Cook v. Equiolone Enterprises, L.L. C. d/b/a Shell Oil Products U.S.

Filing 24

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER GRANTING 14 MOTION for Summary Judgment.(Signed by Judge Keith P Ellison) Parties notified.(sloewe)

U N I E D STA T E S D I T R I T C O U R T T S C SO U T H E R N D I TR I T O F TEX A S S C H O U ST O N D I I IO N VS R I H AR D N . O O K , C C P l i tf , a n if
V.

CI I ACTI N NO.4: 9- v- 756 VL O 0c0

EQUI ON ENTERPRISES, L. . L L. C ,
D/ / SHELL Ol PRODUCTS US, BA L
D efendant .

M EM O M ND UM A ND O R D ER

Pe dig beor te Cour i Defnd ntsM oton f rSumma y J d m e t( oc. n n feh ts e a ' io r ug n D

No 1 ) Themo in h sb e f l b ifd. Ha ig c n ie e t ep ris fln s a1 . 4. to a e n ul ree y v n o sd r d h a te ' ii g , 1
r s o s s a d r ple t er t ,a d t e a plca l l w ,t e Co r tnds t a Def nda ts ep n e n e is h eo n h p i b e a h u ts h t e n' M o i n f rSumm a y J dgm e ts oul begr nt d. to o ru nh d ae
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Thi c s ars s f om a l ge di c i i a i n aga ns Pl i tf R i ha d N as Cook s a e ie r le d s rm n to i t a n if c r h

by hi e pl ye ,Defnda t Equio Ent p rs s L. . .d/ / Shel Oi Pr duc s US sm or en ln e ie , L C b a llot

(th l' o t ee d n '. Co k' Orgn lCo plitalg s t a S elvo ae te d e1 r i f n a f) S'D o s iia m an l e h t h l iltd h e Ameia swi Dia iiisAc (W DA',t eAg Dici iain i Emply e tAc rc n t s blte t $ h ' h e s rm n to n ) om n t (t DEA' ,a d 41U. . .j 1 8 2tr u h i c n u ti rlto t awo k lc ij r t A 'n ) SC 9 1 h o g t o d c n eain o s r pa e n u y
Cook s sai edi Aprlof2008. ut n n i
Cook v. Equiolone Enterprises, L.L. C. d/b/a Shell Oil Products U.S. Doc. 24

1Thefct aeundiputd e ce twhee idiatd. a sr s exp rnce 2Pli tf' Orgi alCompl italgest a Pli tf wa S ontnuousya dconssentyteaedi a an ifs i n an le h t a n if s i i c ln it l r t n

dfeiga da ves ma ne d et hsrc s i voaino hsrg t un e 4 U.. . 1 8 .( o pl! ifrn n d re n r u o i ae' n ilto f i ihs d r 2 SC j 9 1 C m . ' VI, c No 1)Plit fsc u s lndctdd rn Plitf sd p sto , o e e,h th rc I Do . . . an i o n e i iae uig anif e o i n h w v r ta te a e f i
dici iaton cai w a i a ve tnty i clde i t eOrgi a Pettonand a r e t w ihdr w t ec us s rm n i l m s n d re l n u d n h i n l ii ge d o t a h a e

o ato .( o kDe . 76 , c No 1 - . Bae o t i siuain s mmayj d me ti a popit f cin C o p 6 -8 Do . . 4 1) sd n hs tp lto , u r u g n s p r rae
a t t i cam . s o h s li

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Cook w a hie by a t m por r a e c i J l 1 99 t w or a a O pe a or at s rd e ay g n y n u y 9 o ksn rt

ShelsLubePlnti GaenaPak,Texa . ( o k Af.! 2,DocNo.1 - . l J nuay l' anl r s Co f 9 2) n a r
2000,Cook be am e a r gul rempl ye of Shel i t e Shi pi g De a t e twhe e he c ea oe ln h pn p rm n r

wasrs onsbl f rla i g tuc s (d. Coo wa a pr xi ael 5 yeasol when ep i e o o dn r k . 1 4 k sp o mty 2 r d

S elhr d hm dr cl a a e po e . ( o k De .2 :9 2 . Ro g l tn mo ts h l ie i ie t s n m ly e C o p 5 1 - 5) u h y e nh y
lt r Cook wa ta s e r dt t eGr as De a t e twhe ehe e e t a l be a e aLe d ae , s r n fr e o h e e p rm n r v n u ly c m a

Opeao .(d a 2 :- , - 9) Co k rman di t eGr a eDe a t e t n ii co e rtr I . t 84 9 282 . o e ie n h e s p rm n u tl t ls d i a p o i aey 2 0 . ( o k De . 2 :- 7) Afe te co u e o t e Gr ae n p r xm tl 0 5 C o p 98 1 . tr h ls r f h es
De a t e t Cook wasta s e r d t t e Pa lLi e whe e he fle pa l wih m ot roi. p rm n , r n f re o h i n r ild is t ol

( oo AE ! 3. Cookwor e ontePalLief ra pr xi atl ayea a d ahafuntl Ck ) k d h i n o p o m ey rn li

h s sane awo k plc ij r t hslf s o le . ( o k De .3 . Co k' ij r e u ti d r a e nu y o i et h u d r C o p 0) o s nu y

rq ie s r eya dh r man do fof r fr u to e o ey a fo De e b r2 0 e u rd u g r n e e ie f wo k o j s v r n e r r m c m e 0 6
t J n ay 2 0 . ( o k De .3 - 1 . Upo rt r ig t wo k i J n ay 2 0 ,Co k o aur 0 8 C o p 03) n e unn o r n a u r 0 8 o
bega wor ig on te Qua t Lie a a Opeaor ( oo De . 3132) Afe n kn h r n sn rt . C k p - . tr
a pr xi a ey one mont ,Coo wasta sere t t eGa l n Li ewhe e he c ntnue t p o m tl h k r n f rd o h lo n r o i do

wo ka a Opertr ( ookAE !3. r sn ao . C )
On t e m or i g of Aprl4,2008,a a pr xi a ey 6: 0 a. . a t r r ughl 20 h nn i t p o m t l 3 m , fe o y m i uts of o e a i g t e c s e e t r mac i e o t e Gal n Li e Cook s sa ne a ne p r tn h a e r co hn n h lo n , u ti d n

ij r t h srg ts o le . ( o k De .3 - 8) Co k i m e itl s u d wn hs n u y o i ih h ud r C o p 7 3 . o m d aey h t o i

ma hn a d rp re t eij r t hi s pe vs r S ot S ee . ( o kAf !4) Co k c ie n e o td h nu y o s u r io , c t m rk C o f . o
a v s d S e e t a hewa e pein ig a1to p i a ar s l o hss o le ij r . d ie m rk h t s x re cn o f an s e ut f i h ud r n u y
Ld. Smee tl Cook ta he wo l snd a ohe e plye down t Cook' lnet I4 rk od ht ud e n t r m o e o si o rle eCook o hi dutes ( ook De .a 39:- . Ther le e plye a i ed s orl eiv f s i.C p t 4 5) eif m o e n v h ty

2

t e e fe a d Cook s entr ughl fve t t n mi ut stani g t e e pl ye t co tnue h ratr n p o yi oe n e ri n h m o e o n i

te lne' opeain. (d.a 42:3 25,43:- 1) Cook te wac edt er lefemplyee h i s rto I t 2 12 . h n th h ei o
nm t e lne f ra out30 mi ut sbe a s Sme e had i sr ced hi t m a e s r i was hi ob n e cue rk n tu t m o k ue t

o e aigp o e l .(#. t 4:2 1 . p r t r p ry f a 4 1 - 9) n
Cook t e we tt fnd Sme e t tl hi t a hew a sile pe incng pan a d hn n o i rk o el m h t s tl x re i in

n e e me ia atni n (d.a 4 :0 2 ,4 :- . Durn t er me t g,S ee e d d d c l te to . I t 4 2 - 5 5 14) ig h i ei m r k n alg dy tl Coo ,Eplo l a y u a e h v a tnd n y o b i g ij r dmo eo tn le e l o d k t e pe t o r g a e e e c f en n u e r fe l ta oh r , n Id n'k o wh t od , 'en v rbe ni ti st ainbeo e' (d. t h n tes a d o t n w a t o Iv e e e n h s iu to f r . I a ' 4 :- . Co kcam sta h a v sd S ee ta Smee n e e t g t m t d h l o 54 8) o li h t e d ie m rk h t r k e d d o e hi o t el r s
s m eme ia plc ' t ha ea doco lok a hi s oule . (d.at45:0-1 . Sme e o dc l a e' o v tr o t s h d r I 1 3) rk tl Cook t a hewoul Sge wih ( ookjltron'and isr ce Coo t rtr t hi od ht dçt t C ae ' n tu td k o e' n o s u wok a e . (d.a 45:1 - 0. Cookcomple wih Smeek' isru tonsa d r mane r ra 1 t 82 ) id t r s n t ci n e i d
a hi wor sa i n f ra pr xi ael 30 mi ut sobs r i g t er lefe pl yeewho was t s k tto o p o m t y ne e v n h ei m o

nmnig t eln . (#.a 4 :- 1 4 :5 1 . Co k te lf h ssain t g s e k t n h ie f t 52 1 , 6 1 - 8) o h n et i tto o o p a o S e e a o t i ij r a an.@d a 4 :4 25) Co ktsi e t a, u i gters c n m rk b u h s nu y g i . t 52 - . o etf d h t d rn h i e o d
dic s i n,Sme ek apol g z d f r ma i g t e c m m e t about Cook' ag ,but t e s u so r o ie o kn h o n se hn

p o e d d t ma e a oh ra er ltd c mme t saig t e p e ( o k')a e h v a r c e e o k n te g -eae o n, ttn t o l C o s g a e p tn e c o b igh r mo eotn o tej b. (d. t48 1 - 4, 9: 12 . Smee as e d n y f en u t r fe n h o ' 1 a :7 2 4 2 - 3) ' r k lo t l Co k t sa d wn i hi wok ae a d rpe td t a h wo l ç e wih ( o k) od o o ty o n s r r a n e ae h t e u d t t t C o g
whe he(oull' (d. 48:0- 3. n c d . I at 1 1 ) '
C ook r t r ed t hi w o k s a i n a d waied f r a out30 m i ut s be or c li g e u n o s r t to n t ob n e f e a ln

hi wie t c me pik hi up. (#.a 50:- . Befr hi wie ani ed,Cook c le s foo cm f t 2 4) oe s f v ald
Sm e e a d i f r e Sme e t a he ha c led hi wie t tke hi t t e docor r k n n om d rk h t d al s f oa m oh t

3

bec us hene de me ia atnton. @d.a 50:5- 5. Smee i f r ed Coo t a hi ae e d d c l te i t 1) rk n o m k ht s
w ie c ul nott ke hi t t e doc o ,a d lt r whe Coo ' wie ari ed,Sm e e f od a m oh tr n ae, n k s f rv rk

i fr e h rta o l aS ele p o e c ul tk Co kt ted co f rh sij r .(d. n o m d e h t ny h l m ly e o d a e o o h o tr o i nu y I a 5 : 12 . Co k' wiete lf t eS elfcl y (d. t512 3. Ata p o i aey t 0 2 - 5) o s f h n e t h h l a ii . I a :- ) t p r x m tl
1 : 0p. . Sm e e t ok Cook t t e She lmedi a f clt atShel' De rPa k Refne y. 2 3 m , rk o oh l c l a iiy ls e r ir

(d. t52:- 7. Sme e watdf rCooki t ewatngr om d rng Coo ' e a iain 1 a 7 1 ) r k ie o n h ii o u i k s x m n to

b ad co , ihlse a p o i aey 3 miu e .(# a 5 :- 7) S e e te d o e y o tr whc a td p r x m tl 0 n ts f . t 32 1 . m r k h n r v
Cook ba k t t e Lube Pl ntwhe e Coo c a ged hi cot e a d dr ve hi s l hom e. c oh a r k hn s l hs n o m ef

(d. t5 - 5) Th n x we k Co k c na td S ee t if r hm t a h c ul n t 1 a 4 5 . e e t e , o o tce m rk o n o m i h t e o d o
m a e i t wor bec us hi s oul e pan ha i t nsfed s bsa taly a d hewasgoi g k to k a e s h d r i d n e ii u t n i l n n ce r li i t s eadocor ( ookAf.J7. Cook hasbeen on m ediallave fom Shel snce Aprl oe t.C f! )
2008.

Fol wig h s ij r , Co k a pid f r a d b g n r c iig wokes lo n i nu y o p le o n e a e evn r r'
c m pe s ton be e is l Se t m be o 2008,Coo unde e t s r e y on hi rght o n ai n ft . n p e r f k m n ug r si

s oule t rparatr r ttrc f a d lbr m . (d.a 1 2:- 3. I Fe r a y 20 9, h d r o e i o n oao u f n a u I t 0 3 1 ) n b u r 0 flowig aheai gbeor teTe a W o kes'Compe s tonBoar CK W CB' Cook' ol n rn f e h x s r r n ai dT ' ) s

wo k r 'c mpe s to b n ft wee tr iae . (d a 6 :2- 3) Ba e o te r es o n ain e e is r e m n td I . t 9 1 1 . sd n h
t nui aton ofhi wor e s c m pe s to be e is pur ua tt ispolc ,Shelcha ge e ni s k r ' o n ai n n ft , s n o t iy l nd

Cook' lavesausfo oc upaina t no - c upatonal (d.a 69-0;Ca trAf.! s e tt r m c to l o n o c i . 1 t 7 re f ë
U nde She ls polc ,e pl ye s who a e o non- cc pa i nal l a e m us pay f r r l' iy m o e rn o u to ev t o

t erown heat is rnce. (d. Alho gh Coo hasdiputd te cls iiai n ofhi hi lh n u a 1) tu k s e h a sfc to s
m ediall a e a d t e r s li g r quie e tt a he pa f r hi own he lh i s r nc , c e v n h e u tn e r m n h t yo s at n u a e
Cook doe not alege t a t e t r i ai n of hi be e is or t e he lh i s r nce s l h t h e m n to s n ft h at n u a

4

r q ie e taer ltd t hi age.(J.a 70- 1) Afe hi la ewasrclsiid,Cook e u rm n r eae o s f t 7 . tr s e v e a sfe

a pl dfra db g nr c iiglngtr d s blt b neis(t TD' .(# a 1 7 1 8) p i o n e a e evn o -em ia ii e ft < e y ' f.t 1-1. )
I Nove be 2009,Cook' doc o sr l a t hi t r t r t wor on a lghtdu y n mr s t r e e s d m o e' n o u k i t

bass (d.a 711 - 0. Atte tme,a c r i g t Shel,te e wee no lghtdut i. I t :6 2 ) h i c o dn o l hr r i y
pos to sava l bl a t e Lube Pl ntand Cook w ast l t a he coul r t r t w o k o l ii n ia e t h a od h t d eu n o r n y

wih af l rla e. @d.a 7 :2- 8. Att etmeofhi de oston i De e be 2009, t ul ee s t2 1) h i s p ii n c m r

Co kwa c n iungt r c ieLTD b n t sa dr c p rtn fo hsij re . Atta o s o tn i o e ev e ek n e u eaig r m i nu is ht
tm e,Cook had notbee cla e by hi doc o s t lf ie s wei hi g mor t a t n i n erd s t r o it t m gn e hn e

p u d . (d a 8 - 1) Co k a tcp td o tiig a fl rla e s m ei e i 2 1 a d o n s I . t 0 8 . o n iiae b ann u l ee s o t n 0 0 n m
e pecst bea l t rtr t wor atShel @d.a 72- 3. x t o b e o eu n o k l. t 7)
I. I STA N D A R D FO R SU M M A R Y JUD G M EN T

A moin fr s mmay j d m e tu d r Fe ea Rul of Cii P o e u e 5 to o u r u g n n e d r l e vl rc d r 6
r q ie t e Co r t d tnuie wh t e t emo ig pat i e tte t j d me ta a e ur s h u t o ee n eh r h v n ry s n ild o u g n s
m atrof1w basd on t e e i e c tus fr pr sntd. Se FE .R.CI .P.5 () te a e h vd n e h a ee e eD V 6c.

S mm ayj d me ti p o e çft epla ig ,d p sto s a s e st i tnogao is u r u g n s r p r é h e dn s e o iin , n w r o n e tre , i
a d a m isonson fl ,t gehe wih t e a fda is i a y,s ow t a t e e i no ge ui e n d si ie o t r t h fi v t, f n h h th r s nn

is ea t a ymaeilfc a d ta temo i gp ryi e tt dt j d me ta amatr su s o n tra a t n h t h vn a t s nil o u g n s te e o lw. Ke v Ci o Ro lt, 4 F.d2 6 21 ( t Ci. 01 ( u tto so i e ) f a ' e . t f w et2 7 3 0 , 0 5h r 20 ) q oain m t d . ' y t
A g n i eis eofmaeilfc e it i ar a o a l j r c u d e tra v r it e un su tra a t x ss f e s n b e u y o l n e ed c

frt en n m o igpat . Cr w o d v Fo mo aPlsis Cop. 2 4 F.d 8 9 9 2 ( t o h o - v n ry a f r . r s a t c r , 3 3 9 , 0 5h
Ci.2000) Thi Cour mus viw al e i e c i te lghtmos fvor bl t t enonr .s t t e 1 vd n e n h i ta a e o h
m ovi g pa t a d dr w al r as na l i f r nce i t a pa t ' f vor 1 . He r a , n ry n a 1 e o b e n e e s n h t ry s a . d a sy
co c us r a l ga i ns uns bs a ta e a s r i ns a d uns ppored s ec l ton a e not n l o y le to , u t n i t d s e to , n u t p u ai r

c m p tn s m ma y j dg e te ie c . FE .R.CI .P.5 ( )1;s e as Li l v o ee t u r u m n v d n e D V 6 e ( ) e lo t e . t
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Li udAi Cop. 3 F.d 1 6 ,1 7 (t Ci.1 9 )( oi gta ano - o a tsb r e q i r r , 7 3 0 9 0 5 5h r 9 4 n t h t n m v n ' u d n n
i t o s tsid wih Gom e mea hysca do bt a t te maeil fcs' (iig s d t aife t s n tp i l u s o h tra a t'' ctn M atus iaElc I dus Co.v.Ze ihRadi Cor .475U. .574,586 ( 986) . l de d, s ht e . n . nt o p, S 1 : ne t s r ie a moton f r s m may j dgme tt a i prpel made a d s ppore ,t e o u vv i ou ru n h t s o ry n u td h
opposng pa t ' r s ons c nnotr l me el on alegai nsordeni l i t e pl a i gs i ry s e p e a ey r y l to as n h e dn , butmus poi tt s ecfc f c s s ow i g a ge ui e is e f r ti l Se FED.R.CI .P. t n o p i at h n n n s u o ra . e V

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11 1. CO O K ' AGE DI C R I I A TI N I EM PLO Y M ENT ACT CLAI S S S MN ON M
A . Di parat Treat ent s e m

The ADEA pr hi is e pl ye s fom dic i i a i g agans e pl yee on t e o bt m o r r s rm n tn itm o s h

ba i of a e. A pl i tf m a pr ve t e e it nc of i t nto a dic i i ato et e ss g an if y o h x se e n e i n l s rm n i n ih r
p nu e t r ugh diec orcic m sa ta e i e ce. Ru s 1 v M c i ne Hos . Ve t r ,235F. d ho rt ru tnil vd n 3 s e1 . K n y 3

21 ,222 ( t Ci.2000) Dici iain cai s lckig s fiintdie te ienc ae 9 5h r . s rm n to l m a n u fce r c vd e r
a ayze a c r i g t t e bur e -hitng fa e o k frt esabls e by t e Supr m e n l d c o dn o h d n s fi r m w r is t ih d h e

Co r i M c o n lDo glsCop. . e n 41 U. . 9 ( 9 3 . u tn D n el u a r v Gr e , 1 S 7 2 1 7 )
M c onne lD ou l si sr ct t a t e pl i tf mus fr tesa ls a prm a D l g a n tu s h t h a n if t is t b ih i f ci c s of dicrm i a i n. Onc t e pl i tf pr s nt a prm a f ci a e ae s i n to e h a n if e e s i ae ca e t e defnda t mus t e a tc l t a l gii a e,no dic i i aor s, h en t h n riu ae e tm t n s rm n t y
3n er i s m edie te i e ceofa e-eltdbison Smerk' pa t a e i e ce byhi c m m e t ont e eso rc vd n g r ae a e s r, s v d n d so ns h

d yo Co k' ij r .A rmaki c n iee p o aieo dsrmiaini id mo srtsdsrmiaoy a f o s nuy e r s o sd rd r b t f ici n to ft e n tae ici n tr v
a i usa dwa madebyape s nprmarl r s onsbl f rt eadves e plym entaci norby ape s n nm n s r o i iy e p i e o h re m o to ro

rcls ii ai nofhi l a esaus t o plces metme atrFe r ay 2009.N otonl ha sgniianttm e e a stc to s e v tt , o k a o i fe b u r y d i fc i pasedsnc Smeek' a e r ltd c m m e t, i wast eHuma Re our esde arm e t no Sme e , s ie r s g -ea e o n s but t h nsc p t n. t rk

wi if e c o lv rg o e tefr a d cso ma e.fa tnv Ga , n .3 3F.d5 2 5 3( t Ci. t n l n e r e ea e v r h om l e iin k r xo . p I c, 3 3 7 , 8 5h r hu 2 0 ) I ti c s, mee ' a erltdc mme t weema ei Ap io 2 0 onted yo Co k' 0 3 . n hs a e S rks g -eae o ns r d n rl f 0 8 h a f o s ij r .Asdsu s difa, h l' o l ag a l a v ree plyme t cina an tCo k,h nuy ic se nr S els ny r u by d es m o n a to g is o te

wh ma etela esau d cso .( atrAf.r Co kDe . 57 . Coo h sp ee tdn e ie c o d h ev tts e iin C re f!3; o p 7 -6) k a rsn e o vd n e
t a Sme e wa ivol edi o ha ifue c ove t edecson t r cls iyhi be ef s I lghtoft e h t rk s n v n r d n l n e r h ii o e a sf s n h . n i h sgnii a tpa s geoftm ea d tecompltl difr ntdecson- a e ivoledi Cook' la e i tc n s a i nh ee y fee ii m k r n v n sev deem i ain,Sme e ' a e-eae c m m e t ar notby t e s less fiintdiec evi e ceof tr n to r k s g r ltd o ns e h m ev u fce r t d n

dici iaint alw Co kt wih tn s mmayj d me t Dept telc ofs f in e ie c o srm n to o l o o o tsa d u r u g n. s i h a k u t e t vd n e f e k
dic i i ai nt s itt ebur e ofpe s a in i meditl t ShelCook' cli i alo a pr pratl s rm n to o h f h dn r u so m aey o l, s am s s p o i ey e auaedunde t eM c onnelDou lsbur en-hitn fa e or . vl t rh D l ga d s fig r m w k

r as n f rt e q e toned e pl ym e ta ton. l t e de enda ti a l t e o o h u si m o n ci f h f n s be o do s ,t ebur e s it bac t t epl i tf t pr duc e i e ce t att e oh d n h fs k o h a n if o o e v d n h h de e da tsa tc lt d r a o i me el apr txtf rdic i i ai n. f n n ' ri u a e e s n s r y e e o s rm n to

Fr n v XeoxCo.347F.d 1 0,1 7(t Ci. ak . r , 3 3 3 5h r 2003)(ntr alciato somitd) i en t in te .

Tos r ies mm ayj dg e to h scam o ds rm iain o t eb ssofa e u vv u r u m n n i li f ici n to n h a i g ,
Coo mus r ie a ge ui e is e ofm a e i lf c on e c e e entoft e prm a f ci c s k t as n n su t ra a t a h lm h i a e ae

ofdici iain. Jo ns n v.fouiina,351 F.d 61 ,62122 ( t Ci.2003) The srm n to ho sa 36 - 5h r .

p i afc c s r q ie aplitf t d m o sr t t a:1 hei ame be o ap oe td rm a e ae e ur s an if o e n tae h t ) s m r f r tce ca s 2 h wa q aiid f r t e po io i q e to ; 3 he s fee a a v re ls; ) e s u lfe o h st n n u sin ) i u fr d n d es e po me ta to ;a d 4 wa r pa e b ayo ng rwo ke o ohewiete td ls m ly n cin n , ) s e lc d y u e r r r t r s rae e s
f vo a l t a sm ia l st a e pe s ns outi e t e pr t ctd cl s . Rac i v Jac I a r b y h n i lry iu t d r o sd h o e e a s hd . k n

teBo , n , 7 F.d3 5 3 9( t Ci. 0 4 . h x I c 3 6 3 0 , 0 5h r 2 0 )
I i undiput d t a Cook,w ho w a overs xt ye r o1 w he t e r l va te e t ts s e ht s i y as d n h ee n v n s

oc ure ,i a membe oft e c a spr tc e by t eADEA - e pl yee over40 ye r of c rd s r h ls oe td h mo s as a e. Cook wascla l qua ii d f rt e Ope aorposton i whih he wa e pl ye a g e ry lfe o h rt ii n c sm o dt Shel. I i l s cla ,ho e e ,whehe Cook s fe e a a ve s e pl ym e taci n. l t s es er w v r tr u f r d n d r e m o n to Coo ' Orgi a Pe ii n al ges t a he was t or e t r sgn fom hi pos by t e k s i n l tto le ht ç c d o ei r f st h D ef nda t'a d t a he ç a r plc d by a i di i ua t a wa noti t e pr t c e cls e n' n h t t s e ae w n n vd lh t s n h o e td a s

ofpes nsove f ry( 0)yeasofa e. ( ompl !VI) Theei nocompee ts mma y ro r ot 4 r g'C ' . . rs tn u r

j d me t e ie c ,h we e ,ta S ele e f re Co k t r sg . I f c,Co k u g n vd n e o v r h t h l v r o c d o o e in n a t o
tsiid t a he wasneve fr d,de otd,orwr ngf ly dicplned by Shel. ( ook e tfe h t re me o ul s i i lC De .68:- 8. Unco tove td e ie cede onsrtstatCoo i c renty a a tve p 11 ) n r re vd n m tae h k s u r l n ci e plye ofShelwhoi onmedialla e.( a trAE !3, No.1 - . moe l s c e v C re Doc. 4 2)

7

A lhough Coo doe notr i e t e i s e i hi Or gi a Pe ii n or i hi Re pons t k s a s h s u n s i n l tto nss e

t ShelsM o i n f rSum m a y J dg e t She la gua l t ok a a ver e a ton a ai s o l' to o r u m n , l r by o n d s ci g n t Cook when i r c a sfedhi l a e sat sfom occ pa i na t non- c upato a upon t e t e l s ii s ev t u r u to l o o c in l h TW CB ' de e m i ai n t a Coo wa ftt r t r t wor . I de d,pur ua tt Shel' S t r n to h t k s i o eu n o kne sno ls polc ,t i r cls ii a in r s led i Coo beng r quied t pa f r hi own he lh iy h s e a sfc to e u t n k i e r o yo s at
i s r nc . n ua e

The Fit Cic i ha hel ta a emplym e tacin ta t oesnotafe tj b fh r ut s d h t n o n to h t t d fc o
d tes c m pe s ton, or be eft , i not a a ve s e pl ym e t ac i n. Pe r m v. u i , o n ai n is' s ' n d r e m o n to ga

Ho e wel I c,3 1 F.d 27 ,2 2 (t Ci.2 0 ) ( u tt n maks a d itr a n y l n . 6 3 2 8 5h r 0 4 q oai , o r n n en l ctt n o i e ) l d e , d d es e ply e t a to s i cu e o l utmae i i s m t d . n e d t v re m o m n cin n ld ny li t ao t a
e pl ym ent dec sons s c a hii g, gr ntng l a e di c a gi g, pr m otng, or mo ii u h s rn ai e v , sh r n oi Co ' f h e e r, 9 3 / c m p n a ig'4 M c y v.C1yo S r vpo t 4 2 F.d 55 ,5 9 (t Ci.20 7 ( e o e st . n' 1 5 5h r 0 ) p r
.

c ra )( u t g Gr e v Ad ' o T ln Edu .Fu d 2 4 F.d 6 2,6 7 ( t Ci. u im q oi n e n . m r f ua e c n , 8 3 4 5 5h r s
2 0 )(n en lq o ai n o itd . Be a s S els rca sfc to o Co k' la e 0 2 itr a u tto s m te ) c u e h l' e lsiiain f o s e v
sa usr s le i am a e i lcha ge t hi heat bene is t edec so a pe r t qua iy tt e u t d n t ra n o s lh ft , h ii n p a s o lf
a a ad er e e pl ym enta ton unde t e A D E A . sn v s m o ci rh

The Co r ne d no detr i e whe he Shel' co d c c nsiut d a ad e s ut e t em n tr ls n u t o tt e n v r e e plym e t a to , hoy e e , be a s t e e i no e i e ce t at t e r cas i c to m o n cin vv r c u e h r s v d n h h e l sû a in

oc u r d i a m a ne t a gi e rs t a i f r nc ofa e dic i i a i n. Rahe ,t e c re n n r h t v s ie o n n e e e g s rm n to trh
unc ntove td e i e c i t e r c r s ow s t a She ls l a e polc wa c nsse ty o r re v d n e n h e o d h h t l' e v iy s o it n l
a ple t e pl ye s of a 1a es I t e a s nce of e i enc t a Cook w a t e t d l s p id o m o e l g . n h be vd e h t s rae e s
4 I hi Re pons Cook a pea st s gg s t a Sme e , ager lt d c mm ent a d r que t t a Coo nss e p r o u e t h t r k s -eae o s n e ss h t k
,

rtr t hswo ksainonted y o Co k' ijr c n tuea v ree po me ta to s Smee ' eun o i r tt o h a f o s nu y o si t d es m ly n cin . rk s t
c nduct abei a pa e ty is nstve,doesnotc nsiue a adve s empl ym enta ton unde t eADEA o , l t p r n l n e ii o tt t n re o ci rh a itr rt dby t eFit Cicui. s n e p ee h fh r t

fvo a l t a ot ersm ia l st aed i di i ual outi ehi pr t c e c a swih r ga d a r b y h n h i lry iu t n v d s sd s o e t d l s t e r
t hi l a e s a us t e fnalel m e t of t e prm a f c e ca e ha not be n s ts i d a d o s e v tt , h i en hi ai s s e a i fe n

s mm ayj d me t st eeo ea p o rae u r u g n i h rf r p rp it .
B . H os ie W ork E nvi onm ent tl r

Co k' Orgia Pei o as alg s t a Co k wa s b e tt % o tlt a d o s i n l tt n lo le e h t o i s u j c o ç sii n h y v r a a s ut,tr ee a h sa e' ( o p . VI) Alh u h te Fit Cic i h sn t eb l s a ls a g td t i g . C m l ! . t o g h fh rut a o '
s e iialy hel t a a hosie wor en ionm entc am i cog i a l undert e ADEA , p c fc l d ht tl k vr li s n z be h t e Cour a s m e f rpur os s oft i moton t a s c a c us ofaci n i a aia l . h t su s o pe hs i ht uh a e to s v lb e

M c e l v Eme s n El c Co. No.04- 0305. 1 1 Fe .Appx.29,2005 W L 86503,3 N ay . ro e . , 3 ,2 d 4

n 1( t Ci. a .1 , 0 5 . . 5h r J n 7 2 0 )
To sae a hosie wor e vionme tcli ,a plitf mus s ow t a:( )t e tt tl k n r n am an if t h h t 1 h

vitm b ln s t a pr tce g o p; ( ) te vci wa s b e td t u wec me ci eo g o oe td r u 2 h itm s u j ce o n lo h rsm e t ( ) te h rsm e t wa b s d o a p oe td c a a trsi; ( ) te aas n; 3 h aas n s ae n r tce h r ce itc 4 h h r sme ta fce atr ,c n iin o p i i g o e po m e t a d ( )t ev ci ' a a s n fe td em o dto , r rv l e f m ly n ; n 5 h it s e m
em pl ye knew o s oul ha e k o n of t e har sm e t and f ied t tke pr m pt or r h d v nw h as n al o a o

r me ilacin.EEOC v.WC&M Entr .I c.496F.d393,399 ( t Ci.2007) S or e d a to e s, n , 3 5h r .d F
ha a s e tt af e ta t r ,co dii n,orprvie e of e pl ym e t i m us be s fi i nty r sm n o f c em n to i lg mo nt t u fce l

s ve e or pe v sve s as t at r t e co dii ns of e pl ym e tand c ea e a a usve er rai o o le h n to mo n rt nbi

wo kn e vr n e t' Cee tn v Per lo d V ne u l S , 6F.d 3 3, 5 ( t r ig n io m n . lsi e . toe s e e z ea A 26 3 4 3 3 5h ' Ci.2 01 (n e a q oain o itd . I e au tn wheh ra wo k e vr nme ti r 0 ) itm l u tto s m t ) n v laig te e r n io n s
hos ie a lc r um s a c s a e cons de ed,i c udi g d he f e ue c of t e di c i i at r tl , l ic t n e r i r n l n ç rq n y t h s rm n o y

c nduc , is s vert ,whet e i i physc ly t r a e i g or hum ii tng, or a me e o t t e iy hr t s ial h e tnn lai r ofe sve ute a ce and whehe i unr a ona l i t re ed wih an e pl ye ' wor fn i tr n , t r t e s by n efr t m o es k

pe fnna c . Hari v Fo kitS s,51 U. .1 ,23(1 93) ro n e' rs . r lf y . 0 S 7 ' 9.

I t i c s ,Cook wor ed f r Shelf rnea l a de a e bef r t e a lged ve bal n hs a e ko lo ry cd o e h le r as a lst ok plce i t i ca e. I de d,t e o l t o a e-eatd comment a outwhi h s ut o a n h s s n e h ny w g r l e sb c

Co k tsiid o c re o te sm e d y i Ap i 2 0 wh n h ij r d hi s o l e. o e tfe c u rd n h a a n rl 0 8 e e n u e s h u d r
Sur l ,t o a e r lt d c m m e t overa ne ry t n yea pe i d i i s fi intt r ie a e y w g - ea e o ns al e r ro s n u fce o a s

q eto of a t st wh t e Co kwa s b e to s v r o pe v sv haa s e tr ltd u sin f c a o eh r o s u j c t e ee r r a ie r sm n eae t hsa e Th s s mm ayj d m e ti a p o raewi r s e tt Co k' h siewo k o i g . u , u r u g n s p r p it t e p c o o s o tl r h
e vionm e tc a m . nr n li

I . COOK ' AM ER I A N ' W I H DI ABI I I S ACT CLAI V S C ST S LTE M The ADA pr hi is dic i i ai n by prva e e pl ye s agai s a y quaii d o b t s rm n to it m o r nt n lfe i di i ua wih adia iiy. A ds blt i d fn da :1 ap y ia o me tlmpar e t n vd l t s b lt ia iiy s e ie s ) h sc l r na i im n t at s bsa tal lm is o e o mo e mao lf a t iis 2 a r c r o s c a h u t n i ly i t n r r j r ie ci te , ) e o d f u h n v nu mr . SC i par e t o 3 b ig rgad d as havi g s ch an i paim ent 42 U. . . m im n , r ) en e r e

1 1 24( )( ) ( ) 2 0 ( )A ,B , c .
A . W he he Cook W asD i abl d U nde t e AD A tr se rh

TheUnied St t sSupr m eCour ha hel t a a i par e tds st t e lvelof t ae e t s d h t n m im n e o h e

adiabiiyonl i isi pa ti t em a e torlngtr .' To ot Mot rMf . nc v. s lt y f t m c s t r n n o em ' y a o g KYl . p

Wi ims 5 4 U.. 1 4, 1 7 ( 0 2) Ac o dn l,u d r a pl a l Fit Cic i l a , 3 S 8 9 2 0 . c r igy n e p i b e fh rut l c
pr ce e t t mpor r ,non- h oni i panne t ge e al do not c nsiu e dia iiis e d n, e ay c r c m i n s n r ly o tt t s b lte .

Ha itnv So twe tr BelT l Co,1 6F.d 1 47(t Ci.1 98 .Fo e a pe te m lo . uh se n l e. . 3 3 0 5h r 9 ) r x m l,h F fhCic iha f u dt a ij re r q iig s r ey a dr c p r to aen td sb lis it r ut s o n h tn u is e urn u g r n e u eain r o ia ii e t
e e whe t e c us ext nded a s nc s f om w o k. R o e s v.I t M ari e Ter i al , vn n hy a e e be e r r gr n1 n mn s

I c, 7F.d7 5( t Ci. 9 6 (n oliga kl atito srq iigs r e y . n .8 3 5 5h r 1 9 ) iv vn n e flcin e urn u g r )
Si ce Supr m e Cour ' de ii n i To ot M ot r howe e ,Co gr s pa s d t e n e ts c so n y a o, v r n es se h

Ame ia swih Dia iiisAc Ame dme t Ac of2008 ( DA AA) whih be a e rc n t sb lte t n ns t A , c cm

ef cie o J n ay 1 2 0 . Pu .La 1 1 - 2 ,j 8 1 2 S a.3 5 ( 0 8 . The fe t n a u r , 0 9 v b w 1 03 5 , 2 tt 5 3 2 0 ) ADAAA rj ce wh tCo g e sp rev dt b t eS p e eCo r' u d l rsrci e ee td a n r s ec ie o e h u r m u ts n u y e tit v
a pr a h t a a yzng whehera pl i tf s fe e fom a S ia iiy' f rpum os soft e p oc o nl i t an if u f r d r ç s b lt ' o d e h A D A . Thus i t e ADAAA,Co gr s m a dat d t att edefnii n ofdia iiy i t be ,n h n es n e h h i to s b lt s o c nsr e çn f vor of br ad c ve age of i di i ua s . o tu d d a i o or n vd l t t e ma i um ex e t oh xm tn

pe m itd' by t e l w ,a d pr vi e s e ii gui a ceast t e mea i g oft ubsa tal r te ' h a n o d d p c fc d n oh nn ç t n i ly s

l ie ' a d ç ao lf a tvte . 4 U. . . j 1 1 2 4 ( ) Of c u s , ti i td' n t j r ie ciiis' 2 SC m m ' 2 0 ( )A . o re h s
s bsa ta l m odii d sa da d ofi t r r t ton potntaly i pa t t e Cour' a ayss u t n i ly fe tn r n ep eai e i l m cs h ts n l i of wheher Cook ha a dia iiy wihi t e m e ni g of t e ADA. I i t e e o e t d s b lt t n h an h t s h r fr

i po tntt a s s whehe t e ADAA A a plest t eco duc i t i ca e. m ra o s e s t r h p i o h n tn h s s
l Car o a v. Sout we t Ailne , t e Fit Cic i deci e t t i d t a n mn h s ri s h fh r u t ln d o d n h t f

Co g e s itnd d te ADAAA t a py r to ci ey. 6 4 F.d 8 8 8 7 ( t Ci. n rs ne e h o p l er a t l ' 0 3 4 , 5 5h r v' 2 1 )(iigEEOC v Agr Ditiui n L C,5 5F.d46 , 9n.8( t Ci. 0 9 ) 0 0 ctn . o srb to , L 5 3 2 46 5h r 2 0 ).
Any co duc t a occ re prort J nua y 1 2009,t e ef r ,i gove e by t e ADA n t h t u rd i o a r , h r oe s md h a d t ec s lw i t r r tng tdia iiy'prort t eADAAA,e e t ough Cook' cli n h a e a n e p e i t s b lt ' i o h vn h s am m i ht f r d fe e ty i t e ADAA A we e a pled. On t e ot e hand, e e t t a g a e if r n l f h r pi h hr v ns h t oc ured a t r t e ADA AA ' e f c i e dae mus be e a uaed i lght of Congr s ' c r fe h S fe tv t t vl t n i e ss
s gnii a ta t r to st c urs'ç i a iiy' i q iy. i fc n le a i n o o t s s b lt ' n u r d

M o t ft ee e t i t i c s ,n ldn Co ' ij r , c u rdbeo eJ n ay 1 s o h v n s n hs a e icu ig x s nu y o c re fr a u r ,
2009. The onl pot ntal a ve s e pl ym e t ac i n i t i c s , Shels y e i ly d re m o n to n h s a e l'

r c as i ca i n ofCook' l a e s a us how e e ,t ok pl c i Fe r a y 2009. The c s e l s f to s e v tt , vr o ae n b ur ae 1 w i sr c st a t e r l va tm o e tf ras e sng t e e i t nce ofdi a iiy i t e tm e a n tu t h t h e e n m n o s s i h x se s b lt s h i

oft ea ve s e plym e taci n.Se EEOC v.ChevonPhil sChe ialCo. 570 h d re m o n to e r ll p mc LP,

F.d 606,61 ( t Ci.2009) Thus i e alaig whehe Cook was dia ld i 3 8 5h r . , n v u tn tr sb e n
Fe nzr 2009, heCour mus a pl t e1 w a m odii d by t e ADA AA . b ay t t tp yh a s fe h
The Equal Empl ym e t Oppo t niy Comm iso has not ye c m plt d t e on ru t sin t o ee h r l m a i g pr c s t a e d t es c i n oft e Code ofFede alRegul tonsde i aed t u e k n o e s o m n h e to h r ai dct o i t r r tng t e ADA . The a al bl gui a c r ga di g t e a plcai n oft e ADAAA n ep ei h v ia e d n e e r n h p i to h s gge t t a Cook ve y wel m a be dia l d unde t e saut as a e de ,whih u ss h t r ly sb e r h tt e mn d c

icu e çit g' samao lf a tvt .4 U. . . 1 1 2 2 ( ) M o e v r teADA n ld s çfi 'a ln j r ie cii 2 S C j 2 0 ( )A . r o e ,h y
i sr c st a To ot M ot rti t m r t d t et r çubsa taly lm is t r quiea g e tr n tu t h t y a o tn e ee h e m s t n i l i t ' o e r r ae

d g e o l iai nta wa itn e b Co g e s' Pu . w 1 1 - 2 , 2 a () 1 2 e re f i tto h n s ne d d y n r s . b La 1 0 3 5 j ()7 , 2 m '

S a,3 5 ( 0 8 . Asdic se if a i S cin I . . ho e e,i i un e e sr t tt 5 3 2 0 ) s u s d n r n e t V B , w v r t s n c say o o
r a h t e que ton ofwhehe Co k i dia l d wihi t em e ni g oft e ame ded ADA ec h si t r o s sb e t n h an h n bec us he hasf ie t s tsy t e r m ai i g e e e t ofa prm a f c e c s ofdia iiy ae a l d o a if h e n n l m n s i ai ae s b lt
d s r m i aton. ic i n i B . Pri a Fac e Cas ofD i abiiy D i cr m i at on m i e s lt s i n i

To etbls dici iain ba e o dia iiy,Cook mus de onsr t ta :( ) sa ih s rm n to s d n s blt t m tae h t 1

h wa d sbld d rn te rlv n t ep ro ;( )hewa n n t ee sq aiid t d e s ia e u ig h ee a t i ei d 2 m s o eh ls u lfe o o tej b;( )a a v re e plyme ta to wa tk n a ans h m ;a d ( )ta hewa h o 3 n d es m o n cin s a e g i t i n 4 h t s
r pl c d by or teaed l s f vor bl t a non- ia l d e pl ye s Se Al r p e ae r t es a a y hn d sb e m o e . e d u

Cad r , 7 F.d2 2 2 6( t Ci. 0 1; cn i v Almo C?/. l. s , 07F.d le a 2 4 3 8 , 8 5h r 2 0 )M l ns . a N. Col Dit 2 3 p
276,279- 0(t Ci. ) 8 5h r 2000 .
A s um i g t a Cook w a di a l d i Fe r a y 2009 a d t a Shel t ok a s n ht s sbe n b ur n ht lo n

a ve s ac in a ans hi by r c a sf i g hi la e sa us Cook hasf ied t s ts y t e d r e to g i t m e l s iy n s e v tt , a l o a if h fnalee e toft e prm af ci c s . l de d,aswih hi ADEA c am ,Cook haspoi td i lm n h i a e ae n e ts li ne
t no e i e ce t a he w ast e t d l s f vor bl t an ot ernon- i a l d e pl yee w ih o vd n h t rae e s a a y h h d s be m o s t
12

r ga d t hi la e sa u a d t e r quie e tt a he pay f r hi he lh c r whie on e r o s e v tt s n h e r m n h t o s at a e l

n n o c pain lla e S elh sp o i e c mp tn s mm ayj d m e te ie c ta o - c u t a e v . h l a r v d d o ee t u r u g n vd n e h t o
t e de ii n t c a geCook' l a esa uswasm a e i r s ons t t eTW CB' de ii n h c so o h n s e v tt d n ep e o h S c so t tr i a e hi wor e s c m pe s ton a d t a s c a r cl s ik a i n was She ls o em n t s k r ' o n ai n h t u h e a sf to l' sa da d pr ce ur . The uncon r ve td e i e ce alo s gge t t a t e ac om pa yi g tn r o d e to re v d n s u ss h t h c nn r quie entt a Cook ma eheat i s r nc pa m e t whie on non- c u a i na l a e e rm ht k lh n u a e y n s l o c p to l e v w a a sa dar polc . Cook haspoi td t no e i e c t a She lha notc nsse ty s tn d iy ne o vd n e h t l s o itn l a pledt e epolc e t al Shel e pl ye sr ga dl s ofdia iiy.Thus be aus Cook p i hs ii s o 1 l m o e e r es s b lt ,c e has nots ts ed t e fna elm e toft e prm a f ci ca e e e i he s fe ed fo a ais h i l e n h i a e s, v n f u fr r m

d sb ly i F br ay2 0 , u m ayj d m e t sa p o rae ia ii n t u r 0 9 s m r u g n i p r p it. t
V. CONCLUSI N O
B e a s Cook ha f ie t m a e outa prm a f ci ca e f r bot hi A D E A a d cu e s ald o k i ae s o hs n A D A c a m s D ef nda t ' M o in f r S mm ay J d me t( o .No. 1 ) i h r b li , e ns to o u r u g n D c 4 s ee y G R AN TED . I I SO O R D E R E D . TS

S GNEDa Ho so , ea, ntite Y dyo Oco e, 0 0 I t utn T x so hshv a f tb r2 1 .

î r

.

K EI H P. LLI O N T S U NI ED S ATES DI TRI T J D G E T SCU