Opinion
C/A No. 6:06-1681-GRA-BHH.
September 24, 2007.
John Michael Brown, John Michael Brown Law Office, Augusta, GA, Beattie B. Ashmore, Price Paschal and Ashmore, Greenville, SC, for Plaintiff.
Penny Correll Wofford, Wade Edward Ballard, Ford and Harrison, Spartanburg, SC, for Defendant.
ORDER
This matter is before the Court for a review of the magistrate's Report and Recommendation made in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A) and Local Rule 73.02(B)(2)(g), D.S.C., and filed on June 15, 2007. Plaintiff filed this action on September 8, 2005, claiming that Defendant employer was liable for sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and state law claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, and negligent retention.
Defendant filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on December 4, 2006. Plaintiff filed a response to Defendant's motion on January 5, 2007. Defendant filed a reply brief on January 12, 2007. The magistrate recommends granting Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment as to Plaintiff's state law claims and hostile work environment claims related to the conduct of Tom Sims. The magistrate, however, recommends that Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment be denied as to Plaintiff's hostile work environment claim and retaliation claim related to the conduct of Guy Starr. For the reasons stated herein, the magistrate's Report and Recommendation is hereby adopted.
Standard of Review
The magistrate makes only a recommendation to this Court. The recommendation has no presumptive weight, and responsibility for making a final determination remains with this Court. Mathews v. Weber, 423 U.S. 261, 270-71 (1976). This Court is charged with making a de novo determination of those portions of the Report and Recommendation to which specific objection is made, and this Court may "accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made by the magistrate." 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). This Court may also "receive further evidence or recommit the matter to the magistrate with instructions." Id. In the absence of specific objections to the Report and Recommendation, this Court is not required to give any explanation for adopting the recommendation. Camby v. Davis, 718 F.2d 198 (4th Cir. 1983). Defendant filed objections to the Report and Recommendation on June 29, 2007. Plaintiff filed a response that urged adoption of the Report and Recommendation as written.
Discussion
Defendant objects that the record does not support the magistrate's conclusions that: (1) Plaintiff presented a prima facie case for her hostile work environment claim related to the conduct of Guy Starr; (2) Plaintiff presented a prima facie case for her retaliation claim; and (3) Defendant's proffered reasons for Plaintiff's layoff were pretextual. The Court will address each objection separately.
A. Prima Facie Case for Hostile Work Environment Claim
As the magistrate correctly noted, to state a claim for hostile work environment, "a female plaintiff must prove that the offending conduct (1) was unwelcome, (2) was based on her sex, (3) was sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of her employment and create an abusive work environment, and (4) was imputable to her employer." Ocheltree v. Scollon Prod., Inc., 335 F.3d 325, 331 (4th Cir. 2003). The defendant argues that the magistrate erred by finding a genuine issue of material fact for each of the latter three elements.
1. Based on Sex
Defendant argues that Guy Starr's alleged conduct was not based on Plaintiff's sex. First, Defendant addresses Guy Starr's alleged comment that Plaintiff was a "token interview, a minority interview." Defendant argues that this comment is inadmissible hearsay because "Plaintiff is clearly quoting statements made outside her presence and to a third party." Objections 4. Hearsay evidence may not be considered on a motion for summary judgment. Jacklyn v. Schering-Plough Healthcare Prods. Sales Corp., 176 F.3d 921 (6th Cir. 1999); Macuba v. DeBoer, 193 F.3d 1316 (11th Cir. 1999). However, the Court disagrees with Defendant's characterization of Plaintiff's deposition testimony as inadmissible hearsay.
Q. So, now, he calls you and mentions a job.
A. Yes.
Q. Pick up the narrative there and tell me how you came to work for Day and Zimmerman.
A. He asked — he said there was a position open and that they had a new president and he needed to — Guy Starr actually said that he needed to have a token interview, female interview with this president because they had government contracts.Lasher Depo. 15. From the context, it is clear that Plaintiff was referring to a conversation between her and Starr. Later in the deposition she was asked about it again.
Q. You had mentioned earlier the word "token." Did he use that word specifically?
A. He used that word. He also used the word "minority."Id. 54. Therefore, this was not inadmissible hearsay and was properly considered by the magistrate.
Defendant further argues that the "token interview" comment was intended to mean a minority interview, one that is rare or difficult to get. However, another reasonable interpretation is that a "token interview" is one with no chance of being hired. Still another reasonable interpretation is that a "token interview" is one given because of a person's minority status rather than due to merit. The fact that Defendant eventually hired Plaintiff does not render the other interpretations unreasonable as a matter of law.
Defendant argues that the magistrate should not have considered Guy Starr's alleged comments that women could not sell in the construction industry. Defendant points out that Plaintiff did not sell in the construction industry and that the comments were not made in Plaintiff's presence. Therefore, Defendant concludes, the comments could not have established a hostile work environment. The magistrate admitted that comments made outside the Plaintiff's presence do not state a claim for hostile work environment. However, the magistrate properly considered this statement as evidence of whether Guy Starr's conduct toward Plaintiff was motivated by the Plaintiff's sex.
Defendant objects that Plaintiff presented contradictory reasons for Guy Starr sending male co-workers with her on sales calls. In one affidavit, Plaintiff said that the co-workers were trying to help her develop the market place in Augusta, Georgia. Plaintiff and other witnesses claimed that Guy Starr sent male co-workers with her so that they could oversee her work and develop those clients without her. Harry Bouknight stated that this practice was demeaning and did not afford Plaintiff the latitude that male salespeople enjoyed to develop business relationships. Plaintiff's statements are not contradictory. According to Plaintiff, the co-workers wanted to help her develop the Augusta market. This does not call into question Plaintiff's assertion that Guy Starr wanted male co-workers to accompany her for his own reasons, which allegedly did not include helping the Plaintiff.
Defendant argues that because other female salespeople were not required to take male co-workers on sales calls, Guy Starr's sending male co-workers with Plaintiff could not have been based on her sex. This is a plausible argument that goes to the weight of the evidence, but not to its admissibility. At least two witnesses aside from the Plaintiff have testified that this was a demeaning practice intended to allow male co-workers to take over Plaintiff's accounts. A reasonable jury could conclude that even where Guy Starr did not treat other women this way, he treated Plaintiff in this manner because of her sex.
Defendant argues Guy Starr's comments that Plaintiff was "incompetent" and a "female door opener" do not create a hostile work environment. Defendant claims that Plaintiff was, in fact, incompetent and thus cannot complain of being labeled as such. The evidence shows that Starr made these comments in front of other team members. Even if Starr's assessment is correct, the decision to say this in the presence of an audience may have been calculated to create a hostile work environment for Plaintiff.
Defendant argues that "female door opener" was intended as a compliment to Plaintiff because she opened doors to new business opportunities. Witnesses for Plaintiff did not view it as a compliment. Furthermore, the term "female door opener" may be interpreted as describing someone who is simply window dressing or who can only be trusted with simple, menial tasks. The intended meaning is dependent on the context and circumstances in which the comment was made. The jury as fact finder can best make this determination.
Defendant argues that Starr had no input with regard to Plaintiff's salary, therefore, her salary is irrelevant to her claim. Given the plaintiff's admission that Carter, upon approval from Bouknight, not Starr, recommended salary increases, Lasher Dep. at 196-97, no reasonable jury could find that the plaintiff's salary proves that Starr acted improperly on account of the plaintiff's sex. Even if Starr wanted to lower the plaintiff's salary on account of her sex, he could not. Therefore, the defendant's objection is with merit. The plaintiff's salary is irrelevant to demonstrate that Starr acted improperly on account of the plaintiff's sex.
Even without evidence of the plaintiff's salary, there is a genuine issue of whether Starr's conduct was based on the plaintiff's sex.
2. Severity or Pervasiveness of the Conduct
A plaintiff must show that the harassment was both objectively and subjectively severe or pervasive. Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 21 (1993). Defendant argues that the plaintiff did not subjectively believe that Starr's conduct was severe or abusive, because the plaintiff never complained of Starr's conduct during her employment. However, a reasonable jury could find that (1) Rivet's practice of regularly checking in on Plaintiff's interactions with Starr and (2) Plaintiff's complaint about Starr on January 12, 2004, comprise the evidence necessary for the requisite subjective belief. Further, at deposition, plaintiff stated "I feared Guy Starr." Lasher Dep. at 193. Therefore, the defendant's objections are without merit.
The defendant also claims that Starr's treatment of the plaintiff was not objectively severe or abusive. To analyze whether the harassment is objectively severe or pervasive, courts are instructed to look to the harassment's frequency, severity, and effect on the plaintiff's work performance. Harris, 510 U.S. 17. To attack the frequency of the alleged harassment, Defendant objects to the magistrate's characterization of the alleged harassment as "constant."
First, the defendant argues that it was improper for the magistrate to use the plaintiff's affidavit because it contradicted her prior deposition testimony. Objections at 11. Defendant claims that the plaintiff's testimony that Starr was "overly, sugary nice" to her contradicts with the her subsequent affidavit that stated that: (1) Starr and Plaintiff's relationship had deteriorated, (2) Starr refused to work with plaintiff, and (3) that Starr had made it clear to her that he didn't think women should be selling accounts in the construction industry. Plaintiff's Aff. at ¶ 8. The defendant's objection takes the plaintiff's deposition statement out of context. Within the context of the deposition, a jury could find that the "niceness" the plaintiff referred to was overly sarcastic behavior on the part of Starr. Just after this statement, the plaintiff made it clear she would not go into Starr's office because she did not trust him. Plaintiff's Dep. at 189. Deposition testimony about Starr acting "sugary nice" that resulted in the plaintiff's further distrust of Starr does not contradict the subsequent affidavit where similar accusations are made. Therefore, the magistrate correctly reviewed the plaintiff's affidavit.
Second, the defendant argues that Plaintiff's affidavit alleging that Starr made it clear that women should not be selling in the construction industry contradicts the plaintiff's prior deposition because the plaintiff's deposition testimony asserts that: (1) Starr never made a comment of this nature in the plaintiff's presence and (2) the plaintiff only identified four episodes of objectionable behavior by Starr. The former objection is without merit because Starr need not make a specific comment to make his feelings about women in the construction industry clear; Plaintiff alleges Starr's actions, such as sending males with her on sales calls, demonstrate Starr's opinion. The latter objection is without merit because the plaintiff's deposition is replete with examples of potential harassment beyond what the defendant has termed the "episodes." The affidavit was properly considered.
Defendant next argues that any harassment was not severe enough to constitute a Title VII violation. Defendant argues that all of the times the plaintiff alleges that Starr "fussed" at her, Starr was actually "fussing" at the plaintiff and others. However, it is clear from the examples the defendant raises that the plaintiff was the catalyst for each of Starr's tirades. A reasonable jury could find that fussing at the plaintiff in front of others is actually more severe than just fussing at the plaintiff alone because it involves the humiliation of the plaintiff in front of her co-workers. Further, the defendant argues that Bouknight and Carter's characterization of Starr's treatment of the plaintiff as "very negative" and "unacceptable" does not raise the level of the harassment above that of a personality conflict. However, a reasonable jury could find that the testimony of two co-workers corroborating the plaintiff's story tends to prove that the harassment was severe.
Finally, the defendant argues that any harassment did not effect the plaintiff's work performance. Defendant apparently argues that the plaintiff did not actually believe that Starr would or could fire her, so it could not have effected her work performance. The defendant cites to the plaintiff's deposition where she said she did not know anyone that Starr had fired. However, the defendant then makes it clear that if Starr wanted to fire the plaintiff, it would have occurred. Therefore, a reasonable jury could find, as the defendant admits, that plaintiff worked under the fear of termination at the hand of a high-ranking executive. The defendant also argues that sending the plaintiff on joint business calls helped her work performance rather than hindered it. However, as stated before, a reasonable jury could find that Starr was sending males on these joint calls to watch over her, and eventually replace her. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe the plaintiff's job performance could be effected by having to attend business calls with her potential replacement at her side.
Therefore, the defendant's objections to the magistrate's finding as to the severity and pervasiveness of the harassment are without merit; upon the evidence the plaintiff has produced, a reasonable jury could find that the conduct was severe and pervasive.
3. Basis for Imputing Liability on Defendant
a. Starr's Supervisory Status
Defendant argues that Starr was not the plaintiff's supervisor. Defendant specifically objects to this finding by citing a chart Plaintiff made at deposition and Starr's lack of input in setting the plaintiff's salary.
An individual's status as a supervisor depends on whether the particular conduct complained about was "aided by the agency relation," not merely whether the improper action was taken by a superior. Mikels v. City of Durham, 183 F.3d 323, 332, 334 (4th Cir. 1999). "The most powerful indication of supervisory status is the ability to take tangible employment actions against the victim, such as `hiring, firing, failing to promote, reassignment with significantly different responsibilities, or a decision causing significant change in benefits.'" Id. at 566 (quoting Burlington Indus., Inc. v. Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742, 761 (1998)) (emphasis added). It is an employee's ability to take tangible employment actions that gives an employee supervisory status because, "[t]he determin[ing factor] is whether as a practical matter [the alleged supervisor's] employment relation to the victim was such as to constitute a continuing threat to her employment conditions that made her vulnerable to and defenseless against the particular conduct in ways that comparable conduct by a mere co-worker would not." Mikels, 183 F.3d at 333.
Plaintiff has raised an issue of fact as to whether Starr had input into the hiring of plaintiff, Lasher Depo at 15, and firing the plaintiff. Id. at 80-81. The plaintiff has raised a sufficient question of fact as to whether Starr had the authority to take tangible employment acts. This, as matter of law, is enough to create a question of fact as to whether Starr's alleged misconduct was aided by the agency relationship.
b. Faragher/Ellerth Affirmative Defense
Though the litigants agree that Starr took no "tangible employment actions," thereby eliminating strict liability, Defendant specifically objects to the magistrate's findings that there is a question of fact as to both elements of the affirmative defense laid out in Burlington Indust. v. Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742 (1998), and Faragher v. City of Boca Raton, 524 U.S. 775 (1998). The Faragher/Ellerth rule allows an employer to avoid vicarious liability for an improper, non-tangible employment action taken by a supervisor by showing that the employer both: (1) "exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly" any harassing behavior; and (2) the victim "unreasonably failed to take advantage of any preventive or corrective opportunities provided by the employer or to avoid harm otherwise." Mikels, 183 F.3d at 332 (citing Ellerth, 524 U.S. at 765; Fargher, 524 U.S. 807-08). The existence of an anti-harassment policy does tend to prove that the employer exercised reasonable care to prevent harassment, Faragher, 524 U.S. 775; however, in addition to enacting a policy, "[T]he employer must act reasonably[.]" Brown v. Perry, 184 F.3d 388, 396 (4th Cir. 1999).
Defendant argues that the magistrate could not have found a question of fact as to the first element of the Fargher/Ellerth defense because the magistrate found that the Defendant acted reasonably in regards to the plaintiff's complaint about Sims. This is not dispositive as to the issue for Starr. The magistrate found that the plaintiff had alleged ongoing, public harassment by Starr while the defendant stood by and failed to take any steps to remedy the situation. Further, plaintiff states that she and Rivet, the manager of human resources, discussed the harassment by Starr on a regular basis. Lasher Dep. at 160. A reasonable jury could find that the plaintiff faced ongoing harassment after telling the manager of human resources about the issue and, therefore, the administration of the policy was not reasonable.
Defendant also argues that there is no question of fact as to the second element of the Fargher/Ellerth defense because the plaintiff never complained about unlawful harassment. Magistrate expressly noted that the plaintiff reported Starr's conduct on January 12, 2004. Rivet Dep. at 66. Further, the manager of human resources was aware of the alleged harassment and regularly asked the plaintiff about it. Lasher Dep. at 160.
Defendant argues that the plaintiff only complained about work-related issues without reference to sexual harassment. In a letter the defendant cites to dated January 11, 2004, from the plaintiff to Rivet, the plaintiff complains to Rivet about the negative way in which Starr referred to her amongst the defendant's employees. Given that the plaintiff has consistently alleged that Starr berated her on account of her sex, a reasonable jury could find that, in this letter, Plaintiff was complaining about sexual discrimination or harassment, not merely professional disputes. Therefore, the defendant's objections are without merit.
B. Prima Facie Retaliation
Defendant objects to magistrate's finding that the plaintiff evinced a prima facie case for retaliation. First, the defendant contends that the magistrate considered all of the plaintiffs allegations, rather than just the complaints she made while employed. This objection is without merit because the magistrate specifically relied on the plaintiff's complaint pertaining to Starr made during her employment on January 12, 2004. Defendant also argues that this complaint to Rivet did not contain any reference to sexual discrimination but only work-related grievances. This objection is without merit because, as explained supra, it is reasonable to believe that plaintiff's letter was referring to prior incidents of sexual discrimination.
Defendant also objects that there can be no causation between the plaintiff's protected activity and the firing, because the plaintiff did not engage in any protected activity. This objection is without merit because the complaint on January 11, 2004, arguably complained of sexual discrimination and/or harassment. Defendant also argues there is no causal connection between the complaint and the firing. However, the magistrate correctly cited binding precedent noting that temporal proximity between a protected act and a firing can constitute the necessary causation. Tinsley v. First Union Nat. Bank., 155 F.3d 435, 443 (4th Cir. 1998).
The Defendants objections to the magistrate's finding that the plaintiff evinced a prima facie showing of a claim for retaliation are without merit.
C. Pretextual Reasons for Firing
Defendant objects to the magistrate's finding that there is a question of fact as to the plaintiff's allegation that the defendant's expressed reasons for firing her were pretextual. Defendant claims that the plaintiff's allegation-that she was not chosen to be laid off until she complained about Starr's conduct-is without any support. As the magistrate's report noted, Bouknight testified that the plaintiff was not part of the original downsizing. Regardless of the existence of an announcement, the plaintiff has raised a question of fact as to whether the decision to fire her only came after her complaint about Starr.
The defendants objections as to pretext are without merit.
Conclusion
After a review of the magistrate's Report and Recommendation, this Court adopts the magistrate's Report and Recommendation as specified by this Order.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment be Granted, in part, and Denied, in part. Summary judgement is GRANTED as to the plaintiff's claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent retention, and hostile work environment relating to Tom Sims. Summary judgment is DENIED as to the plaintiff's claims for hostile work environment relating to Guy Starr and retaliation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF MAGISTRATE JUDGE
BRUCE H. HENDRICKS,United Stages Magistrate Judge.This matter is before the Court on the defendant's motion for summary judgment [Docs. 33 52] pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56. The plaintiff has pled claims for hostile work environment and retaliation pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. The plaintiff has also pled state law claims for negligent retention and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The defendant originally interpreted the plaintiff's Complaint to also plead a wage disparity claim. The plaintiff has indicated that she intended no such claim.
Pursuant to the provisions of Title 28, United States Code, Section 636(b)(1)(A), and Local Rule 73.02(B)(2)(g), D.S.C., all pretrial matters in employment discrimination cases are referred to a United States Magistrate Judge for consideration.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
The defendant is a commercial builder that provides contract services for development and renovation. (See generally Rivet Aff.) It hired the plaintiff on January 6, 2003 as a Business Development Manager in Greenville, South Carolina. (Lasher Aff. ¶ 2.) She was interviewed and hired by Guy Starr, Vice President of Operations for Greenville, South Carolina. Starr was the plaintiff's eventual "dotted line" supervisor, meaning that he was not her direct report but that he had supervisory authority over her and that they interacted on a frequent basis. (Id. ¶ 19; Bouknight Aff. ¶ 3.)
The plaintiff claims that Starr did not like females in the construction industry and described her as a "token" interview prior to hiring her. (Lasher Dep. at 15-16.) The plaintiff further claims that Starr harassed her on account of his alleged discriminatory animus for the entire time of her employment. Specifically, the plaintiff alleges that he was verbally abusive and demeaning and that he would undermine the effectiveness of her work by sending male co-workers with her on client visits. (See Carter Aff. ¶ 5; Bouknight Aff. ¶ 4.)
The plaintiff also contends that a co-worker, Tom Sims, made various sexual advances towards her, which she did not reciprocate. (Lasher Dep. at 13.) The plaintiff reported Sim's conduct and an investigation was conducted. (Def. Mem. Summ. J. Ex. 1 at Def. Ex. 16 (Investigation Report).) As a result, Sims was disciplined. (Def. Mem. Summ. J. Ex. 5 (Employee Counseling Report).) The plaintiff contends that the conduct of Starr and Sims constituted a hostile work environment. She further contends that when she finally reported Starr's conduct, on January 12, 2004, she was retaliated against for it, only four days later, when her employment was terminated on January 16, 2004, as part of, what the defendant contends, was a nine employee layoff.
APPLICABLE LAW
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(c) states, as to a party who has moved for summary judgment:
The judgment sought shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
Accordingly, to prevail on a motion for summary judgment, the movant must demonstrate that: (1) there is no genuine issue as to any material fact; and (2) that he is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. As to the first of these determinations, a fact is deemed "material" if proof of its existence or non-existence would affect disposition of the case under applicable law. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). An issue of material fact is "genuine" if the evidence offered is such that a reasonable jury might return a verdict for the non-movant. Id. at 257. In determining whether a genuine issue has been raised, the court must construe all inferences and ambiguities against the movant and in favor of the non-moving party. United States v. Diebold, Inc., 369 U.S. 654, 655 (1962).
The party seeking summary judgment shoulders the initial burden of demonstrating to the district court that there is no genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). Once the movant has made this threshold demonstration, the non-moving party, to survive the motion for summary judgment, may not rest on the allegations averred in his pleadings. Rather, the non-moving party must demonstrate that specific, material facts exist which give rise to a genuine issue. Id. at 324. Under this standard, the existence of a mere scintilla of evidence in support of the plaintiff's position is insufficient to withstand the summary judgment motion. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252. Likewise, conclusory allegations or denials, without more, are insufficient to preclude the granting of the summary judgment motion. Ross v. Communications Satellite Corp., 759 F.2d 355, 365 (4th Cir. 1985). "Only disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude the entry of summary judgment. Factual disputes that are irrelevant or unnecessary will not be counted." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248. Furthermore, Rule 56(e) provides in pertinent part:
When a motion for summary judgment is made and supported as provided in this rule, an adverse party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of the adverse party's pleadings, but the adverse party's response, by affidavits or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. If the adverse party does not so respond, summaryjudgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against the adverse party.
Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e). Accordingly, when Rule 56(e) has shifted the burden of proof to the non-movant, he must produce existence of every element essential to his action that he bears the burden of adducing at a trial on the merits.
DISCUSSION
I. Hostile Work Environment
The plaintiff's first claim is one for hostile work environment based upon the alleged harassment of two co-workers, Guy Starr and Tom Sims. The plaintiff claims that Starr, her supervisor, discriminated against her in various ways, based upon her sex, with sufficient severity and regularity such that his actions constituted a hostile work environment. The plaintiff also contends that Sims, a co-worker, separately, made unwelcome sexual advances toward her, which were not reciprocated and which the defendant did nothing to stop. The alleged actions of Starr and Sims form separate bases for consideration, as they arise out of distinct sets of operative facts. The plaintiff does not argue, and the Court is unaware of, any reason to consider them as having, together, created a hostile environment. The Court, like the parties, will address the actions of Starr and Sims, in turn.A. Conduct of Starr
As stated, the plaintiff contends that Starr was verbally abusive and demeaning and would require male co-workers to accompany her on client visits. The plaintiff also contends that Starr was public with his belief that women could not be successful in the construction industry.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful for an employer "to discriminate against any individual with respect to [her] compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual's . . . sex." 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(1). This provision "not only covers `terms' and `conditions' in the narrow contractual sense, but `evinces a congressional intent to strike at the entire spectrum of disparate treatment of men and women in employment.'" Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Servs., Inc., 523 U.S. 75, 78 (1998) (quoting Meritor Savs. Bank, FSB v. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57, 64 (1986)). Title VII is violated "[w]hen the workplace is permeated with discriminatory [sex-based] intimidation, ridicule, and insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim's employment and create an abusive working environment." Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 21 (1993) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).
To state a claim for hostile work environment or sexual harassment, the plaintiff must show that: (1) the harassment was unwelcome; (2) the harassment was based on her race or age; (3) the harassment was sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of employment and create an abusive atmosphere; and (4) there is some basis for imposing liability on the employer. See Ocheltree v. Scollon Productions, Inc., 335 F.3d 325, 331 (4th Cir. 2003); Causey v. Balog, 162 F.3d 795,801 (4th Cir. 1998); Hartsellv. Duplex Prods., Inc., 123 F.3d 766, 772(4th Cir. 1997). The requirement that harassment be "because of sex" does not mandate that the harassment include sexual advances or propositions. Smith v. First Union Nat'l Bank, 202 F.3d 234, 2412 (4th Cir. 2000).
2. Sex Based Harassment
As to the first element of her case, there is no debate between the parties that Starr's treatment of the plaintiff was "unwelcome." Instead, the defendant initially contends that the plaintiff has not produced any evidence that Starr harassed her because of her sex. The Court disagrees.
The plaintiff has produced the following evidence that Starr was motivated to harass the plaintiff, in the manner alleged, on account of her sex: Id.
• During her initial interview for the job, Starr told the plaintiff that she was considered a "token interview": A: Guy Starr actually said that he needed to have a token interview, female interview with this President because they had government contracts. And wanted to know — he had told the President he only knew of two females that he could get for an interview, that he only knew of two interviews that could qualify for this token interview, a minority interview. And so, he says, "I know of' — I don't know where one was, but he said, "The one in Augusta, Georgia, I don't know if we can get her or not." Q: So, you were that one? A: That's the one I was. (Lasher Dep. at 15-16.) • Starr expressed to Tex Carter, the plaintiff's immediate supervisor, that "he did not believe that women could successfully sell in the construction industry." (Carter Aff. ¶ 5.) • Starr sent male co-workers with the plaintiff on sales calls to "over-look" her work. Both Carter and Hal Bouknight, the former President of the defendant's Greenville Business Unit, have offered testimony that this practice was (1) "demeaning"; (2) a reflection of Starr's prejudices against women in the construction industry; and (3) done specifically to harass the plaintiff on account of her sex. (See Carter Aff. ¶ 5; Bouknight Aff. ¶ 4.) • Starr would criticize the plaintiff as "incompetent" and "the female door opener" in front of other team members. (Bouknight Aff. ¶ 4.) • The plaintiff swears that "on many occasions" Starr "made it clear" to her that he did not think that women should be selling to accounts in the construction industry. (Lasher Aff. ¶ 7.) • Starr "would openly speak negatively about Ms. Lasher," harassed her, and treated "her in demeaning ways." (Id.; Carter Aff. ¶ 5.) • In spite of allegedly better job performance (see Bouknight Aff. ¶ 5), her salary remained less than two male workers who performed the same sales functions. (Lasher Dep. at 144.) In response to this evidence the defendant argues that many of these remarks were made out of the plaintiff's presence. The argument is unavailing. First, not all were — most notably, the "token interview" comment. Second, the evidence cited above relates to Starr's motivation — whether he acted in the ways alleged because of the plaintiff's sex. Obviously, to be actionable, the plaintiff must also produce evidence of harassing conduct in her presence that was either severe or pervasive. But, for the singular point, contested in the first instance by the defendant, that Starr was, in fact, motivated on account of the plaintiff's sex, a jury may consider both comments made in the plaintiff's presence as well as those made outside of her presence, but consistent with her account. See Jennings v. University of North Carolina, 482 F.3d 686, 703 n.* (4th Cir. 2007) (concurring with the majority as to this point specifically); see also Schwapp v. Town of Avon, 118 F.3d 106, 111-12 (2d Cir. 1997) ("[I]ncidents . . . occurring before [plaintiff's] tenure may be of limited probative value, but cannot be ignored on summary judgment."). Accordingly, all of the above evidence is relevant.The defendant also contends that the phrase "incompetent," while derogatory, is not related to the plaintiff's sex and the phrase "female door opener," while related to sex, is not derogatory. Bouknight specifically disagrees, and has stated that he and other management indicated to Starr that these "were unacceptable comments." (Bouknight Aff. ¶ 4.) A jury may very well, and with reasonable justification, believe Bouknight over the defendant as to both the derogatory and sex-based motivation of such comments.
Finally, the defendant recites inconsistencies in the testimony of the plaintiff and the affidavits of Bouknight and Carter, which it contends prove that sex was not the motivating factor in Starr's treatment of the plaintiff. Specifically, while the plaintiff claims she was a "token interview" Carter has stated that the plaintiff was "hired because of Guy Starr's strong belief that this would be a good way for DZ to enter the industrial market in Augusta, Georgia and Pauline was a key to selling in this market." (Carter Aff. ¶ 3.) The defendant also highlights that Bouknight has indicated that it was not the practice of Starr to send male co-workers on sales calls with other female employees of the defendant, suggesting that Starr's motivation for doing so with the plaintiff was unrelated to her sex. (Bouknight ¶ 4.) While the defendant's arguments may have impeachment value, at trial if necessary, it is not the duty of the Court at summary judgment to weigh or compare the respective pieces of evidence. It is enough that the plaintiff has submitted evidence, as recited above, that if believed by a reasonable jury could demonstrate that Starr was motivated to harass the plaintiff on account of her sex.
It should be noted that the defendant has highlighted from the plaintiff's deposition her purported admission that she did not consider any conduct of Starr to be "sexual harassment." (Id. at 177.) It is fairly plain from context that the plaintiff meant simply to indicate that Starr never made any sexual advances towards her. Her statements at deposition do not undermine the plaintiff's consistent position that Starr's general harassment of her was on account of her sex.
Accordingly, the plaintiff has created a genuine issue of fact as to whether Starr's alleged harassment was based on her sex.
3. Severe or Pervasive
The defendant next contends that Starr's alleged conduct was neither severe nor pervasive. The defendant emphasizes that there is no "federal cause of action for mere unpleasantness," Hartsell v. Duplex Products, Inc., 123 F.3d 766, 773 (4th Cir. 1997), and the plaintiff has complained of nothing more, in this case.
The harassment must be both objectively and subjectively severe or pervasive. Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 21 (1993). In conducting the subjective inquiry the Court need only look at the testimony of the plaintiff. E.E.O.C. v. R R Ventures, 244 F.3d 334, 339 (4th Cir. 2001). There is no dispute among the parties that the plaintiff perceived Starr's treatment as severely and pervasively abusive.
As to the objective severity or pervasiveness of the harassment, it is judged from the perspective of a reasonable person in the plaintiffs position. See Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Servs., Inc., 523 U.S. 75, 81 (1998). Whether an environment is objectively hostile or abusive depends on factors such as: "the frequency of the discriminatory conduct; its severity; whether it is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive utterance; and whether it unreasonably interferes with an employee's work performance." Harris, 510 U.S. at 23.
a. Frequency of conduct
The Court is persuaded that the plaintiff has put forward some evidence that the alleged conduct was frequent. Assuming that a jury found that he was discriminatorily motivated, it could also conclude based on the evidence of record that Starr's alleged conduct occurred with material frequency. The following evidence creates genuine issues of fact in that regard: often
• The affidavits of Bouknight and Carter indicate, both expressly and impliedly, that Starr (1) treated the plaintiff in demeaning ways and (2) inappropriately criticized her during meetings. (Bouknight Aff. ¶ 4; Carter Aff. ¶ 5.) • The affidavits of Bouknight and Carter further indicate that it was a regular practice to send male counterparts with the plaintiff on sales calls, which both Bouknight, Carter, and the plaintiff interpreted as sex-based harassment. (Id.; Lasher Aff. ¶ 7.) • The plaintiff herself has testified and submitted an affidavit that she was subject to almost constant harassment from Starr. The plaintiff swears that "on many occasions" Starr "made it clear" to her that he did not think that women should be selling to accounts in the construction industry. (Lasher Aff. ¶ 7.) A reasonable jury could conclude from the above evidence that Starr frequently harassed the plaintiff.b. Severity of conduct
The Court also finds that there is a genuine issue of fact as to the severity of the alleged conduct. As stated, Bouknight and Carter have both testified that Starr's regular treatment of the plaintiff was "demeaning," "harassing," "very negative," and "unacceptable." (Bouknight Aff. ¶ 4; Carter Aff. ¶ 5.) Moreover, the evidence demonstrates that Starr "openly" criticized the plaintiff, which a jury might find additionally humiliating. See id. The plaintiff, herself, has testified that Starr "fussed" at her and on at least one occasion used "a very loud tone, brutal tone, and not nice" and that she knew she "was the enemy in his eyes." (Lasher Dep. at 98.) Concerning that same incident, the plaintiff has stated that she "was trying to survive the meeting. . . . I wanted to just get through the meeting because I knew that — I felt that he was trying to get me to quit in that meeting." Id. Although the plaintiff alleges that Starr regularly abused her with profanity, including the word "bitch," the plaintiff has not identified any evidence of such language, even in her own affidavit.
The defendant, of course, highlights evidence and testimony to the contrary. For example, the defendant claims that the plaintiff, in fact, does not allege that Starr "fussed at her." (Lasher Dep. at 187.) The Court, however, will not weigh the evidence. It is enough that the plaintiff has submitted evidence from which a reasonable jury could conclude that the alleged harassment was severe, if believed.
c. Effect on work performance
Finally, some issue of fact exists as to whether Starr's alleged conduct unreasonably interfered with the plaintiff's work performance and thereby altered the terms and conditions of her employment. It is the testimony of Bouknight that Starr's alleged treatment was "counterproductive" to the plaintiff's sales efforts and was "very negative and harassing" to the plaintiff. (Bouknight Aff. ¶ 4.) Carter has also indicated that it was clear to him that Starr was attempting "to replace [the plaintiff] with some of these male associates." (Carter Aff. ¶ 5.) Carter was also allegedly asked by Starr not to send the plaintiff "on calls with clients that she had been successfully developing as potential clients." Id. Carter has specifically stated that "[b]y sending males with [the plaintiff] on calls, he subverted her effectiveness as a sales person while at the same time he was attempting to open the door for the male associate for later calls." Id. In addition, the plaintiff has testified that Starr attempted to fire her on a at least two occasions. (Lasher Dep. at 80-81; 185.)
Based on this testimony and in conjunction with other evidence of harassment already discussed, a reasonable jury could conclude that Starr's alleged conduct unreasonably interfered with the plaintiff's work performance.
The Court is aware that the Fourth Circuit does not "countenance a federal cause of action for mere unpleasantness." Hartsell, 123 F.3d at 773. And, "Title VII is not a federal guarantee of refinement and sophistication in the workplace — in this context, it prohibits only harassing behavior that is so severe or pervasive as to render the workplace objectively hostile or abusive." Id. Notwithstanding, the plaintiff has put forward evidence that a litany of alleged harassing conduct was all attributable to Starr's confessed bigotry towards women in the construction industry. Therefore, genuine issues of fact exist as to the severity and pervasiveness of the alleged conduct; a reasonable jury might conclude that it went beyond mere unpleasantness and occasional cruelty, as the defendant describes it.
4. Employer Liability
Finally, the defendant challenges that the alleged conduct of Starr can be imputed to it for purposes of liability for a hostile work environment claim. It is undisputed that Starr was one of the plaintiff's supervisors.
The defendant claims that, as a matter of law, the Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense protects it from being held liable for Starr's alleged misconduct. See Faragher v. City of Boca Raton, 524 U.S. 775 (1998); Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742 (1998). In Ellerth and Faragher, the Supreme Court established the rules for employer liability when the harassing individual is a supervisor. The Supreme Court distinguished between two situations: those in which the supervisor's harassment resulted in "a tangible employment action," such as discharge, demotion, or undesirable reassignment, and those in which it did not. Ellerth, 524 U.S. at 765. In the former situation, the employer's vicarious liability is strict, in the sense that no defense is available once the other elements of the case have been proven. Id. If, however, the harassment is not accompanied by, or does not result in, any tangible employment action, then the employer is entitled to defeat the plaintiff's case by showing that (a) the employer exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassing behavior and (b) that the plaintiff employee unreasonably failed to take advantage of any preventive or corrective opportunities provided by the employer or to avoid harm otherwise. Id.
The plaintiff first argues that the Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense is inapposite because there was, in fact, a tangible employment action, namely the alleged attempt to fire her (Lasher Dep. at 80-81) and other mistreatment by Starr including his decision to have male co-workers accompany her on sales calls.
"A tangible employment action constitutes a significant change in employment status, such as hiring, firing, failing to promote, reassignment with significantly different responsibilities, or a decision causing a significant change in benefits." Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742, 761, 118 S.Ct. 2257, 141 L.Ed.2d 633 (1998) (emphasis added). None of the alleged treatment by Starr rises to the level of a tangible employment action as defined by the Fourth Circuit.
First, the evidence only suggests that Starr may have wanted the plaintiff fired. (Lasher Dep. at 80-81.) Although the plaintiff was given a counseling report at the request of Starr for condescending behavior, a non-compete incident, and involving colleagues in a conspiracy, it is not alleged that the discipline ever resulted in a firing, reassignment, denial of promotion, or any significant change in her benefits. Second, sending male co-workers with the plaintiff does not constitute a significant change to the plaintiff's employment status. A mere change in an employee's job assignment, even if "less appealing to the employee, . . . does not constitute adverse employment action." James v. Booz-Allen Hamilton, Inc., 368 F.3d 371, 376 (4th Cir. 2004). Accordingly, the Court concludes that Starr's alleged conduct did not result in a tangible employment action against the plaintiff and, therefore, the defendant may avail itself of the affirmative defense, as described above, if it can show that both elements have been satisfied.
As to the first element of the affirmative defense — whether the employer has proved that it exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct the harassment — the record reflects that the defendant had in place an anti-harassment policy designed to deter sexual harassment. (Def. Ex. 17 to Lasher Dep.) The plaintiff does not contend otherwise. The Fourth Circuit has recognized that an employer can still meet its burden as to the first element without such a policy, but that mere promulgation of such a policy may well fail to satisfy the employer's burden. Brown v. Perry, 184 F.3d 388, 396 (4th Cir. 1999) (citing Faragher, 118 S.Ct. at 2293; Ellerth, 118 S.Ct. at 2270. Normally, however, where there is no evidence that an employer adopted or administered an anti-harassment policy in bad faith or that the policy was otherwise defective or dysfunctional, the existence of such a policy militates strongly in favor of a conclusion that the employer "exercised reasonable care to prevent" and promptly correct sexual harassment. Faragher, 118 S.Ct. at 2293; accord Lissau, 159 F.3d at 182. But, "the employer must act reasonably, and thus any policy adopted by the employer must be both reasonably designed and reasonably effectual." Brown, 184 F.3d 388.
Although the plaintiff does not so specifically argue, the Court is inclined to conclude, that an issue of fact exists as to whether the defendant exercised reasonable care in the administration of its policy. Namely, it is the testimony of Bouknight and Carter not only that Starr was regularly and publically demeaning towards the plaintiff but that his discriminatory animus against women in construction was equally well publicized. (Bouknight Aff. ¶ 4; Carter Aff. ¶ 5.) Bouknight has offered testimony that many of these remarks were made in internal and management-team meetings. (Bouknight Aff. ¶ 4.) In fact, Bouknight has stated that the management team confronted Starr concerning his "unacceptable comments." Id. Notwithstanding the apparent knowledge of management personnel concerning both Starr's alleged conduct and alleged discriminatory motivation, the record suggests that no meaningful steps were taken by the defendant to curb the alleged harassment. Accordingly, some issue of fact remains as to the first element of the affirmative defense.
With regard to the second element, there is also an issue of fact as to whether the plaintiff unreasonably delayed in availing herself of the defendant's harassment policy and procedures. The plaintiff reported Starr's conduct on January 12, 2004, (Lasher Aff. ¶ 8; Rivet Dep. at 66) four days before the termination of her employment, and almost a year after she contends the harassing conduct began. Whether an employee has taken advantage of corrective opportunities is an issue of fact, Lissau, 159 F.3d at 184, and it would be improvident for the Court to resolve the issue on summary judgment. Accordingly, issues of fact exist as to the second element of the defendant's Faragher/Ellerth defense, as well.
For all these reasons, the defendant's motion for summary judgment as to the plaintiff's hostile work environment claim concerning Starr's conduct should be denied.
B. Conduct of Sims
The defendant next contends that no genuine issues of fact exist as to the plaintiff's claim for hostile work environment regarding the actions of a co-worker, Tom Sims. The plaintiff has submitted evidence of three instances in which she believes she was sexually harassed by Sims.
First, she claims that her and Sims went to a Macaroni Grill restaurant for drinks and that at some point during their time there, Sims clasped her hands to see if she could "talk without [her] hands." (Lasher Dep. at 134.) She has testified that Sim's conduct "scared" her. Id. Sims has admitted to clasping her hands. (Sims Dep. at 26-27.) The plaintiff then claims that, as she was straightening up her jacket, Sims said, "Don't do that. I finally got a look at those and they are beautiful," apparently referring to her breasts, at which she claims he was staring. (Id. at 138.) The plaintiff claims that when Sims dropped her off, he parked in the back of the hotel where she was staying, in a secluded part of the parking lot. She further claims to have "ran" from the vehicle once he parked the car. (Lasher Dep. at 136.)
Second, the plaintiff contends that, during a meeting, Sims sat across from her and "started his smiling routine that he had exhibited when he was doing the chest thing, coat thing" at the restaurant. (Id. at 152.) The plaintiff has stated that "[i]t was not your normal smile." Id. After the meeting, while the plaintiff and Sims were cleaning up the table, Sims allegedly smiled suggestively at the plaintiff and then made a gesture as if he was straightening a jacket, apparently, to the plaintiff, imitating the Macaroni Grill incident. (Id. at 154.) The plaintiff then told Sims she wanted to talk with him in a nearby office. Id. When they entered the office she contends that he stepped toward her at which time she pushed him back. (Id. at 155.) The plaintiff claims that she said, "I don't know what kind of a floozie you think I am, but I want this to stop. Stop right now." Id.
Finally, the plaintiff claims that a couple of months after the second incident, the plaintiff was thanking some co-workers for work performed on a particular project. (Id. at 163.) Sims allegedly asked her if he could talk with her in a nearby office. Id. When she entered, he shut the door and said that he wanted to tell her "good job" on the project. Id. The plaintiff alleges that Sims then "grabbed" her and put her "in sort of a bear hug" whereby he rubbed her chest against his. (Id. at 163-64.)
Genuine issues of fact likely exist as to whether the conduct complained of was severe or pervasive. As stated, relevant considerations include the frequency of the discriminatory conduct; its severity; whether it is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive utterance; and whether it unreasonably interferes with an employee's work performance. Here, Sims made at least three advances toward the plaintiff. The plaintiff has alleged that each time she was alone with Sims and felt either physically threatened or "scared." (Lasher Dep. at 134, 136, 155, 163-64.) In fact, the plaintiff's allegations indicate that Sims either actually touched her or made a move to touch her in each case. Id. A reasonable jury might conclude that the three instances were severe enough to constitute a hostile work environment. Whether or not the plaintiff has produced evidence that the conduct of Sims actually altered "the terms and conditions" her employment, however, is less certain, Faragher, 524 U.S. at 788, though, the Court would be disinclined to so conclude on summary judgment.
But, even if genuine issues of fact exist concerning the severity and pervasiveness of Sims alleged conduct, the plaintiff's hostile work environment claim concerning Sims must fail because there is no basis for imputing liability to the defendant.
The Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense is not relevantto Sim's misconduct because he was not the plaintiff's supervisor or otherwise "aided in the agency relation." Ellerth, 524 U.S. at 762; see Mikels v. City of Durham, N.C., 183 F.3d 323, 329 (4th Cir. 1999) (discussing the effect of Faragher and Ellerth decisions). Instead, an employer may be liable for the harassment of one co-worker by another if "after having acquired actual or constructive knowledge of the allegedly harassing conduct, the employer had taken `no prompt and adequate remedial action [to correct it].'" Mikels v, 183 F.3d at 329 (quoting Katz v. Dole, 709 F.2d 251, 256 (4th Cir. 1983)). Thus, if an employer responds promptly and the "remedial response results in the cessation of the complained of conduct, liability must cease as well." See Spicer v. Com. of Va., Dept. of Corrections, 66 F.3d 705, 711 (4th Cir. 1995).
To that end, it is undisputed, that the plaintiff reported the second incident concerning Sims to the Manager of Human Resources, Jim Rivet. The plaintiff, however, specifically asked that no action be taken at that time. (Lasher Dep. at 144.) After the third incident, the plaintiff reported Sims to Bouknightwho immediately called Rivetto schedule a meeting. (Id. at 169.) The defendant conducted an investigation in which Rivet interviewed, the plaintiff, Sims, Carter, and Jack Penley, Vice President of Construction. At the conclusion of the investigation, Sims received disciplinary action, including a report in his personnel file. (Def. Mem. Summ. J. Ex. 1 at Def. Ex. 16 (Investigation Report); Def. Mem. Summ. J. Ex. 5 (Employee Counseling Report).) Sims was required to take a course on "Responsibility and Respect;" discontinue any physical contact with all employees; and read and understand the defendant's "Responsibility and Respect" policy. (Def. Mem. Summ. J. Ex. 5 at 1.) The plaintiff does not dispute that such actions were taken and has testified that she had no further problems with Sims. (Lasher Dep. at 173.) Accordingly, there was a complete "cessation of the complained of conduct." Spicer, 66 F.3d at 711.
As a result, the evidence speaks of only one conclusion at which a reasonable jury could arrive — that the defendant acted promptly and adequately to the plaintiff's complaint concerning Sims. It cannot be contended that any genuine issues of fact remains in that regard. The defendant's remedial response, therefore, is effective, as a matter of law, to defeat the plaintiff's harassment claim.
II. Retaliation
The plaintiff also claims that she was unlawfully terminated for reporting Starr's alleged sexual harassment to the defendant's human resources department. Title VII makes it an "unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against any of [its] employees . . . because he [or she] has opposed any practice made an unlawful employment practice by this subchapter." 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-3(a). The McDonnell Douglas burden shifting scheme, McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973), applies in analyzing retaliation claims under Title VII. See Smith v. First Union Nat'l Bank, 202 F.3d 234 (4th Cir. 2000). The defendant does not attempt to use direct evidence to establish her claim of retaliation.
To prevail, the plaintiff must first establish a prima facie case of Title VII retaliation, by proving three elements: (1) that she engaged in a protected activity, (2) that an adverse employment action was taken against her, and (3) that there was a causal link between the protected activity and the adverse employment action. See EEOC v. Navy Federal Credit Union, 424 F.3d 397, 406 (4th Cir. 2005); Mackey v. Shalala, 360 F.3d 463, 469 (4th Cir. 2004).
If the plaintiff establishes a prima facie case, the burden shifts to the defendant to produce evidence of a "legitimate, non-discriminatory reason" for the termination. See Texas Dep't of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 254 (1981). If the defendant meets this burden, then the plaintiff must show that the explanation for the decision to terminate her was, in fact, a pretext for intentional retaliation. See Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods., Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 147-48 (2000).
A. Prima Facie Case
The defendant first argues that the plaintiff cannot make out a prima facie case because she did not engage in a protected activity. It is undisputed that the plaintiff complained to Rivet concerning Starr's alleged conduct on January 12, 2004. (Lasher Aff. ¶ 8; Rivet Dep. at 66.) The defendant contends, however, that because Starr's conduct did not constitute a hostile work environment, then she was not reporting any conduct violative of Title VII. Although the plaintiff does not cite the case specifically, the Fourth Circuit has, in fact, adopted such a rule in Jordan v. Alternative Resources Corp., 458 F.3d 332, 339 (4th Cir. 2006). In Jordan, the Fourth Circuit agreed with the current plaintiff's reasoning that a claim for retaliation cannot lie where the plaintiff has opposed an activity with no objectively reasonable belief that the activity violated Title VII. Id. at 339-40. Unlike Jordan, however, the Court has already concluded that genuine issues exist as to whether Starr's actions constituted a hostile work environment. For the same reasons, the Court concludes that the plaintiff's belief that she was reporting harassment violative of Title VII was objectively reasonable. See id.
In its first memorandum in support of summary judgment, the defendant actually treats the plaintiff's retaliation claim as one based on complaints made against Sims. (Def. Mem. Supp. Summ. J. at 27.) But, the defendant in a footnote claims that the argument, described above, would apply for complaints made concerning Starr, as well. Id. n. 11.
Although the defendant contends that the plaintiff also cannot establish the third element of her prima facie case, mere temporal proximity between the plaintiff's protected activity on January 12, 2004, and the termination of her employment on January 16, 2004 is enough, as a matter of law, to satisfy the causal element of her prima facie case. The Fourth Circuit has held that "very little evidence of a causal connection is required to establish a prima facie case" and "merely the closeness in time between the filing of a discrimination charge and an employer's firing an employee is sufficient" to satisfy the causation element of a prima facie retaliation case. Tinsley v. First Union Nat. Bank, 155 F.3d 435, 443 (4th Cir. 1998); see also Williams v. Cerberonics, Inc., 871 F.2d 452 (4th Cir. 1989) (holding three month time period between protected activity and termination sufficient to satisfy the causation element of the prima facie case of retaliation); Carter v. Ball, 33 F.3d 450 (4th Cir. 1994) (finding causal link between filing of retaliation complaints and the plaintiff's demotion five months later). Accordingly, the plaintiff has made a showing that a causal connection exists between her protected activity and the adverse employment action taken against her.
B. Legitimate Non-Discriminatory Reason
The defendant has met its burden of production by stating that the reasons for the termination of the plaintiff's employment were purely economic and related to a team-wide layoff "made necessary by the Greenville office's alarmingly high overhead costs and lack of profitability" (Def. Mem. Summ. J. at 13). ( See McAreavy Dep. at 17-18; Ucciferro Dep at 1-2.) Such economic concerns are legitimate and nondiscriminatory reasons for layoff. See Birkbeck v. Marvel Lighting Corp., 30 F.3d 507, 513 (4th Cir. 1994) ("In contrast to plaintiffs' proffers, Marvel provided substantial supportfor its claim that the layoffs here were motivated purely by economic concerns.").
C. Pretext
Because the defendant has proffered legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for termination, the plaintiff bears the burden of demonstrating that the real reason for discharge is an illegal one. Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Products, Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 142-43 (2000). As is most common, the plaintiff attempts to satisfy this burden by suggesting that the defendant's' proffered reasons are pretextual or false. See id. at 144.
Specifically, the plaintiff contends that on January 15, 2004, the day before her termination and three days after her complaint concerning Starr, the defendant's new President, Mike McAreavy announced that there would be no new layoffs. (Lasher Aff. ¶ 8.) Notwithstanding the January 15 announcement, the plaintiff's employment was terminated the very next day. The plaintiff has also submitted affirmative evidence that she was specifically rejected as a part of the layoff planned prior to the announcement. (Bouknight Aff. ¶ 5.)
The defendant, as far as the Court can discern, has not made any effort to admit or refute that McAreavy made such an announcement concerning the end of the layoffs. Nor has the defendant made any effort to reconcile the decision to lay off the plaintiff after such an announcement, if, in fact, it was made. Instead, the defendant cites to substantial evidence that McAreavy was (1) the only decisionmaker; (2) motivated exclusively by economic factors; and (3) unaware of any harassment complaint made by the plaintiff. (See, e.g., McAreavy Dep. at 2, 17-18, 32, 36, 52; Rivet Dep. at 72.)
The Court, however, finds that the plaintiff's evidence concerning the announcement and her subsequent termination are facts from which a jury could find that the defendant's proffered reasons were false. Assuming that a jury believed such an announcement had been made, which it reasonably might, the defendant has offered no explanation for how economic considerations changed after the announcement, such that the additional termination of the plaintiff was necessary. Further, although the defendant contends that McAreavy was unaware of any complaint made by the plaintiff, a reasonable jury might conclude otherwise based exclusively on the fact that the plaintiff's employment was terminated after it was indicated that no more layoffs would occur. In other words, a jury would be reasonable in concluding, in the absence of some other explanation, that McAreavy must have been given specific information, after the announcement, regarding the plaintiff and possibly concerning her complaint, which persuaded him to renege on the announcement's fundamental promise. The defendant's failure to rejoin the announcement evidence raises serious questions concerning their proffered reason for termination.
Accordingly, the plaintiff has created a genuine issue of fact as to whether the defendant's legitimate, non-discriminatory reason was pretextual.
III. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress and Negligent Retention
The plaintiff has not renewed any arguments concerning her Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress and Negligent Supervision/Retention claims, in her supplemental briefing, and, therefore, appears to have abandoned them. Notwithstanding, they are preempted by the South Carolina Worker's Compensation Act, see S.C. Code § 42-1-310, because they allege personal injury arising out of and in the course of her employment. Sabb v. South Carolina State University, 567 S.E.2d 231, 234 (S.C. 2002) (negligent supervision); Loges v. Mack Trucks, Inc., 417 S.E.2d 538 (S.C. 1992) (intentional infliction of emotional distress) ("[A]llegations of intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and battery as these constitute personal injuries within the scope of the Act."); Dickert v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 428 S.E.2d 700 (1993) (the Act provides exclusive remedy for employees who sustain work-related injury; claim of negligence for failure to exercise reasonable care in selection, retention, and supervision of co-employee is covered by the Act). Accordingly, they should be dismissed.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Wherefore, based upon the foregoing, the Court recommends that the defendant's motion for summary judgment be GRANTED, in part, and DENIED, in part. Specifically, it is recommended that summary judgment be granted as to the plaintiff's claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent retention, and hostile work environment (relating to the conduct of Tom Sims). It is further recommended that summary judgment not be granted as to the plaintiff's retaliation claim and hostile work environment claim (relating to the conduct of Guy Starr).IT IS SO RECOMMENDED.