Lamonaca v. Tread Corporation

Filing 71

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 6/22/2015. (lab)

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D e e nt
f nda .
V a a i La ona fl d t sa ton ag ns he f m ere pl r Tr d Cor a i
l re M
ca ie hi c i
ai t r or
m oye , ea
por ton

( e d) al i vi ainsoft Fa l a Media Le veActof1 (
Tr a , legng olto
he miy nd
cl a
993 FMLA) 29U. C.jj
,
S.

2 012 5 Th c s i p e e tyb f r t ec u to T e d' moi nfrs mmayj d me t
6 - 6 4. e a e s r sn l eo e h o r n r a s to o u r u g n .
The c t d a he rng o t m oton on J 1 20 1 Fort r as s a e durng t
our hel
a i n he
i
une 7, 5.
he e ons t t d i he

h a iga d frt o estf rhb lw,h mo inf rs mmayj d me t lb de id.
e rn n o h s e o t eo t e to o u r u g n wil e ne
Fact Backeround
ual

The f l ngf t a eeiheru s t d or whe ediput ar pr e e i t lght
olowi acs r t ndipu e , r s ed, e es nt d n he i

mo tfv rbet tepanif Se To a v Cotn, 3 S. . 8 ,1 6 ( 01 )(mp szn
s a o a l o h li tf. e ln . t 1 4 Ct 1 61 8 6 2 4 e ha ii g
o
t tc u t mu tve t e ie c o s mmayj d me tnt elg t s fv rb et te
ha o rs s iw he vd n e n u r u g n i h ih mo t a o a l o h
nonmovi pat .
ng ry)
La ona bega wor ng f Tr a i 2009. A fe i ta l s r ng a a e utve
M
ca
n
ki or e d n
t r nii ly e vi s n xec i

asitntt Trad' f merc e exe utveofi e (
ssa o e s or hif c i tc r CEO)Bil c a La ona wa a ntd
, lM clne, M ca s ppoi e
t s r ast i ei humanr o ce ( diecoronAug t26, 2. OnMa c 1 201
o eve he ntrm
es ur s HR) r t
us 201
r h 0, 3,
t cur entCEO ,B ar y Russ l of i aly prom ot LaM onaca t HR di or. She r ai i
he r
r
el, fci l
ed
o
rect
em ned n
t tposii unt lApr lof2014,when t event gi ng r s t t sacton occur ed.
ha
t on i
i
he
s vi i e o hi i
r

.

I Aprlof201 La onac sr ede otonal afe bei e
n i
4, M
a tuggl m i ly tr ng xpos d t he g e d
e o i ht ne

l l ofsrs a homea a wor Herhus ndha l thi j whiere r tngfo ope
eves te s t
nd t k.
ba
d os s ob l e upe ai r m n

h a t u g r a d t u , e j bwa t efmiy' s l s u c o ic mea d is r n ebe eis
e r s r e y n , h s h r o s h a l s o e o re f n o n n u a c n ft.
Addii ly,
tona l LaM onac sr ltons pwih Rus el ha gr i e i y sr i d. Ones zc
a' ea i hi t
s l d own ncr asngl tane
olr e
oft i bewe t m wasa lws tTr adha fl d i sa ec tagans La o c sf mer
enson t en he
a ui e
d ie n t t our i t M na a' or
bos , l M c a andt compa sf m e c e tna a of e , r M il r
s Bil clne,
he
ny' or r hi f i ncil fc r Ca l le .
O n t afe noon ofFrda A prl 11 201 La onac m d w ih Rus e lt di e s i s
he t r
i y, i , 4, M
a
t
s l o s us s ues

r aedt t l ui agans M c anea M ilr Thepa esdiput wha ta pie durng t
elt o he aws t i t cl
nd le .
/i s e
t r ns r d i he
m e tng. W hie Tr ad m a n a nst tLa ona r s gne durng t m ee i La ona a
ei
l e
i t i ha M
ca e i d i he
tng, M
c

c e t ts me ey i o m e Rus e lt ts wasc i rng r sgni a t the
ont nds ha he r l nf r d
s l ha he
onsde i e i ng, nd ha
s
ugge t d t ts t kes
se ha he a ometme t t nk abou t de son. Durnghe de ii La ona
i o hi
t he cii
i
r poston, M
ca

t tfedt tRuselol he t ts se dC te s dout't tS di nott r t tghejs d
esii ha s lt d r ha he e me d rs e n ha d d hil ha s houl
s
' he
k
r s gn,' t the woul wa he t s i a w rte r i ton i s uli a e y de de t do
e i ' and ha
d nt r o ubm t
it n es gna i f he tm t l ci d o
s LaM onaca D ep.Tr 72o.
. 73.

La ona r t ne t herof i e al rt m e tng, A ppr m a e y t e y m i t l t r
M
ca e ur d o
fc fe he e i
oxi t l w nt nu es a e ,
Rus e lr om m e d t s l ve e l be aus he wasco e ne a
s l ec
nde hat he ea ary, c e
nc r d bouthe çs a e ofm i '
r dt t
nd.
'
Rus el D e Tr 60s l p. . 61. La onac w a o e ve c yi w he s pa s d K i be l Bu l r t
M
a s bs r d r ng
n he s e m r y t e , he
HR a s s a , t way outoft buidi
s i t nt on he
he l ng.

La e t tni ,Rus el s ntLaM onac t t xtmes ag as ngi s pl d t s i
t r ha ght
s le
a wo e
s es ki f he anne o ubm t
a w rte r s g t o LaM onac di notr s
it n e i na i n.
a d
e pond t t m es a t tni ht
o he
s ges ha g .
On t m o ni ofSa ur y,Apr l 1 201 LaM ona s dul a a
he r ng
t da
i 2, 4,
ca che ed n ppoi m e t s e
nt nt o e
herphysi an,Dr.N i Sweeney,t f l i M onda Apr l14,2014. A ft schedulng t
ci
na
he olow ng
y, i
er
i he
appoi m ent LaM onaca sentButeran em ai i catng t s w as Ssuf erng f om
nt
,
l
l ndi i hat he
i f i r

ps hol c dites duet pr ong e
yc ogial sr s
o ol ed xpos r t hi l vesofsr s'a t ts had
u e o gh e l
tes ,' nd ha he
s hedul d t s he phys ci n on M onda a l noon. D e .sEx.P. La ona a a ked Bu l rt
e
e o ee r
ia
y fer
f'
M
c s
te o
s nd he t com pa s FM LA f
e
r he
ny'
onus t t ke w ih he t t a nt e t
o a
t r o he ppoi m n .

On Su y,Aprl1 201 a 1 47 p. .Rus el s ntLaM onac a he s re oft xt
nda
i 3, 4 t 2: m , s l e
a not r e i s e
m e s swhi h pr ded a f l :
s age
c ovi
s olows
Va a i - yourf l et r s
l re
aiuz o e pond t my l s t que tonsi c t t tyou ha
o
a t wo si ndi aes ha
ve
dec ded t di c i youre pl e a Tr d i m e a el l t s i
i
o s ontnue
m oym nt t ea m di t y. f hi s
i or e ,pl s r s
nc r d ea e e pond i m e a e y. Ot r ie,Iw ila s e t r i ton
m di t l
he w s
l s um he es gna i
you ver lyt nde e on Frd i e f c i i
ba l e r d
i ay s fe tve mmedit l a lwila r
a ey nd
l rangeon
M onday t di
o scontnue yourpay and beneft
i
is.

De sEx. .
f'
Q
La ona a r s
M
c e ponde a hourlt rasf l
d n
ae
olows:
Ba y, donot hi t tt si a a opra em e um t ha t scon r a i
n' I
t nk ha hi s n ppr it di o ve hi ve s ton. I
w aspr pa i t di c sw ih you on M onda H oweve ,s nc yo de a m y
e rng o s us t
y.
r i e u m nd
i m edi t r s
m
a e e pons no 1do notpl n t t nde m y r s gna i
e,
a oe r
e i ton. 1w ils nd a l r
l e
onge
e a ton i e l
xplna i n mai.
1s
d
.-

At2: lp. .ha a t r
0 m t t fe noon,La ona s tRus e la e alr ie a i t ts ha
M
ca en
s l n m i et r tng ha he d
de dednott r i n fom Tr d. I t s m ee a l La ona a s d Rus e lt ts wa
ei
o esg r
ea n he a m i, M
ea dvie
s l ha he s
r si a me c lla ofa e e,a t ts had s he e a a nt ntwih he
eque tng
di a e ve bs nc nd ha he
c duld n ppoi me
t r
physi an:
ci
. . . A syo r c
u e ogni d,e n be o e m e Ia s f rng f om t a r e e f c s of
ze ve f r
, m uf e i r he dve s f e t
pr ong e
ol ed xpos r t s r s . On Frda yo s a e t tpe ha t ve y difc t
u e o te s
i y, u t t d ha r ps he r f i ul
r s pr es ha s tntaly i r as d my sr slvel A ltl bi ofditnce
aie oc s s ubsa i l nc e e
tes e . ite t
sa
f om t s t to ha gi n m e m or pe s c i a 1r ogni t tlha
r he iua i n s ve
e r pe tve nd ec ze ha
ve
be e i r asngl e otona l di t e s d a wor Bo h you a m y c or r
eom nc e i y m i ly sr s e t k. t
nd
ow ke s
ha obs r d t s o m uli e r e occ s ons de ons r t d by m y i biiy t
ve e ve hi n
tpl ec nt a i
m ta e
na lt o
m ai ai m y com posure duri sress ulst i ,cr ng atw or and i lt t
nt n
ng t f iuatons yi
k,
nabiiy o
a tc a e m ys l c ea l Ibe i vet tt si t r ul ofpr onged e
r i ul t
e f l r y.
le ha hi s he es t
ol
xpos et
ur o
hi l sofstes and lam seeki m edi t eat entf t s condii
gh evel
r s
ng
cal r m
or hi
ton. 1have
an appoi m entw ih m y phys ci on M onday,A prl 1 201 and 1wil1 you
nt
t
i an
i 4, 4
l et
know t out e oft appoi m e on Tues
he com
he
nt nt
day.

3

l teme n i , a r q e tn t tKi g teqsn met ea p o raeFM LA
n h a tme 1 m e u si g ha m Bulr e d h p r p it
a Sho tTe Dia lt pa r k i tme f m et tket m y a nt nton
nd r nn s biiy pe wor n i or
o a o
ppoi me
M onda a t r on.
y fe no
De ,sEx. l ar pl e a ls ntt nt m i t lt r Rus eldie t d La o c t k t y
f'
R. n e y m i e we y nu es ae , s l r c e M na a o i a
s
a y fom t ofi a of ofTr a pr ry untlf t rno ie.' l
wa r he fce nd f
e d ope t i urhe tc ' d.
On t m or ng ofM o y, i 1 201 Bute r lyedt Rus el La ona a' r ques
he ni
nda Aprl 4, 4, l r ea
o
s l M
c se t
f FM LA f m s N e t rRus e lno Bute f w a de t f m st LaM onac
or
or . ihe
s l r l r or r d he or o
a.

At3: p. . ha at r
30 m t t fe noon,La onac wa e mi d by Dr Swe ne aboa d c rii
M
a s xn ne
. e y,
r e tfed

f miyp a tto e . Dr S e yda n s dLa n c a h vnga a j t n dio d rwih
a l rciin r . we ne ig o e Mo a a s a i n dusme t s r e t
a ousm ood. Shea s d La ona t t a30- ym ed c ll veofabs nc a s he eda
nxi
dvie M
ca o ake
da
i a ea
e e nd c dul
f l - e ua i f M a 1 201
olow up val ton or y 2, 4.

La o c c am st ts wa t r naedby e i lt rt tda At5: p. . Rus el
M na a l i ha he s e mi t
ma l a e ha y.
35 m , s l
s ntLa ona a a e a la s ng he t the e pl e had e
e
M
c n m i dvi i
r ha r m oym nt
nded t pr vi Frday,a t t
he e ous i
nd ha
he ha i t c e Bu l rt s nd he i o m a i n r ar ng he a r e l ve a COBR A benei s
d ns nl t d t e o e
r nf r to eg di
r ec u d ea nd
tt .
O n A pr l22, 4, M ona s ntRus el a c o t w or e us t ts ha r c ve
i
201 La
ca e
s l opy f he
k xc e ha he d e ei d
f om Dr Swee y a a ke t the r ons de t de i i t t nni t he e pl en . l
r
.
ne nd s d ha
ec i r he c son o e na e r m oym t n
r pons ,Rus el a s d LaM onac t the em pl e e d on A prl 11 201 whe he
es
e
s l dvi e
a ha r
oym nt nde
i , 4
n

ça ce edg r rsgnai 'a t ,ha t r wa none df he physca t c eea
tc pt he) e i ton,' nd,hus t thee s
e or r iin o omplt ny
FM LA pa r or D ef' Ex.1 .
pe w k.
s
l
ProceduralH i orv
st
-

LaM ona a f l d t i t nta to a i tTr d o M a 15 201 La ona , c a m st t
c ie he ns a c i n ga ns ea n y , 4. M
ca l i ha
Tr ad i e f r w ih he rght unde t FM LA by t r i tng he i t ad ofgi ng he m e c
e nt r e ed t r i s
r he
e m na i
r ns e
vi
r di al
l
eave,and t Tr t m i ed heri r alaton f reques i FM LA l
hat ead er nat
n et i i or
tng
eave.

OnM a 2 , 01 , e dmo e frs mma yj d me t Th c u t l ah ai o t e
y 2 2 5 Tra v d o u r u g n . e o r hed e rng n h
m oton on J
i
une 1 2015. The m oto hasbee f l br e e a i rpe f r vi w .
7,
in
n uly i f d nd s i or e e
St
andard ofR evi
ew

Ana r o s mmayj d me ti a p o raedftemo n s o t a t eei n
wad f u r u g n s p r p it c h va t h ws h t h r s o
i
g n i ed s u ea t a ymae il a t ndt emo a ti e t ldt j d me ta amatro lw.
e u n ip t s o n tra f c a h v n s ni e o u g n s te f a '
t
'
Fe R. v P. 6a . ; dip t i g n iei i ra o a l j r c u drtr av r it o te
d. Ci . 5 () ' s u e s e un f a e s n b e u y o l eu n ed c f r h
A
n mno igp ry'' Lie tra Pa t o Va v. u d 71 F.d 3 8 31 ( t Ci. 01 )( u tn
o vn a t.' b rain ry f . J d , 8 3 0 , 3 4h r 2 3 q oig
Dulne v. c ngCop . Am.673F. 323,330( hCi. 1 ) ; fc i maei i i
a v Pa kagi
of ,
3d
4t r 20 2). $ a t s tral ft
A
S ghtaf tt outomeoft s tunde t go r ng1w.' J ( i Andes v. bely
mi fec he c
he ui
rhe ve ni a '' #= quotng
ron Li '
t
LobbysI .477U. 242, ( 98 )
nc,
S. 248 1 6).

l c nsd rn ame inf rs mmayj d me t tec u t s ve ter c r i tel h
n o ie ig
to o u r u g n ,h o r mu t iw h e o d n h i t
g

mo tfv rb et t n n v n p ry. Toa ,1 4 S Ct a 1 6 . C u r u g n c n o
s a o a l o he o mo i g a t
ln 3 . . t 8 6 k mmayj d me t a n t
s
be g a t m e el be aus t cour be i vest tt m ova w ilpr va li t ac i i t i d on
r n ed r y c e he
t le
ha he
nt l e i f he ton s re

t meis' J c v. C.
he rt.' a obs N. Admi Ofi eoft Co t,78 F. 562,568( hCi. 5
n. tc he urs 0 3d
4t r 201 )
(ntmalcttona quottonmakso te . il e tt r fr ca weg t e de e
ie
iai nd ai
r mitd) k' our he eo e nnot ih he vi nc
-he
orm a c e biiy detr i tons' l
ke r di lt e m na i .' d.
Di
scussi
on

1.

Int erence Cl m
erf
ai

The FM LA conf r s ver lrg s o elgi e e pl es i l ng t r g t t ke up t
e s e a i ht n i bl m oye , nc udi he i ht o a
o

t l we ksofl vedg e aus o asroushe t c to t tma t e o euna et
weve e
ea tblc e f e i
alh ondiin ha kes he mplye bl o
pe f m t f to 'ofhe poston. 29U. C.j261 a( )D) TheFM LA aloma si
ror he uncins' r ii
S.
2()1( .
s ke t
tunl f f any em pl
t aw ul or
oyert i er er w ih,r t ai ordeny t exerci ofort atem ptt
o nt f e t es r n,
he
se
he t
o

e rie'a e oye sFM LA rght. 29U. C.j2615() ) Toprvalonacam of
xecs ' n mpl e'
i s
S.
a(l.
e i
li

5

unlwf i erec e a emplyeemus pr ( )t ts wase ildt a FM LA be i;(
a ulnt frnc , n
o
t ove 1 ha he
ntte o n
neft 2)
t the e oye itre e wiht pr so oft tbe ft a ( t tt i efr nc c us d
ha r mpl r nefr d t he oviin ha nei; nd 3) ha he ntre e e a e

ham. SeeDownsv.W i hetrM e Ct.21F.Supp. 61 ,6l ( . Va. 4) seas
r
nc se d. r,
3d 5 7 W D. 201 ; e lo
Ada v.
ms AnneAr lCny.Pub.Sc ,No.1 1 2015U. App.
unde t
h.
4- 608,
S.
LEXI 1 ,a *7( h
S 0031 t 4t
Ci.J 15, )
r une 2015 .

I movi f s
n
ng or ummayj me onLa
r udg nt
Mona scai t tTr a i efr dwihhe
ca' l m ha e d ntre e t r
rg t FM LA la Tr ad c e t tLa ona scl m f isa t fr telm e .
i ht o
e ve, e ontnds ha M
ca' ai a l t he is e nt

Spe ii lys e dar st tLa o c wasnotenildt FM LA la be us ( )s
cfcal Tr a gue ha M na a
tte o
e ve ca e 1 he
r inedbeor r que tngla ( s di notpr des fcintnoi ofhe nee f FM LA
esg
f e e si e ve; 2) he d
ovi ufi e tce
r d or
la a ( s di notha asroushe lhcondii t tpr ve edhe fom pe fr ngt
e ve; nd 3) he d
ve e i
at
ton ha e nt r r
romi he

e s nta f tonsofhe ob. Thec t l c i re hagume i t n.
s e il unci
rj
our wil onsde ac r ntn ur

Tr a frt r u sta La o a av u trl rsg e fo h r o d rngt eme t
e d is a g e h t M n c olnaiy e in d ' m e j b u i h ei
r
ng
w ih Rus e lon Apr l11 201 a t ,t ts wa no l re pl
t
sl
i , 4, nd, hus ha he s onge m oyed a t tm e s
t he i hc

rq e tdFMLA la e Fo t er ao sae d rn tes mmayj d me t e rn , o v r
e u se
e v . r h e s ns ttd u ig h u r u g n h a ig h we e,
t cou tr m ansc nc d t twheherLa ona ar i d durng t me i wih Rus el on
he r e i onvi e ha
t
M
c esgne
i he etng t
s l

Aprl1 , 01 i aq eto o f c ta mu t er s l e b aj r W h l Tra h sp o frd
i 1 2 4 s u sin f a th t s b e o v d y u y. ie e d a r fee
e i e c fo whihaj r c udd sr dt M o c ' v rino tee e t,hec u tsn t
v d n e r m c u y o l ic e iLa na as eso f h v n s t o r i o
pemie t weg t ee d n eo ma ec e iii d tr nainso s mmayj d me t
r t d o ih h vie c r k rdb ly eemi to n u r u g n .
t
t
J obs 780F. a 5 s as Gr yv. l n, F. 90, ( hCi.1 )(l i not
gç ,
3d t 68) ee lo a Spil 925 2d 96 4t r 991 ;t s our
ma
1
-

j t wei t e de ,t c how ma afda t fvort pli ifa ho manyo e
ob o gh he vi nce o ount
ny fi vis a he antf nd w
ppos
hi o t dirgad so ist ts m hadt bei
m, r o se r tre ha ee r o leve. Thos ts aef t j y.)
e a ks r or he ur ' .
'
Tr nextar
ead
guest LaM onaca' r
hat
s eques f FM LA l
t or
eave wasi ufi ent To i
ns fci .
nvoke

rght unde t FM LA ,a e pl e i r uie t pr de notc t he e pl rofhe nee f r
i s
r he
n m oye s eq r d o ovi
i e o r m oye
r d o

6

la Rhoadsv.Fe De iI . p.257F, 373,38 ( hCi. ) W hent ne f
e ve.
d. post ns Cor ,
3d
2 4t r 2001 .
he ed or
l a i unf es a e l e o mus pr de no i t t e oye ass a pr c ia e
e ve s or ee bl, i mpl yee
an
t ovi
tce o he mpl r oon s a tc bl

unde t f t a cr umsa esoft pariulrcae.* 29C. R.j825. $. iW he a
r he acs nd ic tnc
he tc a s '
'
F.
3034 s n n
e pl e s eks l ve f t tr ttm e f a FM LA - iyi r s n, he em pl
m oye e
ea or he i s i or
qualf ng ea o t
oyee ne no
ed t

e e syase trg sunde t FM LA ore nme in t FMLA. 29 C. R.j8 303*)
xpr sl s r iht
r he
ve nto he
'
'
F. 25.
.
Ra he ,t e pl e m us m e el pr de Ss fci nti or a i f a e pl ye t r s bl
t r he m oye
t r y ovi luf i e nf m ton or n m o r o ea ona y

deemi whehe t FM LA ma a yt t l ver quet' L (mpha i adde . Asc t
tr ne t r he
y ppl o he ea e s. i e
'
ss d)
ours
ha pr vi usy not d,d hi i no af malsi orsrnge sanda d,'a e oye sne no
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t
' o de e y de ai nec s r f t e pl rt ve iy i t FM LA a i . Li ht ns e n v.
û vi ver t l es a y or he m oye o rf f he
pr
pples' c e t i
'

Uni ofPitbur hM ed.Ct.691F. 294,303( Ci. 2)(ii caes.
v. ts g
r,
3d
3d r 201 ctng s )
Onc t e pl
e he m oyeei or st e oye t ts ne la f ramedialr as i he
nf m he mpl r ha he eds e ve o
c e on, '
t
bur n t n s fst t e pl rt g t raddii i or ai and de em i i t FM LA i
de he hit o he m oye o a he
tonal nf m ton
t r ne f he
s

a t lyi i td. Kr kev. exa i M ot Ca s l ,28 F. x629,632(t Ci.
cual mplcae ' ens Al ndra or r. nc. 9 App'
'
4h r
2008) ûft e oye fndst e oye srquetf la va ori ufiintt
. s he mpl r i he mpl e' e s or e ve gue ns fce ,he
l
e pl rs d as t e pl e t pr de t ne es a y de a l t oug a tona
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doc nttona i or ton. l ;s eas 29C. R.j825. b)(i hee oye wilbe
ume ai nd nf mai ' d. e lo
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xpe e o ai ny ddiina e r nf mai hr
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e nty, d c ii l e t s t t r he mplyee ve ve y c s r t i o
t
de e nei t FM LA a is bu C t i or ton c
t nni f he
pple , t how he nf ma i onvey t t e oye i r as bl
ed o he mpl r s e ona y

i eprt '' Lihtnsei 691F. a 303( i Sanows v. rBr
ntr eed.' c e t n,
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mousne.nc.
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)
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egultons r t or s
e nd or s bl eave fer l n hi e he e s
s s i fom eiherpary t tLa onaca' ne f l wasf es eabl
ugge ton r
t
t ha M
s ed or eave
or e e.

f rtej r . I , e as Rv esv. i ims 6 0F.d 1 8 , 1 6( t Ci. 01 )(t c s s
o h u y d.s e lo nd r W l a , 5 3 l 8 1 9 8h r 2 1 ' a e
'
l
our
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n m o '
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cic tnc a i t cal aj yque to '
rumsa es nd s ypi ly ur sin.
).
V i w i t e de i a lghtm os f r bl t La ona ,t cour bele t ta
e ng he vi nce n i
t avo a e o M
ca he
t i ves ha
ge ne i s ofm a e i lf c e s s a t whe he Tr d r c ve s fci ntnotce ofhe ne f
nui s ue
t r a a t xit s o
t r ea e ei d uf i e
i
r ed or

la
e ve. I as c son ofe a l
n uc es i
m i communi a i be nni onAprl1 201 La onac notfe
c tons gi ng
i 2, 4, M
a ii d
Bute a Rus e lt ts wass f rng fom t a r eefe t ofpr o d e
lr nd s l ha he
ufe i r he dve s f c s
ol nge xpos et sr s
ur o te s
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nd ha he y ed o a
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e e. M
c ol
l r nd
slt t
s had s he ed t s e he phys c a on t a tr n ofA prl1 201 and r quesed t tt
he
c dul o e r
i in
he fe noo
i 4, 4,
e
t ha he
co pa pr de he w ih t a opr a e FM LA f m s l he e a lt Rus el o A prl 1
m ny ovi
r t he ppr i t
or . n r m i o
s ln
i 4,

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4, M
c pe fc ly e sed (
a
c l e ve bs nc r m e '
s
l s ppor ofhe r que t LaM ona a pr de s cii e m pl s ofhe e o i
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r e s,
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. . . lha
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c
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h u nd
c or r ha obs ve t son m uli e r c ntoc as o de ons r t d by m y
ow ke s ve er d hi
tpl e e
c i ns m t a e
i lt t m ai ai m y com pos e dur ng sr s uls t tons c yi a w or al
nabiiy o
nt n
ur
i tes f iua i , r ng t k, ld
i biiy t ari ul t m ys l cl ary. Ibele t tt si t r s tofpr onge
na lt o tc a e
ef e l
i ve ha hi s he e ul
ol d
e
xpos e t hi l ve s ofs r s a la s e ng m e ca t e t e f t s
ur o gh e l
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c ton.
ondii

D e pie Tr ad' a g e st t c r r t m e e f c t tLa ona ha notye
s t e s r um nt o he ont a y, he r a t ha M
ca d
t
r ce ve m e c lt e t e a t tm e s r es e l ave i no f t t hercl i s nori t f c
e i d di a r a m nt t he i he equ t d e
s t a al o
am ,
s he a t
t tt e a l pr ded no i ca i ofhow l t r ue t d a e w oul be. Cours ha
ha he m is ovi
ndi ton
ong he eq s e bs nee
d
t ve

madece rt ttgl r i nor quie ti t sauet ta e oye bedignos wiha
la ha tthee s e rmen n he ttt ha n mpl e
a ed t
s i he lh condii n be or be m i elgi e f FM LA l ve ' St of v.St J m ' M e cv
erous a t
to f e co ng i bl or
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. ol s r

He lhSys,218F. 858,863(t Ci.
at
.
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, nd ha t oye
e
y ovi
8

FM LA - ua iyi notc bef r k
q lf ng i e o e nowi t e c da e ord a i n o t l a t y w ilt ke.'
ng he xa t t s ur to f he e ve he l a '
Sa now s ,51 F. a 40 s a s Cln ca e v. . r s ofN ew H ope,701 F. 825 8
r
ki 0 3d t 2; ee l o i ks l St The e e
3d
, 29

( hCi. 2)(' . rs ma smuc oft f tt tClnks aeha ... pr vi l be n
8t r 201 ;StThee a ke
h he ac ha i c l d not e ousy e
di gnos d wih a anxi t di o de . .. hiet s a gu e m ay uli a e y bc ron a f c fnde '
a
e t n
e y s r r . W l hi r m nt
tm t l a
a ti r s

c i r ton oft notc r r m e t i < ie c i r bl pole e er Na
onsde ai
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e
t
FM LA ca
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e ona y
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e m oye s
m a a i i t t ne f m e c ll a
y ntc pa e he ed or di a e ve. The A c is fc e pl t c r um sa e i whi h
t t el ont m a es i c t nc s n
c

t ne d f qualf ng l vea iesune
he e or
iyi ea rs
xpecedl Thus t as ume a e oye spr vi usy
t y.
,o s
n mpl e' e o l
c e rm e ca hi t r pr l esa s e ntFM LA c a m w he hernee f m edi a l a a i es
la
di l s o y ec ud
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li
n
d or
c l e ve r s

une cedl i pae l unra ona ea c r r t t pupos oft Ac.)
xpe t y s tnty e s bl nd ontay o he
e he t' .
'
Li w i e t c tf ndsunpe s s ve Tr a s r la e o t f tt ti di notr c i
ke s , he our i
r ua i
e d' e i nc n he ac ha t d
e e ve

t doc o ' not e usng La o c fom wor untlAprl22,201 e g da a trhe
he t rs e xc i
M na a r
k i
i
4, i ht ys fe r

e ly n wi Tr a e e . Ase pan da o e ar a o bej r c u dfn t t
mpo me t t e d nd d
h
x lie b v , e s na l u y o l id ha
La ona se l t Bu l and Rus e lpr vi d s fc e i onnai t r quiet e o
M
ca' mais o ter
s l o de ufii nt nf
ton o e r he mplyer
t i r f t i ot bassf he l ver ues,a t tRus e li me ael t r i t d he
o nquie urher nt he i or r ea eq t nd ha
s l m di t y e m na e r
e oyme be or s ha ar s bl opporuniyt pr deaddii na docu e ai n fo
mpl
nt f e he d ea ona e
t t o ovi
to l
m nt to r m
he phys ci n. I s c r m s a es a e pl rbea st r s t ta em pl yee' e il m e
r
ia
n uch icu t nc , n m oye
r he i k ha n
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t FM LA l a will e beesa ihe a c nnota dla lt bypr mptve yt m i tngt
o
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t bls d, nd a
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e oye Se Clnks ae 701F.da 828(ûA) e o doe no a dlabiiyby
mpl e. e i c l,
3 t
ûg n mplyer s t voi i lt
di c r ng a e pl e who t ke l ave i or rt s e te t e f a condii t ti l t r
s ha gi n m oye
a se
n de o e k r a m nt or
ton ha s a e
he d t be c r d by t FM LA . The e pl erwho pr i t l fr a e pl ,whe t
l o
ove e
he
m oy
ec pious y ies n m oyee
n he
l te cl i st be isofl ve unde t FM LA ,be r t rs t tt hea t c ton i
a t r a m he neft
ea
r he
a s he ik ha he lh ondii n

q si lt de lpsi oas roushe lhco ton.)(ntr cttonomit l s as
ueton aer veo nt ei
at ndii ' i enal iai
'
ted ; ee lo

c ton. Att ssag oft pr e ngs howeve ,t c tc udest tLa onac has
ondii
hi t e he oce di ,
r he our oncl
ha M
a
pr e ed s fc e e de t c ea e a ge ne dipu e on t s is
es nt uf i i nt vi nce o r t
nui
s t
hi s ue. Upo e m i ng
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La ona on Aprl l 201 Dr Swe y a s he t t ke a m e c l ve ofabs e f om
M
ca
i 4, 4, . ene dvi ed r o a
di al ea
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Tr ad u i M ay 1 201 Durng he de ii D r Sw e ney t s i i d t tLa o c w as
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i
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e tfe ha M na a

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nd
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An
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o
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b te s td frtilh n s mmayj d me t S eJ c b , 8 F.da 5 8; e as W ila v
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Ad iin l ,h c u t oe t a teme ef c t a La o a aa pidf roh r o sd rng
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o

sro sh at c n iini e o g t s o ta t ee ly ei ic pa iae , v nit to i te
e iu e l o dto s n u h o h w h t h mpo e s n a cttd e e fhaj b s h
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a e o e' l vei pr e e by t FM LA ke n i s wasc i
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ome he
o r' #a ee s
;
l r . r s at r a nq.439 3d 286,

1 6 ( 1h Ci. 0 6 (ee tn tee ly rscam t a, samatro lw, ne o e c ul
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te f a a mply e o d
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ve xpe inc d n na lt o k t n he
ni
he
eg ai ns i e

co i t pef m smia dute f a he e oyel Eli tv. lns No.
ntnued o ror i lr is or not r mpl r; lot Roli ,
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e ng he e d n he i ht t a a e o M
ca i l ng he e tm ny
.

Swe ne t co tfndst tage nedipu eofma e i lf c e ssast whe he La onac
e y,he ur i ha
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f r ng he s e i

f n to so h rp sto . Ac o digy Tr a ' mo inf rs mmayj d me to La o a as
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c r n l, e d s to o u r u g n n M n c '
i e f r nc cl i w ilbe de e
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R et i i Cl m
alaton ai

La onac a s cli st tTr dt r i t he i r t la i f rr que tngFM LA la
M
a lo am ha ea e m naed r n e a iton o e si
e ve.

Se 2 U. C. 2 5 a,seas 2 C.. j8 52 0 c (' e (M LA')p o iiina an t
e 9 S. j 61 () e lo 9 FR. 2 .2 () ' F
'
Th
S r hbto g is
i er e e pr bis a e pl rf om di c i i tng orr t la i a i ta e pl e ... or
nt f r nce ohi t n m oye r
s r m na i
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f

ha ngexecie oral mptdt e rieFM LA rg s'.
vi
r s d te e o xecs
iht.)
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S LA r t la i cl i sa e a ogo t di c i i to c a m sbr
C
FM
e a i t on a m r nal us o s rm na i n l i
oughtunde Til V l .
r te l'
'

Langv.Fed.Exprs Cor ,703F.d71 71 ( hCi. 3) Ac di y, ealai cams
i
e s p.
3 3, 7 4t r 20l . cor ngl r t iton li
ba e on c r um sa i e de e a e e ua e u rt btr s fi f a e o k s f t i
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i c t ntal vi nc r val t d nde he lden- hi tng r m w r et orh n

McDonnelDouMl Cor v. e n, 1U. 79 (973) Se t Unde t sfa wok,he
l
as p. Gre 41 S. 2 1 . e da
r hi rme r t

pli ifû tfrtma aprmaf i s ngt t(hele ge i pr ecedaci t t tt
antf s
mus is ke i ace howi ha s nga d n ot t tviy, ha he
empl t a s a tonag i t( r,a t tt adves a tonwasc alyco ce t
oyer ook dvere ci ans hel nd ha he
re ci
aus l nne td o

t pli ifspr e tda tviy. Ya he v. ra sN. Ca i Co.446F. 541 551( h
he antf' otce ci t ' s nko Harh' C. sno ,
'
3d , 4t
Ci. )(nenalcttona quotto maksomitd) l t pli ifpusf t s tcint
r 2006 itr iai nd
ain r
te . f he antf t orh ufs e
e de e t esa i h a prm a f ci ca e ofr t i ton, nd t e pl rof e sa non- e a i t y
vi nc o t bls
i a e s
e ala i a he m oye f r
r t la or
r as f t a r e a ton,t pl i if( ar t bu d n ofe t bls ng t tt e pl r s
e on or he dve s c i he a ntf t s he r e
be
s a i hi ha he m oye '

pr fr e a toni prtxtf FM LA rt iton. l (ntr lottona quoai maks
ofeed xplnai s ee or
ealai ' d.i ena iai nd tton r
'

omit .
ted)
Att ssa oft pr ce i ,he c ti oft opi on t tLa o c ha pr f r d
hi t ge he o ed ngs t our s he ni ha M na a s ofe e
s fc e e de t es a i h t s e
uf i i nt vi nce o t bls hat he ngag i pr e t d a i t by r ue tng FM LA l a
ed n ot c e ctviy
eq s i
e ve;
t Tr d s bs
hat ea u eque l t r i t d he e pl e ;a t tt e w a a c us lc
nty e m na e r m oym nt nd ha her s a a onnec i
ton
be wee t l ve r que ta t a r e e pl e a ton. See W rchtv. ut e tA ilnes
t n he ea e s nd he dve s m oym nt c i
i
So hw s r i ,

31 F.App' 23 233( hCi.
9
x 2, 4t r 2009)( tngt tt frtt ee nt oft prmafci cae
noi ha he is wo lme s he i a e s
w e e cl a l e t bls d w he e a e pl ye k eque t d ...l ve unde t FM LA a he
r e r y s a i he
r n m o es
r
se
ea
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mpl me
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l
4-073,
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S
t 20- 4t r y , 5) hol ng ha he us in
ee e wa s
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tviy nd

tr nai .
emi ton)
W hie Tr a c i
l e d ontnuest m a nt i t La ona a vol arl r s g d a t , ha s
o i a n hat M
c
unt iy e i ne nd, hus t t he

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d
ufe n dve s mpl
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La o a ase o me t n e v l naiyo iv lna i mu t ed cd dbyaj r Lie s ,
M n c ' mply n e d d o u trl r n ou trl s b e ie
y
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he ec d s
e, n a n n he i ht t a r bl o M
ca e e s
ton
f c r r ng w he he Tr d' as e t d bele t tLa onac vol a iy r s gne w a pr t xtf
a t ega di
t r ea s s r e
i f ha M
a unt r l e i d s e e or

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ealai
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(
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i a i a e, om ne t uf i i nt vi nc o i ha he m o r s s re

j ttc to i f le ma pemit etiro fc t c n ld ta tee ly ru lwf ly
usi ain s as , y r t h re f a t o o cu e h t h mp o e na ul
q
dici nae ' ;s as Buro v. l lxI ,7 F. 41 430( Ci.201 ( di t t
s rmi td.' ee lo tn Teefe nc. 07 3d 7, 3d r 3) hol ng ha
)
t pl ntf ' e d e c e t d a g nui diput off c r ga di t cr di lt oft e pl ye '
he ai i f s vi enc r a e
e ne s e a t e r ng he e biiy he m o r s

pr frdr a o frhe dic r e,a t t$ ras na efctfnde c dfndt gmpl rs
ofee e s n o r sha g nd ha d e o bl a i r oul i he e oye 'l
a
cam t t(hepli if rsgne t beu t ofc e nc '(ntr lciain a quoai
li ha t antfj e i d o nworhy r de e' i ena tto nd tton
)
maksomitd) Caset v. msCount TrnstAut ,No.106- 1 2008U. Dit
r
te ; rtter Ada
v a i h.
: CV- 993,
S. s.

LEXI 51 a *30( . Pa.J y8, 08 (c he W iei or dCa setrt ts
S 874, t M D. ul 20 ) sW n s nf me rtte ha he
i e pr t hi a ton a a r s g i he i m e a e y a t d t c r c t m i unde s a ng,
nt r e ed s c i s e i naton, m di t l c e o or e t he s
r t ndi but

W iemanan dta h h dv u trl e d dh se o me t He c , u' c udc ncu e
s i ti e h t e a oln aiy n e i mply n . n e aj l o l o ld
y
t tW i e' as e t be i ft tCa s e t rha vol a iy r s gne w a a pr t xtf FM LA
ha
s s s red le ha r t te d unt r l e i d s e e or

rtlai '. Acc di y, e i note il t s
eaiton.)
'
or ngl Trad s ntted o ummayj
r udgme onLa ona srtlain
nt
M ca' eaito
c am .
li
Concl on
usi

F rtera o sae ,h c u t l d n Tra smo inf rsl r j g n .
o h e s ns ttd te o r wi e y e d' to o t
l
mma y ud me t
The Cl r i di e t d t s nd c r ii c esoft sm e or ndum o ni a t
e k s r c e o e e tfed opi
hi m a
pi on nd he
a eo pa ng or rt al co elofr or
e m nyi
de o l uns
ec d.

ENTER:Thi QQ da ofJ ,201
s
y une 5.

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