9. ppr maey en o we y nds y cl t On J 7, 2,Huggi a H a rs m e wih Le r r r ng t m ed c li s he une 201 ns nd r i t t ona d ega di he i a s ues r pored t D e a . Le r D e a 1 45. The a s d Le r t tEl c r ha s hedul d e t o w r ona d p. t 44y dvi e ona d ha e to d c e a i pe ntme c le mi ton(M E)wih a o t pe s onJ 29, 2,a t the n nde nde dia xa nai 1 t n rho dit une 201 nd ha coul notr ur t w or untlafert exam i ton had been conduct d et n o k i t he na i ed. l a l t e da ed J 8,201 H ugg nsa s d Leona d t tEl c r w oul be ha i hi n e t r t une 2, i dvi e r ha e t o d ndlng s a enc unde t co pa s FM LA polcy, ha hi FM LA l a w oul c m e e on J 13, bs e r he m ny' i t t s e ve d om nc une 4 201 a t the had f w e ksofFM LA l a r a ni 2, nd ha our e e ve em i ng. Leona d D e Ex.9. D u i hi r p. r ng s de ii Le r t s ii d t the di no r c l r c vi t sl te . Le r D e a 1 pos ton, ona d e tfe ha d t e a l e ei ng hi e t r ona d p. t 47. On J l1 20 1 Leona d m e w ih Huggi a r quesed f t re a ton ast w hy une , 2, r t t ns nd e t ur he xpl na i o he ha bee t ke outofw or They di c s d t rpr vi m ee i w ih H a s butHuggi d na n k. s us e hei e ous tng t ni , ns de lne iom iedownwha ghe tl da . L.a 1 Shepr dedLe r wih ci d t t t t t yl ake bout' d t 49. ' a ovi onad t FM LA a ors t e m dia lt pa r or f D r Fi h t co pl t . Le r s e nty nd/ hor t r s biiy pe w k or . nc o m e e ona d ubs que l rpore t tDr Fi h woul no c e td ha . nc d t ompl t t pa r k bec us Le r ha be n i elas d t ee he pe wor a e ona d d e i e e o r go bac t w or ' 1 a 1 50. k o k. d. t 49' Pr o t t 1 E a i r o he M ppoi t e on J 29, 2, ugg nsca l d Leona d a l f hi n m nt une 201 H i le r nd e t m m e s ge r m i ng hi a s a s e ndi m boutt a nt e t Le r di notr s he ppoi m n . ona d d e pond t t m e s ge , o he s a s a a f t a nt en ,orr t n t w or H i FM LA l a e r d on J y 1 201 ppe r or he ppoi m t e ur o k. s e ve xpi e ul 0, 2, H uggi D e a 38. ns p. t On J y 1 201 H uggi i s d a l te t r i tng Leona d' em pl ym e w ih El c r ul 2, 2, ns s ue e t r e m na i r s o nt t e to. The l te i l d t f l w i e a ton: e t r nc ude he olo ng xpl na i Thi l te i t a s you t tyou e pl e w ih El c r M ec ni a s e t r s o dvi e ha r m oym nt t e t o- ha c l Co por ton i t r i t e f tve J y 1 201 Thi i t r ul ofyourf itr r a i s e m na ed f ec i ul 2, 2. s s he es t a lle t ke p i c ac w ih El c r M ec ni lCor a i ke p us upda e on your o e n ont t t e t o- ha ca por ton, e td m e ca c di l ondii n, e yo s dul d a i m e f t i pe ntm e c to ke p ur che e ppo nt nt or he nde nde di al e m i ton, nd t r t n t m es a Iha l f f you. Y ourFM LA hasnow xa na i a o e ur he s ges ve e t or ex r d. pie Leona d Dep,Ex.1 Prort t i s nc oft l te , r 3. i o he s ua e he e t r Leona d r t ne c r e ai d ouns la a i f e nd ppled or une pl en be is m oym t neft . ProceduralH i orv st O n or aboutA ugus 3,2012,Leonar fl a charge ofdi i i i w ih t Equal t d ied scrm naton t he Empl ntOpporuniyCommison( oyme t t s i EEOC) algi t tElcr dici nae a ns hi i , le ng ha e to srmi td gai t m n 5 vi a i oft AD A . Ther a t r t EEO C i s d a r g -o- ue l ter A lho h t l ter ol ton he e f e , he s ue i ht t s e t . t ug he e t i c t st ti w a m a l d t Leona d' a t ne on Dec m ber 1 201 t e l pe c ai ng ndi a e ha t s ie o r s tor y e 0, 2, he nve o ont ni t l te w asnotposm a ke untlD e e be 27,201 he e t r t r d i cm r 2. On M a c 28,20l Leona d tl d t i t nta ton c ai i t tEl c r vi a ed hi rh 3, r i e he ns a c i l m ng ha e t o ol t s r g st de t AD A a t FM LA . Folo i t co pl ton ofdi co r El to m ove f i ht m r he nd he l w ng he m e i s ve y, ec r d or s mmayj d me t Th c u t l ah aigo temoino M ac 7, 01 Th moinh s u r u g n . e o r hed e rn n h to n rh 2 4. e to a been f l bri ed and i rpe f r ew . uly ef s i or evi Standard ofR evi w e An a r o s mmayj g n i a p o rae'ftemo a t h wsta t r i n wad f u r ud me t s p r p it Ã§ h v n s o h t hee s o i g n i ds t a t a ymaeil a ta dt emo a ti e t ldt j d me ta amatro lw. e une ipue s o n tra fc n h v n s ni e o u g n s t f a ' t e ' Fe R.Ci P. a . l deemi ngwhehe t grntamotonf s d. v. 56() n tr ni t ro a i or ummayj r udgme tt c t n,he our m us vi t r co d i t lghtm os f r bl t t non- ova . A nde s 477 U . a 255. t ew he e r n he i t avo a e o he m nt r on, S. t Towih tn as mmayj d me t to ,h n n mo a t t r d c s fce t vd n efo t sa d u r u g n mo in t e o - v n mus p o u e ufiin e ie c r m wh c ar a o a l j r c u dr tr av r itnhi fv r I . t 48 t n ls r o ih e s n be u y o l eu n ed c i s a o . d a 2 . s cu oy r co s ultvealgai dono s fc ,nordoe a' r s nil ofe de i s pec ai le tons t ufie s mee citla vi nce'n uppor of(he t t non- nts ca e' Thomps v. o cElc. rCo.31 F. 645,649( hCi. mova 'j s .' on Potma e Powe , 2 3d 4t r 2002) ( tngPhilpsv. Tr ns .I ,1 F. 285, ( h Ci.1 );s ealoBet v. w quoi li CSX a p. nc. 90 3d 287 4t r 999 ) e s ts Ne CateYout De Ct.621F. 249,252( Ci.201 )(Ã§sle es pi onsaei ufi e t sl h v. r, 3d 3d r 0 'l jr us ci r ns fcint o o ec meamoinf rs mmayj d me t'. v ro to o u r u g n .) ' Di cuss on s i Pl ntf s cl m sunder t A D A ai if' ai he Leonar alegest El r vi at t A DA by dem andi t he s i t an d l hat ect o ol ed he ng hat ubm t o i ndepe ntm e c e m i ton. Le r a s a l ge t the w a t r i t d be us ofhi nde di al xa na i ona d l o le s ha s e m na e ca e s 6 di abiiy,i vi a i oft A DA . Fort f l i r as , he c tc ude t tbo h s lt n ol ton he he olow ng e ons t our oncl s ha t cl m s ar w ihoutm ert.l ai e t i Independentm edi exam i i cl m cal nat on ai TheADA pr bisanemplye fom Ã» srmi ti a i taq lte i vi on ohi t o r r k ci nagng) gans uaiid ndi dual di teb sso d sblt i r g r t j b a pl ainp o e u e ,h hrn , d a c me t o h a i f ia ii n e ad o o p i to r c d r s t e ii g a v n e n , r y c d shag o e o e s e ly ec mp n ai n j btan n , n oh rtr , o d t ns a d ic r e f mply e , mpo e o e s to ,o rii g a d t e ems c n ii , n o prvie ofe oyme . 42U. C.j1 1 a. Thi pr biin a i tds i nain i lges mpl nt' ' S. 21 2() s ohi to gans icrmi to i l sc ran l dia e mi to a i re .' 42U. C.j 1 1 d () Onc an ncude e ti c c l xa nains nd nquiis' me S. 21 2() 1. e e pl e ha bee hied,a e pl rc nnotr uie t e pl m oye s n r n m oye a eq r he m oyee t unde go am edi a o r cl e mi tonk e ss he nai . .ss xa nai i s uc xnmi ton . i hownt bej b-eae a consse wihbusnes unl o o r ltd nd itnt t i s ne esiy. 42U. C.j1 11 d)4)A) Gf ei eprttveg dei st t ADA e ai t t c st ' ' S. 2 2( ( ( . t' ntr eai ui lne o he -h xpl n ha ghi pr sonjwasi e dt prve a i tk dialt t a i uii t tdonotsr ea t s ovii ntnde o e nt gans me c ess nd nq res ha ev lgii t busne spur e.' EEOC v.Pr vo' Fa l Ma kesl ,1 F. 1 1 (t e tmae i s pos '' e s miy r t nc. 35 3d 089, 094 6h Ci.1 )( i 29C. R. .1 0, x 1 1 b). r 998 quotng F. pt 63 App' 630.3( ) Re yi on t i e r t tve gui i i s d by t EEO C, l ng he nt p e a i delnes s ue he coursha i ntfe s ve a t ve de i i d e r l pe m i s bl g oundsf r ques i a m e ca e m i ton. A sr l va i t i t n c e, ur s r si e r or e tng di l xa na i e e nt n he ns a t as co t ha eh l ta a e l y rsr q etf rame ia e a n to ij b rltda dc n itn wih v ed h t n mp o e ' e u s o dc l x miai n s o -eae n o sse t t bus ne sne es iy w he a e pl rha a r as bl ba i t be i ve t ta e pl e' m e c l i s c st n n m oye s e ona e s s o le ha n m oye s di a 1l lghtoft cour' r i on t mert oft pl ntf sADA cl m s t cour need not ni he ts ulngs he is he ai if' ai , he t addr sst def e he endantsar e t t wer nottmel fl ' gum nt hat hey e i y ied. 7 2 c n iinwilmp i h sa l yt p ro m t e sn ilfn to o hsj b. Se Po trv. S. o dto l i ar i bit o ef r he se ta u cins f i o i e re U. Al umowedCo. 1 F. 243,246(t Ci.1 7)( cin 1 1 d)4)tt r t e o st l , 25 3d 4h r 99 Se to 21 2( ( tpemis mplyer o ma i re orr quieme c lexa nains(ines f d ye ms whe t r i anee t ke nquiis e r dia mi to tt s or ut xa ) n hee s do d tr newheh ra e o e i sil bl t p ro m t e s nil u cin o h so j b') eemi te n mply e s tla e o ef r he se t f n to s f i r o .' a ' ( tng29C. R. r 1630, quoi F. Pa t App.j 1 1 c) s eas Conr v. Y.Stt De tofCor. 630.4(); e lo oy N. ae p' r Se v ,333F. 88,90( Ci. r s, 3d 2d r 2003)(t'ec s l oni uiisdiece twad i viual 'f a e aw nq re r td o r ndi d -h e pl es ... m onsr est tc t w ilr a l fnd abus ne snec s iy i a e pl rc n m oye de tat ha ours l e diy i i s e s t f n m oye a de monsr et tam e c le m i ton o i uiy i nec s a yt de e mi .. whe he t tat ha di a xa nai r nq r s e s r o t r ne . t r he e l y ec np ro m j b rltdd te wh ntee ly r a ie tf lgtmae mp o e a ef r o -eae uis e h mpo e c n d niy e ii t, non- s rmi tr r onst doub t e oye sc pact t pef m hi o he d i ....) dici nao y eas o t he mpl e' a iy o ror s r r utes ' ; ' Suli nv.Ri rValySc Dit,1 F. 804,8l ( h Ci.1 )(( t dititc t d, lva ve le h. s. 97 3d 2 6t r 999 ( he src our hel As he lhpr e t tsg fc ntyaf ta e oye spef ma eofese il obf tons at oblms ha iniia l fec n mpl e' ror nc s nta j unci j siyo d rn ap y ia e miaine e i t ee a n to mih ds l ewh t r h u t r ei g h sc l xa n to v n f h x miain g t icos ehe t e f e oy i dia e ort e e ofa dia lt ' (nena ctto a q ttonmaks mpl ee s sbld he xtnt ny s biiy.' itr l iains nd uoai ) r omitd) te . Th d tr n to o wh t e arq ie me ia e a n to i j b-eae a dc n itn e eemiain f eh r e urd dc l x mi ai n s o r ltd n o sse t wihbusnes ne esiyi a Ã§ jci i uiy.' Pe ev.Te c Aut i Opeai Co. t i s c st s n i e tve nq r ' nc ob nnÃ§ o omotve rtng . l ,1 F. x808,81 ( hCi. nc, 69 App' 2 4t r 2006)( tngTiev.Ct.Ar Trns Auh.247F. 506, cii c r ea a p. t , 3d 2 Coursha as hedt ta e o rsrqu s f rame c l xa nain ij b r ltd a t ve lo l ha n mplye ' e e t o dia e mi to s o -eae nd consit wih busnessneces iy when a e pl sent t i st n m oyee pos adie t eatt hi s forot s ort es r ct hr o m el her , he e o erqu ssa a c mmo to De ma v. ve Tr eEx r Co.26 F. p' 37 ,37 ( t mplye e e t n c o dain. n n Da y e pe t , 6 Ap x 7 9 6h Ci. 07 ( ii c s s;s eas Pe c v. n c Au o ieOpe ai Co.I c.1 9F. p' 8 , 2 r 20 ) ctng a e l e lo n e Te ne o t motv rtna . n , 6 Ap x 08 8l ( t Ci. 06 (mp szn t tt iti u do tdl job rltda c nsse wihbu i s n c siy' 4h r 20 ) e ha iig ha t l s n ube y -eae nd o itnt t sne s e e st l t a c ranwheh r.. a e o ep esad ng rt t wor lc ' ; ve or v. ihei N. , o s e ti t e . n mplye os a e o he kpa e' Da np t M c l Am. l n l , 6:2-v- 20 4, 2U. Dit LEXI 1 6 ,a * ( S. Oc. ,2 2 ( tn t t nc.No. 1 c 0 6 201 S. s. S 55 90 t 9 D. C. t 25 01 ) no ig ha t emplye sma as ie uieme c l xa nainsne e s r t t eras a ea c i j o r y lo r q r dia e mi to c say o h e on bl c ommo to g dain p oc s ')( uoi 2 C.. Pt 1 , r e s' q tng 9 F R. . 630 App. l 0.4( ). ' j 63 l c) 8 51 ( dCi. 0 ). Ac o dngy t ec u tse dn t e ol a yd s uea o t a gn 8 3 r 2 01) c r i l ,h o r i e o r s ve n ip t b u wh t a n e oye 'ls j tvemotvainswee'orrquii a e nai I l t d,heco t mpl rs ubeci i to r'f e rng n xami ton. d. nsea t ur nee onl de de w he hert r r m en w a l uppored by e de t twoul C a e a d y ci t he equie t s k s t vi nce ha d c us r s nabl pes nt i r a t whehe a e oye i silca bl ofpef mi hij '' ea o e ro o nquie s o t r n mpl e s tl pa e ror ng s ob.' N e s v. l on Thom as le Fur t r I t,l , o.1: vil niu e ndus v nc.N 00CV 01 007, 02 U . D i t LEXI 5683, t 20 S. s . S a * ( . N. J n.1 2002)( tngSulva 1 F. a 811. 7 M D. C. a 7, quoi li n, 97 3d t ) Upon r vi w oft r c d, he c ur c l st tt i pende m e ca e m i ton e e he e or t o t onc ude ha he nde nt di l xa na i a i s s ts i d t s s a r A tt tm e Le na d wasor r t unde go t e t s ue a i fe hi t nda d. he i o r de ed o r he xmni ton, na i El to ha r c ve s em i l c lc i opi ons f om Leo r st e tng phys c a Dr ec r d e ei d e ng y onfi tng ni r na d' r a i i i n, . S a n nF n h. I Ap i 2 2 Dr Fic r ve dt ewrte o d srpin frLe n r s h n o i c n rl 01 , . n h e iwe h i nj b e c it o o ad' t o jni ra p sto a da v s dElcr t a Le n r wa '' frd t wihn r srcins' a t il o iin n d ie e to h t o ad s ti o u y t o etito . o tt ' Le r D e Ex.9 a 2. The f l ng m ont how e r El c r r ce ved a t rf m f om D r ona d p. t olowi h, ve , e to e i no he or r . Fi h,whi h i c t d t tLe r sbac pr e sw oul a f thi a lt t pe f hi nc c ndi a e ha ona d' k obl m d f ec s biiy o r onn s e s ilobf tons W he ake whehe kheempl gs una et pef m a ofhi ... senta j unci . n s d t r' t oyee i) bl o ror ny s j bf n to sd t tec n iin'Dr Fnc r s o d di t afr tv . Le n r De Ex 1 o u cin ue o h o d t , . i h ep n e n he fimaie o ad p. . 0 o ' a 2. W he akedt i iyt j f tonst tLeonadwoul beuna et pef m,Dr t n s o dentf he ob unci ha r d bl o ror . Fi hsae t a Le n r d a n t rom a yj bf n to swh n (ilc n i o fae . 1 . nc ttd h t o ad d n o pef r n o u cin e h s o dt n lr s' d c i ' D r Fi h es i a e t tLe r m ay expe i e ta e upsonce ort i e a m ont t tw oul . nc tm t d ha ona d renc l r wc h ha d prve hi fom pef r nghi j f tons a t tt fae- ma l tt e t fvedays e nt m r romi s ob unci , nd ha he lr ups y as hre o i . l d A f w w ee l t ,Leo r a oa hed Todd D e a ,t Gene a M a ge ,a ad s d e ks a er na d ppr c w r he r l na r nd vi e D ew art the had been di ha agnos w ih degener i dic di ed t atve s sease,and t he had t occasi l hat o onaly si dow n f sever m i es i or t r i t pai D ew arsubs t or al nut n der o eleve he n. equenty cont ed Shere l act i Huggi a M i St lngs a e es e c e n r ga di Le r sa lt t s ey pe f ns nd ke oli , nd xpr s d onc r e r ng ona d' biiy o af l ronn h s o d te . W hi Le n r ag e ta De rse i s mmaiigterc n es to i j b uis l o ad r u s h t wa ' mal u rzn h i o v rain e exa r t d t f e ncy a dur ton ofhi pa n ta e- ,i i u s t d t tLeona d' ba k gge a e he r que nd a i s i l r ups t s ndi pu e ha r s c condii pe i c ly a f c e hi a lt t wor a t the vol t r l s r d t s i or a i ton rodi a l f e t d s biiy o k, nd ha un a iy ha e hi nf m ton wihDe r Se e. ,Le r De a 111(Ã§ s i ( ca i ly,i ma faeupa whe i t wa . e. g. onad p. t ' ad, Oc sonal t y lr l nd n t doeslm i ha t stdow n f a f w m i esa ge t pr s e of ofi. The 1c n g tba k ght ve o i or e nut nd t he es ur f t n a e c upa goba kt wor '';l a 1 (ttsmosl hi a 1 ( i . . Yo know, ypi ha nd c o k,' d. t 33 tl' ty p nd eg panl . . u ) ma nc n r ealtebt n ma eih l ra b d. . An s 1dst o i Bra ' o fc te ef r u t ev i l ia d k t u' e l a . . d o, ' id wn n in s fie h r o j s t t afw mi es The Id ge ba kupa g t wor ' . e nut . n ' t c nd o o k.) ' U nde t e c r um s a s t c tco ude t tEl t o ha r s na e c us t r hes ic t nce , he our ncl s ha ec r d ea o bl a e o q e to wheh rLe nadc u dsil e fr t ee s nilu to o h s o . Th me efc t a u si n te o r o l tlp rom h se ta fncins f ij b e r a th t Le n r beiv dt t ewa sil a beo p ro mi gt ee s nil'n to o hsj b, rta o a d le e ha h s tlc pa l f ef r n h s e ta f cins f i o o h t u h c n iu dt p ro m hij bi s t o t panta h e p re c d i smpy: trlva t o e o tn e o ef r s o n pi f he i h t e x e in e ,s i l s ee n t e no whehe ghedee nt coul rque tame ca e mi tonunde t ADA. Nelon, t r t fnda l d e s di l xa nai r he ' ' s 2002 U. DitLEXI 568 a *8(ii J ms v.GoodwilI .ofEasenNorh Caolna No. S. s. S 3, t ctng ol on l ndus tr t ri , A st dit i he s rct c te pl i d i J our x a ne n ohns n: o A n e pl rca m oye nnotbe expe t d t unde s a t s pt s orr m ii a i of ce o r t nd he ym om a fc tons t m e ca c tonsofise pl esa m us be alow e t have s h he di l ondii t m oye nd t l d o uc c tonse m i d by am e ca pr e sonal A ddii ly, n e pl rc nnot ondii xa ne di l of s i . tona l a m oye a be e c e t f e e t ne ds ofe pl yee o know ofe pl e com pl nt xpe t d o or s e he e m o s r m oye ai s r ltdt j bd te a d e vr n n swi u ipu fo e ly e a d eae o o uis n n io me t t t n t r m mpo e s n ho di gnos i a s sanc f om m e ca pr es i l . The pr s on oft AD A a tc s i t e r di l of s ona s ovi i he alow i m edi le m i tons f rt e ua i n ofan i vi ls a lt t l ng ca xa na i o he val to ndi dua ' biiy o pe f m j r ae fncins. . ovi spr e tont bohe oyesa ror ob-eltd u to . pr de otci o t mpl r nd em pl oyees. l ( re v. S. umowedCo.I ,1 F.d243, (t Ci.1 ,hec t n Po tr U. Al l ,nc. 25 3 246 4h r 9971 t our de e ne t tt s a em e ofa e pl e' ph i a t tt e pl e i abl t nni d ha he t t nt n m oye s ysci n ha he m oye s e 10 t p ro e sn il o f n to sd e no b rt e ly r r m rq rn i o o ef nn se ta j b u cin o s t a he mpo e fo e uiig t wn s j b-eae ,i te sfrd t 'e a p ru n t teADA. Th s plitf so o r ltd din s o u y' x m u s a t o h f u , an if wn opi ont ts i a et pef m t d i ofhe j des t a te .., i ni ha he s bl o ror he utes r ob, pie dmitd pan, c annotba def nda ' rghtt r ques a i ines f d y' e m unde t A DA . r e nt s i o e t ' t s or ut ' xa f r he J on,1 U. Dit LEXI 21 a *1 1 ( diinali ena ciai omitd) ohns 998 S. s. S 040, t 2- 3 ad to ntr l ttons te . l r pons t t pe ng m o i Le n es e o he ndi ton, onar e phasze t thi pe f m a e ua i d m i s ha s r or nce val tons we ec it l postvedurnghi t r ofe oy e wih Elc r a t the ne rha a r onssenty ii i s em mpl m nt t e to, nd ha ve d ny o -h -o a cd n s Net e o t e eag me t, o v r i s fiin t wi tnds mmay n tej b c ie t. ih r f h s r u ns h we e ,s u fce t o t a u r hs j udgmen ont sis Coursha rj ce t notont tt busnes ne esiy sa r t hi sue. t ve ee td he i ha he i s c st tndad c nno beme wihouts ngt ta e oy sj pero ma ha s f e a ar uloft a t t t howi ha n mpl ee' ob fr nce s uferd s es t he e oye sheat pr blms SeeBr i l v.CivofYa ma,61 F. 11 11 ( t Ci. mpl e' lh o e . ownted t ki 2 3d 40, 47 9h r 201 ( di t ihebusne snec siysa r ma beme e nbeor a e oye swor 0) hol ng hatd t i s e st tndad y t ve f e n mpl e' k pe f m a e dec i i t e pl ri f e w ih s gnii nte de e t tc d c us a r or nc lnes f he m oye s ac d t i fca vi nc ha oul a e r a ona epes t i r a t whehe a e o i silc pa eofpef mi hi j '. e s bl ron o nquie s o t r n mplyee s tl a bl ror ng s ob' ) Li kewi e,c t ha r c ze t te pl r ne no wai f a a ci ntt oc urbef r s ours ve e ogni d ha m oye s ed t t or n c de o c oe r quii a e pl e t unde go a m ed c le m i ton. Se K iki h v.M es I po t s nc.N o. e r ng n m oye o r i a xa na i e r s a m rs l , CV- - 965 201 U. DitLEXI 8060,a *1 ( Arz.Fe 1 201 (i mmon sns 08 1 , 0 S. s. S t 6 D. i b. , 0) C co e e s gg sst t ne ly rs o l no ha et watf ra a cd n t o c rt j siytkn u e t ha a mpo e h u d t v o i o n c ie t o c u o u tf a ig pr ve atvese .',afd, F.App' 260( hCi. 1 . e nt i tps' f' 442 ) x 9t r 201 ) Bas on t evi nce i t r or t c ur c ude t tEl c r ha l gii a e ed he de n he ec d, he o t oncl s ha e t o d e tm t gr oundst que to w he he Le r w a s ilc pa e ofpe f ng t e s nta f to ofhi o si n t r ona d s tl a bl r onni he s e i l unc i ns s p sto a d,h ,h therq e td i e e d n me ia e a n to wa (o -eae a d o iin n tus t a t e u se nd p n e t dc l x miain s j b r ltd n c itntwih busne sne es iy,'a r q ie by t ADA . 4 U. C. 1 1 ( )4 ( . onsse t i s c st ' s e urd he 3 2 S. j 21 2 d ( )A) Acc di 1 , El t o di no vi a e t A D A by r qui i Le r t unde go t e or ng y ec r d t ol t he e r ng ona d o r he xmui ton. na i 4 Fo te er a o s t ec u t l ga tElcr smoinf rs mmayj d me t t rs e t ot i r h s e s n ,h o r wil r n e to' to o u r u g n wi e p c t h s h cl r ain. I. 1 Di m i scri natorv di charae cl m s ai Le r a s c a m st tEl c r t r i t d hi be a e ofhi di a lt i vi a i of ona d l o l i ha e t o e m na e m c us s s biiy, n ol ton t A D A . I e ua i c a m sunde t A D A t tdo noti vol diec e de e of he n val tng l i r he ha n ve r t vi nc di c i i ton,c t a y t bu de s fi s he e es a i he by t U nie St t Supr m e s rm na i our s ppl he r n- hitng c m t bls d he t d a es e Cour i Mc tn DonnelDouclsCor v. e n, 1U. 79 ( 973) SeeEnni v. tlAs ' of l a n. Gre 41 S. 2 1 . s Na' sn Bus & Educ. di I ,5 F. 55,5 58( hCi.1 )(xtndi t M c . Ra o. nc. 3 3d 7- 4t r 995 e e ng he DonnelDoucl l as bur n-hit shemet ADA c s s. Undert sa oa h,hepli ifmus frtesa iha de s fi c ng o ae) hi ppr c t antf t is tbls pr m a f c e c e ofdi c i i to I a 58. l t pl ntf c n s c s uly s ts y t e e e s i a i as s r m na i n. d. t f he ai i f a uc es f l a i f he l m nt ofhi pr m a f c e c e, he bur n s fs t t em pl rt a tc a e a l gii a e, s i a i as t de hit o he oye o ri ul t e tm t nondi c i i t y r a on f t t r i ton. I l t e pl rpr s rm na or e s or he e m na i d. f he m oye oduce s f c e e denc s uf i i nt vi e 3Havi r ng eache t sdecii , t cour need notdeci whet t ewasany ot valdgr d hi son he t de her her her i ound f r or cquesi a i tng n ndependentmedi exami ton. Nonet es ,t t ext Leonar scomm ent t cal na i hel s o he ent d' so De rc ul b c nsr e a arqu s f ra c mmod to u e t ADA,j 1 l ( ( )A)as wa o d e o tu d s e e t o c o ain nd r he 2l 2 d)4 ( lo Ã»t m isempl s...t make i resorr r medi exam i i nec ar t t r onabl tper t oyer o nquii equie cal natons ess y o he eas e ac c ommo to p o e s. .'' Ke e yv. p ro PrntnaCo.2l F.d650 65 (t Ci. 00 ,s e dain r c s . .' nn d Su e ir i i , 5 3 , 6 6 h r 20 ) e . as De ma v. ve TreEx r Co.2 F. x37 ,37 (d e oye ' rqu s f rame c l lo n n Da v e pe t , 66 App' 7 9 ; mpl rs e e t o An dia e mi to ij b-eae a d c itn wihbu i s n c siywhe . .hee o e rqu t a xa nain s o r ltd n onsse t t sne s e e st n . t mply e e ess n ac c ommodain . .' . to . .) ' 4 Leonar alo cont d s endst tEl to vi aed t FM LA by r quii hi t under t ha ec r olt he e rng m o go he i e n e me c l xa n ton. Ho v r ha ngc cl e t tt e mi to wa j -eltda nd pe d nt dia e mia i we e , vi on ud d ha he xa nain s ob r ae nd consit w ih busnessne st asr r by t ADA ,i f l st tEl to di notvi a et FM LA sent t i ces iy equied he t olow ha ecr d olt he b rqu sigt e mi to Se Po tr 1 F.d a 24 ( oli t tarqu se ft s f rd t y e e tn he xa nain. e re, 25 3 t 7 h dng ha e e td ine s o uy e a nai whihc x mi ton, c ompo tdwihter q r me t o t ADA, dn vi aet eFM LA) 29C. R. re t h e uie n s f he di ot olt h ; F. j 8 5. l h)(d a e o rss ro h at c diinma as beads biiywihi teme ni o t e 2 3 2( tf n mplye ' eius e lh on to y lo l ia lt t n h a ng f h ADA ,t FM LA doesnotpr ventt empl rfom f l ng t pr dur f r he e he oye r olowi he oce es or equesi medi tng cal i or to u e t ADA.) nf main nd r he '. ' o t i pon ,h b r e rt r s ot eplitf t s o wh t ee o e ' a s re u tfc to i n h s itt e u d n eu n t h an if o h w y h mply rs se tdj siiai n s pr t xtf r di c i i ton. 1 e e o s rm na i d. l t sca e e n a s i t tLeona d c d es a i h a prm a f i ca e of n hi s , ve s um ng ha r oul t bls i ac e s di c i i t o El to ha a tc a e l tm a e, ndi crm i t y r as f t r i tng hi s r m na i n, ec r s r i ul t d egii t no s i na or e ons or e m na i s e pl e . Spec tca l El to m a nt i t tLe na d' t m i to r ule f om hi f iur m oym nt ii ly, ec r i a ns ha o r s er na i n es t d r s al e t m a nt i co a tw ih t c pa hi f iur t a t nd t a nt e f t i pe nt o i a n nt c t he om ny, s a l e o te he ppoi m nt or he nde nde m edi al m i ton, nd hi f iur t r t n t w or f l w i t e r to ofhi FM LA l ave c exa na i a s a l e o e ur o k olo ng he xpi a i n s e . Be us El to hascl ary m e isbur n ofpr f rng nondi c i i t y r a onsf ris ca e ec r e l tt de of e i s rm na or e s o t t nni ton de s on,Leona d m us s e na i ci i r t how t tt as e t r s ar pr t xtf di c i i ton. ha he s red ea ons e e e or s r m na i W hie Leona d a l r dvanc s ve a a gum e si a a t m ptt e t bls pr t xt t co tc l s es e r l r nt n n te o s a ih e e , he ur onc ude t the hasf ie t c e t a g ui i s ofm a e i lf c w ih r s c t t si s ha a l d o r a e en ne s ue t ra a t t e pe t o hi s ue. Le r fr ta guest tEl to' c a m t the di notm a nt i c m uni ton w ih t ona d is r ha ec r s l i ha d i a n om ca i t he com pany i Ã»pr t ousn'gi t he neverr ved t June 8,2012 l t fom Sheri s l eposer ' ven hat ecei he eter r e Hugg ns w hi h r quesed t the ke p t c pa upda e on t sa us ofhi m e c l i , c e t ha e he om ny td he t t s di a c ton. Pl' Br i Opp. t Sum m .J a 1 Leo r f t ra guest te n i he had ondii 5 .s . n o . t 7. na d ur he r ha ve f rc ie telte ,' r wa n ti a o t iht a v s g e to , te ta ge c n iu dt e ev d h etr thee s ohng b u wh c o d ie Elcr ) oh rh n h j o tn e o t be a e t w or ' l a 1 Bo h a gum en s how e r m i c t ue Leo r s b de W he bl o k.' d. t 8. t r t, ve , s ons r na d' ur n. n a e pl ra tc a esa l gii a e nondi c i i t r bas sf t r i tng a pl i if t sc t n m oye r i ul t e tm t , s rm na o y i or e m na i a ntf , hi our doe no i i w he he t r a o wasw i e f i ,o eve c r c ,uli a e y,s l asi t u y s t s de dec t r he e s n s , a r r n or e t tm t l o ong t r l wast r s frt pl ntf' tr nai ' Ha nsv. psco-nc.203F. 27 27 ( h he ea on o he ai ifs emi ton.' wki Pe i l , 3d 4, 9 4t Ci.2000)(nt na cttona quottonmaksomitd) l ase sngwhehe a e oye ' r i er l iai nd ai r te . n s si t r n mpl rs 5Assumm arzed a i bove, t l t alo advied Leonar t Elcto washa i hi abs e he eter s s d hat e r ndlng s enc undert company' FM LA polcy,t the ha f weeksofFM LA l he s i ha d our eave r m ai ng,a t thi FM LA e ni nd ha s l eavewoul comm ence on June 1 201 d 3, 2. pr f e r on i pr t xt ,i i t he pe c pton oft de i i m a rw hi h i r l va t' nott of er d eas s e e ual t s s t re i he c s on ke c s e e n ,' he know l edge ors f assess entoft pl ntf See Holand v,W ashi on H om es.I ,487 F. elm he ai if. l nct nc. 3d 208, 7( h Ci.2007)( di t tt pli iffie t s prtxtwhe etheunc ese 21 4t r hol ng ha he antf ald o how ee r Ã» t ont td evi ncee tbls dt ...hede ii de sa ihe hat t csonmake ...ho sl beivedt t(hepl ntfld e v d r nety le ha t ai if es r e t b d sh r e f rtrae i ggn t e e ly e ,e a de sof eh rg plitfjdd i o e ic a g d o h e tn n a oh r mpo e j r g r ls wh t e t an if i n he fc is t t eas';Ti lyv. rtUni Na' Bal 1 F.d435, ( h Ci.1 a t sue he hr t' nse Fis on tl -k, 55 3 ) r 444 4t r 998) (fimi t grntofs afr ng he a ummayj r udgme wheet pli ifprs ntdS e de et tt nt r he antf e e e s vi nc ha he no e t rc e i t L cii ke 'lafdavi L rluntueort trtlai wa t tue vens e ountd n he de sonma rs fi t wee r ha eaiton s he r ras f ( antf s frng,' e ai ngt tt Ã§ ntsc evi ncee tbls d)t t e on or pli if ) ii 'and xpl ni ha he k unco e td de sa iheg ha (hede sonma r honetybeivedt tg ai ifl e v t bedic ge '. t cii kej sl le ha pl ntf desr ed o shar d' ) l t ei tn c s , o r h sf i dt p o fre i nc fo wh c ara o a ej r n h nsa t a e Le nad a al o r fe vde e r m ih e s n bl u y e c d fnd t tt El c r of i a s r s oul i ha he e t o fci l e ponsbl f t r i tng hi e pl m e d d nothone ty i e or e m na i s m oy nt i sl be i ve t tLe r des v d t be t r i t d f f ii t m a nt i c m uni a i w ih t le ha ona d er e o e m na e or a lng o i a n om c ton t he c pa om ny. I addii t he J 8 201 l te t Le r Hugg ns c le Leo r on m uli e n ton o r une , 2 e t r o ona d, i a ld na d tpl oc asonst r mi hi ofhi a n me f rt i pende tmediale m i ton. I i c i o e nd m s ppoi t nt o he nde n c xa na i ts undi put d t tLe r di notr pond t t m es a s a a f rt s hed e a poi m e , s e ha ona d d es o he s ge , ppe r o he c ul d p nt nt or r t n t w or l t a Le r el c e t c s f t rc m uni to w ih El cto a e ur o k. ns e d, ona d e t d o ea e urhe om ca i ns t e r nd pur ue unem pl e be ft . On t sr or e n i Le r di no r c ve t J 8,201 s oym nt ne is hi ec d, ve f ona d d t e ei he une 2 l te fom Huggi ,whih t c r a s m e i tuef pur e o t sm oto nor a ona e et r r ns c he ou t s u s s r or pos s f hi i n, e s bl j o c dfndt tt pr frdgr urr oul i ha he ofee oundsf Le r str nai aeS nworhyofcrde .' or ona d' emi ton r k u t e nce' Te De tofCmt Afar v.Btr i s450U. 248,256( 981. x. p' v. f is ldne S. 1 ) Thec tmus as rj tLeonad' ag ntt thi f l et undegot i pe nt our t lo eec r s rume ha s aiur o r he nde nde m edi exam i i w asnotapr cal naton opergr ound f t m i t on. See P1' Br.i Opp' t Slm m . or er na i .s n no z J. a 1 (i'eonl agumen a ia et t dee nt whihi wihoutmei,i t tpli ifdi t 8 df -h y r t valbl o he fnda , c s t rt s ha antf d notkeep t m edi appoi m entschedul f hi by def he cal nt ed or m endant H ow ever,def . endant s ' s he i oft se m a rquii pl ntf t unde gosi e m ...vi ae t ADA....) c dulng hi xa nd e rng ai if o r ad xa olts he '. ' Fo t r s s tf t a r he ea ons e or h bove t c t nc ude t tt r ques e i pe ntm e c l , he our co l s ha he e t d nde nde di a e mi tonwa pemisbl t r42U. C. 1 1 d)4)A) Acc di y, e to' de ii xa nai s r si e mde S. j 21 2( ( ( . or ngl Elcr s cson t t r i t hi f r usng t unde go t e i ton di notvi a e t A DA . Se Pore , o e m na e m or ef i o r he xam na i d ol t he e tr 1 F. a 246(i efnd . .ha t ADA al 25 3d t tw i . t t he lowedAlz lmowedt rques amediale mi ton l oe t c xa nai fom Po tra t rf r ,t co ny' de ii t tr naehi gorrf i t undegot r re nd,hee o e he mpa s cson o emi t m f eusng o r he e mi tonldi notvi aet ADA.';seas Br il 61 F. a 11 n. ( di t t xa nai d olt he ' e lo ownfed, 2 3d t 47 2 hol ng ha ) t pl ntf ' A D A r t la i c a m al o f l snc hi r f r a f a m e c e i ton w a he ai i f s e a i ton l i s aied, i e s e e r l or di al xam na i s notunlwf unde j 1 1 d)4)A);Suli n,1 F. a 8l ( di t ta e oyees a ul r 2l 2( ( ( ) lva 97 3d t 3 hol ng ha n mpl ' r f al o unde go a va i exa i ton ' sno adi c i i t r r as ' ora ad r ee pl e e us t r ld m na i Ã© t s rm na o y e on' f n ve s m oym nt i a ton) J on,1 U. DitLEXI 21 a *1 ( i t t'sve a c ursha hedt t ci ; ohns 998 S. s. S 040, t 3 notng ha le r l o t ve l ha a e lye ' r f a t s b toa o r ltdme ia e a i prpe g o n sf r emiain). n mp o es eus lo u mit j b-eae dc l x m s o r r u d o tr n to ' Fi l t c tfndsunpe s i Le r s r la e on t f d t the f naly, he our i r uasve ona d' e i nc he a ha ound t ee hr m e al l be r ngsi t boto ofa tas c n a t rhi c t ba l a i n he t m r h a fe s onve s ton wih D e a . W hie Le r rai t w r l ona d cl i st tt sdi c r ca e hi t s pe tt tEl c r wasÃ§ s bl s ti hi up f a m ha hi s ove y us d m o us c ha e t o t i y e tng m pos or t m i ton, Pl' Br i Opp' t Sum m . a 1 he a know l dge a hi de ii t the has er na i ' .s . n ' n o J. t 0, c e d t s poston ha no e de e t tD e a ha a hi t do w ih t di pos loft ba lbe r ngs ort tt ba l vi nc ha w r d nyt ng o t he s a he l a i , ha he l be rngswe ei e i l plc i t wrngc ane. Le z De a 1 ($fTodd ai r ntntonaly a ed n he o onti r onad p. t 63 1 l g waj( dli onpur eo s De r di t pos r omeo es g d)i onpur e,Idon' k '. Suc ne le di t pos t now.) ' h uns upport s ed pecul i i cl l i fci t es abls t t ass ed bases f hi aton s eary nsuf i ent o t i h hat he ert or s t m i i w er pr extf di lt di i i i er naton e et or sabiiy scrm naton. See W ilam sv.Cerber cs I ,871 li oni , nc. F.d4 2 4 6(t Ci.1 8 )(( p anifso as rin o dsrmi to i a do 2 5 , 5 4h r 9 5 i A1 litf wn se t s f ic i nain n n f ( o t ms l sa ei ufi e t c e s tnta e de eofl ii a enondic i naor r a o he eve r ns tcint o ountr ubsa il vi nc eg tm t s rmi t y e s ns f a adves e oyme a ton,) or n re mpl nt ci ' . ' Fo a1oft s r s ,t c r c l est tLeona d ha f ie t pr f s fce r 1 he e ea ons he ou t onc ud ha r s a ld o ofer ufi int e i e c o p ee tt a oi s mmayj d me t Ac od n l, e to smoinf rs mma y v d n e f r tx o v d u r u g n. c r i gy Elcr ' to o u r j d me t l b g a tdwi r s e tt Le n r ' cam o ds rmiaoy ds h r eu d rt e u g n wil e rn e t e p c o o ad s li f ici n tr ic ag n e h h A DA . l I. Pl nt f s cl m s under t FM LA ai i f ai he Und rt FM LA , e i bl em pl e he an lgi e oyee i e il d t t ke up t t e ve w ee o unpai s ntte o a ow l ks f d l eave durng a t el m ont per od forcert n enum er ed ci cum st i w veh i ai at r ances,i udi when t ncl ng he e pl e s f r f om ( s i hea t condii t tm a st e pl e una e t pe f m t m oye uf e s r ( erous lh a ton ha ke he m oye bl o r or he fnci 'Ofhi poston. 29U. C.j261 a ()D) Ane oy wh0tke s hla i u tons' s ii S. 2() 1( . mpl ee a s uc e ve s e il upo hi r t n t w or t be r t e t a pos to t ti t s m e a ,o s t nta l ntted, n s e ur o k, o esor d o ii n ha s he a s r ubs a i ly e valntt t postonheoc upidwhe t l vebe n. 29U. C. 261 a . TheFMLA qui e o,he ii c e n he ea ga S. j 4() ma i unlwf f a e o t ()'itre ewih,rsri o de t execs o 'rght kes t a ul or n mplyer o a tnefr t etan, r ny he rie f i s af de t e oye sbyt saut or( idic r ori a ot rma rdici naea i t for d o mpl e he tt e, b)Ã» shage n ny he nne srmi t gans a i vi f o i a prciema t a ulb gheAcl' 29U. C. 261 a . An ny ndi dual or pposng ny a tc de mlwf y t t. ' S. j 5() e pl m oyeeca brnga i e f r nceca m unde t frtpr bii n orar t la i cli unde t n i n nt re e li r he is ohi to e a iton am r he scondo Se Yas nkov.Har h' NC Ca i Co.LLC,446F. 541 546( hCi. e ne. e he ra s sno . 3d , 4t r 2006) . A. lnterf erence cl m ai Le r f r tcl i st El t o i t r e e w ih be ist w hi h he w a e il d unde t ona d i s a m hat ec r n e f r d t neft o c s ntte r he FM LA by pl i hi i un a iy o FM LA l a pe ng t pe f m a e oft i pe nt ac ng m nvol t rl n e ve ndi he r or nc he nde nde m edi a e m i ton. Le r a s r st the i asr a w ilng a a et w or ' a t tt s c l xa na i ona d s e t ha d w e dy, li nd bl o k, nd ha hi ' 16 a to t e ur dhm t u eh sa c e la eu n c saiy. Co la ! 1 . Th UntdS ae cin i q ie i o s i c nld e v n e e srl ' mp . t ( 8 e ie tts r ' C ou tofAppea sf t Fourh Cic thasnota e s d w he he pl ci a e pl e r l or he t r ui ddr s e t r a ng n m oye i l a iy on FM LA l a i a f r ofi e f r nc m a ac i na e by t s a ut Eve nvo unt r l e ve s o m nt r e e e de to bl he t t e. n asumi t t si avi ec us ofa i t c t oncl st Le d' cai i s j c t s ng hathi s abl a e cton,he our c ude hat onar s l m s ub e to di m i s . s s al The Si h Cic ta a s t be t onl c r ui t thass c f c ly r c ni ed t ti n xt r ui ppe r o he y ic t ha pe ii a l e og z ha t a e pl rwho f c a em pl e t t ke l vem a cr a ea c a m unde t FM LA . W vs ng v. m oye or es n oye o a ea y e t li r he ' ' o Dow Che . ,503F. 441 449( h Ci.2007 ( ci ng'l n i untr la cam i m Co. 3d , 6t r ) desrbi Ã§al nvol a y-e ve li s ralyat ofi efrnc cai '; seSit v.CDC I sN. ,nc.445F. 1 ,1 ( e l ype ntree e l m' but e sa ) xi Am.I , 3d 61 75 2d Ci. )( di t ttoredla byis l,doesno vi aea rghtprvi dbyt r 2006 hol ng ha Ã» c e ve, tef f t olt ny i o de he FM LA')Fose v. w JesyDe to Trns , F, x670,6 n. (dCi. )(a ; '; tr Ne re p' f a p.255 App' 71 1 3 r2007 s me) W ilsv. aCol Ent s.l , F. 41 41 ( hCi. li Coc a er. nc.445 3d 3, 7 5t r 2006)( i t 'ii notc rr notng hattt s ontay t t FM LA f a e o t beplc on i untr FMLA la '. l r a hi t s o he or n mplyee o a ed nvol ay e ve' n e c ng hi ) de sonshowe r t Si h Cic te cii ve , he xt r ui mphasz d t ts h cai k i nsonl whe a i t ie ha uc l m Ã» pe r y n nd f he e pl e s e FM LA l ave a a l t rda e,a s h l a i nota ia e be us t e pl e m oye e ks e t a e t nd uc e ve s va l bl ca e he m oye w a w r uly f c d t us FM LA l a i t pas . W ys s ongf l or e o e e ve n he t' ' ong,503 F. a 449. 3d t l t sc e, he e i no e de e t tLe r r quesed a tonalFM LA l ve a t r n hi as t r s vi nc ha ona d e t ddii ea f e El to a l ge y f c d hi t t kel a pr m a ur l l t a i i undi put t tLe r had ec r le dl or e m o a e ve e t e y. ns e d, t s s ed ha ona d no f t rco m uni to wih t c m pa a t rhi FM LA l a e r ur he m ca i n t he o ny fe s e ve xpied. A c r i y, co d ngl be us Leonad' nnots t t( lwasde e FM LA lavet whih ( wa e ildasa ca e r G ca how ha he nid e o c hej s ntte r ul ofghedefnda jf cng g mjt tkee rirlave'Le r G esno ha avibl es t t e nt ori hi o a ale e n' onad d do t ve a e FM LA cl i unde t i unt r l ve t or .... 1 a 450,s a s W a kerv. i t am r he nvol a y-ea he y ' d. t . ee l o l ' Trniv M ai Pr .I ,721F. 542,5 45( hCi.201 )( dngt ttff c lavec n rne odss nc. 3d 44- 8t r 3 holi ha c ored e a i a o tt i t re e ewih arghtpr de unde t FM LA,tc n d s onl i t e pl r s m un o n e f r nc t i ovi d r he i a o o y f he m oye ' a tonsprve t empl fom usngbeneist whihs i e ildunde t Ac' ; a ev. ci e nthe oyee r i ft o c he s ntte rhe t' Grc ) Adta I ,470F. x81 81 ( 1hCi. 2)( lni t a es whehe a i untr rn,nc. App' 2, 6 1 t r 201 deci ng o ddr s t r n nvol ay l vec am i a tonabl unde t FM LA,be aus ev unde s ch t or t pl ntf ' cli ea l i s c i e r he c e, en r u he y, he ai ifs am woul notberpesnc s Ã»aldt rques a tona FMLA la afe g re oyel d i i e he i ie o e t ddii l f e ve tr he mpl r algedl f c dhe t tkehe FMLA la prmalr y' le y ore r o a r e ve e tzel ). B. R et i i cl m alat on ai Le onar a s c a m s i a c l or m a r t the wast m i e i vi ato oft d l o l i , n onc us y nne , ha er nat d n ol i n he FM LA. Se Compl!20(Ã» fnda ' tr nainofpli ifse oymen vi aed.,. e . i e nts emi to De antf' mpl t olt pl nifsrght unde t ... aitf i s r he FMLA ....) P1' Br i Opp' t Summ. .a 20(t saedi ' ; .s .n ' no J t ' tt n As pl nifsCompli , wastr nae ...nvi ai o ...heFM LA ....'. FM LA cams aitf anthe emi td i olton f t ' ) li a i i unde a r t la i t or ar a l ze u rt bur n- hitng f am e or ofM c o l rs ng r e a i ton he y e na y d nde he de s fi r w k D nne l Doug a ,s a. Se Yas nko, F. a 551 Thus i an e pl ye ' s f r h s f c en l s upr e he 446 3d t . ,f m o e k put o t uf i i t e d e t e t bls a prm a f c e c e ofr t la i n' a t e pl rÃ§of e s a vi enc o s a ih i a i as e a i t o ' nd he m oye t f r no dic i i t r e anai n' f rise oym e de son,t empl n- s rm na o y xpl to ' o t mpl nt cii he oyeeÃ§ ar t bur n of ' s he de be e t bls ng t tt e pl ye ' pr f r e a ton i pr t xtf FM LA r t la i n.' I s a i hi ha he m o r s of e ed xpl na i s e e or e a i to ' d. ( i Nihol v. hlndHos Cor ,251F. 496, ( hCi. ). quotng c s As a p. o. 3d 502 4t r 2001) A s di c s above El c r ha pr f r nondi c i i t y r s f t r i tng s us ed , e t o s of e ed s r m na or ea ons or e m na i Le r s e pl e ,na el hi f iur t m ai a n c m uni a i w ih t c pa hi ona d' m oym nt m y s a l e o nt i om c ton t he om ny, s f l et a aiur o ppea f t r r or he eque t d i pe ntm e ca e m i ton,a hi f lze t r t n t s e nde nde di l xa na i nd s ailr o e ur o w or f l i t e r ton o hi FM LA l ve. l t abs nce ofa evi nc t twoul k olow ng he xpi a i f s ea n he e ny de e ha d c ea e a ge ne i s ofm a e i f c r ga di t l gii a y ofEl c r st nni t o dec son, r t nui s ue t ral a t e r ng he e tm c e t o' e na i n i i 18 tec u t o cu e ta Elcr i as e tte t s mmayj d me to Le nad sFMLA h o r c n ld s h t e to s lo n ild o u r u g n n o r ' r alaton cl m . et i i ai C oncl i us on F rt ra o sae ,h c u t lg a t h d fnd n ' moi nf rs mmayj d me t o he e s ns ttd t e o r wil rn t e ee a ts to o u r u g n . The Cl r i diec e t s nd c r ii d co e oft sm e or ndu opi on and t e k s r t d o e e tte pi s hi m a m ni he accom panyi or rt a1 counselofr d. ng de o 1 ecor EN TER :Thi q s d yo Ap i, 201 a f rl 4. ) Chi fU nied St t D i ti tJ e t a es sr c udge 19

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