Christmas v. The Arc of the Piedmont, Inc.

Filing 13

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 7/16/12. (hnw)

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I THE UM TED STA TES D I
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STRI CO URT
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FOR THE W ESTERN DI
STRI OF VI NI
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RGI A
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VI ON

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REGI GRADY CHRI
NA
STM AS,
Ci lAc i No.3: 2CV0 08
vi ton
1
00
Pl i if
a ntf ,

M EM ORANDUM O PI ON
NI
By:Hon. e E.Conr
Gln
ad
ChifUnie St t Diti J
e
t d aes srct udge

THE AR C OF THE PI M ON T, N C.
ED
l ,

De e nt
f nda .

Re na Gr dy Chrsm a , oc di pr K , ie t sa ton a ns he f me e pl r
gi
a
it s pr ee ng o fld hi c i gai t r or r m oye ,
TheAr oft Pi dmont I ,a s ri cli sofdic i i ton a r t iton unde Til VI
c he e
, nc. s e t
ng am
s rm na i nd eala i
r te I

o t eCi l g t Ac o 1 6 (Til Vl', 2U.. j 2 0 et 2 0 e 1 ;h Ameia
f h viRih s t f 9 4 % te I' 4 SC. j 0 0 o 0 0 - 7 te
)
rc ns

wihDia ii e Ac o 1 9 (ADA' , 2U. C. j1 01 1 1 t eAg Dici n to i
t s blt s t f 9 0 ç
i
% ' 4 S. j 21 -21 7;h e s rmi ai n n
)
Emp o me tAc o 1 6 (t
ly n t f 9 7 t
ADEA' , 9U. C. j6 - 3 ; n teFa l M e ia Le veAc
' 2 S. j 216 4 a d h mi dc l a
)
y
t
o 1 9 ( LA', 9U. C. j2 012 4.Th p an ifas s e st i os la ii f r
f 93ç
TM ' 2 S. j 6 -65
)
e litf lo e k o mp e ib ly o
t
it ntonali lc i ofe i ldites a f pantnghe i af lelgh .The c ei
ne i
nfi ton motona sr s nd or i i
r n as i t
as s
pr s l be or t c t t de e ntsmoton t dimis Fort r s t tf lw ,he
e enty f e he our on he f nda '
i o s s.
he ea ons ha olo t
moton wilbe g a e i pa ta de ed i pa t
i
l
z nt d n r nd ni n r.
Background

The f l w i f ct , a n fom t pl ntf spr K c pl i a he br e i
olo ng a s t ke r he ai if o
om a nt nd r i f n
.

opposton t t de e
ii o he f ndan ' m oton t dim is a eac e e a tuef rpur esoft
ts i o s s , r c pt d s r o
pos
he

d fnd n ' moi n Se Erc s nv. rus 5 1U. 8 , 4( 0 7 (mp a iigt a t j d e
e e a ts to . e ik o Pad , 5 S. 9 9 2 0 ) e h szn h tt u g
a
m us ac e a t u al oft f c ua a l ga i nsco a ne i t c pl i ' whe r i on a
t c pt s r e l he a t l le to
nt i d n he om a nt' n ulng
m oton t dim i and t apr K co pl i C us be he d t l s sr nge s a r t n
i o s ss,
hat o
m a nt ç t
m
l o es t i nt t nda ds ha
.

f malpl di d atdbylwyes' (nena cttona quottonmaksomitdl Da sv.
or
ea ngs r fe
a r' itr l iai nd ai
)
r
te ; vi

Ba i au i 71 F. u p 2 6 9 61 ( D. . 01 )( ntsigtes fiin yo t ep oK
cg lp , 1 S p . d 0 , 5 E. Va 2 0 ç etn h u fce c f h r
7
Plitf Co an u e Rue1 ( )6 ,h Co r wi as c n i e tealg to ma ei
anips mplit nd r l 2 b ( )t e u t l lo o sd r h l ains d n
l
e

t ePlitf' me rn u fldi o p sto t t eDee d n ' mo int d s s . .'
h anifs mo a d m ie n p o i n o h fn a ts to o imis . .)
i
'
(iigc ss.
ctn a e )
Chrsma i a Afia Ame i a wom a ov t ag off t who s f r fom Ehl s
it s s n rc n- rc n
n er he e ory,
ufe s r
erDa osS
nl yndr m e.The e n sgi ng rs t t i t nta i occ r e i AprlandM a of
o
ve t vi ie o he nsa cton u r d n
i
y
2009 whe Chrsma wa empl d b t de e ntasadiec s ppor pr e sona .The
, n it s s
oye y he f nda
r tu
t of s i l

def nda ope aesas itd lvi f ciiisf ra t wih i el t a de l pme a
e nt r t sse i ng a lte o duls t nt lecual nd ve o nt l
diabiii i Cha l t vil Vigi a
s ltes n
rotes le, r ni .

l Aprlof200 Chrsm a obs r eds
n
i
9, it s e v ome o t de e ntspai nt beng s xu l a
f he f nda ' te s i e aly nd
physcal a e by he Ca sa c wo ke s Chrsmasr pored he obs r atonst t
i ly bus d
r uca in o- r r . it
e t
r e v i o he
de e ntshum a r s lr e die t a t t lca de rme ofs i ls r i e .
f nda '
n e ozc s r c or nd o he o l pa t nt oc a e v c s
I me ael a trChrsm a r po td t a e,he de e ntr m ove he fom wor ng
m dit y fe
it s e re he bus t
f nda e
d rr
ki
t over gh s f, c r quie l sphysca a tviy a i t a l or edhe t wo k da
he
ni t hitwhih e r d es
i l c i t , nd nse d ç c
f
ro r y

s it i o d rt ke ph r o ' ( .nOp ' a 2) Ch it salg sta t ed fn a ts
h fs n r e o e e j b. Br i p n t . rsma le e h t h e e d n '
'
a to sweetk n< t t esng lr ne t od ieh ro fo t ej b i rt l to f rh r
cin r a e f h h i ua i tn t rv e f f h o n eai in o e
wi
a
r pori t a eofpaint. (d.a 4.
e tng he bus
te s' I t )
'
Alhoug t c et da i holstriaed)he me c lco to 'Chrsmas
t h he hang o ytme tr i rttl r dia ndiin, it
i
'

c niu dt wok.( .n Op na 5) I M a o 2 0 , h wa ga tdtr ewe k o FMLA
o tn e o r Br i p' t . n y f 0 9 s e s rn e h e e s f
l a t asiti ca i f he il ba W hen s r t r fo la ,Chrsmasl r d
e ve o ss n rng or r 1 hus nd.
he e u ned r m e ve
it
ea ne

t ts ha bee tr nae Chrsmasc e t tt dee n G ve i or d ( r i
ha he d n emi td. it
ontnds ha he fnda t s r nf me he ) n
ne
m i i o ve ba l t the e pl e ... a t r i t d a alow e he t s f rt
tng r r ly ha r m oym nt w s e m na e nd l d r o uf e he

hum iiton ofr t ni t af ciiywih t i e ofr s i he dutespos a u
la i
eur ng o a lt t he ntnt e um ng r i
t n nknown

tnni i ' t
e naton. Compla 1 ) Shef t ralgest tt dee ntne rdicplnedt
'
. t 2.
urhe le ha he fnda ve si i he
Ca asa wo ke sr s msbl f a i t de e ntspa int,a t çcau sa
uc in r r e pc i e or busng he f nda ' te s nd hat t ca in

e o e swhoq e to e o o p s dwr n d igta t e win se o t j bween t
mply e
u sin d r p o e o g on h t h y t e s d n he o r o
s b e t otesmete t n a t eAfia - rc ne ly e whoddtesme' ( .n
u j c t h a rame t s h rc n Ameia mp o e s
i h a . Br i
'
Opp' a 3.
nt )
Chrsmasûl d t i t ntaci on De e
it
e he nsa ton
c mber28,
2011i t Cic tCour f t Ciy
n he r ui
t or he t
ofCharote vil. Afe r movi t a ton t t sc tt de e ntmove t dim ist
l ts le tr e
ng he c i o hi our, he f nda
d o s s he

p an ifscamsp ru n t Ru e1 ()6 o teFe ea Rue o CiiPr c d r.Th t t n
litf' li u s a t o l 2 b( ) f h d rl ls f vl o e ue a moi
o
ha be n f ly bre e a i rpe f rr vi w.
s e u l i f d nd s i o e e *
St
andar ofR e e
d
vi w

tf ep r o eo aRu e1 ( ()mo ini t ts tes fi in yo ac mpan .
t' u p s f l 2b)6 to s o e th u tce c f o lit'
-h
'
Ed r sv. t o Go d b r 1 8F.d2 , 4 (t Ci. 9 9 .W h nrv e n acam
wad Ci f l s o o, 7 3 31 2 3 4h r 1 9 ) e e iwig li
y
unde t sr l ,t c tmus a e al oft al tonsi t compl n a tu a d a al
r hi u e he our
t cc pt l he legai n he
ait s r e nd r w l
r as bl i e enc si f voroft pli if l a 244.t'' s vve amoton t dim is a
e ona e nf r e n a
he antf d. t
t o ur i
f
i o s s,
c
ompl i mus c an s fc e f ct lm a tr ac e e a tue t ttt ac am t r le t i
ant t ont i ufii nt a ua te , c pt d s r , o sa e l i o e if hat s

plu i eo isfc .'As co t Ib l5 6U.. 6 , 7 (0 9 ( u t gBel l Co p.
a sbl n t a e' h r f v.q a, 5 S 6 2 6 8 2 0 ) q oi lAt. r v.
'
n
Two l, 5 U. 5 4, 7 ( 0 7 ) tnohe wo d ,hefcu l l g to s(a e a tu )
mby 5 0 S. 4 5 0 2 0 ). ç t r r s t a t a al ain tk n s r e
l
e
mus û r tt c t o i e m o et n t m e epos i lt ofmic
t pe mi he our t nf r r ha he r
sbiiy
s onduc .'A Soc' W ihout
t''
y t
a N nm ç. f Pvopl wihoutaHome. ilnni Fut e- m s ntv. igi a 655 F. d 342,346
or
e t
M le um ur p e
V r ni ,
3
-

-

(t Ci. 1 ( i l l 556U. a 678)
4h r 201 ) quotng qba,
S. t .

*The pari ha advi t cour t tt do notwih t be he d on t m oton t dim is.
tes ve
sed he
t ha hey
s o
ar
he i o s s

W he adocl e i fld pr K ,i mus beçlbe aly c tue ' Erc o 551U. a
n
lm nt s ie o
t t ti r l onsr d. i ks n,
'
S. t

9 (nen l iaina dq oainmakso te ) Ac o dn l,t p oK c mplit h we r
4 itr a ctto n u tto r mitd . c r igy I r o an , o ve
a
i rf l plade mus behel t l ssrnge sa r t n f malpl di d afe by
na tuly e d, t
d o es ti nt tnda ds ha or
ea ngs r td
lwyer . 1 M i uloft sprncpl ,t c twilc i rbot t pli ifsc
a
s' d. ndf
'
hi i i e he our l onsde h he a ntf ompl i and
ant
he r s e t t defnda ' mott i dee mi ng whet rt pl i ifsaleg i a e
r e pons o he e nts im n tr ni
he he antf' l atons r

s fkin t r l 1 ( )6 .Se Da i, 1F. u p. da 61 ; e as Gr yv. ama t
u f e t mde Rue 2 b ( ) e vs 71 S p 2 t 5 se lo a W l r

S o e .n .No. 1 CV- 71 2 1U. DitLEXI 51 5 a * ( D. C. y 1 , 01 )
t rs I c, 7:0- 1 , 01 S. s. S 1 , t 8 E. N. Ma 2 2 1
(onsdei t pr K plitf' bre i opposto whe r i ont dee ntsmotont
c i rng he o anifs if n
iin n ulng he fnda ' i o
dimis (ii c es.
s s) ctng as )
D i c s on
s us i
1
.

Til VII Cl m s
te
ai

A.

R e alaton
t i i

Cot Oneoft pli ifsc mpli a s rsacli ofr a iton t rTil VI.
mt
he antf o ant s e t am
etla i mde te 1
l addii t pr bii dic i na i ont ba i ofa e oye sr ce c or r lgi s x,
n
ton o ohi tng s rmi ton he ss n mpl e' a , ol , e i on, e
o nai lorg n,Til Vl make i t a ulf a e o rt r tla ea i ta e o
r tona i i te 1
s t mlwf or n mplye o ea it ga ns n mpl yee

f re g gn i a t t pr tce b t esau e S e4 U.. j2 0 e3 a.Toma o ta
o n a ig n ci y oe td y h ttt . e 2 SC. 0 0 - ()
vi
ke u
p i fcec s o rtlain, p an if s s o ( )ta s ee a e i ap o e tda tvt;
rma a i a e f eaito a litf mu t h w: 1 h t h ng g d n r tce ci i
y
( t a ted fn a to amaeil a v rea t na ans h r a d( )ta ac u a
2) h th ee d nto k
tral d e s ci g i t e ; n 3 h t a s l
y
o
c
onnec i e se be we n t pr t c e a tviya t m aera l a ve s a ton. EEOC v.
ton xit d t e he o e t d c i t nd he t ily d r e c i

Na Fed.Crdi Unin, F. 397, - ( hCi.
vy
e t o 424 3d
405406 4t r 2005)
.
H a ng r vi w e t pl i i psc pl i a he br e i oppos ton t t d e nt s
vi e e d he a ntf om a nt nd r i f n
ii o he ef nda '
m oton, he c tc ude t tt pl n ifs a l ga i a e i uf i e t s ts y t r qui e
i t our oncl s ha he ai tf le tons r ns fci nt o a i f he e r d

ee
l mentofpr e t d aci t Unde Til VI, ot ce aci tesf li t t c t go is:
otc e tviy.
r te I pr e td tvii al n o wo a e re

r rs h.
pa tci to a tviisa opposto aci te . Se La i v. er W a h.Aipo t Aut ,
ri pai n ci te nd
ii n tviis e uchln M to. s
-

1 9F.d2 3 2 9(t Ci.1 98 (iig4 U.. j20 0 -().Thet p o i o ca e'
4 3 5 , 5 4h r 9 ) ctn 2 SC. 0 e 3a)
ç p st n lus'of
o
i
Til Vl' a ir t iton pr son ma i a unlwf f a e oy rt dic i i t a i t
te ls nt-eala i
ovii
kes t n a ul or n mpl e o s rm na e gans
a e oy be aus t e oye op e a pr c iem a unlwf lby Til VI.42 U. C.
n mpl ee c e he mpl e pos d ny a tc
de a u
te I
S.

j20 0 - () Th l riiai nca s'ma e iu lwf l o a e ly rt d srmi t
0 e 3a . e d t p to lu e' k s t na u f r n mpo e o ici nae
pa c
ag ns a e oye bec us t e oye m a ac r t sii a ssed,orpa tcpa e i
ai t n mpl e a e he mpl e de ha ge, e tfed, s it
ri i t d n

a mn ri a i si to pr e ng,o he rngunderTil VI.L.
ny nne n n nve tgain, oc edi r ai
te I ds
u
I t i t ntca e t pli ifsr t lai c am i bas d s el o t a s ri n t ts
n he nsa
s , he antf e ai ton l i s e ol y n he s e to ha he

wa te e unf ryçorrpori t a eoft paint t rhe c r ' ( mpla 3.
s ratd ail ç e tng he bus he te s mde r ae.' Co . t )
f
W hiephysca a s xua a ei i edunl wf l i doe no c tt t a ç a ul
l
i l nd e l bus s nde
a u ,t s t onsiu e n s wf
unl

e o me t r cie'md rTil V1.Se 4 U.. j2 0 e2 Cl s al ea u lwf l
mply n p a tc 'l e te 1 e 2 SC. 0 0 - ç h lb n n a u
t
e pl m e pr tc f a e pl r... o dic i nat ag ns a i vi ua wih r pe tt
m oy nt ac ie or n m oye
t s rmi e ai t ny ndi d l t es c o

g r c nston,tr ,
he ) ompe ai e ms condiins orprvie so e oy ntbec us ofs h i viua'
to , i lge f mpl me , a e uc ndi d ls

r c , oo ,eii n sx, rnain l rgn' Co s q e ty teplitf sc mpanso a u e
a e c lr r lgo , e o to a o ii.
). n e u nl,h an if o lit f b s
d n tc n ttt t r tce a tvt u d rt saue a h rcam o rtl to mus be
o o o si e ç o e td ciif' n e he tt t, nd e li f eai in t
u p
a
dimi s d.
s se
B.

Di cri i i
s m naton

Cli t alo a s rsacli ofr edic i nai t e Til VI.To esa ih a
u smas s s e t am
ac s rmi ton md r te I
t bls

prmaf i c eofdici nai t pli ifmus s ( )t ts i ame rofacas
i ace as
srmi ton,he antf t how: 1 ha he s mbe
ls

p o e tdb Ti eVI; 2 t t e j bp ro ma c wa stsa tr ; 3 t a s ewa s b e t o
r tce y t 1 ( ) ha h r o ef r n e s aif co y ( ) h t h s u j c t
l
a a ves e o ntacin;a ( t tsmial st tde o souti t pr tce
n d re mplyme to nd 4) ha i lry iuae mplyee sde he oe td
ca sweete tddifrnty.Colma v. d. r ofAppeas 626F. 1 1 (t Ci.
ls r rae fee l
e n M Cou t
l,
3d 87, 90 4h r
201 .
0)

Appli t eelm e t , hec t sco ta ne t c l t tt pl i ifha al ge
y ng hes e n s t our i nsr i d o onc ude ha he antf s le d
s fc e tf t t sa eacli ofr c dic i i to t d rTil VI. l i undipu e t t
ufii n acs o t t
am
a e s rm na in m e te l t s
s t d ha
Chrsm a i ame be ofapr e td cls a t ,t the c
it s s
m r
ot ce a s nd,hus ha r ompl nts ts ist frt
ai a ife he is

ee n .Ad iin l ,h c mplitid c tsta tep anirsj bp ro ma c wa
lme t d t al te o an n iae h t h lit o ef r n e s
o y
f
s tsacor a a1 tmesr l va t t defnda ' e oy e de sons I t sr r
aif t y t 1 i
e e nt o he e nts mpl m nt cii . n hi ega d,
Chrsm a al ge t ts ç ve r c ve a wrte orve ba wa ni no i o dici i or
it s le s ha he t r e ei d ny il n
ne
r l r ng, tce f s plne

a yc mplitfo ma a e n ta h rwo kf r h Dee d n wa u stsa t r ' ( mpl
n o an r m n g me t h t e r o t e fn a t s n aifcoy. Co .
'
a 1 . Ch it sas alg st a h re o me t sulmaeytr nae a dt a s ewa
t 1) rsma lo l e h t e mply n wa t tl emi td n h t h s
e
i
teaed d fe e l t n sm ia l st t d e oy sfom outi t pr ecedcl s l he bre
r t if r nty ha i lry iua e mpl ee r
sde he ot t as . n r i f
i opposton,Chrsm a saest tt uc i n e oye who quesi d oro
n
ii
it s t t ha û asa mpl es
ca
tone
ppos d
e

wr ng o n t a t e win s e o t ej bween t u j c t tesmete t n . .' ( .n
o d i g h t h y t e s d n h o r o s b e t o h a rame t . . Br i
'
Opp' a 3. Li wie, it snoe t tt Ca asa e oye rs i ef a i t
n t ) ke s Chrsma ts ha he uc in mpl es e ponsbl or busng he
de e a ' pai nt wer noti tgae ordicplne
f nd nts te s e
nvesi t d
s i i d.
As l i t t t oft pli ifsaleg tons t c tco ude t the c am ofr e
sl ng he nzh he antf
m
l a i , he our ncl s ha r l i
ac
dic i i ton i s fcentt wihsandt de e ntsmoton t dimis Acc di y, he
s rm na i s ufi i o t t he f nda '
i o s s.
or ngl t
de e ntsm o i wilbede e wih r s tt t scai .
f nda ' ton l
ni d t e pec o hi l m
l.
l

ADA Cli
am

Chrsma ne m s rst tt def da dic i i t a i the by f ii t pr de a
it , xt s e t ha he en nt s rm naed gans r a lng o ovi
s
r as nabl ac omm odai n t e t ADA. TheADA pr bisdic i i to ç ga ns a
e o e c
to md r he
ohi t s rm nai n ç i t
a
qualfe i vi lon t bassofdia lt i r ga dt . .t hii a va eme ,o
ii d ndi dua
he i
s biiy n e r o . he rng, d nc nt r
di c r ofe pl yee ,...a o he t r s co tons a prvie sofe pl e . 42
s ha ge m o s
nd t r e m , ndii , nd i l ge
m oym nt'
'

U. C.j1 1 a .Gd srmi ton'a us i t ADA pr bisno onl dipraeteame t
S. 21 2() iDici nai s ed n he
ohi t t y s t r t n
be us ofa e o sdia lt se% ,b as t f l et ma te ona e
ca e n mplyee' s biiy, e
ut lo he aiur o ke ras bl
6

a commoda i t t kno physc lorm e t llmiai ofa ot r s q lte i vi l
c
tons o he wn
ia
n a i t tons n he wie uaii d ndi dua

wihads blt wh i a a plc n o e ly e i. 1 1 ( )5 ( . .' S i v. i o
t ia i y o s n p ia t r mp o e ,d j 21 2 b ( )A) . . hn Unv. f
i
'
M d. e S s Co .3 9F. p' 4 2 4 9(t Ci. 01 )
M d. y . p , 6 Ap x 7 , 7 4 h r 2 0 .
To esa ih aprm af ci c eofdic i i toni ac eoff iur t ac omm odae,a
tbls
i a e as
s rm nai n as
al e o c
t

plitf mu ts o ç 1 t t(h jwa a idvd a wh h dad s bl ywihnteme nngo
an if s h w:ç ) ha s e s n n iiu l o a ia it t i h a i f
(
i
t esaue ( ) h t h e ly rh dn t eo ( r ds bl y ( ) h t t ra o a l
h tt t; 2 t a t e mpo e a oi f he) ia it ; 3 t a wih e s n be
c
i
a c mmo ain (h )c ul pefnut ee s nil u cinso tep iin . . a d( )ta te
c o d to s e o d ro h se t f n to f h osto . ; n 4 h t h
a
(mplyelr usdt ma s hac ommodai . Rhoa v. C,257F.d373,387n.
e o r ef e o ke uc c
tons'
'
ds FDI
3
11

(t Ci. 0 )(n en l iaina dq oainmakso te ) Th ADA d fn sç ia ii 'a
4 h r 2 01 itr a ctto n u tto r mi d . e
t
ei e i s b ly' s
d
t

t p y ia o me tlmpar n ta s b tn ilylmiso eo mo emao l ea t t so
t h sc l r na i ime t h t u sa tal i t n r r j r i ci i f
a
f vie
s c i dvd a. 4 U. C. 1 0 ( )A) ao lf a t te i cu e b taen tl t dt ,
u h n iiu l' 2 S. j 21 2 1( .M j r ie ci is n ld , u r o i e o
'
vi
mi
Sc rng f ones f pe f mi m a lt ks s i he rng, a i se pi wal ng,sa ng,
sa i or
el, ror ng nua as , eeng, a i e tng, le ng, ki t ndi

lfi be ng gndlwor ng. 42U. C.j1 02()A)
itng, ndi , a
ki '
'
S. 21 2( .
Li r ly c t i t pli ifsc
be a l onsnzng he antf ompli a he bre i opposton, heco t
ant nd r if n
ii t
ur
c udest tt pli ifhasofe e s fce f cua al to t s ts ye h oft
oncl
ha he antf
f r d ufi int a t l legai ns o a if ac
he

elment ne es a y t sa eac am unde t ADA.W ih r s c t t frtee e , it a
e
s c s r o tt li
r he
t e pe t o he is lm nt Chrsm s
a lgest ts s f r fom ac ne tvetsuedior e known a Ehlr - nl Syndr
le ha he ufe s r
on c i is
s dr
s e sDa os
ome,

whihi t r e b e te l los j itgjh p reatcs i ta b us se sl a de sl
c s t k d y xrmey o e on s, y e- lsi kn h t r ie a i n a i
ma
y
y
da edbl ve s s. ( .i Opp' a 2. Chrsma frhe alge t tt smpomsoft
mag ood sel ' Br n
'
n t ) it s u t r le s ha he y t
he

diod r icu igto n p i s i taig ta fe, t .'e tit e a it t lf, e d so p,
s r e ,n l dn j i t an, kn e rn ,lt e tecy rsrc h r bl y o itb n , to
'
i

a wak.(d. t ) Ath ssa eo tel iai n tec u t o cu e ta t ep an ifs
nd l 1 a 4. ti tg f h i g to ,h o r c n ld s h t h litf
t
a l a i ofdia lt a e s t intt wihsa t de e ntsm oton t dim is
leg tons
s biiy r ufk e o t t nd he f nda '
i o s s.
W ih r pec t t s c ee e - t tt de e ntha notc ofhe diabiiyt es t o he e ond lm nt ha he f nda
d ie
r s lt
.

Cl sm asa lgest ts wi i tal a sg d t wo k t o r ghts f a oneoft
ui t
le ha he s nii ly s i ne o r he ve ni hit t
he
def nda ' f ciii i o dert a o modae he dia lt As um i t tu h oft s
e nts a ltes n r o cc m
t r s biiy. s ng he r t
hi
al to t de e n wa onnotc ofhe aleg d dia lt a t ,hepli ifhas
legai n, he f nda t s
ie
r l e s biiy nd,hus t a ntf
s ts i t s c el m e .
a i ted he e ond e nt

Thet r elm e ofhe ac ommoda i c am r quie Chrsm a t s
hid e nt
r c
ton l i e r s it s o how t t wih a
ha, t

r s na eac omm oda i s coul pe f r t es e i f nci o he poston.I t s
ea o bl c
ton, he
d ro m he s ntal u tons f r ii
n hi
r ga d, hepl i ifsal tonss ges t tt d e n i taly ma a r a ona e
e r t
antf legai ug t ha he ef nda t nii l de e s bl

ac omm odai f rt pl i ifi s he i he t wor t ove i s f snc t s f
c
ton o he antf n c dulng r o
k he m ght hit i e he hit
r r s g tca l l s phys c lac i t o t pa tofe pl ye as i tng t de e
equies i nii nty e s
i a tviy n he r
m o es s s i he f ndan '
ts

p te t.S e4 U. C. 1 1 ( )B)( eii gç e s n bl a c mmo ain'oicu e
ain s e 2 S. j 21 19 ( d fn n t a o a e c o d to 't n l d
r
û dfe wo ksh d ls).Th p anifsalg to sf rh rs g etta s h dn dfiu t
t iid r c e ue ' e litf l ai n u te u g s h t he a o ifc ly
mo
e
f l lng t r q r m e sofhe poston whiewor ng t tpariul rs f.Ac e e a tu
u fli he e uie nt
r ii
l
ki ha tc a hit c pt d s r e,
t s a lga i a es fc e tt esabls a t ssa e o t ltga i t tt pl i ifwas
he e le tons r ufi i n o t ih, t hi t g f he ii ton, ha he antf

a l t p ro m tefn to o h r o wihar ao a l a c mmo ai n
b e o e fr h u cins f e j b t e s n b e c o d to .
Fi ly, hepl i ifmus s w t tt de e ntr f e t ma a r a ona e
na l t
antf
t ho ha he f nda e us d o ke e s bl
a omm odai n. Thepli ifhass tsi t see e by al i t t a trorgi ly
cc
to
a ntf
aifed hi lm nt leg ng ha , fe i nal
pe m itng he t w or t ove ni hts f, he de e ntl e
r ti
ro
k he r g hi t t
f nda ç voke ' hi a c m oda i a
r
d' t s c om
ton nd

i se drq r dh rt wo kted yt s i whc fri tl )h rme c lc n iin' ( .n
n ta e ui e o r h a i hh, ih irt ed e dia o dto . Br i
e
me
i a
'
Opp' a 5.
nt )
Gi n t sc tsoblgaton t a c ptt pl ntf al gai nsast e, hec t
ve hi our' i i o c e he ai ifs le to
nz t our

co l
ncudest the ADA cli i S a i e o isf c ' gba ,55 U. a 678. Acc di y,
ha r
am s ç usbl n t a e.
pl
'l l 6 S. t
or ngl
t de e ntsmoto m us bede edwih r s c t t scli
he f nda '
in
t
ni
t e pe t o hi a m.
11
1.

A DEA C l m
ai

Cl sm a as a lge t tt de e a vi a e t ADEA by ç s rm i tng a i ta
ui t s lo le s ha he f nd nt olt d he
t c i na i gans
di

wo k ro e t ea eo f ry( 0 . ( mp . t3) Toe tbihap i fcec s o
r e v r h g f o t 4 )' Co la .
'
sa ls rma a i a e f
d srmi to u d rt i sau e apanif s s o ()t a s eame e o ap o e td
ic i nain n e hs ttt, litf mu t h w: 1 h t h
mb r f r tce
ca s ( )ta s es fee a a v ree ly n a to ; 3 t a s ewa p dbr n h r o
ls ; 2 h t h u frd n d es mp o me t ci n ( ) h t h s e mi g e j b
s tsacoiya t tmeoft a to a ( t ts wa rplce bys me o sdet
aif trl the i
he cin; nd 4) ha he s e a d o one uti he
pr ec e cas orte t d mor harhl t n sm ia l st t d yot e e o es Se Hilv.
ot t d l s r a e
e s y ha i lry iuae
mg r mpl ye . e l

Lo k e M a t Lo it sM g .I c, 5 F.d2 7 2 5(t Ci. 0 4 .
c he d ri gsi
n
c mt.n .3 4 3 7 , 8 4h r 2 0 )
Ha ngr vi we t r c d, hec ta r swih t de e ntt tt pl ntf ha
vi e e d he e or t our g ee t he f nda ha he ai if s
f ld t a lges fc e f ct t sae aca m ofa dic i i ton.Asdefom t c us y
aie o le ufii nt a s o t t li
ge s rm nai
i r he oncl or
as e ton quo e a
s ri
t d bove, ihe he c
net r r ompl ntnorhe bre i opposton ma a a tonal
ai
r if n
ii
kes ny ddii
r f r nc t t scai . Cons que l i t a e eofa a lga inswhih woul esa ih
e e e e o hi l m
e nty, n he bs nc
ny le to
c
d t bls
t tt pli ifwa r plce b ayounge e o e, t tsmia l st t d yo mg r
ha he antf s e a d y
r mpl ye or ha i lry iua e t e
e pl ee we e ot nvi e tea e m o e f vor y, he c ti c tai d t c ude t tt
m oy s r he s r t d r a abl t our s onsr ne o oncl ha he
de e
f ndan ' m oto m us be gr nt d w ih r s c t t scl i .
ts i n
t
a e t e pe t o hi a m

I .
V

FM LA C l i
am

I he fnalc am t rf r ll w,Cl sm a ale est t de e ntvi a e t
n r i l i mde ede a a
ui t s l g hat he f nda olt d he
FM LA t n t y tr naedhe e o ntwhies wa onpr pe l a i d f ra
f
whe he e mi t
r mpl yme
l he s
o ry pple o nd

ga td (
rn e FMLA)la e' ( mpla 3) I mo igt d s s ti cam,h d fnd n agu s
e v . Co . t . n vn o imis h s li t e ee a t r e
'
t tt cli i ba r d byt a ia esaut oflm ia i ,sncei a c u d m o et n t
ha he am s re
he pplc bl t t e i ttons i t c r e
r ha wo
yea sbe o e t pl i iffl t i tnta ton. Thede e nta s a gue t tt pl i ifs
r f r he antf ied he nsa c i
f nda lo r s ha he antf
alegai nsa ei ufk i ntt sa eapl usb ecli f r le
l to r ns t e o tt
a i l am or e if
Unde t FM LA,i i C a ulf ra e o rt it re ewih,r sr i o de y t
r he
t s t wf o ny mplye o n e f r t e ta n, r n he
unl

e rieo o t atmp t e rie a yrg t r vd dt e ( esa ue . 2 U. C.
xecs f r he te t o xecs, n ih p o ie md r t tt tq' 9 S. j
h
'
261 a.tlhi pr bii i l sr tlaoydic r f tki la ' W ys v. w
5() t- s ohi ton ncude eaitr s hage or a ng e ve.
' ong Do

Ch m. .5 3F.d4 , 4 ( t Ci. 0 7 .W hl F LA camsa eg n r l s be t oa
e Co, 0 3 41 4 7 6h r 2 0 ) i M
e
li r e eal u j c t
y

t - e rlmiain peid camsb s do ç lfl mic n u t r s b e t oatr ey a
wo y a i tto s ro , li a e n t lu' so d c a e u j c t h e -e r
wi '
lmi to sp ro S e29U.. j26 7 c( )a d( ) $ w11 volto i s o wh n a
i t in eid. e
a
SC. 1 ()1 n 2 . ç 1 i ai n s h wn e n
A 11
e pl rkne ors
m oye
w
howe r c e sd seg r r a di whehe isc
d e kls ir a d eg r ng
t r t onduc waspr bie '
t
ohi t d.'

Setev.S. .Ro er Co.No.98tl
W dc s ,
2313,1 U. App.
999 S. LEXI 157 a *9(t Ci. ul 1
S 45, t 4h r J y 2,

1 9 )( ingM c ug lnv. c ln S o Co.48 U. 1 8 1 2 1 5( 9 8 M ee
9 9 ct
i
La h i Rih a d h e , 6 S. 2 , 3 - 3 1 8 :. r
ne i nce i i ufi i nt I
glge
s ns fc e . d.

l t sc e, it sa lge t tt de e ntag ee t pe mi he t tket e we ks
n hi as Chrsma le s ha he f nda
r d o r t r o a hr e e

o F LA la et c r f rh ril u b nd y t emiae h re o me t to t u tkain
fM
e v o ae o e 1 h s a , e tr n td e mply n wi u j si to
h
t
whie s w ason l ve. A s um i t t t oft pl ntf sa l ga i , he c tconc ude t t
l he
ea
s ng he nzh he ai i f le tons t our
l s ha

t pl i ifhassa e s fce f cst pl i ys
he antf
t t d ufi int a t o ausbl ugge tt tt de e nts
s ha he f nda howe r c e s
d e kl s
dir r a t whehe isc
sega d s o
t < t onduc wa pr bie byt FM LA .Acc di y,t i s of
t s ohi td he
or ngl he s ue

10

wh te tealg dc n u t ss lfl'a d tu , u j c t at e -e rsaueo l tto ,
eh r h le e o d c wa é lt ' n ,h s s be t o hrey a tt t f i ains
wi l
mi
mu t ede ie o s mmayj d me ti t eei n g n ieis eo maeilfc, rb aj r ,
s b cd d n u l u g n ,f h r s o e un s u f tra a t o y uy
i t pli ifi r e e de es fce t s ppo t lndi ofwilune s
f he a ntf ntoduc s vi nc ufi int o u r a i ng
lf l s .
Se tng a i t saut oflm ia i is t c r a s c ude t tt pl ntf
ti sde he t t e i ttons s ue,he ou t lo oncl s ha he ai ifs
al ga i i s
le tons n uppor ofhe FM LA cam a es fce t wihsa t de e ntsmoton. I
t
r
li r ufi int o t tnd he f nda '
i n
or rt m a outaprm af ce c s ofrt la i t
de o ke
i a i a e ea iton mdert FM LA,apli ifmus esa ih
ht
a ntf
t t bls

tha gh )e a e i p oe tda tvt ,h ttee ly rto a v rea to a an t(e) a
t t s e ng g d n r tce ciiy t a h mpo e o k d e s cin g is h r, nd
t
t tt ad r ea ton wa ca al c
ha he ve s c i
s us ly onne t dt t pl i ifspr e td a tviy. Ya he v.
c e o he antf
ot ce ci t ' s nko
'

Har h' NC Ca io Co.LLC, 4 F.d5 , 5 ( t Ci. 0 6 (ne n l iaina dq oain
ra s
sn
.
4 6 3 41 5 1 4h r 2 0 ) itr a ctto n u tto
maksomit .
r
ted)
I t sc s ,t pli tf a lge t ts eng ed i apr t c e a tviyby t ng FM LA
n hi a e he a n if le s ha he ag n o e t d c i t
aki
la t ts wa t nni td a t ,s f r d a a r ee oy e a to a t tt
e ve; ha he s e nae nd, hus ufe e n dve s mpl m nt ci n; nd ha he
t r i ton oc ur e dzi t pe i t ts wason t r uese l ve.G hiee de e a
e m na i
c r d trng he rod ha he
he eq t d ea
t l vi nc s
W

t teco e e so tme(ewe n a e ly e sa s n ea dh rtr n to lta fo
o h ls n s f i b t e n mpo e ' b e c n e emiain fr r m
conc usve y e t bls st r qui ie c us lco
l i l s a i he he e st a a nnec i i c r a nl s tsi st l s one ous
ton, t e t i y a i t e he es
r

bzd no ma i ap i fcec s o c u aiy' l ( u tn W ila v. r eo is I c,
t e f kng rma a i a e f a s l .'d.q oig l ms Ceb r nc .n .
r
t '
i
8 1F.d4 2 4 7( t Ci. 98 ) Fo t s r a o ,h d fn a tsmo inmu tb d nid
7 2 5 , 5 4h r 1 9 . r he e e s ns te e e d n ' to s e e e
w ih r s c t t pl i if sFM LA c a m .
t e pe t o he a ntf '
li
St e Law C l m s
at
ai

I a ton t he cai unde f de a lw,Chrsm a a s rst c am sunde sael w:
n ddii o r l ms
r e rl a
it s s e t wo l i
r tt a
a c ai f i e i li lc i ofe otona di tes a a c a m t tt de e ntç i t d he
l m or nt ntona nfi ton
m i l sr s nd l i ha he f nda ç n e r
pa

11

i flelg t'( mpla 4. Fo tef lo n ra o s t ec u t g e swihtedee d n t t
n as ih . Co . t ) r h olwig e s n ,h o r a r e t h fn a t ha
'
b t o t e ecamsaes b e t ods s a.
o h f h s li r u j c t imis l
Un e Vign alw, cam fritni n ln lcino e t n l ite si s b e t oa
d r r ii a a li o n e to a ifito f moi a d sr s s u j c t
o
t - e rsaueo l tto s eVa Co ej8012 3 A) Th cam t c r e a dtetme
wo y a tt t f i ain .Se . d . - 4 ( . e li ç c u s n h i
mi
a
lm ia i be nst 1 w he t t ti c m it d.' M a ny v.Be ke ,
i t ton gi o Mn
n he or s om te '
ho
c r 435 S. 2d 139 1
E.
, 41

( . 9 3 .l t i c s ,h p anifscam o itnin lnlcino e to l ite s
Va 1 9 ) n h s a e t e litf' li f n e to a itit f moina d sr s
o
ac nld i M a of2009,whe s wa tr naedby t d e nt Be aus t i t a ton
c e n y
n he s e mi t
he efnda . c e he nsant c i
wa notfl d untlDe e be of201 t cai i ba r d byt sa u eoflm iai .
s
ie
i cm r
1, he l m s re
he t t t
i t tons
Ac or ng y, hede e ntsm oto wilbegr t d wih r s c t t pl i ifscam f r
c di l t
f nda '
in l
an e t e pe t o he antf' li o
i e i li lc i ofe o i naldit e s
nt ntona nfi ton
m to
sr s .
The pl i ifa s ale t s wa pa nt d i a f l e lghtby t de e nt A st
a ntf l o l ges hat he s i e n a s i
he f nda .
he

de e an e pha ies howe r t spa tc a c us ofa to i notr c ze i Vigi a. See
f nd t m sz ,
ve , hi riul r a e ci n s
e ogni d n r ni

W J TV v Le i 5 4S. 2 3 3 3 5n5( . 0 2 .Co e u n l,h scam i as
LA- . vn, 6 E.d 8 , 9 . Va 2 0 ) nsq e ty ti li s lo
s be tt d s sa .
u jc o imis l
Conc us on
l i

Fo t r as saed, hede e ntsm o i t dimiswilbe g a e i par a
r he e ons t t t
f nda ' ton o s s l
r nt d n t nd
de e i pa t TheCl k i die t d t s nd c rii d c esoft sm e a
ni d n r.
er s r c e o e e tfe opi
hi mor ndum o ni a
pi on nd
t ac ompa yi o de t t pli ifa a1c elofr c d.
he c
n ng r r o he antf nd l ouns
e or

y ul 01 .
ENTER: i IyW da ofJ y, 2 2
Ths ?

+2
Chi fUnie St t s D it i tJ
e
t d a e s rc udge

12