Adams et al v. Austal, U.S.A., L.L.C.

Filing 831

Summary Judgment Order on Remand per 11th Circuit Mandate (docs. 821 and 826), Austal's motion for summary judgment is DENIED as to Laffiette's hostile work environment claim, as set out. Signed by Judge Kristi K. DuBose on 9/3/2014. (cmj)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
LARRY LAFFIETTE, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
AUSTAL, U.S.A., L.L.C.,
Defendant.

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CIVIL ACTION 08-00155-KD-N

ORDER
This matter is before the Court on Defendant’s motion for summary judgment (Docs.
180, 181), Plaintiff’s Opposition (Doc. 306), Defendant’s Reply (Doc. 331), and the Eleventh
Circuit’s remand (Doc. 821).
I.

Factual Background1
On March 20, 2008, multiple Plaintiffs initiated this action against Austal for legal and

equitable relief to redress unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of race. (Doc. 1).
Larry Laffiette (“Laffiette”) asserts claims for hostile work environment based on race in
violation of Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. (Doc. 37 at 79-83). 2
On September 21, 2011, this Court issued summary judgment in favor of Austal as to
Laffiette’s claims for hostile work environment, discriminatory pay, promotion and training, and
mooted his punitive damages request. (Docs. 513, 720). Laffiette’s summary judgment ruling
was appealed (USCA#12-11507-EE) (Doc. 753), and on June 17, 2014, the Eleventh Circuit
1

At the summary judgment stage, the facts are taken in the light most favorable to the non-movant. Tipton
v. Bergrohr GMBH–Siegen, 965 F.2d 994, 998-999 (11th Cir. 1992). The “facts, as accepted at the summary
judgment stage of the proceedings, may not be the actual facts of the case.” Priester v. City of Riviera Beach, 208
F.3d 919, 925 n. 3 (11th Cir. 2000).
2

All other claims have been previously dismissed, abandoned, or judgment granted for the defendant.

1

vacated the summary judgment order as to the claim of a racially hostile work environment.
(Doc. 821 at 31). The Eleventh Circuit found that a reasonable jury could find that Laffiette’s
work environment was objectively hostile, and remanded his claims of a racially hostile work
environment with instructions for this Court “to determine whether Austal is entitled to summary
judgment on the ground that it was not directly or vicariously liable for the harassment or
whether the employees’ claims should proceed to trial.” (Id. at 3, 31, 38). The mandate issued
August 8, 2014. (Doc. 826).
A.

Austal

Defendant Austal USA (“Austal”) is an Australian shipbuilding company dedicated to the
design and construction of customized aluminum commercial and military vessels, located in
Mobile, Alabama. (Doc. 181 at 2; Doc. 283-48 at 2-3 (Austal’s 3/7/07 EEOC Position
Statement)). The Operations Division has four (4) major Departments (Aluminum (divided into
Fabrication and Components), Electrical, Engineering, and Fit Out (divided into HVAC,
Insulation and Fit Out)). (Doc. 283-48 at 3-4).
B.

Laffiette’s Employment

Laffiette began working for Austal on January 30, 2006 as a Fabrication Apprentice at
the rate of $10/hour. (Doc. 209-1 (Dep. Laffiette at 36, 51); Doc. 285-13 (Dep. Laffiette at 3637, 52); Doc. 295 at 21 (Exhibit 105-Sealed); Doc. 209-2 at 8 (Decltn. Lindley)). On May 6,
2009, Laffiette was laid off (downsizing). (Doc. 209-1 (Dep. Laffiette at 46-47, 49).
C.

Austal’s Anti-Harassment & Non-Discrimination Policy
Austal submitted evidence of two (2) anti-harassment and non-discrimination policies: an

“April 2006 Issue F” policy, and a “November 2007” policy. (Doc. 209-2 at 2-3 and note 1
2

(Decltn. Lindley); Doc. 209-2 at 36-37, 49-51 (the April 2006 Issue F policy and the November
2007 Issue A policy)).
The April 2006 and November 2007 policies reveal different complaint procedures for
different periods of time. The April 2006 policy “urges” employees to report complaints to
his/her supervisor or, if not comfortable doing so, to the Departmental Manager:3
Any employee suspecting a violation of this policy, or who in any way feels
uncomfortable with the actions of Company Supervisors, employees or outsiders is
urged to inform his or her Supervisor. If for any reasons the employee does not feel
comfortable discussing the situation with his or her immediate Supervisor, he or she
should report the matter to the Departmental Manager… Supervisors are required to
report suspected harassment and any allegations of harassment to the Departmental
Manager.
(Doc. 209-2 at 36-37 (emphasis in original)). (Doc. 284-3 (Dep. Lindley4 I at 238-240, 245-246)
(testifying that such was the procedure as to the 2006 policy, and confirming that nothing in that
policy identifies HR as an avenue for complaints). From November 2007 forward, employees
“should report” to both to his supervisor and his Department Manager/Coordinator before even
being allowed to report to HR:
1.3 Reporting an Incident of Harassment or Workplace Violence
It is the employee's responsibility to report any incident of harassment or workplace
violence. The employee should report any incident of this nature to his/her supervisor. If
the employee is not comfortable reporting the incident to his/her supervisor you may talk
to the department coordinator or manager. If you need to talk with someone after you
have completed both steps, you may contact the Human Resources Department. Any
reported allegations of harassment or workplace violence will be Investigated
confidentially and promptly.
(Doc. 209-2 at 50 (emphasis added)). No evidence has been submitted to the Court of Laffiette

3

Based on the record and as indicated by Austal, the Departmental Managers (or Coordinators) manage
specific departments, such as Aluminum Fabrication, and within those departments, there are Supervisors who
supervise the employees working with said department. (Doc. 283-48 (Austal’s 3/7/07 EEOC Position Statement)).
4

Austal’s Rule 30(b)(6) representative and HR Benefits Coordinator.

3

having signed either the April 2006 or November 2007 policy. The evidence submitted indicates
only Laffiette signed a policy around January 30, 2006. (Doc. 285-13 (Dep. Laffiette at 37)).
Laffiette testified that he understood the complaint procedure at Austal was to report up
the chain of command -- to report harassment/discrimination first to his supervisor and that he
was not even allowed to speak to HR without his supervisor’s permission. (Doc. 285-13 (Dep.
Laffiette at 103)). On the one occasion when Laffiette asked for such permission, however, his
supervisor responded that he had to “finish doing what I was doing” and “we’ll get to that later.”
(Id. (Dep. Lafiette at 105-106)).
Regarding racially and hostile discriminatory comments, Laffiette alleges that he was
possibly called “nigger” once by leadman “Gorham” on another crew, but is not sure (“where
you been, nigger”). (Doc. 209-1 (Dep. Laffiette at 151-153, 155)). A few weeks later, Laffiette
told Gorham that he found the word “nigger” offensive and Gorham responded “[d]on’t worry
about it. That ain’t me[]” and “[i[f I really say something to you like that, I don’t mean it.” (Id.
(Dep. Laffiette at 154-155)). Laffiette did not report the comment because he was not really sure
what Gorham had said. (Id.) Laffiette alleges that his supervisor Dane Tomberlin called him
“‘[b]oy,’ and stuff like that all the time[]” – over 10 times. (Id. (Dep. Laffiette at 156-158)).
Laffiette told Tomberlin “don’t be calling me that[]” as he did not like it; in response, Tomberlin
said “I’m just playing with you.”

(Id. (Dep. Laffiette at 157)).

Laffiette did not report

Tomberlin’s comment to HR, and Tomberlin “would [still] say it from time to time.” (Id. Dep.
Laffiette at 157-158)). Laffiette adds that Wesley Fiveash (leadman on Laffiette’s crew) and
Curt Hunt (co-worker who then became leadman after Fiveash was promoted to supervisor) also
called him “boy” sometimes (Fiveash over 10 times and Hunt over 50 times). (Doc. 209-1 (Dep.
4

Laffiette at 156, 158, 161)). Laffiette testified that “they were saying it [boy] like in a playing
gesture, but I didn’t take that too kindly[;]” he complained, after which it stopped. (Id. (Dep.
Laffiette at 156)). Laffiette did not report the comments because “I mean if he [his supervisor]
called me Boy…that really ain’t going to solve anything[,]” but told all of them that he did not
like the term. (Id. (Dep. Laffiette at 160-162)). Hunt responded by telling him “[s]hut up, you
need to go back to work” or something like that. (Id.)
Laffiette was subjected to Confederate flag imagery as displayed on several Caucasian
co-workers’ t-shirts who worked in another department. (Doc. 209-1 (Dep. Laffiette at 192);
Doc. 285-13 (Dep. Laffiette at 166)). Laffiette is aware that another African American coworker told the Caucasian co-workers that she found the flag imagery offensive. (Doc. 285-13
(Dep. Laffiette at 193)). Laffiette reported to his supervisor Chris Robinson at morning safety
meetings that he found the flag imagery offensive. (Id. (Dep. Laffiette at 194)). Robinson’s
response was that there was no dress code so there “ain’t nothing he can do about it.” (Id.)
Laffiette was constantly subjected to racial epithets in graffiti on bathroom walls and
stalls. (Doc. 209-1 (Dep. Laffiette at 182); Doc. 285-13 (Dep. Laffiette at 163-164, 166, 175,
235-236)). Laffiette “always” reported the racial graffiti. (Doc. 209-1 (Dep. Laffiette at 182,
186, 189, 191); Doc. 285-13 (Dep. Laffiette at 177-178, 181-182, 186, 229)). In response he
would be told “we can’t do nothing about it[]” or “[i]t’s not like we can just watch the bathrooms
all day.” (Id.) The graffiti included the following: “white power” with a drawing of a hooded
Klansman (a photograph of this on the bathroom wall on someone’s phone); “why don’t niggers
use aspirin-because they don’t want to pick the cotton out of the top;” “why do you think a white
man loves to F a black girl;” and “see niggers travel in packs just like monkeys.” (Doc. 209-1
5

(Dep. Laffiette at 182, 186, 189); Doc. 285-13 (Dep. Laffiette at 163-164, 166, 175-179, 182183, 188-189, 191)). According to Laffiette, Austal “started trying to paint the walls probably
about every three to four weeks.” (Doc. 209-1 (Dep. Laffiette at 182, 189)).
Austal alleges that initially they counseled their supervisors regarding the graffiti. (See,
e.g., Doc. 209-3 (Dep. Combs at 111, 126) (Austal “discussed it with our teams and told them
graffiti of any kind, racial, sexual, or any kind is not tolerated[,]” adding it was discussed “with
all the supervisors” and that the supervisors “have been told to discuss it with all of their
people[]”). However, Combs does not really know if that ever occurred, noting that he saw
graffiti in mid-2009. Thereafter, in August 2007, Austal responded to complaints by painting
everything black. (Doc. 285-20 (Dep. Browning at 16, 110); Doc. 331-2 (Dep. Laffiette at 180)).
Yet the graffiti continued as the paint transformed the bathrooms into a chalkboard making the
graffiti show up better. (Doc. 285-20 (Dep. Roberson at 313); Doc. 284-4 (Dep. Lindley II at 9596, 166-168, 188-190, 195-196, 202-203); Doc. 284-5 (Dep. Lindley III at 254); Doc. 284-11
(Dep. O’Dell at 74-75); Doc. 284-7 (Dep. Friedlieb I at 84)). There were no investigations, and
no policy was implemented as to precisely how to document the graffiti and/or how to prevent it.
(Doc. 285-2 (Dep. Browning at 16, 110); (Doc. 284-3 (Dep. Lindley I at 196); (Doc. 284-7 (Dep.
Friedlieb I at 49, 52, 82, 84, 86)). Austal’s CEO testified that there were no discussions with HR
about prevention of the graffiti apart from painting everything black. (Doc. 285-2 (Dep.
Browning at 110, 113-114, 117)). Austal’s HR Coordinator testified that there has been a
constant problem with racially offensive and threatening graffiti since 2005, and while senior
management and HR are aware of it, it was still ongoing as of 2009. (Doc. 284-4 (Dep. Lindley
II at 86-89, 96, 101-102, 112-114, 123-124, 188-190, 195-196, 202-203); Doc. 284-5 (Dep.
6

Lindley III at 254). HR Manager Carver testified that he does not recall any investigation into the
graffiti or Austal issuing any memo or statement about it to employees. (Doc. 284-10 (Dep.
Carver II at 62-63, 65-66, 70)). Carver also does not recall whether between 2004-2007 the issue
of racial graffiti was ever formally addressed by Austal or whether Austal took any action to
determine who was responsible for the graffiti. (Id.) According to Carver, “there’s really no
excuse….that I didn’t send out a document to everybody and say, look this is not tolerated, I
don’t care what you say, there’s really no excuse for it. I’ll admit that.” (Id. (Dep. Carver II at
81-82)).
Approximately 3½ years after being hired, Laffiette was shown a photograph of one
noose, found by others in the break room at work. (Doc. 209-1 (Dep. Laffiette at 170-171)).
Concerning the May 2008 noose, (Docs. 283-24, 283-25, 284-2), the City of Mobile was alerted
to its presence through an article in the Press Register, and while Austal did not issue a memo,
statement or email to its employees about the noose, Austal investigated and offered a reward for
information (Doc. 209-3 (Dep. Pate at 152); Doc. 283-26; Doc. 283-27; Doc. 283-28; Doc. 285-2
(Dep. Browning at 7-14, 118-120, 124-125); (Doc. 284-3 (Dep. Lindley I at 255-256); Doc. 2845 at 59 (Dep. O’Dell at 79)). The noose was also reported to Security, Supervisors, HR and
Senior Management; Security and O’Dell in HR conducted an investigation but were unable to
determine who was responsible. (Doc. 284-2; Doc. 284-4 (Dep. Lindley II at 157); Doc. 284-5
at 59 (Dep. O’Dell at 79); Doc. 284-8 (Dep. Friedlieb II at 145)).

However, Austal’s

investigation consisted primarily of investigating the African American employees who found
(and reported) the noose as suspects, with a focus on co-worker (and co-plaintiff) Beverly
Thomas as having staged the incident. (Doc. 284-2; Doc. 284-8 (Dep. Friedlieb II at 163, 168,
7

170, 183-185, 191-192)).
II.

Standard of Review
“The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine

dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” FED.
R. CIV. P. 56(a) (Dec. 2010). Amended Rule 56(c) governs Procedures, and provides as follows:
(1) Supporting Factual Positions. A party asserting that a fact cannot be or is
genuinely disputed must support the assertion by:
(A) citing to particular parts of materials in the record, including
depositions, documents, electronically stored information, affidavits or
declarations, stipulations (including those made for purposes of the motion only),
admissions, interrogatory answers, or other materials; or
(B) showing that the materials cited do not establish the absence or
presence of a genuine dispute, or that an adverse party cannot produce admissible
evidence to support the fact.
(2) Objection That a Fact Is Not Supported by Admissible Evidence. A party
may object that the material cited to support or dispute a fact cannot be presented
in a form that would be admissible in evidence.
(3) Materials Not Cited. The court need consider only the cited materials, but it
may consider other materials in the record.
(4) Affidavits or Declarations. An affidavit or declaration used to support or
oppose a motion must be made on personal knowledge, set out facts that would be
admissible in evidence, and show that the affiant or declarant is competent to
testify on the matters stated.
FED.R.CIV.P. Rule 56(c) (Dec. 2010).
Defendant, as the party seeking summary judgment, bears the “initial responsibility of
informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of ‘the
pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the
affidavits, if any,’ which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.”
8

Clark v. Coats & Clark, Inc., 929 F.2d 604, 608 (11th Cir. 1991) (quoting Celotex Corp. v.
Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986)). If the nonmoving party fails to make “a sufficient showing
on an essential element of her case with respect to which she has the burden of proof,” the
moving party is entitled to summary judgment. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. “In reviewing whether
the nonmoving party has met its burden, the court must stop short of weighing the evidence and
making credibility determinations of the truth of the matter. Instead, the evidence of the nonmovant is to be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his favor.” Tipton v.
Bergrohr GMBH-Siegen, 965 F.2d 994, 998-999 (11th Cir. 1992), cert. den., 507 U.S. 911 (1993)
(internal citations and quotations omitted).
III.

Section 1981/Title VII – Hostile Work Environment (Race)
Racial harassment is actionable under Section 1981 or Title VII where the conduct is

sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of employment and create an abusive
working environment. See, e.g., Freeman v. City of Riverdale, 330 Fed. Appx. 863, 865 (11th
Cir. 2009) (unpublished).5 To establish a prima facie case of hostile work environment and/or
racial harassment under Section 1981 or Title VII, the plaintiff must prove that: 1) he belongs to
a protected group; 2) he has been subject to unwelcome harassment; 3) the harassment was based
on a protected characteristic of the employee (such as race); 4) the harassment was sufficiently
severe or pervasive to alter the terms and conditions of employment and create a discriminatorily
abusive working environment; and 5) the employer is responsible for such environment under a
theory of vicarious or direct liability. See, e.g., Reeves v. DSI Sec. Servs., Inc., 395 Fed. Appx.
5

This is an unpublished decision and is persuasive, but not binding, authority pursuant to
Eleventh Circuit Rule 36-2. The Court notes this same rule applies to other Fed. Appx. cases cited herein.

9

544, 545-546 (11th Cir. 2010) (unpublished); McCann v. Tillman, 526 F.3d 1370, 1378 (11th Cir.
2008); Miller v. Kenworth of Dothan, Inc., 277 F.3d 1269, 1275 (11th Cir. 2002). See also e.g.,
Mendoza v. Borden, Inc., 195 F.3d 1238, 1245 (11th Cir. 1999).
The first three (3) prima facie elements of a hostile work environment are satisfied and
not disputed by the parties.

However, as to remaining elements, Austal contends that: 1)

Laffiette’s evidence of sporadic and isolated incidents of racially hostile comments, conduct and
graffiti during the time he was employed do not meet the severe or pervasive threshold; 2)
Laffiette makes no allegations and presents no evidence that the allegedly hostile environment
unreasonably interfered with his ability to work on a day-to-day basis; 3) Austal maintained a
policy establishing how an employee should report discriminatory conduct, but Laffiette failed to
report certain conduct; and 4) Austal took reasonable preventative and corrective/remedial
measures to prevent a hostile work environment.
A.

Severe or Pervasive

To be actionable as severe or pervasive, the harassment “must result in both an
environment that a reasonable person would find hostile or abusive and an environment that the
victim subjectively perceive[s]…to be abusive.” Miller, 277 F.3d at 1276 (internal citation and
quotation marks omitted). In other words, the severe or pervasive element has an objective and
subjective component. McCann, 526 F.3d at 1378. To determine the objective severity of the
harassment, courts look at the totality of the circumstances and consider: 1) the frequency of the
discriminatory conduct; 2) the severity of the conduct; 3) whether the conduct is physically
threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive utterance; and 4) whether the conduct
unreasonably interferes with an employee's job performance. Reeves, 395 Fed. Appx. at 546.
10

See also Faragher v. City of Boca Raton, 524 U.S. 775, 787-788 (1998); Allen v. Tyson Foods,
121 F.3d 642, 647 (11th Cir. 1997) (citing Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 23 (1993)).
“The conduct is considered cumulatively instead of in isolation.” Reeves, 395 Fed. Appx. at
546. There is sufficient evidence, if believed by a jury, that Laffiette subjectively perceived his
work environment to be racially hostile.
As to the fourth element, the objective severity of the harassment, as established by the
Eleventh Circuit in its remand:
The record presents a genuine dispute of material facts that Laffiette’s workplace was
objectively hostile. He worked for Austal for roughly three years, during which he
thought he heard a coworker once say to him, “Where you been at, nigger?” but he
“couldn’t really make out” what was said and he “wasn’t sure” if the coworker said the
slur “nigger.” His supervisor called him “boy” “all the time,” which he clarified was
“over ten times.” Two other coworkers called him “boy,” “over ten times” and “over 50
times,” respectively. He saw racist graffiti “all the time” in “pretty much all of” the
restrooms that he used at work. He also saw several employees wear apparel with the
Confederate flag, although “none of them worked on [his] crew.” And his coworker
showed him a photograph of a noose in the breakroom.
Laffiette raises a disputed issue that the harassment he experienced was frequent and
severe. Laffiette frequently experienced racial harassment by his supervisor’s and
coworkers’ references to “boy,” and he also frequently saw racist graffiti in the men’s
restrooms. And the photograph of the noose was severe, but less severe than if he had
discovered the noose firsthand. Because of the frequency with which he was called “boy”
and saw the racist graffiti, combined with the other harassment of which he learned
secondhand, a reasonable jury could find that his workplace was objectively hostile.
(Doc. 821 at 23-24).
B.

Employer Liability- Faragher/Ellerth Affirmative Defense

With the fourth element satisfied, this Court turns to the fifth element: “…the
employer[]…[Austal] is responsible for the hostile work environment under…a theory of

11

vicarious or direct liability[]”6 unless Austal can avail itself of the Faragher/Ellerth affirmative
defense.
In Faragher v. City of Boca Raton, 524 U.S. 775 (1998) and Burlington Indus., Inc. v.
Ellerth, 524 U.S. 742 (1998), the Supreme Court held that employer liability is automatic when
the supervisor’s harassment culminates in a “tangible employment action, such as discharge,
demotion, or undesirable reassignment.” Faragher, 524 U.S. at 807, 808; Ellerth, 524 U.S. at
762, 763. Where no such action has occurred, “[a]n employer is subject to vicarious liability to a
victimized employee for an actionable hostile environment created by a supervisor with
immediate (or successively higher) authority over the employee.” Faragher, 524 U.S. at 807;
Ellerth, 524 U.S. at 745. But an employer may avoid vicarious liability by raising as an
affirmative defense that it: 1) exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any
harassing behavior, and 2) the employee unreasonably failed to take advantage of any preventive
or corrective opportunities provided by the employer or to avoid harm otherwise. Faragher, 524
U.S. at 807, 809; Miller, 277 F.3d at 1278. This is known as the Faragher/Ellerth affirmative
defense. For an employer to avail itself of this defense and be found not liable, “[b]oth elements
must be satisfied…the defendant bears the burden of proof on both elements.” Frederick v.
Sprint/United Mgmt. Co., 246 F.3d 1305, 1313 (11th Cir. 2001) (citations omitted) (emphasis
added) (holding that factual issues existed regarding employer’s complaint procedure and
employee’s use of it, precluding summary judgment on Faragher/Ellerth). If, however, neither
element is satisfied, the employer is liable for the harassment. See supra. See also Joens v. John
Morrell & Co., 243 F.Supp.2d 920, 933 (N.D. Iowa 2003) (providing a helpful flow chart).
6

Miller, 277 F.3d at 1278.

12

Austal’s liability is automatic if a supervisor’s harassment culminated in a tangible
employment action as to Laffiette (e.g., discharge, demotion, undesirable reassignment). There
is no dispute that Laffiette was “laid off” in May 2009. In the operative complaint, Laffiette
alleged that he was retaliated against after complaining of the racially hostile environment as he
was treated differently from white co-workers with regard to training and pay. (Doc. 37 at 8082). Laffiette also testified that “[i]n a way[]” he feels he was laid off because of his race due to
“all the other stuff that was going on, that was happening[;]” and that he thinks he was laid off in
retaliation for suing Austal as his supervisor Tomberlin “was giving me the impression that they
wanted to try to get rid of me anyway.” (Doc. 209-1 (Dep. Laffiette at 55-56)). Nevertheless,
while there is evidence of supervisor harassment, on summary judgment Laffiette submitted no
evidence of any harassment by a supervisor connected to and/or culminating in a tangible
employment action (including being laid off). Additionally, Laffiette does not allege as such on
summary judgment.

Moreover, this Court previously concluded that Laffiette waived his

retaliation claim, and that ruling was not vacated by the Eleventh Circuit. Thus, there is no
evidence before the Court showing a causal relationship between Laffiette’s termination (or
other event) and any alleged racial harassment by a supervisor, and as such, no evidence of a
tangible employment action on summary judgment. See, e.g., Otu v. Papa John’s USA, Inc., 400
F. Supp. 2d 1315, 1328 (N.D. Ga. 2005) (discussing a similar situation where a plaintiff failed to
show the causal relationship on summary judgment).
When there is no evidence that a harassing supervisor took a tangible employment action
against an employee, courts assess whether the harassment is nevertheless severe or pervasive
enough to constitute a hostile work environment. Joens, 243 F.Supp.2d at 933. If yes, as is the
13

case here (see supra), the employer is vicariously liable for a supervisor’s harassment unless the
employer can prove both elements of the Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense. Id.
First, for “prevention,” there is no uniform test for determining whether an employer's
policy demonstrates that it exercised reasonable care, and the mere existence of a formal antiharassment policy does not satisfy this first prong. See, e.g. Frederick, 246 F.3d at 1313 (noting
that the employer failed to establish that its policy contained reasonable complaint procedures);
Dinkins v. Charoen Pokphand USA, Inc., 133 F. Supp. 2d 1237, 1251 (M.D. Ala. 2001)
(concluding that the employer failed to establish the affirmative defense that it was diligent in
preventing and correcting harassment, and that complaining employees had not taken advantage
of opportunities for redress provided by employer). An employer's policy fulfills its “prevent
harassment” obligation if the employer promulgates a policy that is “comprehensive, well-known
to employees, vigorously enforced, and provides alternate avenues of redress[;] and the policy
must not be administered “in bad faith” or be otherwise “defective or dysfunctional.” Dinkins,
133 F. Supp. 2d at 1251 (citing Farley v. American Cast Iron Pipe Co., 115 F.3d 1548, 1554 (11th
Cir. 1997) and Madray v. Publix Supermarkets, Inc., 208 F.3d 1290, 1298 (11th Cir. 2000)). “A
policy is ‘defective’ if those responsible for its enforcement lack training and knowledge
sufficient to recognize, prevent and correct workplace discrimination.” Id. Essentially then, an
employer can establish that it exercised reasonable care to prevent harassment by showing that it
promulgated and effectively disseminated a clear anti-harassment policy with complaint
procedures to its employees, see Faragher, 524 U.S. at 807-808 and Ellerth, 524 U.S. at 765, so
long as the complaint procedures “meet the minimum requirements for the Faragher affirmative
defense…[and do] not require…the employee to complain to the offending supervisor or through
14

the supervisor’s chain of command and…provide[] multiple avenues of lodging a complaint to
assessable, designated representatives.” Madray, 208 F.3d at 1299 (determining the policy was
sufficient “because the procedures did not require that the employee complain to the offending
supervisor or through the supervisor's chain of command and the procedures provided multiple
avenues of lodging a complaint to assessable, designated representatives[]”). See also e.g.,
Olson v. Lowe’s Home Ctrs. Inc., 130 Fed. Appx. 380, 389 (11th Cir. 2005) (finding satisfaction
of the first prong as the policies enabled employees to bypass harassing supervisors and provided
several different avenues for employees to report harassment); Reyna v. ConAgra Foods, Inc.,
506 F. Supp. 2d 1363, 1375 (M.D. Ga. 2007) (holding that material issues of fact, as to whether
employer took reasonable care to prevent and properly correct harassment, precluded summary
judgment for employer, based on existence of procedures for addressing discrimination issues
not utilized by claimants).

This “requires…a clear and known policy against workplace

harassment…[including] permit[ting] employees to bypass supervisors and retain some vestige
of anonymity.” Bury v. Sky Chefs, 2011 WL 197383, *6 (S.D. Fla. Jan. 20, 2011) (defining the
first prong of Faragher/Ellerth). Inherent defects exist when a policy’s complaint procedures do
not “meet the minimum requirements” for the Faragher affirmative defense: provide employees
“multiple avenues of lodging a complaint to assessable, designated representatives” outside of
the supervisory chain of command (do not require an employee complain to the offending
supervisor or through the supervisor's chain of command). Madray, 208 F.3d at 1299 (emphasis
added). Moreover, “a policy is [considered] ‘defective’ if those responsible for its enforcement
lack training and knowledge sufficient to recognize, prevent, and correct workplace
discrimination.” Dinkins, 133 F. Supp. 2d at 1251.
15

Concerning the second prong of “prevention” -- whether the employer took reasonable
care to “correct promptly” any harassment -- “the employer's notice of the harassment is of
paramount importance [because] if the employer had notice of the harassment...then it is liable
unless it took prompt corrective action.” Madray, 208 F.3d at 1299 (citing Dees v. Johnson
Controls World Services, 168 F.3d 417, 422 (11th Cir. 1999)). An employer is directly liable for
co-worker harassment if the employer knew or should have known of the conduct but failed to
take prompt remedial action. See, e.g., Miller, 277 F.3d at 1278; Breda v. Wolf Camera &
Video, 222 F.3d 886, 889 (11th Cir. 2000).

“Actual notice is established by proof that

management knew….constructive notice will be found where the harassment was so severe and
pervasive that management should have known of it.”7 Miller, 277 F.3d at 1278. “This inquiry
is facilitated by the identification of the ‘appropriate Company representative’ to whom
employees should register their complaints” in the employer’s policy. Madray, 208 F.3d at
1299-1300. Once it is determined that the employer had adequate notice, whether the employer
took timely corrective action depends upon whether it responded in a reasonably prompt manner
to the employee’s harassment complaint. See, e.g., Frederick, 246 F.3d at 1316. Thus, when the
employer had notice is key “to determine the alacrity of its response[;]” the employer is liable
unless it took “prompt corrective action.” Madray, 208 F.3d at 1299; Dees, 168 F.3d at 422. See
also e.g., Coates v, Sundor Brands, Inc., 164 F.3d 1361, 1364 (11th Cir. 1999) (noting that the
appropriate inquiry at this stage is to ask is what measures an employer (in that case via an HR

7

For constructive notice, courts also consider: 1) the remoteness of the location of the harassment as
compared to the location of management; 2) whether the harassment occurs intermittently over a long period of
time; 3) whether the victims were employed on a part-time or full-time basis; and 4) whether there were only a few,
discrete instances of harassment. See, e.g., Miller, 277 F.3d at 1278; Allen, 121 F.3d at 647.

16

Manager) reasonably believed had been taken to address the problem).
Second, courts assess whether the employee unreasonably failed to take advantage of any
preventative or corrective opportunities provided by the employer to avoid harm.8 Joens, 243
F.Supp.2d at 933. “[W]hile proof that an employee failed to fulfill the corresponding obligation
of reasonable care to avoid harm is not limited to showing an unreasonable failure to use any
complaint procedure provided by the employer, demonstration of such failure will normally
suffice to satisfy the employer's burden under the second element of the [affirmative] defense.”
Madray, 208 F.3d at 1301 (citing Faragher, 524 at 807-808 and Ellerth, 524 U.S. at 765).
However, “employees of such companies who believe they are victims of harassment need not
be concerned with whether they pursued their complaints far enough up the company ladder.”
Breda, 222 F.3d at 890 (explaining that the question of whether an employee followed the
procedures established in the company's policy in a reasonable manner is an issue of fact to be
determined by a jury).

“In defining the contours of what it means to reasonably use the

complaint procedures and, thereby, properly report…harassment,” the Eleventh Circuit has
identified criteria that “must be satisfied[:]” 1) the employee must have complained to the
appropriate person; and 2) if yes, the employee’s conversations with such person must be
sufficient to place the employer on notice. Olson, 130 Fed. Appx. at 389-390 (citing Madray,
208 F.3d at 1300, Breda, 222 F.3d at 889 and Coates, 164 F.3d at 1364).

8

Austal references Laffiette’s failure to report each and every single instance of harassment as a failure to
fulfill this policy reporting procedure. (Doc. 181 at 13). Austal then cites Faragher as follows: “[o]n every occasion
that Laffiette failed to utilize a preventive or corrective opportunity provided by Austal precludes Austal from being
held vicariously liable of the alleged actions of its employees.” (Id.) However, Faragher does not state as such.
Faragher provides: “[i]f the plaintiff unreasonably failed to avail herself of the employer's preventive or remedial
apparatus, she should not recover damages that could have been avoided if she had done so.” Faragher, 524 U.S. at
807 (emphasis added).

17

Concerning co-workers, an employer is liable for co-worker harassment if the employer
knew (actual notice) or should have known (constructive notice) of the harassing conduct but
failed to take prompt remedial action. See, e.g., Miller, 277 F.3d at 1278; Breda, 222 F.3d at
889.

Once notice is established, a plaintiff must show that the employer “failed to take

immediate and appropriate action.” Watson v. Blue Circle, Inc., 324 F.3d 1252, 1259 (11th Cir.
2003). See also Frederick, 246 F.3d at 1314; Minix v. Jeld-Wen, Inc., 237 Fed. Appx. 578, 583
(11th Cir. 2007).

The action must be “reasonably likely to prevent the misconduct from

recurring.” See, e.g., Kilgore v. Thompson & Brock Mgt., Inc., 93 F.3d 752, 754 (11th Cir.
1996). The employer’s action must be “effective action in order to exempt an employer from
liability[]” Saville v. Houston Cty. Healthcare Auth., 852 F. Supp. 1512, 1528 (M.D. Ala. 1994),
and “must be ‘reasonably calculated to end the harassment,’ and the promptness and adequacy of
the employer’s response must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Of special importance is
whether the…harassment ended after the remedial action was taken[]” Munn v. Mayor and
Aldermen of City of Savannah, Ga., 906 F. Supp. 1577, 1583 (S.D. Ga. 1995).
Even though it bears the burden of proof, Austal’s motion minimally addresses the fifth
element of employer liability and the related Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense. Austal
submitted evidence (some of which appears irrelevant) that it characterizes as examples of
“responses” taken, in general, to racial/harassment incidents during its history. (Doc. 181 at 1415). Regardless, factual issues exist for element five, including whether Austal’s response to
complaints was adequate. The Court finds that Laffiette has submitted sufficient evidence to
establish that genuine issues of material fact exist questioning Austal’s ability to shield itself
with Faragher/Ellerth. Accordingly, Austal’s motion as to Laffiette’s hostile work environment
18

claim is DENIED.
IV.

Conclusion
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Austal’s motion for summary judgment is DENIED

as to Laffiette’s hostile work environment claim.9
DONE and ORDERED this the 3rd day of September 2014.
/s/ Kristi K. DuBose
KRISTI K. DuBOSE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

9

Laffiette seeks an award of punitive damages against Austal. It is ORDERED that Austal’s motion for
summary judgment regarding Laffiette’s punitive damages claim is DENIED at this time.

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