Brown v. Excelda Manufacturing Holding, LLC

Filing 36

AMENDED OPINION and ORDER Granting Defendant's 25 MOTION for Summary Judgment. Signed by District Judge Matthew F. Leitman. (HMon)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION
SABRINA BROWN,
Plaintiff,

Case No. 15-cv-13349
Hon. Matthew F. Leitman

v.
EXCELDA MANUFACTURING
COMPANY, INC.,
Defendant.
_________________________________/
AMENDED1 OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (ECF #25)
In this action, Plaintiff Sabrina Brown (“Brown”) alleges that Defendant
Excelda Manufacturing Company (“Excelda”) unlawfully retaliated against her – by
terminating her employment – for taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave
Act (“FMLA”), 29 U.S.C. §2601 et seq. Excelda has now moved for summary
judgment. For the reasons explained below, the Court GRANTS Excelda’s motion.

1

This Amended Opinion and Order makes no substantive changes to the Court’s
original Opinion and Order (ECF #30; issued on April 6, 2017) and only corrects
two typographical errors found on pages 25 and 26 of the earlier opinion.
Specifically, this Amended Opinion and Order replaces “August 2015” with
“August 2014” on those two pages.
1

I
A
From December 28, 1998 to May 2015, Brown worked for Excelda as a
production associate. (See Brown Dep. at 29, ECF #25-2 at 10, Pg. ID 186;
Termination Letter, ECF # 25-21 at 2, Pg. ID 482.) She reported to production
supervisor Robert Harris (“Harris”) from 2012 to August 2014.2 (See Harris Dep. at
19 and 27, ECF #27-6 at 5 and 7, Pg. ID 628 and 630.) Thereafter, Brown reported
to production supervisor Barbara Marie Wolfe (“Wolfe”). (See Wolfe Dep. at 23,
ECF #25-3 at 7, Pg. ID 303.) Harris and Wolfe reported to Daniel St. George (“St.
George”), the manager of Excelda’s production department. (See St. George Dep. at
7, ECF #25-4 at 3, Pg. ID 317.)
B
During Brown’s employment at Excelda, the company granted her a
substantial amount of FMLA leave and other leave without incident. The Court
summarizes these periods of leave below.
1

2

Excelda’s production department has a three tier management structure.
Production associates like Brown report to a production supervisor. (See Brown Dep.
at 32, ECF #25-2 at 10, Pg. ID 186; Daniel St. George Dep. at 13-14, ECF #25-4 at
5, Pg. ID 319.) Production supervisors in turn report to the production manager,
who is the highest ranking employee in Excelda’s production department. (See id.)
2

Brown requested FMLA leave on three separate occasions while she worked
at Excelda, and the company approved all three requests. First, Brown took FMLA
leave for the birth of her son in 2001. (See Brown Dep. at 44-45, ECF #25-2 at 1415, Pg. ID 189-190; February 2001 FMLA Request Form, ECF #25-12 at 5, Pg. ID
427.) When Brown returned from that FMLA leave, Excelda reinstated her to the
same production associate position that she held prior to taking leave. (See Brown
Dep. at 52, ECF #25-2 at 15, Pg. ID 191.) Brown admits that she did not have “any
issues” with the way Excelda handled her 2001 FMLA leave. (Id.)
Next, on September 30, 2008, Brown took intermittent FMLA leave to care
for her mother. (See id. at 105-107, ECF #25-2 at 29, Pg. ID 205.) When Brown
returned from this FMLA leave, Excelda reinstated her to the same production
associate position that she held prior to taking leave. (See id. at 110-11, ECF #25-2
at 30, Pg. ID 206.) Brown concedes that she was “not written up or disciplined as a
result of any of [the] FMLA absences” that resulted from caring for her mother. (Id.
at 110, ECF #25-2 at 30, Pg. ID 206.)
Finally, on July 29, 2014, Brown requested intermittent FMLA leave for her
own health condition (severe menstrual cramping). (See id. at 150-152, ECF #25-2
at 40, Pg. ID 216.) On August 14, 2014, Excelda approved Brown’s request through
August 4, 2015. (See id.; August 2014 FMLA Designation Notice, ECF #25-14 at 2,
Pg. ID 438.) Brown thereafter used eight days of her intermittent FMLA leave in

3

2014 and another six days of intermittent FMLA leave during the first five months
of 2015. (See Brown Time Card, ECF #25-15.) She admits that she “got all of the
FMLA leave that [she] requested and needed as it relates to [her] menstrual
cramping” and that she “was not written up for any of the days that [she] used FMLA
leave in 2014 or [2015].” (Brown Dep. at 152, ECF #25-2 at 40, Pg. ID 216.)
2
Excelda also granted Brown time off for personal reasons. In April 2003,
Excelda allowed Brown to take time off when her sister suffered an aneurysm. (See
id. at 88, ECF #25-2 at 24, Pg. ID 200.) Because care for a sibling is not an FMLAqualifying absence, Excelda allowed Brown to “make a one-time transfer of 20 hours
of vacation [time] into sick/emergency time” to care for her sister. (Id. at 88-89, ECF
#25-2 at 24-25, Pg. ID 200-01.) Brown agreed that this “was a favorable action” by
Excelda. (Id.)
Moreover, in June 2009, Excelda granted Brown an additional 80 hours of
unpaid time off because she had exhausted all of her available paid time off (“PTO”)
and “accumulated 36.25 additional hours of unpaid time [off]; [comprising of] four
excused instances, and three unexcused [instances].” (August 2009 Letter to Brown,
ECF #25-17 at 2, Pg. ID 471.3) Brown agreed that Excelda did not have to provide

3

Brown does not dispute the contents of this letter. (See Brown Dep. at 113-116,
ECF #25-2 at 31, Pg. ID 207.)
4

her with the additional time off and that doing so was a “favorable action” that
“help[ed] prevent [her] from being terminated” for additional attendance problems.
(Brown Dep. at 116, ECF #25-2 at 31, Pg. ID 207.)
C
Over the course of Brown’s employment with Excelda, she had attendance
and behavior issues. For instance, she received a total of nineteen disciplinary
actions for violating Excelda’s “Attendance and Punctuality” policy (the
“Attendance Policy”). (See Compilation of Disciplinary Notices, ECF #25-10 at 227, Pg. ID 393-419; January 2015 Coaching and Corrective Action Notice, ECF #2518 at 2-4, Pg. ID 474-76.)4 Notably, Brown does not claim that any of these actions
related to the FMLA-approved absences described above.5
Moreover, Brown was openly hostile toward her supervisors in January 2015.
The hostility grew out of an interaction between Brown and Wolfe (her direct
supervisor at the time) on January 13, 2015. According to Wolfe, she encountered
Brown and a co-worker, Marvin Barnett (“Barnett”), in the kitchen area at 7:35 a.m.

4

The Attendance Policy is attached to Defendants’ motion for summary judgment.
(See ECF #25-7 at 1-3, Pg. ID 386-88.) Brown acknowledged that she received a
copy of the Attendance Policy. (See Associate Acknowledgement of Receipt, ECF
#25-8 at 2, Pg. ID 390; Brown Dep. at 54, ECF #25-2 at 16, Pg. ID 192, confirming
that she signed the Associate Acknowledgement of Receipt.)

5

(See Brown Dep. at 41, 81, 85, 91, 92, 95, 96, 98, 99, 100, 104, 110, 122, 129-130,
143, 152-55, 159, 185, 189, 191-92; ECF #25-2 at 13, 23-28, 30, 33, 35, 38, 40-42,
49-50, Pg. ID 189, 199-204, 206, 209, 211, 214, 216-218, 225-226. )
5

(See Wolfe Dep. at 28, ECF #25-3 at 8, Pg. ID 304.) Brown’s presence in the kitchen
at that time violated the Attendance Policy which required Brown to be at her
machine (rather than in the kitchen) by 7:35 a.m. (See January 2015 Disciplinary
Notice, 25-18 at 2, Pg. ID 474.) Wolfe wrote Brown up for this violation, and Brown
was eventually summoned to a meeting with Wolfe and St. George (Wolfe’s
supervisor) to discuss her conduct. (See Brown Dep. at 181, ECF #25-2 at 48, Pg.
ID 224.). During that meeting, Brown “holler[ed],” told Wolfe and St. George that
she was tired of them “f[uck]ing with [her],” and “storm[ed] out.” (Id. at 185-86,
ECF #25-2 at 49, Pg. ID 225.)
After storming out of the meeting, Brown went to see Jennifer Oliver
(“Oliver”), a generalist in Excelda’s human resources department. (See id.; Oliver
Dep. at 7, 25-26, ECF #25-5 at 3, 8, Pg. ID 341, 346.) Brown complained that she
“didn’t want to deal with [Wolfe] anymore” and asked Oliver to “fire” her (Brown).
(Oliver Dep. at 25-26, ECF #25-5 at 3, 8, Pg. ID 341, 346.) Oliver did not fire Brown
as Brown had requested. (See id.) And although St. George, Wolfe, and Oliver could
have disciplined Brown for her behavior that day, there is no evidence in the record
indicating that they did so. At the time, Brown had been on intermittent FMLA leave
for five months. (See August 2014 FMLA Designation Notice, ECF #25-14 at 2, Pg.
ID 438.)
D

6

Brown also had difficulties at Excelda because she relied upon Barnett to drive
her to and from work. When Barnett was forced to leave work early, Brown had to
leave early as well. Brown’s reliance on Barnett caused problems for Excelda, but
Excelda nonetheless tried to work with Brown to address the situation.
Brown’s reliance on Barnett first caused concern for Excelda on February 23,
2015. (See Barnett Dep. at 29-30, ECF #25-6 at 9, Pg. ID 363.) That day, Barnett
asked Wolfe whether he could leave early due to a family emergency. (See id.)
Wolfe granted Barnett’s request. (See id.) Brown decided to leave early with
Barnett, but she did not seek out Wolfe, her supervisor, to let her know that she was
planning to leave work early. Instead, Wolfe later approached Brown and asked
Brown whether she was leaving work early with Barnett or whether she had secured
a different ride home. (See Wolfe Dep. at 33-34, ECF #25-3 at 10, Pg. ID 306.)
Brown told Wolfe that she was going to leave early with Barnett. (See id.) Wolfe
allowed Brown to depart early despite Brown’s failure to seek permission in
advance. (See id.)
On March 2, 2015, Barnett asked for and was granted permission to leave
early because his mother passed away. (See Barnett Dep. at 31, ECF #25-6 at 9, Pg.
ID 368.) Brown again left early with Barnett. (See Brown Dep. at 196, ECF #25-2
at 51, Pg. ID 227.)

7

On March 5, 2015, St. George held a meeting with Brown to discuss her two
early departures due to Barnett’s emergencies. (See Brown Dep. at 192-206, ECF
#25-2 at 50-54, Pg. ID 226-30.) St. George “explained to [Brown] that attendance
is her responsibility, not that of the associate she carpools with, and that having a
backup plan in situations where she could get another associate to give her a ride
would be a good option.” (Id.) He further advised Brown that “she is currently out
of PTO time and that any further time off needed to be pre-planned and excused.”
(Id. at 204, ECF #25-2 at 53, Pg. ID 229.)
During the March 5 meeting, St. George also asked Brown whether she
planned on attending Barnett’s mother’s funeral the next day. (See id. at 207, ECF
#25-2 at 54, Pg. ID 230.) When Brown responded that she did plan to attend the
funeral, St. George explained to Brown that this was yet another example of her
planning on taking time off without first informing her supervisor. (See id.)
Although St. George allowed Brown to attend the funeral, he made clear to Brown
that “if [she] need[ed] to take more time off, [she] need[ed] to discuss that with [her]
supervisor immediately upon knowing.” (Id. at 208, ECF #25-2 at 54, Pg. ID 230.)
At the conclusion of the meeting, St. George discussed Brown’s behavior
during the January meeting at which she hollered and cursed at Wolfe and St.
George. (See id. at 209, ECF #25-2 at 55, Pg. ID 231.) St. George told Brown that

8

“being disrespectful towards a supervisor by yelling at them, refusing to listen, and
barging out of the conference room would not be tolerated.” (Id.)
E
Brown’s reliance on Barnett for transportation ultimately led to a series of
events that culminated in her termination. On May 14, 2015, Barnett needed to leave
work early to attend an appointment with his wife. (See Barnett Dep. at 33, ECF
#25-6 at 10, Pg. ID 369.) Barnett told Wolfe, who was supervising him that day,
that he needed to depart early, and Wolfe approved his request. (See id. at 33-34,
ECF #25-6 at 10, Pg. ID 369.)
Brown was again dependent upon Barnett for transportation that day, and thus
she needed to leave early with Barnett. (See Brown Dep. at 215-16, ECF #25-2 at
56, Pg. ID 232.) But Brown did not personally ask Wolfe for permission to do so
nor did she personally discuss her early departure with Wolfe. (See Brown Dep. at
216, ECF #25-2 at 56, Pg. ID 232.) Instead, according to Barnett, he told Wolfe that
“we’re both going to go [early],” and he says that the “we” in “we’re” meant him
and Brown. (Barnett Dep. 33-34, 48, ECF #25-6 at 10, 13, Pg. ID 369, 372; emphasis
added.) Barnett says that Wolfe responded “that’s fine.” (Id at 34, ECF #25-6 at 10,
Pg. ID 369.) Brown says that based on Barnett’s discussion with Wolfe, she (Brown)
believed she had Wolfe’s permission to leave early with Barnett, and she did so.
(Brown Dep. at 215-16, ECF #25-2 at 56, Pg. ID 232.)

9

Wolfe’s recollection of the events of that day differs from Brown’s and
Barnett’s. Wolfe recalls Barnett asking if he could leave early, but she denies that
Barnett said that Brown “was [leaving] with him.” (Wolfe Dep. at 37-38, ECF #253 at 11, Pg. ID 307.) Wolfe says that she was surprised when she went to the
production floor that afternoon, noticed that Brown was not at her production
machine, and learned that Brown had departed early with Barnett. (See Wolfe Dep.
at 36, ECF #25-3 at 10, Pg. ID 306.)
A few days later, Wolfe drafted a Coaching and Corrective Action Notice in
which she recommended that Brown receive a written warning for walking off the
job without informing a supervisor. (See Wolfe Dep. at 38-40, ECF #25-3 at 11, Pg.
ID 307; Draft Coaching and Corrective Action Notice, ECF #25-20 at 2, Pg. ID 480.)
Wolfe showed St. George her draft of the Coaching and Corrective Action Notice.
(See St. George Dep. at 53, ECF #25-4 at 15, Pg. ID 329.) He told Wolfe that “[he
was] not sure that a written warning [was] appropriate” and that they “need[ed] to
go talk to Jennifer Oliver in HR.” (Id.) During their meeting with Oliver, St. George
explained that he did not think that Wolfe’s drafted written warning was sufficient
punishment, and he asked Oliver for her recommendation regarding an appropriate
disciplinary action. (See id.)

Oliver recommended that St. George terminate

Brown’s employment. (See id.; Oliver Dep. at 44, ECF #25-5 at 12, Pg. ID 350.) St.
George accepted this recommendation and decided to fire Brown. (See St. George

10

Dep. at 54-55, ECF #25-4 at 15, Pg. ID 329.) According to St. George, the “decision
to terminate [Brown] was made based on what happened on [May 14, 2015].” (Id.)
On May 19, 2015, Oliver wrote a termination letter to Brown that provided
the following explanation for her termination:
During your employment with Excelda, you have had numerous
deficiencies with the attendance policy. This has been discussed with
you multiple times; the last of which was addressed with you on March
5, 2015. At that time it was made clear to you by your Manager, Dan
St. George, how imperative it is to manage your time, to include
advance scheduling of your time off when possible, reducing your
excessive tardiness, as well as have reliable back-up mode of
transportation when carpool arrangements fall through. Further, you
were specifically told that your attendance was your responsibility, and
further infractions could result in your employment termination; yet
since then, you have had nine separate additional attendance violations.
The most recent occurrence was on Thursday, May 14, when you
walked-off the job one hour prior to the end of your shift, without
notifying your Supervisor or Manager, knowing the potential
consequences of this action.
(Termination Letter, ECF #25-21 at 2; Oliver Dep. at 40, ECF #25-5 at 11, Pg. ID
349, in which Oliver confirms that she drafted the termination letter.)
F
After Excelda fired Brown, she filed this action. In her one-count Amended
Complaint, Brown alleges that Excelda retaliated against her in violation of the
FMLA, 29 U.S.C. § 2615(a)(2). (See Am. Compl., ECF #10 at 7-10, Pg. ID 46-49.)
Excelda moved for summary judgment on December 2, 2016. (See S.J. Motion, ECF

11

#25.) Brown responded on December 23, 2016. (See Pl.’s Resp. Br., ECF #27.) The
Court held a hearing on Excelda’s motion for summary judgment on March 9, 2017.
II
A movant is entitled to summary judgment when it “shows that there is no
genuine dispute as to any material fact . . . .” SEC v. Sierra Brokerage Servs., Inc.,
712 F.3d 321, 326-27 (6th Cir. 2013) (citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477
U.S. 242, 251-52 (1986)) (quotations omitted). When reviewing the record, “the
court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party
and draw all reasonable inferences in its favor.” Id. “The mere existence of a
scintilla of evidence in support of the [non-moving party’s] position will be
insufficient; there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for [that
party].” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252. Summary judgment is not appropriate when
“the evidence presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission to a jury.” Id.
at 251-52. Indeed, “[c]redibility determinations, the weighing of the evidence and
the drafting of legitimate inferences from the facts are jury functions, not those of a
judge . . . .” Id. at 255.
III
A
“The FMLA enables employees covered by the Act to take up to twelve weeks
of leave per year for various purposes specified in the statute, including the

12

employee's own ‘serious health condition that makes the employee unable to
perform the functions of the position of such employee.’” Bryson v. Regis Corp.,
498 F.3d 561, 569-70 (6th Cir. 2007) (quoting 29 U.S.C. § 2612(a)(1)(D).) “At the
expiration of the employee's leave period, she must be reinstated to her position or
to a position equivalent in pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of
employment.” Id. (citing 29 U.S.C. § 2614(a)(1)).
There are two theories for recovery under the FMLA:
The ‘entitlement’ or ‘interference’ theory arises from § 2615(a)(1),
which states that ‘[i]t shall be unlawful for any employer to interfere
with, restrain, or deny the exercise of or the attempt to exercise, any
right provided in this subchapter,’ and from § 2614(a)(1), which
provides that ‘any eligible employee who takes leave ... shall be
entitled, on return from such leave (A) to be restored by the employer
to the position of employment held by the employee when the leave
commenced; or (B) to be restored to an equivalent position.’ The
‘retaliation’ or ‘discrimination’ theory arises from § 2615(a)(2), which
provides that ‘[i]t shall be unlawful for any employer to discharge or in
any other manner discriminate against any individual for opposing any
practice made unlawful by this subchapter.’
Arban v. W. Pub. Corp., 345 F.3d 390, 400-01 (6th Cir. 2003). Brown is proceeding
under the retaliation theory here.
“A plaintiff can prove FMLA retaliation using direct or circumstantial
evidence.” Ferrari v. Ford Motor Company, 826 F.3d 885, 897 (6th Cir. 2016).
Brown relies exclusively on circumstantial evidence. Therefore, the Court evaluates
her claim using the McDonnell-Douglas burden-shifting framework. See Bryson,
498 F.3d at 570 (6th Cir. 2007) (applying McDonnell-Douglas framework to FMLA
13

retaliation claim because plaintiff relied only upon circumstantial evidence). Under
this framework, Brown bears the initial burden of establishing a prima facie case of
FMLA retaliation. See Ferrari, 826 F.3d at 897. To make her prima facie case,
Brown “must show that (1) [she] engaged in activity protected by the FMLA; (2)
[Excelda] knew that [she] was exercising FMLA rights; (3) [she] suffered an adverse
employment action; and (4) that there was a causal connection between the protected
FMLA activity and the adverse employment action.” Id. “A plaintiff's burden in
establishing a prima facie case is not intended to be an onerous one.” Skrjanc v.
Great Lakes Power Serv. Co., 272 F.3d 309, 315 (6th Cir. 2001) (citing Christian v.
Wal–Mart Stores, Inc., 252 F.3d 862, 870 (6th Cir. 2001).)
If Brown satisfies her burden to establish a prima facie case of retaliation, “the
burden shifts to [Excelda] to offer evidence of a legitimate, non-discriminatory
reason for the adverse employment action.” Bryson, 498 F.3d at 570. If Excelda
provides such a reason, “the burden shifts back to [Brown] to show that [Excelda’s]
proffered reason is a pretext for unlawful discrimination.” Id.
As explained below, Brown failed to establish a prima facie case of FMLA
retaliation because she has failed to show causation. Even though her burden to
establish causation is not an onerous one at the prima facie stage, she has failed to
carry that burden. Thus, her FMLA retaliation claim fails as a matter of law.
Moreover, even if she had established a prima facie case of retaliation, Excelda

14

would still be entitled to summary judgment because no reasonable juror could find
that Excelda’s proffered reason for firing Brown was pretext for unlawful retaliation.
B
“To establish a causal connection, a plaintiff must proffer evidence sufficient
to raise the inference that her protected activity was the likely reason for the adverse
action.” Michael v. Caterpillar Fin. Servs. Corp., 496 F.3d 584, 596 (6th Cir. 2007).
Brown points to several pieces of evidence to support what she believes is a causal
connection between her FMLA leave and her termination, but that evidence does not
support an inference that her taking FMLA leave was “the likely reason” Excelda
fired her.
1
Brown first attempts to show a causal connection through evidence of alleged
disparate treatment. She cites three instances in which Excelda allegedly “treated
[her] differently than Marvin Barnett, who did not have FMLA leave.” (Pl.’s Resp.
Br., ECF #27 at 22, Pg. ID 507.) She argues that this different treatment provides
evidence of Excelda’s animus toward FMLA leave and supports an inference that
Excelda terminated her for taking that leave. While evidence of truly disparate
treatment “is relevant to,” and may support a finding of, causation, Nguyen v. City
of Cleveland, 229 F.3d 559, 563 (6th Cir. 2000), Brown has not shown that Excelda
engaged in such treatment here.

15

a
Brown first identifies the incident in the kitchen on January 13, 2015, as an
example of disparate treatment by Excelda. (See Pl.’s Resp. Br., ECF #27 at 23, Pg.
ID 508.) As described above, at 7:35 a.m. that morning, Wolfe found Brown and
Barnett in the kitchen. (See id.; see also January 13, 2015 Discipline Notice, ECF
#25-18 at 2, Pg. ID 474.) Wolfe gave Brown a disciplinary coaching session for not
being at her machine at the required time (see id), but Wolfe did not discipline
Barnett. (See Barnett Dep. at 28, ECF #25-6 at 8, Pg. ID 367.) At the time, Brown
was on intermittent FMLA leave; Barnett was not. (See id. at 19, ECF #25-6 at 6,
Pg. ID 365; Brown Dep. at 150-152, ECF #25-2 at 40, Pg. ID 216.) Brown contends
that Wolfe’s different treatment of her and Barnett evidences an anti-FMLA bias.
But evidence of disparate treatment supports an inference of causation only when it
involves employees who are “similarly situated,” Nguyen, 229 F.3d at 563, and
Brown and Barnett were not similarly situated on the day in question.
To be similarly-situated, “the individual[] with whom the plaintiff seeks to
compare [her] treatment must have dealt with the same supervisor, have been subject
to the same standards and have engaged in the same conduct without such
differentiating or mitigating circumstances that would distinguish their conduct or
the employer’s treatment of them for it.” Mitchell v. Toledo Hospital, 964 F.2d 577,
583 (6th Cir. 1992); see also Tennial v. United Parcel Service Inc., 840 F.3d 292,

16

309 (6th Cir. 2016). “Exact correlation is not required, however. Rather, the
plaintiff and employee with whom the plaintiff seeks to compare himself or herself
must be similar in all of the relevant aspects.” Smith v. Leggett Wire Co., 220 F.3d
752, 762 (6th Cir. 2000).
Brown and Barnett were not similar in all relevant aspects during the kitchen
incident on January 13, 2015. First, they worked in different departments that day:
Brown in the production department and Barnett in the engineering department.6
(See Barnett Dep. at 40-41, ECF #25-6 at 11-12, Pg. ID 370-71.) Second, they had
different attendance obligations. As a member of the production department, Brown
was required to be at her machine by 7:30 a.m. (see St. George Dep. at 18-20, ECF
#25-4 at 6, Pg. ID 320); as a member of the engineering department, Barnett was not
required to be in any particular location at any particular time. (See Barnett Dep. at
41, ECF #25-6 at 12, Pg. ID 371.) Third, they reported to different supervisors.
Brown reported to Wolfe (see Brown Dep. at 161-162, ECF #25-2 at 43, Pg. ID 219);
Barnett reported to Greg Gumbrick. (See Barnett Dep. at 41, ECF #25-6 at 12, Pg.
ID 371.)
These differences are material. Indeed, it would have been entirely logical for
Wolfe to discipline an employee under her supervision who was not in her required

6

Barnett split his time between the production and engineering departments. He
worked in the engineering department on Tuesdays. (See Barnett Dep. at 40-41, ECF
#25-6 at 11-12, Pg. ID 370-71.) January 13, 2015 was a Tuesday.
17

workspace (Brown) while not disciplining an employee under someone else’s
supervision who was not absent from any particular required workspace (Barnett).
Since Brown was part of Wolfe’s crew, Brown’s absence from her work station
directly and negatively impacted the very production process that Wolfe was
charged with overseeing. Barnett’s presence in the kitchen had no similar impact on
matters under Wolfe’s control. Under these circumstances, Wolfe’s decision to
discipline Brown but not Barnett says nothing about whether Wolfe harbored an antiFMLA animus.
b
Brown next identifies her March 5, 2015 meeting with St. George as another
example of disparate treatment. (See Pl.’s Resp. Br., ECF #27 at 24, Pg. ID 508;
Brown Dep. at 192-206, ECF #25-2 at 50-54, Pg. ID 226-30.) As described above,
St. George met with Brown after she and Barnett left early together on February 23,
2015 and March 2, 2015. (See Brown Dep. at 192-206, ECF #25-2 at 50-54, Pg. ID
226-30.) Brown points out that St. George did not have a similar meeting with
Barnett. (See id.) At the time of the meeting, Brown was on FMLA leave; Barnett
was not. Brown contends that St. George’s decision to meet with her, but not
Barnett, shows that St. George harbored anti-FMLA animus.
However, Brown and Barnett were not similarly-situated with respect to the
primary issues that St. George raised during the meeting. St. George focused on the

18

problems caused by Brown’s reliance on her co-worker (Barnett) for transportation.
He explained to Brown that “attendance is her responsibility, not [the responsibility]
of the associate she carpools with, and that having a backup plan in situations where
she could get another associate to give her a ride would be a good option.” (Id. at
205, ECF #25-2 at 54, Pg. ID 230.) There is no evidence in the record suggesting
that Barnett ever needed to leave work early because of his reliance upon a coworker for transportation. Thus, St. George had no need to discuss a carpool backup
plan with Barnett. The fact that St. George did not call Barnett for a meeting (like
the one he had with Brown) to discuss that issue thus says nothing about whether he
harbored anti-FMLA bias.
During St. George’s meeting with Brown, he also discussed issues related to
her insubordination toward Wolfe and himself. He told her that “being disrespectful
towards a supervisor by yelling at them, refusing to listen, and barging out of the
conference room would not be tolerated.” (Brown Dep. at 209, ECF #25-2 at 55, Pg.
ID 231.) There is no evidence in the record that Barnett ever engaged in any similar
inappropriate behavior. Therefore, the fact that St. George met with Brown to
discuss her misconduct, but did not convene a meeting with Barnett for the same
purpose, says nothing about whether St. George had a negative view of Brown’s
FMLA leave.

19

c
Finally, Brown argues that Excelda’s decision to terminate her, but not
Barnett, for leaving early on May 14, 2015, is evidence of Excelda’s disparate
treatment. (See Pl.’s Resp. Br., ECF #27 at 23-24, Pg. ID 508-09.) Brown points out
that (1) she and Barnett left early on May 14, 2015, after receiving permission from
Wolfe to do so, and (2) she was fired for “walking off the job,” while Barnett was
not punished in any manner. (Id.) Brown contends that this is a clear instance of
Excelda treating her less favorably than a similarly-situated employee who was not
on FMLA leave.
But Excelda’s decision-makers did not engage in any disparate treatment
when they terminated Brown’s employment.

Disparate treatment necessarily

involves the treatment of more than one employee. It exists where an employer is
faced with two or more employees (plural) in materially similar circumstances and
where the employer treats one of those employees in a less favorable manner. See
Int’l Bhd. Of Teamsters v. U.S., 431 U.S. 324, 335, n, 15 (1977) (explaining that
disparate treatment involves treating some people differently from “others” based
on a prohibited classification). Here, the Excelda decision-makers who chose to
terminate Brown’s employment (St. George and Oliver) were not faced with a
decision that involved similar conduct (or misconduct) by any employee other than
Brown. On the contrary, Wolfe reported to St. George and Oliver that Brown alone

20

walked off the job; Wolfe did not accuse Barnett of any wrongdoing or seek any
disciplinary action against Barnett. (See Wolfe Dep. at 41, ECF #25-3 at 12, Pg. ID
308.) Thus, at the time St. George and Oliver decided to fire Brown, they had no
reason to believe that Barnett had committed any misconduct and, more importantly,
they had no decision to make with respect to Barnett. They were facing only a single
decision about whether to fire a single employee (Brown).

Under these

circumstances, their decision terminate Brown’s employment did not amount to
disparate treatment.
During the hearing before the Court, counsel for Brown suggested that even
if Excelda’s decision-makers, themselves, did not engage in disparate treatment of
Brown and Barnett, Wolfe did so when she reported Brown but not Barnett for
leaving early. Counsel argued that Wolfe’s disparate treatment was evidence of her
anti-FMLA bias and that that bias should be imputed to the decision-makers under
the so-called “cat’s paw” theory. But that theory does not fit the facts of this case.
Under the cat’s paw theory, “the plaintiff seeks to hold [an] employer liable
for the animus of a supervisor who was not charged with making the ultimate
employment decision.” Shazor v. Prof’l Transit Mgmt., Ltd., 744 F.3d 948, 955 (6th
Cir. 2014). The theory applies where “a supervisor performs an act motivated by
discriminatory animus that is intended by the supervisor to cause an adverse
employment action” and where “that act is a proximate cause of the ultimate

21

employment action….” Henderson v. Chrysler Group, LLC, 610 Fed. App’x 488,
495-96 (6th Cir. 2015) (emphasis added) (quoting Staub v. Proctor Hosp., 562 U.S.
411 (2011) (internal brackets omitted)).
Here, Brown’s reliance on the cat’s paw theory fails because there is no
evidence that Wolfe intended “to cause an adverse employment action” when she
completed the disciplinary paperwork concerning Brown’s May 14 departure.
Wolfe did not request that Brown be terminated or subjected to any particular
consequences. Instead, Wolfe merely completed a Coaching and Corrective Action
Notice, and on that notice Wolfe recommended only a “written warning.” (See Wolfe
Dep. at 40, ECF #25-3 at 11, Pg. ID 307.) Brown has not shown that the written
warning Wolfe recommended amounted to an adverse action, nor has she attempted
to distinguish the cases in which the Sixth Circuit has held that a warning does not
constitute an adverse action. See, e.g., Creggett v. Jefferson Cty. Bd. of Educ., 491
Fed. App’x 561, 566 (6th Cir. 2012) (explaining that a written reprimand is not
considered “an adverse employment action” unless it leads “to a materially adverse
consequence such as lowered pay, demotion, suspension, or the like”); Thomas v.
Potter, 93 Fed. App’x 686, 688 (6th Cir. 2004) (holding that a warning letter did not
constitute adverse employment action). In addition, there is no proof that Wolfe
secretly hoped that the company would exceed her recommendation and take
adverse action against Brown. Because Brown has not identified any evidence that

22

Wolfe intended to cause an adverse employment action when Wolfe made the report
that led to her (Brown’s) termination, Brown may not use the cat’s paw theory to
impute Wolfe’s alleged anti-FMLA animus to the decision-makers who made the
termination decision.
Moreover, Brown’s contention that Wolfe harbored an anti-FMLA animus
(and that such animus explains Wolfe’s decision to discipline Brown) strikes the
Court as mere speculation. Brown has not identified any evidence that Wolfe had
any negative feelings about the FMLA or about employees taking FMLA leave. Nor
has Brown identified any proof that Wolfe had any concerns about Brown’s use of
FMLA leave in particular. Indeed, Brown had used FMLA leave multiple times
while under Wolfe’s supervision without any pushback from Wolfe. (See Brown
Time Card, ECF #25-15; Brown Dep. at 152, ECF #25-2 at 40, Pg. ID 216.) And
while there was open hostility between Wolfe and Brown, that hostility related to
Brown’s tardy arrivals at her machine, (see Brown Dep. at 181-86, ECF #25-2 at 4849, Pg. ID 224-25), not to Brown’s FMLA leave. There is simply no basis on which
to conclude that Wolfe’s actions toward Brown had anything to do with the FMLA.
This further undermines Brown’s reliance on the cat’s paw theory to establish that
her termination amounted to disparate treatment.

23

For all of these reasons, Excelda’s decision to terminate Brown’s employment
does not amount to disparate treatment and, accordingly, does not support an
inference of causation.
2
Brown alleges in her Amended Complaint – and appears to suggest in her
summary judgment response brief (in a single sentence that is unsupported by a
citation to even a single case) – that she has made a prima facie showing of causation
through evidence of temporal proximity. (Am. Compl. ¶48, ECF #10 at 9, Pg. ID 48;
Pl.’s Resp. Br., ECF #27 at 24, Pg. ID 509.) The Court disagrees.
Brown’s temporal proximity argument focuses on “the close temporal
proximity between” (1) Excelda’s approval of her intermittent FMLA leave on
August 14, 2014, and (2) a written warning that Harris issued to Brown four days
later, on August 18, 2014. (Am. Compl. ¶48, ECF #10 at 9, Pg. ID 48; see also
August 2014 FMLA Designation Notice, ECF #25-14 at 2, Pg. ID 438.) In that
written warning, Harris admonished Brown for misconduct occurring three months
earlier. (See August 18 Coaching and Corrective Action Notice, ECF #25-10 at 27,
Pg. ID 419.) Brown does not dispute the legitimacy of the warning, (Brown Dep. at
155-156, ECF #25-2 at 41), but she insists that the closeness in time between the
warning and the approval of her FMLA leave is sufficient to satisfy her burden to
show causation at the prima facie stage. (See ECF #27 at 24, Pg. ID 509.)

24

There are two problems with this temporal proximity argument. First, the
relevant temporal proximity is “proximity between the protected activity and the
adverse employment action,” DiCarlo v. Potter, 358 F.3d 408, 421 (6th Cir. 2004)
(emphasis added), and, as noted above, Brown has failed to show that the written
warning in August 2014 amounted to an adverse action. (See Section III(B)(1)(c),
supra.) Nor has Brown cited any authority to support her contention that she may
establish causation by showing temporal proximity between protected activity (like
her FMLA leave) and a single disciplinary action short of an adverse employment
action (like the August 2014 warning).7 Thus, Brown has failed to demonstrate that
the proximity between the lone warning in August of 2014 and the approval of her
FMLA leave establishes the required causation.
Second, even if the written warning did amount to an adverse action, Brown
has failed to show that it is the relevant adverse action for purposes of showing
causation through temporal proximity. Again, the Sixth Circuit has explained that a
plaintiff may, in some instances, show causation at the prima facie stage by

7

There is authority that supports the opposite proposition – that temporal proximity
between protected activity and a warning is not sufficient to show causation at the
prima facie stage. See, e.g., Kimbrough v. Cincinnati Assoc. for the Blind and
Visually Impaired, 986 F.Supp.2d 904, 918 (S.D. Ohio 2013) (holding that temporal
proximity between protected activity and warning was “not relevant” because the
warning was “not an actionable adverse action” and further holding that “the relevant
time gap is the proximity of the adverse action … [the] termination, to the alleged
protected activity….”).
25

demonstrating temporal proximity “between the protected activity and the adverse
employment action,” DiCarlo, 358 F.3d at 421 (emphasis added) – i.e., the adverse
action that is the subject of the plaintiff’s claim. The written warning in August
2014 is not “the adverse action” that is the subject of Brown’s claim. (See Am.
Compl. ¶44, ECF #10 at 8, Pg. ID 47; identifying only one adverse action: Brown’s
termination.) Brown has not cited any authority holding that a plaintiff may show
causation by demonstrating a close temporal proximity between protected activity
and a single adverse action that is not the subject of her claim. 8 Simply put, Brown
has not persuaded the Court that the proximity between her FMLA leave and the
warning establishes causation.
Finally (and on a somewhat different note), Brown argues that the delayed
nature of the written warning – issued by Harris nearly four months after the
underlying misconduct – supports a finding of causation. (Pl.’s Resp. Br. ECF #27
at 24, Pg. ID 509.) But the record is clear that Harris similarly delayed in issuing
written warnings before Brown began the FMLA leave at issue. For instance, in

8

Brown does not appear to argue that there is a sufficiently close temporal proximity
between the approval of her FMLA leave and her termination nine months later, and
the decision to withhold that argument seems appropriate. The Sixth Circuit has
declined to find causation where the adverse action followed the protected activity
by 2-7 months. See, e.g., Hafford v. Seidner, 183 F.3d 506, 515 (6th Cir. 1999)
(discipline 2-5 months after protected activity insufficient to establish causation);
Henderson, 610 Fed. App’x at 494 (adverse employment action 6-7 months after
FMLA request insufficient to establish causation).
26

April 2012, he issued a written warning for conduct occurring in January 2012. (See
April 17, 2012 Coaching and Corrective Action Notice, ECF #25-10 at 25, Pg. ID
417; See also, Brown Dep. at 130, ECF #25-2 at 35, Pg. ID 211, confirming the three
month delay in the April 2012 discipline.) Because Harris delayed in disciplining
Brown before her FMLA leave, the delayed timing of the August 2014 written
warning does support an inference that Excelda’s termination of Brown was related
to her FMLA leave.
3
Brown also argues that the Court may infer causation from the fact that after
Excelda approved her for FMLA leave, it imposed heightened discipline upon her
in violation of its own policies. For instance, she contends that on more than one
occasion, Excelda issued a written warning for a disciplinary infraction that
warranted only a coaching session under Excelda’s written discipline policy. (See
Pl.’s Resp. Br., ECF #27 at 24-26, Pg. ID 509-511.) But Brown admits that Excelda
began disciplining her in excess of its written policies in 2012 or 2013 – years before
Brown’s 2014 FMLA request or approval. (See Pl.’s Resp. Br., ECF #27 at 16, Pg.
ID 501.) Thus, even if Excelda violated its own discipline policies after Brown took
FMLA leave, the record does not support an inference that those violations related
to her FMLA leave.

27

4
Finally, Brown suggests that a causal connection can be inferred from a
statement made by St. George during his March 5, 2015 meeting with her. At that
time, St. George told Brown that “any further time off needed to be pre-planned and
excused.” (Pl.’s Resp. Br., ECF #27 at 23, Pg. ID 508; see also, Brown Dep. at 204,
ECF #25-2 at 53, Pg. ID 229, confirming that St. George made this statement at the
March 5, 2015 meeting.) Brown contends that, by definition, intermittent FMLA
leave cannot be pre-planned, and she thus insists that St. George’s pre-planning
requirement demonstrates his anti-FMLA bias and supports an inference that he fired
her because she took FMLA leave.
But the context and aftermath of St. George’s statement make clear that he
was not referring to FMLA leave when he mentioned the time off that had to be preplanned. St. George referenced pre-planning as part of his discussion with Brown
concerning her recurring need to leave early on short notice because she was at the
mercy of her carpool partner, Barnett. (See Brown Dep. at 204, ECF #25-2 at 53, Pg.
ID 229.) There is no evidence that St. George ever mentioned the FMLA or FMLA
leave during this discussion. And there is no evidence that Brown understood St.
George to be referring to FMLA leave as the type of time off that needed to be preplanned. Indeed, after this conversation with St. George, Brown took intermittent
FMLA leave (see Brown Time Card, ECF #25-15 at 19-22, Pg. ID 461-64), and there

28

is no proof that she attempted to pre-plan that leave. Nor is there any evidence that
St. George ever objected to Brown’s post-March 5 intermittent FMLA leave on the
ground that she did not pre-plan that leave. Under these circumstances, St. George’s
isolated reference to pre-planning time off does not support an inference that he
harbored any hostility toward Brown’s intermittent FMLA leave or that he fired her
because she took that leave.
For all of the reasons explained above, the Court concludes that Brown has
failed to establish the causation element of her prima facie case and that Excelda is
therefore entitled to summary judgment.
C
Even if Brown had established her prima facie case, Excelda would still be
entitled to summary judgment because it has offered a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for her firing – leaving early without permission on May 14,
2015 – and Brown has not shown that that reason was a pretext for anti-FMLA
retaliation.
“To demonstrate pretext, a plaintiff must show both that the employer’s
proffered reason was not the real reason for its action, and that the employer’s real
reason was unlawful.” EEOC v. Ford Motor Co., 782 F.3d 753, 767 (6th Cir. 2015)
(emphasis in original) (citing St. Mary’s Honor Ctr. v. Hicks, 509 U.S. 502, 515
(1993)). Stated another way, a plaintiff must “present evidence from which a

29

reasonable jury could find” that “unlawful retaliation in fact was” the employer’s
real reason for taking the adverse action. Id. Brown has failed to do so.
The record contains powerful evidence that Excelda did not harbor any antiFMLA bias. Indeed, the record contains ample evidence that Excelda was more than
willing to accommodate Brown’s need for time off to attend to health issues.
Excelda approved and administered two prior FMLA leaves for Brown without
incident (see Brown Dep. at 52, 110, ECF #25-2 at 15, 30, Pg. ID 191, 206), and
Excelda even gave Brown substantial time off (to which she was not entitled) to care
for her ailing sister. (See id. at 88-89, ECF #25-2 at 24-25, Pg. ID 200-01.)
Moreover, there is no evidence in the record that any Excelda employee ever
objected to, or raised any concern about, Brown’s FMLA leave. Furthermore, even
after Excelda approved Brown’s most recent FMLA leave, it passed up opportunities
to discipline her for serious misconduct. For instance, Excelda did not take action
against Brown for her serious insubordination directed toward St. George and Wolfe
in January 2015. And, while Brown was on her most recent FMLA leave, Oliver
rejected Brown’s own request to be fired. (See Oliver Dep. at 25-26, ECF #25-5 at
8, Pg. ID 346.) Simply put, the record contains persuasive evidence that Excelda
harbored no animus toward Brown related to her FMLA leave and that Excelda did
not terminate her employment based upon such alleged animus.

30

Brown has not countered with proof that her FMLA leave played any role in
her termination. Instead, she offers only her evidence of causation – which the Court
found lacking for the reasons explained above – and she also argues that Excelda
had no basis in fact to terminate her because she had permission to leave on May 14,
2015. But even if Brown could show that Excelda’s reason for firing her was without
factual support, Excelda would still be entitled to summary judgment because, for
all of the reasons explained above, on this record, “no rational factfinder could
conclude that” Excelda fired Brown as retaliation for her leave under the FMLA.
Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prod., Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 148 (2000) (holding that
even where an employee establishes a prima facie case and sets forth a basis to reject
the employer’s proffered reason for the discharge, an employer may be entitled to
judgment as a matter of law where no rational factfinder could find discrimination).9
IV
Brown has failed to establish a causal connection between her FMLA leave
and Excelda’s decision to terminate her employment, and she has failed to show that
Excelda’s proffered reason for firing her was a pretext for anti-FMLA retaliation.

9

While the Supreme Court in Reeves was addressing a motion under Rule 50 of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the decision also applies in the summary judgment
context. See Ford Motor Co., 782 F.3d at 767 (citing Reeves in summary judgment
context).
31

Therefore, Excelda is entitled to summary judgment on Brown’s retaliation claim
under the FMLA.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Excelda’s motion for
summary judgment (ECF #25) is GRANTED.

Dated: May 31, 2017

s/Matthew F. Leitman
MATTHEW F. LEITMAN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon the
parties and/or counsel of record on May 31, 2017, by electronic means and/or
ordinary mail.
s/Holly A. Monda
Case Manager
[phone]

32