Morton v. Shearer's Foods, LLC, No. 1:2014cv00047 - Document 49 (W.D. Va. 2015)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 9/8/15. (flc)
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CLERK' OF CE U.S. DIT COURT S FI S ,' AT RA Oc , % FIED L I THE UN I N TED STA TES D I STRI CO U RT CT FOR THE W ESTERN DI STRI O F V I I I CT RG N A A BI GD ON D I N VISI ON SEP 2! 2 1 25 BY; 1 - .-- .,.rx * , 1 . ? ï : CA SSI V . OR TON , E M Ci lA c i N o.1: 4CV00047 vi ton 1 Pl i t f , a n if M EM O R AN DU M O PINIO N SHEA RER ' FO OD S,LLC, S H on.Gl n E.Conr e ad Chi U nie St t s Di t i tJ e ef t d a e s rc udg D e e nt f nda . Ca s e V .M or on fl d t s a ton a ns he f m e e pl r She r r s Foods LLC si t ie hi c i gai t r or r m oye , a e ' , (d ae '') algi vi ai oft Fa l a M e c Lea Ac of1 (i t rrs', le ng oltons he miy nd dial ve t 993 i she FMLA' 29 ' ) U. C.jj2601265 a t Empl eReie ntl omeSe urt Ac of1 (i SA' , S. - 4, nd he oye trme nc c iy t 974 t ERI ' 29 ) U. C.jj 1 - 461. Theca ei p eentybef et co tont defnda ' moi f S. 0011 s s r s l or he ur he e nts ton or s mmayj d me t F rt er a o sstf rhb lw,h moinwil ega td. u r u g n . o h e s n e o t eo te t o l b rn e Fact B acktround ual The f l ng f t a eeihe u s e or whe ediputd,a epr e e i t lgh olowi acs r t r ndiput d , r s e r es nt d n he i t mos fvor bl t t plitf. Se Tolnv.Coton,1 S.Ct 1 ,1 ( 4)(mphaszi t a a e o he anif e a t 34 . 861 866 201 e i ng ta c u t mus ve tee ie c o s mmayj d me ti telg tmo t a o a l t te h t o rs t iw h vd n e n u r u g n n h ih s f v r be o h no nmovi pa t . ng ry) On M a 1 2009,She r r shied M or on t w or asa pa ra is s c f y 3, ae ' r t o k cke t t na k ood Morton v. Shearer&#039;s Foods, LLC m a a t i f ciiy i Br sol V igi a I t tpos to M o t w a r pons bl f r ti vi nuf c urng a lt n i t , r ni . n ha ii n, r on s es i e or e r e ng Doc. 49 ba ofpot o c ps fom a c gs at hi r onve bel,pa ki t bagsi o bo s a s a ki t boxeson yor t c ng he nt xe , nd t c ng he a w ooden palet M ort w asal r r t r l. on so equied o andom l check t productnam e,expiaton dat y he r i e, and ot i or aton on t pot o chi bagst ensur t t i or aton w as cor ectand her nf m i he at p o e hat he nf m i r l gi e e bl . Dockets.Justia.com l J of2011, or o a i d t wor a a qualt co r l b t hni a i t Brs ol n une M t n pple o k s iy nt ol a ec ci n n he i t f iiy' qualt as ur nce de r m e . M oron w a a a d t poston s ty afe her ac lt s iy s a pa t nt t s w r ed he ii horl t r i e vi w ,a s be n wor ng i t 1 b i Aug tof2011 l t ne pos ton,M o t nt r e nd he ga ki n he a n us . n he w ii r on r pore t Br ndiOw e a Edw a d Lea oyd. e td o a ns nd r r A s a qua iy con r l b t chni i n,M or on w asprm a iy r s lt t ol a e c a t i rl e ponsbl f m o t i t i e or niorng he pr ton pr es t e ur c oduc i oc s o ns e ompla ew ih t c inc t he ompa sf s et and quaiy sa r . ny' ood af y lt t nda ds H e r pons biii s i ude c r es i lte ncl d onduc i m e a ,oi,m oi t e,s t s as ng, nd br a tng t l l sur al, e oni a e kage t t , es s a s tng dow n t pr nd huti he oduc i lne i a y pr uc f ie t m e tce t n s cii a i . ton i f n od t a l d o e rai pe fc tons addii M o t w a t s d w ih e urng t te pm e w a c lbr t d a r nni pr l ton, r on s a ke t ns i ha qui nt s a i a e nd u ng opery, a w ih m a nt ni ac ur t r c dsofhe efor s nd t i ai ng c a e e or r f t. M oron r ceved i e i ta ni f rt ne posto Thi i l t e i ntnsve r i ng o he w ii n. s ncudedwor ngf one ki or we kwihs oneSltrlybyg r sde'f l bya a tona mont ofwor ngwih ; e t ome kieal hel i ,'olowed n ddii l h ki t t a la c tntyc c ngo L r. MoronDe a 38. Afert i ta tani pe i M o tn e d onsa l he ki n heq' ' t p. t t he niilr i ng rod, ro a o he 1 b t hni a r c ve f eq nti tuc i on t c pa s f s f t r e a nd t r a ec ci ns e ei d r ue nsr ton he om ny' ood a e y ul s nd pr ocedures. O fa loft s f t f tonsM oron pe f m ed,m e a de e ton t tng w a one oft l he a e y unc i t r or t l t c i es i s he mos i tnt Se j sa 46( knowldgi t tmea t t wee; bi de l'. W he M oron tmpora . e . t ac ê e ng ha tless r ; g a') a n t fr tbega w o ki a a qualt con r l b t c c a s w asr s is n r ng s iy t ol a e hni i n, he e pons bl f r c i e o onduc i m e a tng t l de ec i n t s sc l t o hour . To co uc t s t s s M oron w oul i e t hr m e alwa o t to e t ve ' w y s nd t he e e t , t d ns r t ee t nds r c r i o a pot t c p ba r one a atm e t e ur t tt m a hi a t ly t ne of t a e t a ds nt a o hi gge , t i , o ns e ha he c ne c ua l ur d f o l r t o rtrt tt r wasafr i o j c i t ba Afe e chs c sulçrp,' t woul he peao ha hee o egn b e tn he g. tr a uc esf d i 'Moron t d r t tt m achi and begi t pr s overagai w ih anot m et wand or car l at es ar he ne n he oces n t her al d. d. 49- 58- . I t baggert i 50, 61 f he rpped a1 t ee m et w ands orcar M ort w oul r d t 1 hr al ds, on d ecor he s e s ult to t m e alde ec i n t i l al w ih he i tal . By i ta i t t i l ucc s f es n he t t to rp og, ong t r nii s nii lng he r p og, M ort verf ed t no abnor alteshad occur i t m et det i pr on ii hat m ii red n he al ecton ocess. I a m et f al de ec i t tf l M or on w asr qui e t r c d t de a i on a r d pi e ofpa r e ai t ton es aied, t e r d o e or he vi ton e ec pe , xpl n t pr bl m ,a pl ce a1 a f t pr he o e nd a 1 f ec ed oduc s o hol Att e ofe c s f,a qualt c t ol t n d. he nd a h hit iy on r l ad or s vi orw oul r vi w M o t sl t c s m t tt m e a de e ton t s sha be n e uper s d e e r on' ogs o ontr ha he t l t c i e t d e do c r ty a t tno de atons ha oc r ed,a a hi orhe i ta s t t l ne or ec l nd ha vi i d cu r nd dd s r nii l o he og. l J of201 t m e a de e t o pr d esw e e c nge s t te t rt pa ki n une 3, he t l t c i n oce ur r ha d o ha ihe he c ng m a hi ope a orort qua iy c r l a w a r pons bl f c c ne r t he lt ontol e d s es i e or onduc i t m e alde e ton tng he t tc i t s s e r t hour . H o e , he e w e e tm esw he M o t a a l t l i i n,w a t ke e t ve y wo s w ver t r r i n r on, s ab ec m c a s as d w ih doubl c c ng t ac ur cy oft t i l w he t qua iy as u a e l ad,s r s , t e he ki he c a he rp ogs n he lt s r nc e upe vi or or ma nage w asunava l bl t ve i y t tt m e a de e ton pr edu e ha be n f l e r ia e o r f ha he t l t c i oc r s d e olow d. D urng M or on' t r ofe pl e w ih She r r s t co pa m a nt i d a c r tve i t s em m oym nt t a e ' , he m ny i a ne or ec i a ton polc whi h pr d f rpr es i di ci i ba e on t pa tc a c r um s a sof ci i y, c ovi ed o ogr s ve s plne s d he ri ul r ic t nce e c e pl a h m oyee' i r c i s nf a ton. On A ug t18 20l1 a f w m on hs a t rM oron beg n w or ng asa us , , e t fe t a ki q iy c r l b t c c a s r c i d t s co ofs ve a w rte r prm a i s d ualt ontol a e hni i n, he e e ve he e nd e r l it n e i nds s ue purs uantt t polcy.1 A c r ng t t cor e tve a ton f m ,M or o w asr pr m a o he i co di o he r c i c i or tn e i nded f r o f lng t e ur t tt c r c s a oni fa sw e e us d i t pr aii o ns e ha he or e t e s ng l vor r e n he oduc i pr es . H e ton oc s r s r s , a Ow e , e t t$ c s s ofp o tw e e pr upe vi or Br ndi ns not d ha ; 722 a e r duc r oduc w ih t i r ec ed t he nco r t s as ng,'a t till c tofl tpr t tl andt asocaewa t dic r wa e oni ' nd ha kthe os os oduc,im he s it ges o s ad s a oxi t l $ 00, De .sEx. M oron wa ad s d t tS es t spr blm i ppr ma ey 95 ' 5 f' H. t s vie ha û s hi o e s unl cor ect f r ed, udhercor i ac i w ilbe t rectve t on l aken,up t and i udi t t m i i ofyour o ncl ng he er naton em pl ent' 1 oym .' d. 1M oron r ei he t s w rtenr prm andonJ t ec ved r irt it e i anuar 3, 20l1 w hie s w a silwor ng aspac r y , l he s tl ki ke , f f lngt deec eror wihpr texpiaton datson t e s at occasons or aii o t t r s t oduc ri e hr e epar e i . On Se e r20, l M o t r ei d û r lcot e i ' orf ii t e ur t tt pt mbe 201 , ron ec ve û ba ms lng'f a lng o ns e ha he ve hol punc m ac ne m ade acom pl t hol pu h t o h ba ofapr uc t tw e e t be h i e h hi e e e nc hr ug gs od t ha r o ung n s or s M oron' s r i ornot d t tt s o i s on ' e uled i s gnii nta tona fna i l t e. t s upe v s e ha hi m s i C s t n i fca ddii l i nc a r r pe c s o t c r c .' D e sEx. . e r us i ns o or e t' f' 1 OnJ n ay 1 , 01 , ro wa d si ie f rh rû re e tdfiu et i d aey a u r 5 2 3 Mo tn s icpl d o e i lp ae alr o mme it l n g ra tt outofs iiai pr ta tse tane a dealdi t QuaiyDe sonte . ec o pecfc ton oduc s etd,r i d nd tie n he lt cii res' ' De .sEx J M o tn' s p r s rnoe ta (thij o adz da dto a p o u t ndc ud f' . . ro s u evio td h tt j s e p r ie d iin l r d c a o l g ha r ule i unne es a y a s gni i a c t f t b i s , a t tM o t m a be ve es t d n c s r nd i fc nt os s or he us ne s ' nd ha ' r on y t r i t d i t pr em pe ss ed. 1 e m na e f he obl r it d. OnM ac 1 20l Moro r evedati wani 'orilll sngama hi f rh 2, 3, tn ec i inal r ng'f çreea i f c ne or pr oduci wihoutpr l ve iyi t co r ts niai a i orec l c ton t opery rf ng he rec a t ton nd nc r ty ompl tngt ei he Ale ge Cha Up For r s tng i t l sofa oxi ael $7, oftnihedm ae il lr n nge m e uli n he os ppr m t y 500 i s tra go . D e .s Ex. . M or o w a a s d t tf s f t i ofûut os conc r a a ltm e ,' ods' ' f' K t n s dvi e ha ood a e y s û m t e n t 1 i s' a t ts s dt r hanyts r ae t f s ft ' J. Moronwasf t ra s nd ha he houl t us not a ks eltd o ood aey. ' I L t urhe dvied t the e pl e m a be t r i t d i t pr e w asnotcorec ed. ha r m oym nt y e m na e f he obl m r t Be we n M a ch 1 201 a he J y 1 201 t r nai M oron r c ve t t e r 2, 3 nd r ul 2, 3 e mi ton, t e ei d wo addii lr pr m andsf c tona e i or onduc un e a e t f s e y orqua iy c r . On Apr l22, 3, t r l t d o ood af t lt ontol i 201 M or o r e ve a w rte w a ni f t ki a e e s ve num be o br a t te ee d t t n ec i d it n r ng or a ng n xc s i r f e ks ha xc de he alote tm e. O n M a 1 201 M or o w asc l td i y 6, 3, tn ouns l on t c pa s i t e ofRe pe t' e ed he om ny' i ur cul s c ,' f l i a i i ntw ih a co or r D e .sEx. . olow ng n nc de t w ke . f' M O n W ed day,J y l 201 M oron be n at e venes ul 0, 3, t ga w l hours f a 3: p. . Shor l hi t t 00 m ty aft m i ght on Jul 11,2013,Greg M cDavi apr er dni , y d, oducton s vi as M ort t verfy i uper sor, ked on o i t m et det i t i l f each oft si een packagi m achi he al ecton rp ogs or he xt ng nes. A tt tm e,t qualt hat i he iy a s a em a e , s ur nc nag r Edwar Le r d a oyd;he s r ior Pa Ni ey' t l a t chni a we ea 1 t upe v s , ul c l , and he e d e cin r l e t rof w or oru va l bl t ve iy t t i l . M oron ha c ihe f k na ia e o rf he rp ogs t d onduc e m e alde ec i n t s s t d t t to e t i t pa tandwasfmiirwiht pr es. Se MoronDe a (c n he s a la t he oc s e t p. t a knowl i t ts was edgng ha he quaii t veiyt mealdeeci ti l ) Thus whe Moronr ndedM c vi t ts lfed o rf he t t ton rp ogs. , n t emi Da d ha he wa no ala M c vi t dhe t Sl oa adand(he kt ti l ja y.' I a 126. s t e d, Da d ol r o tgl he c c he rp ogs nywa ' d. t D u i he de iim ,M o t t tfe t ts c ke e h oft m e alde e ton ti r ng r pos tc r on es ii d ha he hec d ac he t t c i rp l t m a s e t t t t ha bee pe f m ed c r ty durng t s f a t tno d a i ogs o ke ur hat he es s d n r or or ec l i he hit nd ha evi tons ha oc ur e M or on t n i t a e e h ti l i udi t l f Pac i M a hi #5, d c r d. t he nii l d ac rp og, ncl ng he og or kag ng c ne c im i t tno de a i ha oc ure a t tûe r hi wast wa i wass pos t onfr ng ha vitons d c r d nd ha ive yt ng he y t up ed o be ' 1 a 1 .' d. t 26. A c or ng t t def nda ' doc e a y e de e,ho e r M or on m i s d a t s c di o he e nt s um nt r vi nc w ve , t se e t de a i vi ton. The m e alde e t rt i 1 f Pa kagi M a hi #5, hi h c a ns M oron' t t c o rp og or c ng c ne w c ont i t s i ta s i ca est tt t s cond t d a 9: p. . r ppe onl t o oft tl e m e a ca ds nii l , ndi t ha he e t uc e t 40 m t i d y w he lr e t l r . Def' Ex. . Thi m e ntt tt m a hi di no s e one oft t e m e alc r ,a t ti .s N s a ha he c ne d t ens he hr e t a ds nd ha t po sb yal we oh rf rin o j cst pa str u ht pr d cin p o e s sil lo d t e o eg be t o s h o g he o u to r c s. Ata oxi ael 8: a. .onThurday, ul 11 20l Niel i or e Le r t t ppr m t y 00 m s J y , 3, c y nf m d a oyd ha M oron ha mi s d t f l m eal t c i t ton Pa gi M ac ne/5whe s i ta e t t d s e he aied t de e ton es cka ng hi / n he niil d he ti l Le r s e n l c rp og. a oyd ubs que ty ompl td ac r c i a to f m onwhih heno e t tM oron ee ore tve ci n or c t d ha t ha tglknowl e HACCP ( z r Crtc lContolPoi )lnerc dswihoutpr pery d iac edggdl Ha a d iia r nt i e or t o l ver f ng t t tng and f tonalt w er wihi f saf y com plance gui i .' Def' i yi hat es i unc i iy e t n ood et i delnes' .s Ex.N . O n t afer he t noon ofJul l1,2013,f l ng a doct s appoi m ent M ort re ur t y olowi or' nt , on t ned o Shear sand i or ed A nna Roberton,t hum an r our m anager,t s needed tm e of er' nf m s he es ces hat he i f t unde goa s resofmedial e t a uli ael ahyse ecomy. Robe ton pr de M oro o r ei c t ss nd, tm t y, tr t rs ovi d tn w ih FM LA a s r -er di a lt f m st be c pl t d by he hea t a e pr de s t nd ho tt m s biiy or o om e e r lhc r ovi r . Sho ty t r afe ,Lea oyd w e t Robe ton' of i e a i or e Robe t on t t r l he e t r r nt o r s s fc nd nf m d r s ha M o t ha s g d of on af l d m e a de e ton t s d i he l ts f . Lea oyd e ai d t r on d i ne f aie t l t c i e t urng r as hit r xpl ne he s rous s oft i i nt a not d t tt ne se i t c r e tve a i n polcy' e i nes he nc de , nd e ha he xt t p n he o r c i cto i s pr e s ve di c plnepr es w a t r i ton, i M oron ha a r a r ce ve a fna w a ni ogr s i si i oc s s e m na i s nce t d l e dy e i d i l r ng. At h t itRo e to i fr dLe r ydt a M o tnh dj t e u se F LA p p nv r , n t a pon , b rs n n ome ao h t ro a us rq e td M a e ok a d t tt c pa m a ha t wai untlM oron r t ned fom m e c ll avet t r i t he . ha he om ny y ve o t i t e ur r di a e o e m na e r Robe ton ad s d Le o t ts w oul s a w ih t pl tm a ge a hum a r our es rs vi e ar yd ha he d pe k t he an na r nd n es c e pl e a t co or t ofi e t de e m i how t ha e t st ton. m oye s t he p a e fc o t r ne o ndl he iua i On Frday,J y 1 201 Robe to c t c e W atFi t viepr sde ofhuma i ul 2, 3, rs n on a t d l nk, he c e i nt n r s ur s t dic swhehe She e ' coul tr i t M o t f rapolc vi ai n t tha e o ce , o s us t r ar rs d e m na e ron o i y olto ha d oc ur ed e r i ri t w ee Robe t o i or e Fil oft nat e oft vi a i a a s d c r a le n he k. r s n nf m d rk he ur he ol ton, nd dvi e hi t tM oron w a on fna w a ni s a usa t tm e oft i i nt Robe t on a s i ca e m ha t s i l r ng t t t he i he nc de . rs l o ndi t d t tM or on ha s bs ue l r que t d FM LA l a a t ts w asc ha t d u eq nty e s e e ve, nd ha he once ne t tt l ave r d ha he e r ques w oul pr l Shea e ' f om i m e a e y t r i tng M oron' e pl e . e t d ec ude r r s r m di t l e m na i t s m oym nt Fi advi e Robe ton t the w asoft opi on t tt r i ton w a w a r nt d under nk sd r s ha he ni ha e m na i s ra e t co r c i ac i n polc H owe r i lghtofM or on' r ques f FM LA l ave Fi he r e tve t o i y. ve , n i t se t or e , nk def re a fnalde son on t m at untlt f l ngwe k. erd i cii he ter i he olowi e Fi s nk poket Robe t o a i on M onda J y 1 2013. Att ttm e, nk a oved t o r s n ga n y, ul 3, ha i Fi ppr he de s on t t r i t M or on i m e a e y, iho waii f he t r t r f o FM LA l ve. ci i o e m na e t m di t l w t ut tng or r o e u n r m ea Shorl t ty hereaft ,Robert and Lear cont ed M oron by t ephone and advi hert s er son oyd act t el sed hat he wasbengt r i t d, t t hee f c i daeoft t mi tonwoul beJ y l 201 t da i e m na e and ha t fe tve t he er nai d ul 2, 3,he y a l t i i n i vi t f ied m e a de e ton t t fer he nc de t nvol ng he a l t l t c i es . Shea e ' m ai ai a gr he lh i ur nc pl n t ough A n he Bl Cr s & Bl r r s nt ns oup a t ns a e a hr t m ue os ue Shil (t he '. Se ton7oft pl sbe i bookltpr vi st tapa tci ntsc r ge ed CAnt m') ci he an' neft e o de ha ri pa ' ove a t r i t son t pa tc pa ' kd t oft r i ton, Fi A f . a SFJ 0 6. Li i e e m na e he r i i nt s i a e e m na i ' nk f Ex. t ' 031 kew s , Sec i n 8,tted Gcha s i Cove ag Te m i ton,Contnua i & Co r i ' pr dest t to il t nge n r e: r na i i ton nve s onn' ovi ha C urc r ge ge r ly wilt r i t on yourda e oft r i ton.' 1 t yo ove a ne a l l e m na e t e m na i ' d. Folow i M or on' t r i to She r r si or e Ant m by aut a i / e t oni l ng t s e m na i n, a e ' nf m d he om t c el c r c notf c ton t tM or o w a no l re pl ye by She r r sasofJ y 1 201 O n A ugus 1 ii a i ha t n s onge m o d ae ' ul 2, 3. t, 201 Ant m notfe M oron t the gr he t a e c r ha t r naed e f c i J y 3, he iid t ha r oup alhc r ove age d e mi t fe tve ul 1 201 butt ts ha t r gh t c i he be ft pur ua t t Cons i t d Om ni 2, 3, ha he d he i t o ontnue r ne is s nt o he olda e bus Budge Re onclai Ac of1 (k t c iiton t 985 $ COBRA') Toco i he i vi lcoveag Moro '. ntnue r ndi dua r e, tn wasr quie t notf Ant m a ma amont ypr mi pa ntof$330. M oron e r d o iy he nd ke hl e um yme 69. t uli a e y el c e nott c i c r be tm t l e t d o ontnue ove age yond t t r i ton ofhe e pl m e . he e m na i r m oy nt ProceduralH i oa st M oron, co el fl d t i t ntaci agans Shea e ' on J y l 201 The t by uns , ie he nsa ton i t r r s ul 4, 4. c pl i a l ge t tShe r r svi a e t FM LA by t r i i he i r ala i f rr ques i om a nt le s ha a e ' ol t d he e m natng r n et i ton o e tng FM LA l a ,a t tShe r r svi a e ERI by t r i tng he hea t i ur e bene is e ve nd ha a e ' ol t d SA e m na i r lh ns anc ft . OnJ l 201 Sheae ' move f s une 9, 5, rrs d or ummayj me . Afe t motonwa tl r udg nt tr he i s èed, M oron' c t s ouns lm o d t w ihd a fom r pr s ntng he . The c t ni d t m oton t e ve o t r w r e ee i r our de e he i o w ihdr w untls h tm e a ne c t a i uc i s w ouns lm a a a a a e on M oron' be forM o t e de n ppe r nc t s hal r on i cat t s i ended t pr ndi ed hat he nt o oceed w ihoutt as s ance ofcounsel t he sit . The e fe ,c r a tr ouns lfl o M oron' be l a moto t sa f t rpr e ngsuntl e ied n t s ha f i n o t y urhe oc edi i M oron ha t o r uniy t r t i ane a t ne The co t a e t m o i i pa t a s t t d he ppo t t o e a n w tor y. ur gr nt d he ton n r , nd e a J y 21, ul 2015 dea i f M or on t a s ast w he hers had r t ne s tt e co elor dlne or t o dvi e o t he e ai d ubs iut uns ha d i d t pr e pr s . d ec de o oce d o e O n Aug t6, us 2015, t rno a t ne ha m a a a afe tor y d de n ppea a on M o t s be l , he r nce r on' ha f t c ' e e e a or rdi e tng M oron t tl a afi visorot r e denc i r s oul nt r d n de r c i t t o ' e ny f da t i he vi e n e pons t t e o he p n i s mmayj dg n moinb Au u t1 , 0 5 M o tns bs q e t r q etda d e dng u r u me t to y g s 9 2 1 . ro u e u nl e u se n y r c ved t o e e i nsoftm e i w hi h t r s e ei w xt ns o i n c o e pond t t m oto o he i n. Th c u t edah aigo tes mmayj d me tmo ino Aug s 2 2 5 a whih e o r h l e rn n h u r u g n to n u t 4, 01 , t c M oron a t ppea e pr s .2 Themoi f s rd o e ton or ummayj me i now rpef diposton. r udg nt s i or s ii St andar o R e e d f vi w Ana r o s mmayj g n i a p o raeûftemo a ts o t a t eei n wa d f u r ud me t s p r p it i h v n h ws h t h r s o i g n i ds uea t a ymaeil a ta dtemo n i e tte t j g n a amatro lw. e une ip t s o n tra fc n h va t s n i d o ud me t s te f a ' l ' Fe R. v. 56() t diput i ge nei i r s nabl j yc drt naveditf t d. Ci P. a . $ s e s nui f a ea o e ur oul eur A r c or he nonmovi pat '' Li rainPa' ofVa. J 71 F. 308,31 ( hCi. 3)( i ng ry.' be tra ty t v. udd, 8 3d 3 4t r 201 quotng Dulne v. c ci Cor ofAm.673F. 3 330( hCi. 2). $ f ti maeili i a y Pa ka nc p. , 3d 23, 4t r 201 ) $ ac s tra f t A û g afc t o c oft s tunde t g ni lw.' J-( i Andes v. bet miht fe the utome he ui r he over ng a '' i.quotng ron Li ry Lobby,I ,477U. 242,248( 986) nc. S. 1 ). l co i rngamoi f s n nsdei ton or ummayj r udgmen,t c t tviw t r or i t lght t he our mus e he ec d n he i m os f vor bl t t nonm ovi pary. Tol n,1 S.Ct a 1 t a a e o he ng t a 34 . t 866. To w ihs a a sz m a y t t nd lm r j d me t to t n n vn pat mu tp o uc s fiin e ie c fo wh c ara o a l u g n moin,he o mo ig ry s r d e u fce t vd n e r m ih e s n b e j r c drt navediti he fvor Ande s v.Li ryLobby.l , U. 242,248 u y oul eur r c n ra . ron be t nc.477 S. 2 Durng t hearng, t cour grntd couns lsm oton t w ihdr fom r pr e i M oron. i he i he t a e e' i o t aw r e es ntng t 8 ( 986 . k 1 ) k us yors ultvealegai dono s fc no doesak r s ntlaof concl or pec ai l tons t ufie, r mee ci il e de e'i s vi nc n uppor ofghenonmovi pa t s cae. Tho o v. oma Elc.Powe Co. t t ng ry') s ' ' mps n Pot c e r , 31 F. 645,649( hCi.200 ( i Philpsv. 2 3d 4t r 2) quotng li CSX Trns .nc. 1 F. 28 287( h a p.l , 90 3d 5, 4t Ci.1 r 999:. Di scussi on 1. FM LA Cl m ai M oron f r tc ai st tShea e ' vi a e t FM LA by t r i tng he i r t i ton f t i s l m ha r r s ol t d he e m na i r n e ala i or rquesi mediall ve. Se 29U. C.j261 a 'seas 29C. R.j8 2 c)(' e tng c ea e S. 5() e lo , F. 25.20( ' The ( LA'Ip o bii a i ti eree epr bisa e o fom dici nai orrtlai FM S r hi ton gans nt frnc ohi t n mplyer r s rmi tng eaitng a ns a e oyee...f ha nge rie oratmptdt e rieFM LA rght.) gai t n mpl or vi xecsd te e o xecs i s'. ' ' LA r t la i cl i sa e a l t FM e a i ton a m r na ogoust dic i i ton cl i sbr htunde Til Vl o s r m na i am oug r te 1 g t Ci lRi t Ac of1 . Langv. d. es Cor ,703F. 71 71 ( hCi. of he vi gh s t 964q' i Fe Expr-s p. ' 3d 3, 7 4t r 201 . Acc di l i t a e eofdiec e de et s 3) or ngy,n he bs nc r t vi nc o uppor acam ofr t iton,he t li ealai t pl ntf sc ai i e l t unde t bur n- hitng f a ewor s f t i M c oma l Doug as ai i f l m s va ua ed r he de s fi r m k et or h n D el l Cop . Gre 411U. 792( 973 . Se i Unde t sfa wor t pli ifk ttrt v. e n, S. 1 ) e d. r hi r me k,he antf ç mus is makeaprmafci s ngt tghe e edi pr e tda i t t tt e o t i a e howi ha s l ngag n otce ctviy,ha he mplyer ook a rea tona ns g r,a t tt a rea tonwa ca al c ce t t pli ifs dve s ci gai t hel nd ha he dves ci s us ly onne td o he antf pr e tdaci t ' Ya he v. ra sN. CasnoCo.446F. 541 551(t Ci. 06) otce tviy. s nko Harh' C. i ' , 3d , 4h r 20 (ntr cttona quotto makso te . I t pl ntf put f t s tcen e de et i enal iai nd ain r mitd) f he ai if s orh ufi i t vi nc o es a i h a prm a f c e c e ofr t la i a t e pl yerofer a nonr t la or r s f t t bls i a i as e a i ton, nd he m o f s e a i t y ea on or he adve s a ton,t pl ntf k a st bur ofes a i hi t tt e pl rs pr f r d r e c i he ai i f ' r he den be t bls ng ha he m oye ' of e e e a toni prtxtf FMLA rt iton. l (ntr lcttona quottonmar omitd) xplnai s ee or ealai ' d. i ena iai nd ai ' ks te . I t sc s ,e n a s i t t oron c d s ts ye ye e e oft prm af i c e, n hi a e ve s um ng ha M t oul a if ver l m nt he i ace as She r r sha a tcul t d a l gii at ,nonr t la or r as f t r i tng he em pl m e . a e ' s ri a e e tm e e a i t y e on or e m na i r oy nt Spe i i ly,She e ' m ai a nst tM oron' em pl entw a t r i t be aus s c fca l ar r s nt i ha t s oym s e m na ed c e he c m it a s f t i r cton by i pr r y ve iyi a f ie m e a de ec i t s . She r r sha om ted a e y nf a i m ope l r f ng a l d t l t ton e t ae ' s pr ded a c ofM or o sdi c plna y r co dsand t c pa scor e i ac i polcy, ovi opy t n' s i i r e r he om ny' r ctve ton i w hi h i c t t tM oron w ason tna wa ni s a us f r f od s et i s s a t tm e oft c ndi a e ha t i l r ng t t o o af y s ue t he i he i de , nd t tt ne s e oft c r tv ac i pr es w a t nui ton. A c di y, he nci nt a ha he xt t p he or ec i e ton oc s s e na i cor ngl t c ttndst tShea e ' ha m e isbur n ofde o ta i a l gii at ,nonr a i t r r s our i ha r rs s t t de m nsr tng e tm e et la o y ea on f M oron' tr nai Se Odom v.n 'Pa rCQ,652F.Supp. 671 69l( D. 2009) or t s emi ton. e ltl pe , 2d , E. Va. ( di t tt e oye me isbu d ofetbls ngal tmae, ndici naoyr s hol ng ha he mpl r tt r en sa ihi egii t no s rmi tr ea on f t pl i ifst nni ton by pr ucng e de et t ta trha ng prorr evi a i , or he antf e na i od i vi nc ha ,tfe vi i ul oltons g ai if a i vi ae t .. s ft polcy' s ealoGryv.Masef USA,30 F.App' pl ntfj gan oltd he . aey i ); e s a troods 4 x 611 6l ( hCi. , 2 9t r 2008)( i t tt e oye k dalgii t, dici naoyras fr notng ha he mpl r' ha e tmae non- s rmi tr e on o tr nai gheplitfj be a ehef iedt f l t co ny' (ockou/a out s ft emi tng t anif, c us al o olow he mpa s l ttg ' aey Pr e e' . oc dur ' ) Ha ng r a d t sde ii M oron be r t bu den ote t bls ng a se t eeoft vi e che hi c son, t a s he r - sa ihi t t p hr he M cDonnel D ougl f a e k t tt co pa s a s red r a on f hert r i ton i C e e l as r m wor ha he m ny' s e t e s or e m na i s k t xt pr f rFM LA rtlai ' Nihol v. hlndHos Cor , F.d49 502(t Ci. ) For o eaiton.' c s As a p. p.25l 3 6, 4h r 2001. t f l ng r ons t co tc l est tM oron ha notm e t sbur n. he olowi eas , he ur onc ud ha t s t hi de I as es i whe he an e pl ye ' pr f r r s i p e e ua ,û ti t pe ce i n of n s s ng t r m o r s of e ed ea on s r t xt l i s he r pto i t de i i a r whi h i r l va . H ola v.W a hi on H om es l , F. 208,21 he c s onm ke c s e e nt' ' l nd s ngt . nc. 487 3d 7 ( h Ci.2007) W he a e oye a tc aesalgii t nondic i naor bassf 4t r . n n mpl r riult e tmae, srmi t y i or tr nai a empl ,t c tdoesnotûde i whehe t r as gortr nai of emi tng n oyee he our t cde t r he e on f emi ton 10 e o me t wa wie fi, re e c re tulmaey s lnga itul wa t er ao f rgh mply n l s s , ar o v n o rc, t tl, o o s t r y s h e s n o t e i de sonl' Lai 703F.da 722(nt na cttona quottonmakso te ;seas cii .' nc, 3 t i er l iai nd ai r mitdl e lo Gi onv.Fl Da e Se vs Cor ,281Fed. x 1 1 (t Ci. C.2008)(mphaszng bs uor nil r . p. App' 77, 79 4h r N. e ii t tûrl e o rwhofrsa e oye unde t mitke buthone ti e sont tt ha dan mplye ie n mpl e r he sa n s mprs i ha he e oye vi ae awor r ei no la ef dici naor c mpl e oltd k ul s t ibl or srmi t y onduc' ( i Da v. t) quotng mon Flmi Super r t,1 F.d 1 1 n. ( 1hCi.1 ) e ng makes 96 3 354, 363 3 1 t r 999). I t ei tn c s , ro h sp ee tdn e ie c fo wh c ar a o bej r c u d n h nsa t a e Mo tn a r sn e o v d n e r m ih e s na l u y o l fnd t tEdwa d Lea oyd, i ha r r AnnaRobe ton,W al Fi ora ot rco pa ofi alr s nsbl rs t nk, ny he m ny fci e po i e f t r i tng he e pl e ,di no hone ty be i ve t ts ha i pr pe l ve ii d a f ie or e m na i r m oym nt d t s l le ha he d m o r y rt e a l d m e a de e ton t s , t ts h c uc w a r nt t r i ton i lg ofhe di c plna y hi t r t l t c i e t or ha uc ond t r a ed e m na i n i ht r s i i r s o y. AlhoughMoroncamst t'e r hi wa l t... nghe l t t li ha ûveyt ng s egi whe s l ookeda t mea dee t the tl tcor coun e t tni ,' oron De a l t m e alde e orti 1 f Pa kagi M a hi #5, t r ha ght' M t p. t 30, he t t ct rp og or c ng c ne w hi h c a ns M o t s i tal , ndi a e t ta de a i di i f t occ . M or ve ,i i c ont i r on' nii s i c t s ha vi ton d, n ac , ur eo r t s undi put d t tM oron w ason fnalwa ni s a usf f s et i s s a t tm e oft s e ha t i r ng t t or ood af y s ue t he i he i i nt a t tt ne s e i t c r c i a ton pr e sw a t m i ton. W hie M oron nc de , nd ha he xt t p n he or e tve c i oc s s er na i l t obvi l di ag e sw ih t c pa sde i i t t r i t he e pl e ,s h di ag ee e t ous y s r e t he om ny' c son o e m na e r m oym nt uc s r m n doesno pr vet tt a s red r as f t de i i n ( a di hone tornott r al e s n f he t o ha he s e t e on or he c s o k s s w s he e r a o or r t r i ton,whih i wha i r quie a se t r eoft bur n-hitng fa e m na i c s t s e r d t tp h e he de s fi r mewor ' Lang, k, ' i 703 F. a 7 3d t 22. A ddii ly,M or on ha f ie t i ntf a s m ia l st t d e pl e w ho w a tona l t s a l d o de iy ny i l r y iua e m oye s te eddifrntyby She r '. Se t.a 71 ( tngt tfde a co t ûoutneyr yon rat fee l aers e ls t 9 noi ha e r l urs s i l el r com par or evi at dence w hen deci ng w het an adver em pl entacton w as drven by a di her se oym i i dici nao ymotve'. Tot c rr t rcor r ve l t t snceJ nuayof201 s rmi tr i ' ) he onta y,he e d e as ha, i a r 3, She r r shasdi c plne a l as sx o he e pl e a t Brs olf iiy f rf s e y i s s a e' s i i d t e t i t r m oye s t he i t ac lt o ood af t s ue , i udi t f l e t f l w t com pa s m e a de e ton pr e es l ed,La os ncl ng he aiur o olo he ny' t l t c i oc dur . nde t ha W i r , hee oye who c nde s t mpl e onduced t f ie me a deeci n t s on Pac gi M a ne/5 a t he a ld t l t to e t ka ng chi / t 9: p. .o J l 1 201 wa a s di c plned f f lng t f l e t i he sa 40 m n u y 0, 3, s l o s i i or aii o olow s abls d t ndar d o r tng pr edu es ; pe a i oc r . Fi ly,t c tnot t tt m e e f c t M oron w a t r i t a f w daysa t na l he our es ha he r a t hat t s e m na ed e fer r quesi FM LA l a i i ufi e t c e e a ge ne i s ofm at r a f cta t t r s f e tng e ve s ns tci nt o r at nui s ue e i l a s o he ea on or he tr i ton. W hietm i c n bec i r i as e sngwhe he a e oye ' e a i r e m na i l i ng a onsde ed n s s i t r n mpl rs xplnaton i pr t xt l d ti no us ly i pe n l s fc en t c ea e a ti e i s off t' M e c rv. s e e ua , i s t ua l nde nde ty ufi i t o r t rabl s ue ac . i ' re ThçAr (fPrnqeGe ge Couny,I ,532F.App' 392,399(t Ci. 3) seas Lai - c) i or s t nc, x 4h r 201 ; e lo nc, 703F. a 720( di t tt cl etmpor pr miybewe nt pli ifsus ofFM LA 3d t hol ng ha he os e al oxi t t e he antf e l a a he t nui ton w a s fc e t e t bls t c us lnexusr uie a s e one oft e ve nd r e na i s uf i i nt o s a i h he a a eq r d t t p he M cDonnel Dougl sfame k,butt tt pl i ifse de wasi uf ii tt s l a r wor ha he antf vi nce ns fcen o uppor a t r a o a l j r fn n o p ee t. e s n b e u y idig f rtx) Fora 1oft e r as ,t co t l hes e ons he ur conc ud t tM oron' e de f is t c ea e a l es ha t s vi nce a l o r t ge ne i s ofm a era f c a t whe he She r r st m i t d he em pl ym e f r ue tng nui s ue t il a t s o t r a e ' er na e r o nt or eq s i FM LA la e Ac o d n l,h moinf r u r u me t lb g a tdwi r s e t ot i e v . c r i gy t e to o s mmayj dg n wil e rn e t e p c t hs h Cj *n. al r I1. ER I C l m SA ai M oron al o as e t a cl i f br c of tduc a y dut unde ERI ba e o t t s s rs a m or ea h i ir y r SA s d n he t r i ton of he he lhc r be ft . l e tng ERI ,Cong e s c e t d a pr va e r ghtof e m na i r a t a e ne is n nac i SA r s r ae i t i a ton unde w hi h pl n pa tc pa s m a s i o d r t e or e f d i r oblga i . Se 29 ci r c a ri i nt y ue n r e o nf c i uc a y i tons e 3Unlke M oron,how e ,W i r wasnoton tnalw a ni sausatt tm eoft i dent i t ver nde s i r ng tt he i he nci . Cons equenty,t i r ton di notr ul i t t mi i ofW i s'e pl l he nfac i d es t n he er naton nder m oyment . U. C.j 11 a. Sl or rt esa ihabra offd ir dut cam a t eor s vve S. 32() in de o tbls e eh iucay y li nd,herf e, ur i s mma yj g n ,apanit mu t ho ta tegee a t wa afd cayu e ERI A,h t u r ud me t g litf s s w h th d fnd n) s iu ir nd r S ta l ibr c istducir dute a t tgheplitfji e il t rle . Grha v. ctvCop. t ea hed t i ay is nd ha t anif s ntted o eif' a m Pa i ' he olow ng e ons he t Be ft Comm .301F.Supp.2d48 498( D.Va. 04) Fort f l i r as ,t cour neis , 3, E. 20 . conc udest tM oron' c a m f isa t fr tel m en . l ha t s l i a l t he i s e t CBe or one ca c ude t t a f duc ar dut has be n vi a e i m us be e t bls d t f e n oncl ha i i y y e ol t d, t t s a ihe t tt pa t c ge w ih t br a h m e t t s a ut y defnii of Ci i r '' Col m a v. ha he ry har d t he e c e s he t t or i ton tduc a y.' e n Nai de Lie l .Co. 969 F.d 54,60- ( h Ci.1 2) Unde t a i bl saut y tonwi f ns , 2 61 4t r 99 . r he pplca e tt or pr son,a kiuca y'i dei d a pes ore tt t t( )t xe cs s a dicrtonay ovii k d ir ' s fne sa ron niy ha 1 s r ie ny s ei r f e a hort ordicrto r c r r peci ma ge ntofs h pl or...is a st, ( ut iy s einay ontol es tng na me uc an t ses' 2) ' (e r i sme a ce fr a f or ot r compe ai ' o () t a dicei r t ndes nvet nt dvi o ee r he ns tonj' r 3 k ny s rtona y has a hoiy o dicei r rs i lt i t a nitaton of s h pln.' ut rt r srtonay e ponsbiiy n he dmi sr i uc a ' U. C.j S. 1 2l() s as Pe v.Ba ofAm.Cor ,788 F. 35 36 ( h Ci.201 (etng 002( )a ' ee lo nder , nk p. 3d 4, 2 4t r 5) sti f t t khr ec pa ii 'i whihadee a c nbeafducir frpur e ofERI . l orh he t e a ctes'n c t fnd nt a i ay o pos s SA) n s m arz ng t s de i t o t U nie St t s Cour of Appea s f t Fo t Cic t ha um i i hi f nii n, he td ae t l or he ur h r ui s obs r e t ta ERI fduc a y i k ny i vi ua w ho d f t pe f m ss ii di c e i na y e v d ha n SA i i r s ' ndi d l a e ac o r or pec fed s r t o r f tons w ih r pe t t t m a unc i t es c o he nage e , a s t , o a i s r ton of a pl n. Cus e v. m nt s e s r dm nit a i a ' ' tr Swe ney,89F. 1 11 ( hCi.1 . e 3d 156, 61 4t r 996) l t s c e, M olon ha not i ntfe a e d e s ges i t t She r r s ha n hi as s de i i d ny vi enc ug tng ha ae ' d di c e i r c r or a hort ove t he t i u a e pl n of e ed t he a o he s r tona y ont ol ut iy r he alh ns r nc a f r o r nd t r em pl oyees I t d,t r or r ve s t t Ant m ha t om pl t di cr ton' t i er e t . ns ea he ec d e al ha he d i c e e s e i ' o nt pr t he pl n a de e m i a 1q s i nsa i i u ri,a t tt de enda ' i ve e waslm ie a nd t r ne l ue t o rs ng nde t nd ha he f nts nvol m nt i td t m i s eralf i such as i or i ass at aboutavaiabl beneft ,colectng f o nit i unctons, nf m ng oci es l e is l i undsas pr de i t pl n vi pa ol d ovi d n he a a yr l educi ns a m ant i ng e pl e -elt r c ds See to , nd i ani m oym ntr aed e or . Fn Af. 1 ; n Af. . tS 10 0 4 Th c u t g e swi S e rrsta s c fn t ns ik f ! 5 Fik f Ex a F 0 3 9. e o r a re t h a e ' h t u h u ci h o ar i ufi i ntt gi rs t afdu a y dut underERI . Se M oon v.BW X Tec . l , e ns f c e o ve i e o i ci r y SA e hs s nc. 577 F App' x 231 (ole tng co rbutons prpai rpors a pr esi cli a e c lci nti i , e rng e t, nd oc sng ams r ta nitai 'orç nitra' f i whih ae notc i r dicetona y ( ii 29 ddmi srtve' i se il' unctons c r mi onsdeed s r i r ) ctng C. R.j2 0 7 - ) Ac o dn l S e r rsi e tte t s mmayj d me to ti cam. F. 5 9.5 8 . c r igy, h ae ' s n ild o u r u g n n h s li 4 C oncl i us on Fo ter a o ssae t ec u t l g a t h d fn a tsmoin f rs mmayj d me t r h e s n ttd,h o r wil rn t e ee d n ' to o u r u g n . The Cl r i die t d t s nd ce tf e c esoft sm e or ndum o ni a t a com pa ng ek s rce o e rii d opi hi m a pi on nd he c nyi or rt t pl i ifa al c ns ofr c d. de o he a ntf nd l ou el e or ENTER: i Y N d yo S pe e, 2015, Ths a f e tmb r Chi U nie St t s Di t i tJ ef t d a e sr c udge 4The c talo not t t pl n t our s es hat he ai ennsoft gr he t pln alowe M oron t pari pa eonl he oup alh a l d t o tci t y whie s wa ac i l empl l he s tvey oyed by Shea e ',a t tt r i noevi et tShea e ' had a a hort t r r s nd ha he e s denc ha r rs ny ut iy o e end he be tt pa thertr na i dae. Alhough M oron c dha pai f c i xt r neis s e mi ton t t t oul ve d or ontnuedcove ageunde r r COBRA,s el ed nott do s he ect o o.
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