Eighth Circuit

Updated to January 25, 2016.

Eighth Circuit

Bonenberger v. St. Louis Metro. Police Dept., No 14-3696 (8th Cir. Jan. 19, 2016). Panel: RILEY, Gruender, Kelly. Claims on Appeal: Title VII, § 1983, § 1981, and Mo. state law transfer (reverse race) and conspiracy. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($200,000 and punitive damages of $100,000 against Lieutenant Muxo, $300,000 against Lieutenant Colonel Harris, and $20,000 against Chief Isom; injunction) [plaintiff] . Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Sufficient evidence in record that denial of a sought-after transfer was adverse employment action; evidence the Assistant Academy Director position was "a high-profile" job; involved significant supervisory duties; offered more "contact with command rank officers"; provided regular daytime hours and holidays off; and made future promotion more likely. Conspiracy verdict upheld that defendant officers had agreed to hire only a black female officer, based on witness testimony that "[Lieutenant Muxo] told me that [Lieutenant Colonel] Harris wanted a black female in the position, and that there no way [sic] they were going to put a white male in that position.

Nicols v. Tri-National Logistics, Inc., No. 15-1153 (8th Cir. Jan. 4, 2016). Panel: MURPHY, Melloy [SMITH, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Ark. state law harassment (sex). 2. Title VII and Ark. state law retaliation Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. District court erred by excluding, in consideration of entire arc of harassing behavior, plaintiff trucker's layover with harasser that was "part of her work trip because she stopped there during a mandatory rest period, and [dispatcher] told her he would only find her a driver after it was completed." While district court held that employee's decision to stay with the truck during the break was voluntary, "the law does not require an employee to 'quit or want to quit' when faced with a Hobson's choice." Genuine dispute whether plaintiff was subjectively offended by harasser's conduct. "Nichols testified at her deposition that after he exposed himself, she was upset, told him not to behave that way, and complained immediately to [employer]. Nichols also testified that she complained to ... Foust about Paris five times throughout the trip and reported to Oliver on June 1 that she felt abused, degraded, and scared." Also a genuine dispute about when Nichols first reported harasser's alleged harassment and whether, once informed of the behavior, the company acted reasonably in requiring Nichols to remain with hrasser in close-quarters for days afterwards: "TNI could have ordered Nichols to leave [harasser's] truck as soon as it learned about the problem and promptly help her find another driving partner, reprimanded [harasser] for his behavior, or arranged lodging for her in Laredo instead of permitting her to accompany him to Pharr on May 30. Instead, TNI allegedly took no action to remove her despite her consistent complaints of sexual harassment, but allowed her to go to [harasser's] apartment in Pharr, and stranded her there with no available alternate form of transportation." 2. No genuine dispute that employer was concerned about plaintiff's unsafe driving well before she complained about sexual harassment.

Cosby v. Steak N Shake, 804 F.3d 1242, 32 A.D. Cases 405 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: MURPHY, Melloy, Smith. Claims on Appeal: 1. Mo. state law demotion (disability). 2. Mo. state law constructive discharge (disability). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No genuine dispute of material fact that decisionmakers were unaware of depression diagnosis until five days after announcing demotion. Although plaintiff denied that demotion meeting occurred on date stated by defendant, entry on office calendar lists a meeting on that date and plaintiff signed a letter stating that he had attended it. 2. Reasonable person would not have found work environment intolerable, where it consisted of two written performance warnings he received for conduct which plaintiff admits violated company policy, and plaintiff gave employer no opportunity to remedy.

Smith v. URS Corp., 803 F.3d 964, 128 FEP 134 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: MELLOY, Benton [SHEPHERD, dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and § 1981 pay (race) and retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court erroneously assumed that the claim was failure-to-hire: "Smith's complaint, however, did not allege that URS failed to hire him; Smith alleged disparate treatment based on the fact that he, Griffin, and Ellis all applied to work as Training Specialists but that [white] Griffin was assigned a higher position with pay grade S5.13 whereas [black] Smith and Ellis were hired as Training Specialists and assigned pay grade S5.12." Plaintiff thus made out a prima facie case of discrimination by showing that a white applicant for the same job was hired into a higher pay grade and position: "Between the hiring of these two men, a white man without meaningfully different qualifications applied for a position in the same department to perform the same work and received a higher-ranking and higher-paying position than the black men (a position, in fact, higher-ranking than the position for which he had applied)." No obligation for prima facie case to prove "relative qualifications" of the black and white applicants in the prima facie case. Genuine dispute of fact exists as to whether the men were similarly situated. Smith and Ellis both testified that all three men performed the same duties. The men worked under the same supervisors, and the formal, written job descriptions contained in the record show the positions have materially similar duties. Plaintiff also presented sufficient evidence to rebut the employer's avowed legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for instantly promoting and paying more to Griffin. In particular, the panel majority noted the evasiveness of the employer's explanation. It noted the mystery "that the letter initially offering [Griffin] employment listed the S5.12 pay grade ... is inconsistent with URS's insistence that Griffin applied exclusively for an S5.13 position." Also, whatever differences that might have been between Smith, Ellis and Griffin, "URS did not explain the relevancy of any differences in background for the positions involved." Supervisor denied in the discovery process that he was even involved in the subjective-ranking process, in the face of documentary evidence to the contrary. Thus, jury could view also view denial of involvement with the ranking process, when coupled with his seemingly defensive reaction to Smith and [a lower-level shift supervisor] Charles Smith, as evidence of a desire to hide an impermissible motive." Because the district court cut the case off at the prima facie stage, it had no further cause to analyze the retaliation claim separately, so that claim is remanded that as well.

Thomas v. Heartland Employment Services LLC, 797 F.3d 527, 127 FEP 1546 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: COLLOTON, Loken, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Mo. state law termination (age). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Alleged comments by administrator "that older people didn't work as fast or were as productive as younger people," about "having fresh blood, younger employees," referring to plaintiff as "the old short blond girl," and soon after plaintiff's discharge, that "he likes to keep himself surrounded with young people," created genuine dispute as to whether age was a contributing factor in the termination decision. HR executive admitted that administrator was an "indirect supervisor" of plaintiff and had authority to contribute to the decision to discharge her.

Huynh v. U.S. Dep't of Transp., 794 F.3d 952, 127 FEP 1278 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: MURPHY, Riley, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. state law termination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Suspending employee's flight training after he had only completed 85 of his allotted 180 hours for on the job training not an "adverse action," though termination was an" adverse action." Racist comments and jokes made by his coworkers, alleged harsh treatment he received from his supervisors, discovery of a McDonald's job application in his personal effects at work, and refusal to transfer him not probative of racial motive, where decisionmakers not shown to have shared racist motives and actually gave employee several opportunities to rehabilitate. White employees who were allowed to transfer not proper comparators because they had other supervisors.

Schaffhauser v. United Parcel Services, Inc., 794 F.3d 899, 127 FEP 1292 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: BENTON, Gruender, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: 1. § 1981, Title VII, and Ark. state law demotion (race). 2. ADA and Ark. state law failure to accommodate. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Speculation about the union's motive for withdrawing grievence does not show a specific link between a discriminatory animus and plaintiff's demotion, where union was not decisionmaker. Denial of peer review not shown to be racially motivated or to have a racial pattern. As its legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason to demote plaintiff, employer relies on his comment, i.e., "If he ever hit me, I would hit him back so hard it'd knock the black off him." Failure to follow all protocols in conducting investigation no evidence of racial animus. Alleged comparators did not make racially-charged remarks. 2. Employee failed to give employer advance notice of asserted disability (side effects of steroid shot), so no duty to accommodate arose. Only notice came after racial comment was already uttered. liability is not established where "an employee engages in misconduct, learns of an impending adverse employment action, and then informs his employer of a disability that is the supposed cause of the prior misconduct and requests an accommodation."

Shirrell v. St. Francis Medical Center, 793 F.3d 881, 127 FEP 1191 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: SHEPHERD, Riley, Loken. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Mo. state law discrimination (religion) and retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee terminated for collecting 12 disciplinary points; single overheard remark three months earlier about "Jewing down" seller does not raise an inference of discrimination, and noi evidence establishing causal connection to protected activity (complaint about remark).

Fischer v, Minneapolis Public Schools, 792 F.3d 985, 31 A.D. Cases 1341 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: GRUENDER, Shepherd, Kelly. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA and Minn. state law hiring. 2. ADA and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. That employee failed employer's strength test does not establish that the employer "regarded" him as disabled. 2. Decision not to reinstate had already been made before he complained of disability discrimination.

Cox v. First National Bank, 792 F.3d 936, 127 FEP 1083 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: BENTON, Wollman, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Title VII promotion (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No evidence of pretext where record failed to present genuine dispute of material fact that plaintiff was clearly more qualified; that she had better relations with people at bank; that matrix used for hiring was a pretext for gender discrimination because of subjective factors; failure to investigate candidates was tantamount to discrimination; and there were relatively few woman on board or as executive officers.

Sellers v. Deere & Co., 791 F.3d 938, 127 FEP 1087, 31 A.D. Cases 1345 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: RILEY, Colloton, Kelly. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA, ADEA and Iowa state law discrimination. 2. ADA, ADEA and Iowa state law hostile work environment Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Alleged demotion was not preserved in EEOC charge. Increased workload alone not an adverse employment action. 2. Two incidents of berating and physical contact by manager over four years no severe or pervasive.

Stewart v. Rise, Inc., 791 F.3d 849, 127 FEP 809 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: MELLOY, Murphy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (sex, national origin). 2. Title VII harassment (sex, national origin). 3.Title VII retaliation Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No inference of discrimination from allegation that plaintiff's managers failed to respond to complaints of harassment, where source of harassment was subordinates and plaintiff was preceded and followed by managers in same protected class. 2. Genuine dispute of material fact based on allegations that plaintiff was harassed on the basis of sex and national origin by subordinate employees (male, Somali). Employee "reported many instances of harassment as harassment, and other instances as insubordination and inappropriate behavior." Though her testimony on summary judgment was presented in the form of an affidavit, any asserted inconsistency with prior statements did not rise to the level of making the affidavit a "sham." "The alleged inconsistencies include: (1) the annual certifications as contrasted with the claimed verbal reports of harassment; and (2) the failure to consistently reference animus based on race, sex, or national origin in the claimed verbal reports to [management]. These nuances simply do not reach the level of assertions that 'directly contradict[]' testimony under oath and that might support the discounting of evidence as a matter of law." Indeed, her testimony was supported by the managers' own notes, witness depositions, the EEOC charge and testimony of a co-worker named Damani, and inconsistencies in the defense evidence. Plaintiff also presented sufficient evidence to establish a hostile work environment. A jury could conclude the comments at issue were neither off-hand nor isolated. "According to Stewart and Damani, the comments were a consistent pattern of verbal abuse based upon sex, race, or national origin often tied to overt acts of intimidation, violence, or insubordination. Together with the general and open insubordination, the threats against county workers and auditors, the intimidating stances, the throwing of a file, and the grabbing of Damani, the conduct may be viewed as amounting to an actionably severe hostile work environment." 3. No genuine dispute of material fact that decision to terminate was made before protected activity (EEOC charge filing).

Watson v. Heartland Health Labs., 790 F.3d 856, 127 FEP 964 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: SMITH, Loken, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Mo. state law harassment (sex, race). 2. Mo. state law constructive discharge (sex, race). 3. Mo. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Eight instances of physical and verbal harassment over ten days, during two-hour shifts - which events lasted for seconds at a time - not objectively severe or pervasive. 2. Same conditions presented as evidence of harassment were not so intolerable that reasonable employee would feel compelled to quit. 3. No adverse action (only write-ups and extension of probationary period), and no evidence of causation, where warnings were consistent with prior warnings prior to protected activity.

Wagner v. Gallup, Inc., 788 F.3d 877, 127 FEP 597 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: BEAM, Wollman, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: Minn. state law termination (age). State tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Declaration from employer that it considered client complaints in terminating plaintiff admissible for limited purpose of proving motive for termination under FRE801(c).Decision-maker's references to "historically" and "old school" not direct evidence; in context, talking about plaintiffs utilization generally and the concerns of regional managers regarding his ability to collaborate effectively on projects with coworkers. Declarations from former coworkers, hearsay statements of age bias not direct evidence. Under burden-shifting McDonnell Douglas method of proof, employee failed to create a genuine dispute of material fact about pretext. Plaintiff allegedly not meeting its reasonable expectations by October 2011, as evidenced by his diminished internal ratings, his low utilization rate, and manager's inability to integrate plaintiff into a region due his reputation for being self-oriented, difficult to work with and too focused on his own research interests at the expense of the needs of clients. That jury could disbelieve reason alone was not proof of pretext. That manager treated peers better did not establish age bias. Evidence that other employees terminated were 40 and over not probative where workforce was all in that age group. Limitation of discovery to plaintiff's own job title not abuse of discretion. Good work history not probative where at time of termination, various metrics were in decline.

Rebouche v. Deere & Co., 786 F.3d 1083, 127 FEP 346 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: KELLY, Riley, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Iowa state law promotion (sex). 2. Title VII and Iowa state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Pre-2004 events time-barred. On 2004 failure to promote, employee failed to produce evidence of a similarly-situated man who was promoted, other than conclusory statement that she and male cohort had the "same kind of responsibilities." 2. No evidence of causal connection between delay in promotion and filing of EEOC charge.

Washington v. American Airlines, Inc., 781 F.3d 979, 126 FEP 1057 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: COLLOTON, Bye, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: Title VII, § 1981 and Mo. state law promotion (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Alleged procedural anomalies (not allowing plaintiff to select witness of own choice at exam, scheduling exams out of order of bid submission) and "subjective" interview questions and grading not shown to be related in any way to race.

Walz v. Ameriprise Financial Inc., 779 F.3d 842 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: GRUENDER, Shepherd, KElly. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA and Minn. state law termination. 2. ADA and Minn. state law reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee with bipolar disorder who behaved in belligerent fashion at work failed to present genuine dispute of material fact that she could perform essential function of working well with others. 2. Plaintiff never requested accommodation.

Minnihan v. Mediacom Communications Corp., 779 F.3d 803 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: BEAM, Riley, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA and Iowa state law termination. 2. ADA and Iowa state law reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee who suffered seizures did not create a genuine dispute of material fact about whether he could perform essential function of job, driving (employee made home visits to supervise and train cable installers). That employer was able to temporarily accommodate plaintiff while on driving restriction does not establish that driving was not essential function. Driving was part of job description, employee was expected to spend 50% of time out in field. No accommodation would have permitted employee to perform essential function of driving, where he was restricted by Iowa law due to seizures. 2. Employer offered only reasonable accommodation available (transfer to new position), but employee was unwilling to move or make long commute to new job in another city. Job was otherwise at same pay and level of responsibility.

Jain v. CVS Pharmacy, Inc., 779 F.3d 753, 126 FEP 487 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: MURPHY, Loken, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: Mo. state law termination and retaliation (race, national origin). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Spouse's declaration that supposedly showed that plaintiff - by an "arithmetical comparison" of scores - improved store performance was inadmissible. Declarant lacked personal knowledge of store operations and lacked expertise to analyze hundreds of business records. Only other individual offered as comparator did not have scores as low as plaintiff's. Comments about her Indian heritage occurred more than a year before termination, vitiating causation. Plaintiff was provided performance improvement opportunities.

Austin v. Long, 779 F.3d 522, 126 FEP 511 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: MURPHY, Loken, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: § 1983 termination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment denied [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: There was genuine issue of material fact about whether disciplinary termination of black prosecutor for alleged misconduct was because of race, where white prosecutors with comparable or worse records (a DUI and a disciplinary action for an ethics violation) were not terminated. No appellate jurisdiction to review factual controversy about intent.

Nassar v. Jackson, 779 F.3d 547 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: GRUENDER, Colloton (BYE, dissenting in part). Claims on Appeal: § 1983 termination (reverse race). Due process claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($1 nominal award on discrimination; attorney's fees) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed in relevant part [plaintiff]. Grounds: Defendant waived liability by not presenting a timely Rule 50(a) motion that stated grounds for judgment as a matter of law. Because constitutional due-process award of damages was vacated and remanded, fee award was remanded as well for determination based on "results obtained."

Hilde v. City of Eveleth, 777 F.3d 998, 126 FEP 1 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: BENTON, Murphy, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Minn. state law promotion. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Adverse actions based on proximity to retirement can constitute age discrimination, if grounded in age stereotyping. City provided no evidence that the commissioners doubted employee commitment to the job for any reason but for his age-based retirement eligibility. City admitted he had a great reputation in the force and they held his continued service in the highest regard. Employer held not to meet its burden to produce a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason, because the reason itself is tainted by the protected trait (here, age). Contention that successful candidate was simply "the most qualified candidate for the position" presented a genuine dispute of material fact. While it is not a violation of anti-discrimination law for employers to rely on purely-subjective judgments - younger candidate evidently won promotion on the strength of his interview scores - here the candidate's rankings were tied, and the city offered no explanation and acted furtively. "When asked why 'superior candidate' ... scores were not higher than Hilde's, Commissioner England stated, 'I don't know. I can't answer that.' Before the interviews, Hilde was the most qualified candidate with more than double [younger applicant's] score. The commissioners altered Hilde's interview scores during deliberations, 'leveling' the two candidates." That the successful candidate was in the protected age group and just eight years younger did not "doom" Hilde's case: "Here, the commissioners thought Hilde was retirement-eligible because of his age. They also thought [the successful candidate] would stay in the position for at least seven years before he could retire. Therefore, the age difference was substantial in this case."

Magee v. Hamline University, 775 F.3d 1057, 125 FEP 1125 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: Per curiam (Loken, Bright, Kelly). Claims on Appeal: § 1981 termination. Disposition Below: Dismissed for failure to state a claim, FRCP12(b)(6) [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Because gist of prior § 1983 claim and § 1981 claim in present case is that the defendants' conduct leading up to the termination of Magee, in addition to the ultimate decision to terminate her, violated her constitutional rights. Thus judgment in prior case is res judicata.

Fatemi v. White, 775 F.3d 1022, 125 FEP 1138 (8th Cir. 2015). Panel: SMITH, Riley, Kelly. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and § 1983 termination (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Medical resident did not create genuine dispute of material fact about legitimate, non-discriminatory explanation (disputative behavior, walked out on surgeries assigned to her, lack of veracity). That no women graduated from program did not establish discrimination, where other female candidate testified that she experienced no gender bias. Male comparators were mostly under different doctor-supervisor, and one other male resident was not comparable because plaintiff had far more substantial disciplinary record in a much shorter period. Not probative that she was ordered to receive training from male resident junior to her, where male had graduate and medical school experience at institution and knew systems better. No record evidence that doctor supervising resident told anyone else about plaintiff's complaints of sex discrimination. Plaintiff did not create genuine dispute of material fact about critical memorandum in file by minimizing importance of contents suggesting that she was not competent. Plaintiff purely speculates that she was transferred to other department merely to build negative record. No shifting explanations where successive letters in file point to different, but not inconsistent criticisms of her performance.

EEOC v. CRST Van Expedited Inc., 774 F.3d 1169, 125 FEP 1188 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: SMITH, Riley, Kelly. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Award of fees to employer ($4,694,442) [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Because case was not pursued as pattern-or-practice under section 707, employer not entitled to "prevailing party" recovery on theory that defeated pattern-or-practice case. Dismissal of 67 claims on ground that EEOC did not fulfill presuit requirements of investigation and conciliation was not a ruling on the merits, i.e., and element of the agency's claims, and thus did not entitle employer to fees. On balance of claims, district court failed to analyze - per each individual employee - whether the claims were frivolous, unreasonable or groundless.

Musolf v. J.C. Penney Co., 773 F.3d 916, 125 FEP 918 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: BYE, Riley, Wollman. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Seven-month gap between protected activity and disciplinary action (eventually leading to termination) too wide to support causation.

Noel v. AT&T Corp., 774 F.3d 920, 30 A.D. Cases 1807 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: GRUENDER, Bye, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: Mo. state law constructive termination (disability). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Resignation during disability leave not constructive discharge, where - even if prior travel schedule aggravated diabetes-related health conditions - employer had actually given him accommodation, and thus did not cause him to quit.

Rickard v. Swedish Match North America, Inc., 773 F.3d 181, 125 FEP 633(8th Cir. 2014). Panel: RILEY, Smith, Kelly. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADEA harassment. 2. Title VII harassment (sex). 3. Title VII constructive discharge. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Occasional disparaging remarks about age (e.g., "you've got a lot of years in") and general antagonism in work insufficiently severe or pervasive. 2. Female supervisor's behavior - squeezing men's nipples - not frequent enough to be severe or pervasive. 3. Because behavior was not severe or pervasive, neither was it sufficient to support constructive discharge.

Skalsky v. Ind't Sch. Dist. No. 743, 772 F.3d 1126 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: RILEY, Wolman, Bye. Claims on Appeal: Minn. state law reassignment (marital status). State tort claim and First Amendment claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: That employee was transferred to outdoor duties shortly after spouse spoke at public board meeting about budget is insufficient evidence (temporal) of intent, where there is no other rebuttal to legitimate, non-discriminatory reason that plaintiff was needed to replace terminated, outdoor custodian.

Moody v. Vozel, 771 F.3d 1093, 125 FEP 261 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: RILEY, Smith, Kelly. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and § 1983 termination (reverse race and sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Denial of leave to amend not an abuse of discreiotn where new allegations were futile (merely legal conclusions). No genuine dispute of material fact about pretext. Alleged direct evidence (co-worker stated "[s]omeone is going to pay for telling on me for pulling a knife on Ernest's throat" was not by decisionmaker and not shown to be causally related to termination. Under McDonnell Douglas method of proof, employer proffered evidence that plaintiff committed sex harassment. That others may have also been guilty of harassment not probative of pretext, where employee failed to present evidence that violations were substantially similar.

Johnson v. Securitas Security Svcs, 765 F.3d 823, 124 FEP 328 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: BYE, Riley, Wollman, Loken, Murphy, Colloton, Gruender, Benton, Shepherd [SMITH, Melloy, Kelly, dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: ADEA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that plaintiff could establish a prima facie case of age discrimination, and despite his supervisor Hesse saying he was "too old" to be working and it was "time to hang up [Johnson's] Superman cape and retire," court holds as a matter of law that he could not prove that the reason given for his termination was pretextual: (1) any dispute over whether plaintiff Johnson actually abandoned his post was immaterial because the employer had a good-faith reason to believe that he had; (2) Johnson had not shown that other decision-makers Parker and Bunch shared Hesse's age bias; (3) Parker's awareness of Johnson's age alone did not raise an inference of bias; (4) Johnson identified no comparable younger employees who were treated relatively better under similar circumstances; (5) the employer did not offer "shifting" explanations; (6) Johnson was not entitled to an inference of spoliation owing to the employer's accidental destruction of notes; and (7) the record as a whole did not support Johnson.

Tramp v. Associated Underwriters Inc., 768 F.3d 793, 124 FEP 1285 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: BEAM, Riley, Smith. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA termination. 2. ADEA termination. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. The district court thought this case closely resembled Hazen Paper Co. v. Biggins, 507 U.S. 604 (1993), which held that termination of employees for economic reasons that might be associated with age - in particular, vesting in retirement benefits - does not necessarily constitute age discrimination. But record establishes that age was integral to discussion of health plan. "[D]uring the summer of 2008, seven months prior to Tramp's termination, it became apparent to management that its health care premiums were affected by the demographics of its employees. In correspondence with the health care provider, [Associated Underwriter executive] Gurbacki wrote: 'We have lost several of the older, sicker employees and should have some consideration on this. If you have provided us with your final rates then that is what we will use in our decision.' Then, in August 2008, Hallgren met with Tramp and others and suggested that they utilize Medicare instead of the company's health care plan. Nearly five months after Tramp's termination, there is again email correspondence between Gurbacki and the health care provider discussing the high renewal rates for Associated Underwriters. In it, as relevant here, Gurbacki writes, '[s]ince last year we have lost our oldest and sickest employees . . . .Please let me know if this is the best we can do . . . .'" Thus employers "perception of [health] insurance premiums are not divorced from age in the same sense that pension benefits are divorced from age. ... Certain considerations, such as health care costs, could be a proxy for age in the sense that if the employer supposes a correlation between the two factors and acts accordingly, it engages in age discrimination." Also, evidence of pretext in the unusual circumstances of Associated Underwriters' decision to single out Tramp for disciplinary action, which teed up her eventual termination: "[I]f believed, Tramp's written reprimand and probationary status were imposed contrary to Associated Underwriters' practice. That is, she argues that there was no such practice prior to the process imposed on Tramp in the fall of 2008." 2. "Tramp offers no evidence other than her own testimony that others were 'generally aware' of her scheduled [knee] surgery, that anyone else knew about the surgery or, more importantly, that such knowledge affected decisions regarding Tramp's employment or that they regarded her as impaired."

Alexander v. Avera St. Luke's Hosp., 768 F.3d 756, 124 FEP 1300 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: LOKEN, Bright, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA and ADEA termination. 2. S.D. state law (disability). FMLA (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Doctor was "independent contractor," not "employee," where he controlled his own practice, was not provided with benefits or malpractice insurance, had the right to hire others at his own expense, had no regular hours or duties, and held other employment. 2. State law would follow federal law on defining "employee" (vs. independent contractor).

Davis v. Ricketts, 765 F.3d 823, 124 FEP 328 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: SHEPHERD, Beam [RILEY, dissenting in part). Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Neb. state law harassment and retaliation. State tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Although plaintiffs produced evidence establishing common control and financial backing for two defendants, there was no genuine issue of material fact that they were a joint/integrated employer. Each had separate management and administration, occupy different offices, are organized under different state laws, and each controls and pays its own employees. This was not sufficient to establish that the defendant companies were a single employer and so do not meet statutory numerosity requirement, for Title VII and state law.

Withers v. Johnson, 763 F.3d 998, 30 A.D. Cases 669 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: COLLOTON, Smith, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA and Rehabilitation Act termination. 2. ADA and Rehabilitation Act reasonable accommodation. 3. ADA and Rehabilitation Act retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Although employee claimed that employer unlawfully fired him for failing to disclose his private medical information to nonsupervisors, in purported violation of 29 C.F.R. § 1630.14(c), record established that employee refused to return medical release to his direct supervisor (voicemail messages that did not mention ability to return to work were insufficient). 2. Employee acknowledges that supervisor abided by all of his work restrictions and that employee requested and received leave due to his back injury. 3. Termination of employee for failing immediately to provide a copy of the medical release was lawful, and procedure did not compel plaintiff to disclose his medical information to non-supervisors. Plaintiff offers no evidence that retaliation was the true motive for the firing but temporal proximity, which (by itself) is insufficient to present genuine dispute of material fact.

Cody v. Prairie Ethanol, LLC, 763 F.3d 992, 30 A.D. Cases 665 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: GRUENDER, Loken, Bright. Claims on Appeal: ADA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No genuine dispute of material fact about reason for termination: management style that caused potential damage to plant and equipment. Complaints about performance pre-existed request for accommodation. Alleged admission that manager intended to fire plaintiff instead of placing on a second performance improvement plan does not establish pretext for disability discrimination. Alleged comparable employee did not commit equivalently serious violations.

Doucette v. Morrison County, Minn., 763 F.3d 978, 124 FEP 1 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: KELLY, Colloton, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: Minn. state law termination (sex, age, retaliation). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Billing errors by client, which occurred after her last favorable review, not a pretext for discrimination/retaliation. Alleged comparable employees not similarly situated either in type of job or in nature of violation. Under sex-plus-age theory, plaintiff did not present sufficiently strong evidence of motive from single comment by decisionmaker, in another context, that older people did not belong in law enforcement and single retirement inquiry.

EEOC v. Product Fabricators, Inc., 763 F.3d 963, 30 A.D. Cases 659 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: BEAM, Smith, Benton. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA termination. 2. ADA reasonable accommodation. 3. ADA retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. One-year gap between the employees' initial complaints about shoulder and termination negates inference of causation based on temporal proximity. Alternatively, even if employee presented prima facie case, there was no genuine dispute of material fact on pretext for termination owing to poor performance. Alleged comparables not shown to be similar, nor evidence that company considered sundry violations to be of comparable seriousness; that some employees got written warnings was not evidence of pretext. 2. No evidence that employee sought leave as an accommodation. 3. First retaliation claim fails because there was no evidence that employee engaged in protected activity, i.e., request an accommodation. Second claim fails because one-year gap between protected activity (cooperating in investigation) and termination defeats causation.

Fiero v. CSG Systems, Inc., 759 F.3d 874, 123 FEP 1019 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: GRUENDER, Loken, Beam. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (sex). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff failed to rebut performance-based explanation for termination. That plaintiff felt co-workers were to blame for failure to complete project did not cast doubt on employer's honest belief that her performance was deficient. Male employee with history of performance complaints not comparable (he was criticized for attendance and tardiness issues, and corrected these after counselling). 2. Same as (1).

EEOC v. Audrain Health Care, Inc., 756 F.3d 1083, 123 FEP 783 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: BRIGHT, Gruender, Kelly. Claim on Appeal: Title VII failure to transfer (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee did not suffer adverse action when he was denied a transfer for which he did not apply or otherwise express interest. Single conversation was not sufficient to satisfy "every reasonable attempt to convey" interest.

Ames v. Nationwide Mutual Ins. Co., 760 F.3d 763, 123 FEP 658 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: WOLLMAN, Colloton, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: Title VII termination/ constructive discharge (sex, pregnancy). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Although supervisors made negative remarks about her pregnancies, including that "I think it's best that you go home to be with your babies," there was no constructive discharge because (1) employer made several attempts to accommodate the employee (efforts to ameliorate miscalculation of return date, allowed her use of wellness room for nursing while processing paperwork to give her access to lactation room); and (2) employee did not give company a reasonable opportunity to ameliorate the allegedly hostile conditions. No evidence that employee reasonably believed that her termination was imminent. Plaintiff waived actual-discharge theory in district court.

Young v. Builders Steel Co., 754 F.3d 573, 123 FEP 237 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: BYE, Riley, Loken. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (race) 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff failed to satisfy prima facie case where there was no evidence raising inference of discrimination. Employee held unique job, which was not comparable to other positions. No evidence that company violated own policies in implementing layoff. Evidence of pretext (allegedly false statements about reason for termination) fails because alleged falsehoods either were not connected to the termination, or involved comparison to other work groups that were not comparable. 2. Same as (1).

Clay v. Credit Bureau Enterprises, Inc., 754 F.3d 535, 123 FEP 248 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: WOLLMAN, Riley, Loken. Claim on Appeal: 1. § 1981 harassment (race). 2. Title VII constructive discharge (race) and retaliation. State tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee identified twelve instances of alleged harassment that occurred within limitations period. Court holds that they are not related to the time-barred events (different both in nature and timing), and even cumulatively the events were not severe or pervasive, and often lack any grounding in admissible evidence. 2. Because these claims rose or fell with the harassment allegations, these claims fall too.

Robinson v. American Red Cross, 753 F.3d 749, 122 FEP 1525 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: MURPHY, Wollman, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: 1. § 1981, Title VII and Ark. state law discrimination (race). 2. § 1981, Title VII and Ark. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Failure in district court to respond to statement of material facts forfeits most factual arguments. Employer's failure to provide training not shown to be adverse employment action. Employee did not meet employer's reasonable expectations when she repeatedly violated work rules concerning behavior in front of blood donors. Moreover, the record showed that white employees were treated equally under the "zero tolerance" program. 2. Twelve months elapsed time between race discrimination complaint and disciplinary action defeats inference based on temporal proximity. Some incidents were barred because not raised in an administrative charge.

Jackson v. City of Hot Springs, 751 F.3d 855, 29 A.D. Cases 1329 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: GRUENDER, Wollman, Murphy. Claim on Appeal: Ark. state law hiring (disability). FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Judgment as a matter of law [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that pancreatitis, neuropathy, and hernia constituted disabilities under state law, employee failed as a matter of law to demonstrate that the decisionmaker was aware of any of these conditions when making the decision not to hire him.

Gilster v. Primebank, 747 F.3d 1007, 122 FEP 527 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: LOKEN, Riley, Wollman. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Iowa state law harassment and retaliation (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($900,000) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee's counsel made closing arguments to jury in violation of Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct (improper vouching for plaintiff's credibility), and trail judge erred by not originally sustaining objection to argument or granting new trial.

Lors v. Dean, 746 F.3d 857, 29 FEP 784 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: SMITH, Wollman, Murphy. Claim on Appeal: ADA retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Court declines to rule on question of whether Title V of the ADA is a valid abrogation of state sovereign immunity, because claim fails on the merits. Plaintiff failed to produce direct evidence of retaliatory motive. No temporal proximity, where termination occurred two years after filing of ADA complaint. Alleged comments implying retaliatory motive were either made long before filing of lawsuit or by non-decisionmaker. Moreover, plaintiff failed to create a genuine issue of material fact about pretext, where he did not rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for termination (failure to comply with requirements of work improvement plan. Termination decision was upheld by state civil service and unemployment commissions.

AuBuchon v. Geithner, 743 F.3d 638, 121 FEP 1359 (8th Cir. 2014) . Panel: SMITH, Wollman, Beam. Claim on Appeal: Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Failure to create a position to allow plaintiff to be promoted, counseling on sex harassment allegations and accelerated work schedule not "materially adverse actions."

Ellis v. Houston, 742 F.3d 307, 121 FEP 733 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: MURPHY [LOKEN, Colloton, concurring in the judgment]. Claim on Appeal: 1. §§ 1981 and 1983 harassment (race). 2. §§ 1981 and 1983 retaliation (race). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed in part [plaintiff]. 2. Reversed in part [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. District court erred by analyzing harassment by individual plaintiff, without considering impact of daily harassment (racial comments about "gangs," "back of the bus," "hood," fried chicken and watermelon) experienced jointly by all of the black guards. Comments were made in front of, and by, supervisors at daily roll call. Evidence indicated that harassment peaked when one particular sergeant was present; acts, comments and inaction by that sergeant precluded entry of summary judgment. Rights against harassment and retaliation were clearly established, and thus officer-defendants not entitled to qualified immunity. 2. Pattern of false or trivial disciplinary write-ups can be a "materially adverse action," but isolated work assignments and transfer (where decisionmaker was not identified) insufficient.

Rester v. Stephens Media, LLC, 739 F.3d 1127, 121 FEP 503 (8th Cir. 2014). Panel: BRIGHT, Riley, Bye. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Ark. law discrimination, harassment, constructive discharge and retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Single incident of being yelled at by supervisor did not constitute "adverse employment action," "intolerable" working conditions, severe or pervasive harassment or a "materially adverse action."

McMiller v. Metro, 738 F.3d 185, 121 FEP 318 (8th Cir 2013). Panel: Per curiam [Smith, Colloton] [MURPHY, dissenting in part]. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (sex). 2. Title VII quid pro quo harassment (sex). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Being unwillingly kissed on the face twice by supervisor, hugged once and asked to remove an ingrown hair on supervisor's chin not severe or pervasive. 2. Request that employee groom him in an effort to bring employee in close proximity, and termination for refusing to go along, presents genuine dispute of material fact on quid pro quo theory.

Burton v. Arkansas Sec'y of State, 737 F.3d 1219, 120 FEP 1793 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: SMITH, Wollman, Beam. Claim on Appeal: § 1983 termination and retaliation (race). Disposition Below: Qualified immunity and summary judgment denied [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed in substantial part [plaintiff]. Grounds: African American police officer complained about being subjected to repeated racial slurs during shift with a white officer. He established genuine dispute of material fact about pretext, where he was terminated for alleged tardiness and failure to write memo about his alleged infraction, while a white officer under same command was not disciplined (let alone fired) for comparable conduct. Although plaintiff supposedly was a probationary officer and comparator was not, plaintiff presented evidence that he in fact had graduated from probationary status. Alternatively, the comparator himself was a probationary officer at the time of his offenses. Moreover, plaintiff was fired for failing to write a memorandum explaining his alleged misconduct, while white officer - who had a string of offenses (including abuse of sick days) - did not have to file such a report. One officer (chief) should have been granted qualified immunity on retaliation claim, where there was no clearly established right to be free of retaliation under Equal Protection.

Hill v. Walker, 737 F.3d 1209, 28 A.D. Cases 1777 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: COLLOTON, Loken, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Disposition Below: 1. ADA and Rehabilitation Act termination. 2. ADA and Rehabilitation Act retaliation. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant] Grounds: 1. Family services worker was not a qualified individual because he could not perform essential function of processing stressful cases with or without accommodation. Removal from case is not reasonable accommodation. 2. Decision to terminate had already been made prior to protected activity, though announced ten days later, thus no causation.

Sayger v. Riceland Foods, Inc., 735 F.3d 1025, 120 FEP 1241 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: MURPHY, Melloy, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: § 1981 retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($60,000 compensatory damages and $30,608 in back pay in his favor, but refuses him reinstatement or front pay) [plaintiff].Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: White employee who supported minority co-workers' claims of discrimination in the context of a company-directed investigation may advance claim under section 1981 for retaliation. Sufficient evidence in the record to support the claim: "Sayger had testified that prior to the terminations of [African American co-workers] Bennett and Turney and prior to Sayger's own dismissal, [executive] Crane made statements about 'troublemakers' being gone from Riceland. There was evidence that the same managers who defended Crane or failed to investigate complaints were involved in the decisions to fire Bennett, Turney, and Sayger. Evidence also linked complaints and testimony by Bennett, Turney, and [co-worker] Chance to subsequent terminations or disciplines. Although there were five months between the interview with [co-worker] Dobrovich and Sayger's layoff, that did not eliminate the evidence of retaliation." On cross-appeal, court holds that it was not error to refuse to submit punitive damages to the jury. Plaintiff supposedly "did not show that Riceland's managers knew it would be a violation of federal law to retaliate against him for acting as a witness in its internal investigation," the predicate for such an award. Plantiff was not due any prospective relief (reinstatement or front pay), because "Sayger had not presented evidence of lost wages for 2011 or 2012 and had expressed concern about continued retaliation if he were reinstated."

Hager v. Arkansas Dep't of Health, 735 F.3d 1009 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: BENTON, Loken, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: § 1983 termination (sex). FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Qualified immunity denied [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee whose entire gender discrimination complaint consisted of (1) she "is a victim of gender discrimination;" and (2) she "was discharged under circumstances summarily [sic] situated nondisabled males . . . were not" failed to state a claim under the rubric of Twombly/Iqbal.

Wright v. St. Vincent Health System, 730 F.3d 732, 119 FEP 1717 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: RILEY, Gruender, Benton. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII and §1981 retaliation. 2. Title VII and §1981 termination. Disposition Below: 1. Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. 2. Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant] Grounds: 1. District court could have found on record that decision to terminate employee was made before she complained about racial discrimination. 2. Record supported finding that employee was terminated for insubordination. Fact that same manager fired three other African American employees in nine months (and no whites) does not compel a judgment for plaintiff. Increased workload on plaintiff in run-up to termination found to be related to personnel shortfall and need for productivity, not race.

Holmes v. Trinity Health, 729 F.3d 817 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: BEAM, Loken, Bye. Claim on Appeal: ADEA and Title VII (sex) termination. State statutory claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant] Grounds: No abuse of discretion to deny motion for default judgment as sanction for failing to follow scheduling order. Comments by former employees that they believed manager to be age- and sex-biased were not direct evidence. Prima facie case fails because (1) employee was replaced by older employee, and (2) no evidence of male comparables who were treated relatively better (plaintiff was terminated for confrontational behavior).

Jackman v. Fifth Judicial Dist. Dep't of Correctional Services, 728 F.3d 800, 119 FEP 1269 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: BEAM, Murphy, Bye. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII discrimination (race, sex). 2. Title VII harassment (race, sex). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant] Grounds: 1. Having

Jackman v. Fifth Judicial Dist. Dep't of Correctional Services, 728 F.3d 800, 119 FEP 1269 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: BEAM, Murphy, Bye. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII discrimination (race, sex). 2. Title VII harassment (race, sex). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant] Grounds: 1. Havingto exhaust sick days is not an "adverse action." 2. Infrequent comments over three years not severe or pervasive.

Bennett v. Riceland Foods, Inc, 721 F.3d 546, 119 FEP 172 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: COLLOTON, Loken, Murphy. Claim on Appeal: Title VII, § 1981 and Ark. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($300,000 emotional distress, back pay) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Two plaintiffs' jobs were eliminated six weeks after HR found that employees' complaints of discrimination had merit, allegedly for cost-cutting reasons. Evidence was sufficient to support verdict: jury could have found that manager who was subject of complaint recommended elimination of the jobs, and was "mad" or "bothered" by employees' unwillingness to drop complaints. Also, evidence existed that employer only cursorily investigated employees' grievances. Under cat's-paw/Staub, separate investigation of employees' claim has no effect on employer liability. Court did not err in instructing jury on emotional distress. Sufficient evidence that employees suffered stress, were "depressed," and had trouble sleeping; lay testimony sufficient to support award. Award was not excessive. Judge did not abuse discretion by denying instruction on punitive damages, where employer made good-faith effort (through investigation of grievances) to enforce anti-retaliation policy.

Evance v. Trumann Health Services, LLC, 719 F.3d 673 (8th Cir 2013). Panel: RILEY, Bright, Benton. Claim on Appeal: ADA, Title VII (sex, religion) and Ark. state law termination. State tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No genuine dispute of material fact about whether employee was terminated for legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (alleged sexual contact with resident), where plaintiff located no other employees who were reported to management for the same offense. Alleged failure to conduct thorough investigation not evidence of pretext.

Floyd-Gimon v. Univ. of Arkansas, 716 F.3d 1141, 118 FEP 1525 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: RILEY, Wollman, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: § 1983 Equal Protection (sex). Due process claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Only individual who allegedly made sexist remark in deposition about employee was not a decisionmaker. Plaintiff presented no evidence of comparable employees who allegedly were involved in altering documents.

Ridout v. JBS USA LLC, 716 F.3d 1079, 118 FEP 1221 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: MURPHY, Beam, bYE. Claim on Appeal: ADEA and Iowa state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employee presented genuine dispute of material fact on pretext where he challenged alleged decline in performance and insubordination with evidence that (1) he had solid 40 year track record and was never counseled or criticized until the day was he suspended without pay; (2) raising one's voice on production floor - even heated arguments and swearing - never a basis previously for firing someone. District court applied too strict a standard of comparable requiring same supervisor/rule/conduct; proper standard is simply that employees must be similar in relevant respects, and that in discipline cases offenses must be "comparable seriousness." Under correct standard, two significantly younger employees disciplined for poor performance or insubordination by same supervisor were respectively demoted and rehired. Also, four out of five employees fired by same supervisor were 40 or over, establishing pattern.

Muor v. U.S. Bank Nat. Ass'n, , 716 F.3d 1072, 118 FEP 1537 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: WOLLMAN, Colloton, Holmes. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Minn. state law discipline (race, national origin). 2. Title VII and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee did not establish pretext by evidence that she should have only been evaluated on her current collection duties, not her former advising work, where memo was ambiguous about this point. Written warning was also consistent with prior, milder complaints of same issues. Failure to allegedly carry out all details of performance evaluation process does not establish grounds for pretext. Allegedly tougher standards for Asian employees not established where comparator employees not shown to commit same kinds of errors, or at same frequency. 2. Eight-month gap vitiates and inference of retaliation based on temporal proximity.

Olsen v. Capital Region Medical Center, 713 F.3d 1149, 118 FEP 565 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: SMITH, Beam, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: ADA, ADEA and Mo. state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to show that she was qualified individual, or met McDonnell Douglas prima facie case, because even with accommodations she still suffered seizures and could perform essential functions as a nurse.

Knutson v. Schwan's Home Service, Inc, 711 F.3d 911, 27 A.D. Cases 1185 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: BENTON, Wollman, Bye. Claim on Appeal: ADA termination. Mo. state contract claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that employee with eye injury was disabled, being DOT-qualified to drive a delivery truck-and thus obtaining a Medical Examiner's Certificate - was an essential function of the Manager's position. Certification is mentioned as requirement in job description. Managers must sometimes drive delivery trucks to deliver product and train new employees. If Managers did not drive trucks, company would deliver less product, affecting sales, and would have to restructure how it trains new drivers. Employee claims he managed his depot successfully after injury without driving a delivery truck. However, he was DOT qualified at the time of his eye injury, admitted to delivering product in his personal vehicle, and testified that, since November 2007, he had driven a truck "less than 50 [times]" while serving as a Manager. Employer attempted to accommodate him and engaged in an interactive process by giving him the option of applying for non-DOT-qualified jobs at the company.

Brown v. City of Jacksonville, 711 F.3d 883, 117 FEP 1430 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: RILEY, Loken, Benton. Claim on Appeal: 1. ADA termination. 2. ADEA termination. 3. Title VII and Ark. state law retaliation. FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Time lag of more than two years made supervisor's derogatory comments ("Hey old woman, we moving slow," "such an old woman, can't even straighten up," and "Hey, Crip [sic]") stale as direct evidence and also prevented comments from serving as indirect evidence. 2. Employee, who was hired when she was in the protected class and not replaced when fired, set forth no evidence of pretext (repeatedly informed that she could not perform her job within a forty hour workweek as expected by the City, and she also inappropriately pressured her subordinate and a coworker to divulge confidential details about the April 2009 EEOC investigation). 3. Employee made a prima facie case (terminated employee engaged in two acts protected by Title VII, internal EEOC complaint with the City's EEOC officers informing them of her intention to file an EEOC charge of discrimination and May 26, 2009 charge with the EEOC; manager admitted in her deposition that the investigation which resulted from Brown's April 2009 EEOC complaint about "a hostile work environment ... led to the investigation of whether or not [plaintiff] was the actual cause of that hostile work environment"). But employee did not rebut explanation for termination, that (1) her work performance was unacceptable, and (2) her behavior toward other employees created a hostile work environment.

Al-Birekdar v. Chrysler Group, LLC, No. 08-3780, 117 FEP 929 (8th Cir. Mar 11, 2013). Panel: MELLOY, Riley, Wollman. Claim on Appeal: Mo. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury verdict ($197,000 in economic damages, $3,000 emotional distress damages; $55,650 in attorney's fees) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employee complained about racial and religious harassment by a co-worker who was originally not punished while plaintiff was placed on indefinite suspension. Only after employee filed a charge with the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) did the HR manager finally take action to suspend the offender. Thereafter, though, plaintiff was terminated allegedly for being absent without leave (AWOL) by overstaying vacation by five days. Upholds jury instruction that the jury could find liability if retaliation as a "contributing factor" in the decision to terminate (the standard applied under the MHRA), and that there was sufficient evidence to support the verdict. Affirms the damage award, holding that the plaintiff's testimony (and his spouse's) was adequate. Employee and his wife testified specifically about the amounts paid for early withdrawal of retirement funds and other payments. Employee also introduced various financial documents to support his claims, including past W2s and statements from his retirement accounts. Plaintiff cross-appealed two issues, both affirmed. District court did not abuse its discretion in denying a punitive damage instruction because there was insufficient evidence of "evil motive or reckless indifference" as provided by state law. Court affirmed the reduction in plaintiff counsel's hourly rate, hours and a 50% reduction for limited success.

Hudson v. United Systems of Arkansas, 709 F.3d 700, 117 FEP 952 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: MURPHY, Loken, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII (sex), ADA and Ark. state law termination. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury verdict $179,362 compensatory damages) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Sufficient evidence supported verdict. Three current or former executive employees testified that they had never heard of alleged cell phone policy under which employer was terminated. Employee also produced evidence that manager "belittle[d] women employees all of the time,' talked down to them, and called them 'girl' or 'little girl.' Once he told Hudson that she 'g[a]ve good phone,' which she took to be a reference to oral sex. Finally, Hudson testified that immediately before telling her to 'get out' of her office during their confrontation, [manager] ordered her to 'sit down, little girl.'" Court affirms the $100,000 emotional distress award, holding that it was not monstrous, shocking, or grossly excessive."

Butler v. Crittenden Country, 708 F.3d 1044, 117 FEP 757 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: MURPHY, Loken, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: 1. § 1983 harassment (sex). 2. § 1983 suspension and termination (sex, race). 3. § 1981 retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No quid pro quo liability because tangible act (termination) was separated by nearly three months, negating causation. Circumstances not severe or pervasive enough to constitute hostile work environment (asked on several dates, tried to touch hair, complimented perfume). 2. No evidence of race/gender of employees not punished or fired for tardiness. 3. No causation where employee was suspended before she complained about harassment or filed EEOC charge, and terminated three months after complaints.

Hohn v. BNSF Railway Co, 707 F.3d 995 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: WOLLMAN, Bye, Benton. Claim on Appeal: ADA and Neb. state law termination and reasonable accommodation. Neb. state law claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury verdict [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court did not abuse discretion excluding evidence of employee's complaint to state safety hotline, where retaliation claim had already been dismissed and evidence did not raise inference that employee was terminated because of disability. Alternatively, evidence would not have influenced jury's verdict because it did not tend to show that employee could perform essential functions of job with visual impairment. Sufficient evidence supported finding that employee could not perform essential functions: visual field limited to 15% in each eye and difficulty in seeing in dim light created safety hazard for employee and others in train yard; evidence that employee had already fallen on slick surface that he did not see; medical restrictions prevent employee from (among other things) operating heavy equipment.

Wood v. SatCom Marketing LLC, 705 F.3d 823 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: BYE, Murphy, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: Minn. state law retaliation. FLSA and Minn. state law claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No genuine dispute of material fact that employee was terminated not for making complaint, but for persisting in pursuing claim after it was submitted and resolved, to the point where it interfered with work. Thus, continuous reports of hostile work environment were not in good faith. District court erred in holding that other activities (performing legal research into claim, using office printer to gather evidence, prior reports of alleged violations) were not protected activities. Summary judgment affirmed on alternative ground that employee was properly terminated for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons (wasting company time while neglecting duties, failure to follow action plan).

Lenzen v. Workers Compensation Reinsurance Assoc, 705 F.3d 816, 27 A.D. Cases 825 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: LOKEN, Smith, Benton. Claim on Appeal: ADA and Minn. state law termination, harassment, reasonable accommodation, and retaliation. State law claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that employee qualified as disabled, employee did not rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory reason proffered for termination (poor performance, failure to meet minimum production standards, and insubordination when she "blew her stac" and superior). Alleged harassment, taking the form of being berated for not meeting employment standards, not shown to b directed at employee because of disability, nor to be severe or pervasive. Employee failed to make request for accommodation.

Trickey v. Kaman Indus. Technologies Corp., 705 F.3d 788, 117 FEP 406 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: SMITH, Riley, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: Mo. state law age discrimination and retaliation). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury verdict ($160,000 discrimination, $100,000 retaliation, $500,000 punitive damages) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court did not err in not vacating punitive damages. Plaintiff presented sufficient (clear and convincing) evidence of evil motive: deliberate efforts to undermine sales, demotion days after employee made a complaint internally about age discrimination, making of recklessly false statements about employee's performance. The ratio of 5:1 of punitive to compensatory damages satisfies due process requirements and is comparable to other such awards. New trial denied; admission of age discriminatory statements under FRE801(d)(2)(D), even if erroneous, not prejudicial, as there were a significant number of otherwise admissible statements on the same subject. Plaintiff, cross-appealing award of local market fees (instead of St. Louis fees) waived appeal because he only made argument under FRCP 59(e).

Lundquist v. Univ. of South Dakota, 705 F.3d 378 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: LOKEN, Smith, Benton. Claim on Appeal: ADA reasonable accommodations and retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: University lacked legal capacity to sue or be sued (FRCP17(b)); only board of regents could be sued.

Leapheart v. Williamson, 705 F.3d 310, 117 FEP 281 (8th Cir. 2013). Panel: MELLOY, Riley, Wollman. Claim on Appeal: ADEA and Title VII hiring. Disposition Below: Summary judgment denied [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: City council's decision to eliminate plaintiff's position and turn it into a city-council staff position protected by legislative immunity.

Glascock v. Linn County Emergency Medicine., 698 F.3d 695, 116 FEP 628 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: MURPHY, Beam, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Iowa law termination (sex, pregnancy, national origin). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Emergency room doctor was independent contractor, not employee, therefore not covered by Title VII or state law.

Hill v. City of Pine Bluff, Ark.., 696 F.3d 709, 116 FEP 407 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: LOKEN, Gruender, Benton. Claim on Appeal: 1. § 1983 and Ark. state law pay (gender). 2. § 1983 and Ark. state law hiring (gender). 3. 1. § 1983 and Ark. state law hiring (gender). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No genuine issue of material fact that the positions were comparable - male employees had greater seniority, experience and supervisory responsibility. Alternatively, plaintiff failed to rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for pay differential (seniority system). No firm policy requiring agency to pay employee what was budgeted for the position. Testimony by former and current Human Resources Directors that mayor's employment practices raised "red flags" was not direct evidence of discrimination. 2. No prima facie inference of discrimination where individual who was hired was objectively more qualified than the plaintiff. 3. Written warning was not materially adverse where no consequences (such as loss of pay or threat of termination) was associated with it.

Hunter v. United Parcel Service, Inc., 697 F.3d 697, 116 FEP 1 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: PERRY, Loken, Beam. Claim on Appeal: Title VII (sex, sexual orientation), ADA and Minn. state law hiring. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No evidence that decisionmaker was aware that applicant was born female but presenting as male (binding breasts, taking male hormones). Alternatively, no evidence that reason for turning applicant away for first two interviews (that he had not filled out on-line application), or for final decision not to hire (weak interview score, spotty job history) was a pretext for discrimination.

Buehrle v. City of O'Fallon, 695 F.3d 807, 116 FEP 16 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: SHEPHERD, Melloy, Smith . Claim on Appeal: ADEA and Mo. state law hiring. State tort law (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Under state law, no showing that age was a contributing factor to decision where first candidate offered job was in protected age category, but turned down job. On higher standard of ADEA, employee could not establish but-for causation, either.

Kallail v. Alliant Energy Corporate Services, 691 F.3d 925, 26 A.D. Cases 1281 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: COLLOTON, Bye, Smith . Claim on Appeal: ADA and Iowa state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Rotating shift was essential function of Resource Coordinator's job: it is part of written description, provides important on-the-job training and experience, enhances experience of other employees by spreading undesirable shifts. Employer had considered creating two permanent daytime shifts, but dropped plan in face of employee protest. That another service center in a different part of the country used permanent eight-hour shifts not material where they had differing operations. Fact that employer negotiated with employee about possibility of permanent shift not material when employer ultimately decided that it was not feasible. Reassignment to a vacant position may be a reasonable accommodation, and employer offered to shift employee to Customer Operations Assistant II. Claim that employer failed to offer promotion, instead, to DDC Administrator position, waived in the district court.

Pulczinski v. Trinity Structural Towers, Inc., 691 F.3d 996 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: COLLOTON, Wollman, Benton . Claim on Appeal: ADA association termination. FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Where employer acted on reports that employee announced his intention to skip work and encouraged other employees not to work overtime, district court did not err in applying "honest belief" rule. Rejects Sixth Circuit rule that would require employer to establish "reasonable reliance on particularized facts." That the record was murky about which employees took responsibility for decision does not prevent entry of summary judgment where two employees admitted to writing the report, and decisionmaker, who was in charge of 1000 employees, did not deny taking action on recommendation. Adding a reason for termination during the course of case (alleged dishonesty in requesting FMLA leave) does not amount to shifting reasons.

Marez v. Saint-Cobain Containers, Inc., 688 F.3d 958 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: WOLLMAN, Beam, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Mo. state law termination (sex). FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Reduction of fees to 50% to prevailing plaintiff [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court did not abuse discretion in reducing fees where plaintiff prevailed only on the FMLA claim.

Williams v. Herron, 687 F.3d 971, 115 FEP 1057 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: SHEPHERD, Gruender, Benton. Claim on Appeal: § 1983 harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Qualified immunity denied on summary judgment [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Individual defendant cannot claim immunity by contending that he had an objectively-reasonable belief that his conduct was lawful; whether a constitutional violation occurred is separate from the defendant's state of mind. Hostile-work-environment was clearly established constitutional violation - court may consider parallel Title VII law and is not limited to other § 1983 harassment cases.

Crutcher-Sanchez v. County of Dakota, Neb., 687 F.3d 979, 115 FEP 1062 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BENTON, Murphy, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: 1. § 1983 harassment, defendant #1 (sex). 2. § 1983 harassment, defendant #1 (sex). 3. § 1985(3) conspiracy, defendants #1, 2. Disposition Below: 1. Qualified immunity denied on summary judgment [plaintiff]. 2. Qualified immunity denied on summary judgment [plaintiff]. 3. Qualified immunity denied on summary judgment [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [plaintiff]. 2. Reversed [defendant]. 3. Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Officer who served as chief deputy and deputy administrator (supervisor) imposed unwanted sexual attention on employee by allegedly regularly looking her up and down, driving to her second job, repeatedly calling her on the phone, subjecting her to constant sexual attention and telling her not to let other people know about their sexual relationship. Same activity could be found to be severe or pervasive (she was eventually fired, allegedly for cutting off relationship). Right to be free of hostile work environment was clearly established at time of events.2. Giving employee a box of candy and offering to take her out a couple of times did not constitute a hostile work environment.3. Plaintiff admitted in pleadings that the defendants were acting in the scope of employment when they sought to have her terminated; conspiracy must be beyond scope of authority or for purely personal reasons.

Bone v. G4S Youth Services, LLC, 686 F.3d 948, 115 FEP 1077 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: GRUENDER, Loken, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII (race) and ADEA termination. FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Remark by employee six months after plaintiff's termination that she "did not want an old white lady in a suit doing recruiting" was not direct evidence of bias where it was not in any way connected to termination decision and was made by non-decisionmaker. Employer articulated legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for discharge (employee failed to follow directive not to hold special education without surrogate parent, miscommunicating about teacher training, losing the trust of the staff, and refusing in general to make changes to accommodate requests of staff), and it does matter for purposes of burden of production whether employer was possibly mistaken about one or more of these reasons. No genuine issue of pretext. Employees who had other direct supervisors not comparable. Decisionmaker was same race and in protected age group as plaintiff. Fact that employer told EEOC that plaintiff quit, but admitted she was terminated in court was not a substantial discrepancy; employee did resign when told she could either resign or be fired. Both explanations based on the same performance related issues. Other alleged acts of discrimination unsupported (salalry discrepancy explained by educational factors; having to clean a bathroom was part of the employee's ordinary duties).

Richter v. Advance Auto Parts, 686 F.3d 847, 115 FEP 1067 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: Per Curiam (Smith, Colloton) [BYE, dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Mo. state law retaliation. Mo. state law tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Dismissal for failure to state a claim, Rule 12(b)(6) [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Because complainant must file a charge with respect to each alleged unlawful employment practice within 180/300 days, employee failed to meet administrative prerequisites on retaliation claim. In her EEOC charge, Richter alleged discrimination based on race and sex that occurred on August 14, 2009. In the district court, she alleged discrimination for making a charge (i.e., retaliation) that occurred on August 25, 2009. These are two discrete acts of alleged discrimination-one in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a), one in violation of § 2000e-3(a). Each discrete act is a different unlawful employment practice for which a separate charge is required. Employee argued that no separate charge was required because the retaliatory termination was "like or reasonably related to" her Title VII discrimination claim, but post-charge-filing acts of harassment are "discrete" events every bit as much as pre-charge-filing retaliation.

Duncan v. Herron, 687 F.3d 971, 115 FEP 1057 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BENTON, Gruender, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: § 1983 harassment and constructive discharge (sex). Disposition Below: Qualified immunity denied on summary judgment [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Any alleged hostile work environment fostered by her supervisor (explicit emails, pornography and sexual jokes) not objectively offensive as to plaintiff because it was not targeted at plaintiff and she was not subjected to it except sporadically. Employee's decision not to apply for a promotion was her own decision to protect her own reputation, not related to alleged harassment.

Henley v. Brown, 686 F.3d 634, 115 FEP 949 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BYE, Loken, Melloy. Claim on Appeal: § 1983 harassment and termination (sex). Disposition Below: Dismissal for failure to state a claim, Rule 12(b)(6) [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Title VII does not furnish an exclusive remedy for sex discrimination and harassment in public employment, and that such claims may be brought under § 1983 as well. When the employer's conduct violates not only rights created by Title VII, but also rights conferred by an independent source, Title VII supplements, rather than supplants, existing remedies for employment discrimination. "[B]ecause the availability of section 1983 as a remedy for employment discrimination turns on the independence of the right's source, rather than on the distinct factual basis of the Title VII and section 1983 claims, we further conclude an employment discrimination plaintiff asserting a violation of a constitutional right may bring suit under section 1983 alone, without having to plead concurrently a violation of Title VII and comply with the Act's procedural requirements."

Otto v. City of Victoria, 685 F.3d 755, 115 FEP 814 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: COLLOTON, Smith, Arnold. Claim on Appeal: ADA and ADEA termination. Constitutional and state law (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to establish that he was able to perform essential functions of job with reasonable accommodations. Proposed accommodations were unreasonable or were not shown to be effective (i.e., limiting him to sedentary duties, creation of new position, lumbar bar). Alleged statement by one decisionmaker that employer had not done all it could to accommodate plaintiff, where it did not have any bearing on whether he could meet essential functions of position. ADEA claim fails because only evidence was that plaintiff was replaced in duties by younger employees.

Davis v. Jefferson Hospital Assoc., 685 F.3d 675, 115 FEP 705 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: SMITH, Bye, Cullerton. Claim on Appeal: 1. § 1981 and Ark. state law termination of privileges. 2. § 1981 and Ark. state law retaliation. 3. § 1985(3) conspiracy. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Doctor failed to establish that comparators, like himself, were charged with poor patient care or keeping inadequate records. Affidavits of eleven witnesses who complained that white doctors were treated more favorable failed to allege facts beyond conclusory allegations. Two doctors who made complaints against plaintiffs, and who were not decisionmakers, not shown to be racially motivated. Alleged violations of hospital procedure not shown to be racially motivated.2. No evidence that employee complained of racial discrimination other than verified complaint. 3. No evidence of racial bias by alleged participants in conspiracy.

Onyiah v. St. Cloud State Univ., 684 F.3d 711, 115 FEP 582 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BENTON, Gruender, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII compensation (race, national origin). 2. ADEA pay . Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Nigerian-national professor challenged salary. Employer established legitimate reasons for difference in salaries (use of grid, plaintiff's failure to negotiate for additional salary). University did not err in applying grid; assignment-in-rank provision applies only for professors applying for open positions. Alleged comparators were hired by other deans and were not similarly situated. Although some adjustments to non-minority professors' salaries, no evidence was offered about circumstances of adjustments. Other Nigerian-nationals received salaries significantly above salary ranges and above plaintiff. Open question whether tribal affiliation constitutes "national origin"; employee failed to preserve this issue in his EEOC charge. 2.Besides identifying younger employees who were paid more than plaintiff, there was no evidence of pretext.

Bauer v. Curators of the Univ. of Missouri, 680 F.3d 1043 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BENTON, Wollman, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: EPA compensation. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Although business-judgment instruction should not have been given in Equal Pay Act case, as employer's business judgment is not entitled to deference under EPA, charge as a whole properly stated the law.

St. Martin v. City of St. Paul, 680 F.3d 1027, 26 A.D. Cases 516 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BRIGHT, Loken [SHEPHERD, dissenting in part]. Claim on Appeal: . ADA and Minn. state law promotion Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Knew injury was not a disability because it did not substantilly limit him in the ability to work, but only to hold certain categories of jobs. No direct evidence that employer regarded plaintiff as disabled, where - despite mentioning knee injury in interview process - counseled employee with suggestions about how he could make himself a more attractive candidate. Under less-stringent state-law standard of disability, employee still failed to prove that he was "materailly limited" in the major life activity of working. Moreover, it was not pretextual that employer - which hired candidates who tested lower - credited the successful candidates' superior educational credentials and understanding of the department's mission.

Twiggs v. Selig, 679 F.3d 990, 115 FEP 173 (8th Cir 2012). Panel: MELLOY, Colloton, Wollman. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and § 1983 harassment and termination (sex). Disposition Below: Qualified immunity denied on summary judgment [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming plaintiff made out prima facie case of sex discrimination, employee failed to create genuine issue of material fact about pretext: agency thought that she was not honest about having concerns about juvenile offender who was released from custody and later murdered someone. Although a male coworker was also involved in the decision, agency could have reasonably treated situations differently where one came to supervisor of his own volition immediately and confessed his misstatements, while plaintiff stood by her original, untrue statement over the next several months. No shifting explanation where details varied, but core reason for termination remained the same (release of offender).

McDonald v. City of St. Paul, 679 F.3d 698 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: WOLLMAN, Riley, Smith. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. state law retaliation. Title IX, constitutional and state law claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Five-year gap between filing of litigation and failure to hire does not support inference of causation.

Ryan v. Capital Contractors, Inc., 679 F.3d 772, 26 A.D. Cases 385 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: WOLLMAN, Loken, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: 1. ADA and Neb. state law termination 2. ADA and Neb. state law harassment. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No demonstration of pretext for firing one participant in a two-person fight, where the employer credited an account that the plaintiff was the aggressor. 2. Constant name-calling ("dummy," "idiot," "retard") not severe or pervasive.

EEOC v. CRST Van Expedited, Inc., 679 F.3d 657, 114 FEP 1566 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: SMITH, Benton [MURPHY, dissenting in part]. Claim on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment and award of $4,467,442.90 fees and expenses, $92,842.21 to employer [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: REveersed in part [plaintiff]. Grounds: EEOC represented purported class of 270 women. truck driving trainees who claimed harassment, later reduced to 150 women who were produced for depositions. Of the 150, all were dismissed for judicial estoppel (three), on various merits grounds (failure to report co-worker harassment, insufficiently severe or pervasive, timeliness), or because (for 67 women) the EEOC failed to conduct an individual investigation or conciliate. District court awarded fees and costs to employer. EEOC appealed 107, and some individual claimants appealed as well. Failure to conciliate dismissal s affirmed; agency did not investigate, issue cause determinations or even identify the 67 individual claimants. Many emerged in post-filing period; EEOC does not have license to use discovery in a resulting lawsuit as a "fishing expedition" to uncover more violations. District court did not abuse discretion in opting to dismiss, rather than stay, the EEOC's complaint as to these 67 women under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1). Regarding judicial estoppel, one claimant lacked standing (claim should have been brought in bankruptcy), while with the other two there was no abuse of discretion where the employees failed to list the harassment claim as an asset in their bankruptcy estates, and one plaintiff went so far as to use bankruptcy to limit a debt owed to the employer. Nonetheless, district court abused its discretion in judicially estopping the EEOC from suing in its own name to correct any discriminatory employment practices that employer allegedly perpetrated against the three women. On merits, Lead Drivers did not serve as the trainees' supervisors, and so harassment is treated as co-workers. Lead Drivers could only (1) dictate minor aspects of the trainees' work experience, such as scheduling rest stops during the team drive and (2) issuing a non-binding recommendation to superiors at the training program's conclusion concerning whether employer should upgrade the trainee to full-driver status. Court also rejects apparent-authority theory. except as to two women-O'Donnell and Jones-the district court did not err in holding that harassment that women complained of was neither sufficiently severe nor pervasive (e.g., boasting about past sexual exploits and sporadic, sexually vulgar remarks). In two instances, summary judgment was not properly granted on this ground where trainers propositioned, used offensive language, touched and drove unclothed. Moreover, 34 women properly dismissed on ground that the employer lacked notice or took remedial action (by removing women from truck, taking statements and issuing reprimand). For 99 women, court properly dismissed as discovery sanction for failure to cooperate with depositions. Individual claim under Title VII and Iowa state law for wrongful termination properly dismissed on summary judgment on ground that employee failed to establish that reason for termination (employee was physically not fit for duty due to cancer) was a pretext.

Northwest Airlines, Inc. v. Phillips, 675 F.3d 1126, 114 FEP 1215 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BRIGHT, Loken, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: ADEA and Minn. state law benefits. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: To restore funding to frozen plan, plan used method that calculated a hypothetical benefit, based on a pilot's age and years of service, set as a target percentage of projected final average earnings. Older pilots contended that such benefits would leave them with a lesser share because of age. While age was a factor, older pilots' contributions were not reduced because of age but because of a variety of factors (seniority, light/seat position, number of pay increases, benefits obtained from frozen plan). Years of service, one factor, analytically distinct from age. No evidence that benefits were reduced because of stereotypes of age.

Chappell v. The Bilco Co., 675 F.3d 1110, 114 FEP 1089 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: WOLLMAN, Bye, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: § 1981 termination and retaliation. FMLA claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Noting intra-circuit split on issue of prima facie test for employee who is terminated for disciplinary reasons, panel adopts earlier opinion requiring proof that the comparators are similarly situated in all material respects. Although some white employees show up in the records as absent more often that plaintiff, the records do not reveal the reasons for the absences or occurred prior to implementation of a stricter attendance record. Some evidence of racial remarks by supervisor does not satisfy prima facie standard where the comments had stopped after he filed a prior lawsuit. In any event, no evidence that reason for termination (violation of attendance policy) was pretextual.

Guimaraes v. SuperValu, Inc., 674 F.3d 962, 114 FEP 1032 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BENTON, Riley, Loken. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Minn. state law termination (national origin). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Remark about manager trying to interfere in employee's green-card process not e direct evidence of national-origin discrimination, as evidence at most concerns citizenship/immigration status. Employee fails to establish prima facie case, as she does not establish either a comparable employee or other circumstantial evidence of national-origin motive. Manager's practice of asking employee to repeat instructions and professing not to understand her is not tantamount to mocking. No evidence of pretext for employer's reason for termination (performance). Past positive reviews not probative, where more recent reviews show decline. Subjective factors not themselves discriminatory. No evidence that rules or procedures were specifically targeted at her for a discriminatory purpose. Any inconsistencies in record did not go to reason for termination. While jury could find that reason for terminating employee had no basis in fact, there is no evidence that this is pretext for discrimination based on national origin. 2. No evidence of causal link between protected activity and termination. Temporal proximity defeated by fact that employee only first raised national-origin discrimination after disciplinary decision was made. Moreover, though one off the decisionmakers was a target of the employee's charge, two other upper-level managers reviewed independently.

Gibson v. American Greetings Co., 670 F.3d 844, 114 FEP 927 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BYE, Murphy, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: ADEA, § 1981, Ark. state law and Title VII (race) and Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Two employees failed to establish pretext for employer's reason for termination, i.e., receiving written warnings of failure to meet company rules or production quality requirements. One plaintiff denied a training opportunity for the same reason (too many pending warnings in file).

Othman v. City of Country Club Hills, 671 F.3d 672, 114 FEP 804 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: WOLLMAN, Colloton, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII hiring (national origin). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No evidence that subordinate who made racist statements about plaintiff's Middle East background had any influence on decision not to recommend plaintiff for advancement in hiring process. Employee made out prima facie case, but was unable to establish pretext as to three reasons for failure to hire (other candidate had superior credentials, plaintiff was subject of citizen complaint, decisionmaker thought plaintiff was unavailable for rotating shifts).

Sanders v. Lee County Sch. Dist. No. 1, 669 F.3d 888,114 FEP 705 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BYE, Melloy, Smith-Camp. Claim on Appeal: Title VII demotion and constructive discharge (reverse race). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial for plaintiff ($10,000 compensatory, $60,825 back pay, $8000 punitive damages), but latter two vacated on judgment as a matter of law [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Job reassignment constituted constructive discharge where employee went from finance coordinator, who answered to board of education, to food services assistant; this was a demotion with a diminution in title and significantly decreased responsibilities, which a reasonable employee in plaintiff's position would find demeaning. Additional evidence included that board also removed only other white s in administrative positions. Plaintiff also asked repeatedly for job description for new position before she renewed contract, which board refused to give her. Error to vacate punitive damages against board members. Following Third Circuit rule, in cases of blatant racial discrimination, employer can be required to bear burden of proving ignorance that such behavior violate federal law. Evidence of malice included racial pattern of terminations, absence of valid perfomance reasons, failure to consult counsel or school board procedures before making decisions. Fee decision remanded in light of success on appeal.

EEOC v. Product Fabricators, Inc., 666 F.3d 1170, 25 A.D. Cases 1314 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: BENTON, Wollman, Murphy. Claim on Appeal: ADA medical inquries. Disposition Below: Consent decree rejected [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Vacated [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court erred in holding that it could not retain jurisdiction over consent decree for two years; continuing jurisdiction is the norm and often motivation for adopting a consent decree.

Gacek v. Owens & Minor Distribution, Inc., 666 F.3d 1142, 114 FEP 388 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: GRUENDER, Melloy, Beam. Claim on Appeal: § 1981 retaliation. State tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee accused of a series of harassment and safety violations, and finally terminated, not comparable to other employees who committed only one violation.

Crawford v. BNSF Railway Co., 665 F.3d 978, 114 FEP 249 (8th Cir. 2012). Panel: MURPHY, Loken, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex, race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Where employee harassed to supervisor failed to avail herself of anti-harassment policy for eight months, employer could prove Faragher/Ellerth defense as a matter of law. Employer demonstrated that there existed a published policy and reporting chain, and that every complaint called into 800 number was investigated. Even if actions were sometimes not as aggressive as employees might have preferred, employer if given good faith deference. Evidence that employer may have been aware of complaints of "inappropriate behavior" by manager was not tantamount to knowledge of prior harassment. Employee also failed to reasonably make use of the corrective policy because of the long delay. Fear of retaliation was unsupported by record.

Weems v. Tyson Foods, Inc., 665 F.3d 958, 114 FEP 65 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: RILEY, Colloton, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Ark. state law demotion (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($708,994 verdict) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: District court abused discretion under FRE 408 by admitting unsigned severance agreement into evidence. Agreement was tendered to resolve a disputed claim of discrimination in job assignment. Admission was not supported by ground that employee sought to prove employer's bad faith. Admission was material to case because plaintiff's counsel highlighted it in closing argument and jury even asked about exhibit in special question during deliberations.

Culpepper v. Vilsack, 664 F.3d 252, 25 A.D. Cases 1072 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: GRUENDER, Riley, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: Rehabilitation Act promotion and retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee did not apply for positions and thus has no basis for claiming discrimination, nor did she show that application would have been futile. Job announcement that mentioned "experience in listening," whether or not it suggested a discriminatory animus against the deaf and hard-of-hearing, did not justify employee's failure to apply for job. Moreover, district court could have found that employee more likely had a different reason for not applying for the promotion: testimony of one of plaintiff's co-workers that she told her that she did not apply for the loan specialist position because of the recent death of her father. On a separate claim that the agency did not properly reclassify her at a higher rank (with higher pay), plaintiff lost on ground that she did not seek a reclassification, referred to as "accretion-of-duties." The accretion-of-duties process "to which Culpepper refers is a non-competitive promotion process by which employees performing work above their GS grade level can seek to have their grade level reclassified to a level commensurate with the work they actually are performing." Plaintiff admitted that, in addition to not requesting a desk audit herself, she did not ask her supervisors to request a desk audit on her behalf. She also admits that she never complained to her supervisors that she was performing duties above her grade level without a commensurate increase in her grade level. Thus she did not make every reasonable attempt to convey her interest in an accretion-of-duties promotion.

Martinez v. W.W. Granger, Inc., 664 F.3d 225, 114 FEP 98 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: MURPHY, Wollman, Benton. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII, §1981 and Minn. state law termination (race, national origin). 2. Title VII, §1981 and Minn. state law compensation (race, national origin). State law contract claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affrimed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee raised no genuine issue of material fact about pretext, where the reasons for firing him (volatile and hostile communications) were amply documents, and other branch managers were not comparable because none were accused of belittling or demeaning behavior. 2. Employee who was a branch manager in St. Paul was at the lower end of the pay scale because his market was one of the smaller ones, comparable to Rochester, MN or Sioux City, IA, and he was paid comparably to those managers.

Price v. Northern States Power Co., 664 F.3d 1186, 114 FEP 70 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: MURPHY, Bye, Smith. Claim on Appeal: Title VII, EPA and Minn. state law compensation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Female field representatives failed to identify all appropriate similarly-situated men, who as a group earned both more and less than the women; data did not distinguish between employees in different facilities and who had been trained in investigations. Moreover, employer established affirmative defense of reasons other than sex for the differential: they came in with different starting salaries, and merit system resulted in different raises based on performance.

Sanchez v. Northwest Airlines, Inc., 659 F.3d 671 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: BYE, Wollman, Flessig. Claim on Appeal: ADA promotion. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: ADA claim not discharged in bankruptcy by plaintiff-debtor's failure to submit a request for payment under 11 U.S.C. § 503(b); ADA claim was exempt liability "incurred in the ordinary course of business by the Debtors."

Bennett v. Nucor Corp., 656 F.3d 802, 113 FEP 616 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: COLLOTON, Gruender, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII and §1981 harassment (race). 2. Title VII and §1981 disparate impact (race). 3. Title VII and §1981 training and promotion (race). Disposition Below: 1. Judgment after a jury trial, $100,000 compensatory and $100,000 punitive damages for each of 6 plaintiffs [plaintiff]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [plaintiff] 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Judge did not err in admitting e.vidence of prior acts of discrimination against non-parties, and prior lawsuit filed against employer, to support inference of race-discriminatory motive under FRE401 and 403. No error in allowing plaintiffs to cross-examine company witness, who had been designated by the company to sign affidavits during the litigation, using material form the EEOC files to challenge the executive's lack of awareness of allegations. Document were not hearsay because they were not read into the record to establish the truth of the matter asserted, only to demonstrate the nature of the allegations and the fact they were made. Evidence of affidavits of employees who made race discrimination complaints could be used to cross-examine manager of plant who did not refer the complaints on to investigation. Evidence of Confederate flag and pictures of monkeys at workplace admissible over FRE403 objection. Objection to punitive damages on sufficiency of evidence grounds waived by failure to renew Rule 50(b) motion. District court did not err in denying class certification, as on the face of record which (if credited) employment practices varied widely across production departments. Plaintiffs' reliance on "subjective practices" as a common thread doomed by Dukes v. Wal-Mart decision. Record also pointed up lack in uniformity of harassment at plant. 2. Impact claim properly dismissed because record did not establish specific employment practices; different departments used different methods to award promotions. Record also failed to establish whether all applicants were qualified for promotion to each available position. Bare assertion of racial disparities not enough. 3. Plaintiffs failed to show that white employees who did receive training were similarly situated with respect to various factors identified by the company that it considered in offering training. Plaintiffs' also failed to present evidence, other than their own, conclusory declarations that they met the requirements for open positions for promotion. As to one claim, plaintiff also failed to present evidence that reason for denying promotion (that employee did not align with department's goals) was pretextual; general evidence of harassment was insufficient to fill gap.

Barber v. C1 Truck Driver Training, LLC, 656 F.3d 782,113 FEP 507 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: ERICKSEN, Bye, Melloy. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Ark. state law promotion (race). 2. Title VII and Ark. state law termination (race) and retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employer had legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for not promoting plaintiff (report that he was abrasive and arrogant, that he did not have tack record of putting in long hours, interview did not go well). Although decision was also based on report that employee's wife intended to sue, it was employee alone who brought this up in an interview. Employer entitled to decide that other candidate is preferable because of his greater understanding of business. No "shifting" reasons where employer never contended that the plaintiff's performance as a classromm instructor was relevant. 2. No genuine issue of material fact that employee's insubordination was basis for discharge, not race or retaliation. White co-workers were not comparable because they were involved in other activities (tardiness, waste of company time) that were not comparable. Another white employee engaged in a variety of alleged misconduct was not similarly situated because she apologized for and corrected her specific behavior. A Latino employee who was not fired was mostly written up for not properly cleaning rooms. Evidence that decision-maker treated plaintiff rudely and moved his desk not evidence of discriminatory animus. No inference of discrimination from increased scrutiny of all employees (like plaintiff) new to supervisory positions or that supervisor collected witness statements against the employee to support disciplinary action. Plaintiff cannot demonstrate pretext merely by denying that he was rude, that he yelled or that he was disrespectful, where there was no evidence that the employer itself could not reasonable believe otherwise. Evidence that the employer's agents acted rudely during the litigation itself (e.g., refusing to shake hands) does not demonstrate racial animus.

Brooks v. Midwest Heart Group, 655 F.3d 796, 113 FEP 382 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: BYE, Melloy, Smith Camp. Claim on Appeal: Title VII termination (race, sex). Disposition Below: Dismissal for failure to state a claim, FRCP 12(b)(6)[defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court erred by granting motion without notice that was converted from motion to dismiss to summary judgment by attachment of extrinsic documents on the issue of whether the employee presented the claims to the EEOC in his charge. Employee prejudiced by lacking opportunity to respond with counter-exhibits and testimony.

Quinn v. St. Louis County, 653 F.3d 745, 113 FEP 236 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: SHEPHERD, Wollman, Bye. Claim on Appeal: Minn state law retaliation. FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Alleged actions against plaintiff (accusations by co-workers that she made up sex harassment allegations, office moved and painted over, excluded from attending out-of-state meeting) not shown to be sufficiently severe to dissuade reasonable employee from making complain; at most, they were subjectively offensive. Evidence also demonstrated that employer wanted her to return to work.

Blakley v. Schlumberger Technology Corp., 648 F.3d 921, 113 FEP 14 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: SMITH, Melloy, Gritzner. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII (sex) and ADA termination. 2. Title VII harassment (race). State law claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Dismissed for failure to state a claim, FRCP 12(b)(6) [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant] 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff failed to present these claims in an EEOC charge. No abuse of discretion in terminating discovery, ordering plaintiff to pare down discovery requests, sanctioning lawyer or denying leave to file amended complaint. 2. No evidence that hostility was race-motivated or that it was sufficiently severe or pervasive.

EEOC v. Minnesota Dep't of Corrections, 648 F.3d 910, 113 FEP 6 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: SMITH, Arnold, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: ADEA benefit. Disposition Below: Summary judgment for EEOC [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Early retirement incentive program (ERIP) that allows for continued employer contributions to health and dental plans, for which eligibility cuts off at age 55, does not satisfy OWBPA safe harbor (29 U.S.C. § 623(f)(2)(B)(ii)) because it is inconsistent with the purposes of the ADEA.

Jenkins v. Mabus, 646 F.3d 1023, 112 FEP 1454 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: BENTON, Melloy, Gritzner. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment after a bench hearing [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee admitted in pleadings, deposition and charge that harassing activity commenced October 14, 2003 and continued to December 4, 2003. Later conduct that was not sexual in nature did not count as part of continuing violation. Agency had taken steps to end sexually-oriented harassment effectively on December 4, and any further activity was in the category of slights and insults, neither similar in nature, frequency or severity, nor sufficient to present a fresh claim of harassment. No equitable estoppel, where it was undisputed that agency informed employee that she could file charge and employee declined to do so. Judge below made findings, not clearly erroneous, that agency kept employees generally informed of their option to file formal complaint, and that plaintiff made a decision not to get involved with formal process.

Malone v. Ameren UE, 646 F.3d 512, 112 FEP 1458 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: COLLOTON, Loken, Nelson. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII promotion (race) and retaliation. 2. Title VII harassment. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. District court did not abuse discretion by (1) refusing to accept affidavits of witnesses not identified in Rule 26(a) disclosures and (2) barring examination into 2002 settlement agreement. Plaintiff failed to exhaust failure-to-promote claims by putting them in complaint. 2. One instance of graffiti, two instances of derogatory comments, and one alleged incident of sabotage over two years insufficiently sever of pervasive.

EEOC v. Schwan's Home Service, 644 F.3d 742, 112 FEP 1227 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: SHEPHERD, Smith, Arnold. Claims on Appeal: EEOC administrative subpoena. Disposition Below: Enforced [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Court did not abuse discretion by enforcing requests for information concerning gender composition of management, selection process for management training, and gender composition of successful candidates of training program. Timeliness of charge and strength of allegations not relevant factors at the investigative stage. Relevance standard is light (might cast light on the charge under investigation), and systemic investigation into sex discrimination was supported by charge; investigation into individual charge may lead to discovery of systemic violation.

Amini v. City of Minneapolis, 643 F.3d 1068, 112 FEP 1089 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: WOLLMAN, Murphy, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and §1981 hiring (race, color, national origin). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Under McDonnell Douglas test, applicant made out prima facie test, in particular establishing that he was qualified for the police office position by have passed the preliminary stages and made it to the interview round. But plaintiff did not present genuine issue of material fact on pretext for its decision not to hire him (his temperament). Audio recording of interview demonstrated that employer legitimately considered his demeanor to be defensive. No evidence that white candidates behaved similarly during interview. No evidence of shifting reasons or unfairly subjective criteria.

Jackson v. United Parcel Service, Inc., 643 F.3d 1081, 112 FEP 1094 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: SHEPHERD, Gruender, Bright. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII promotion (race). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant] 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff was not similarly situated to two white employees who were promoted, because the successful candidates had a completed package submitted to the company, and the plaintiff's application was not passed along. Continuing violation theory did not apply to promotions, which are discrete acts. 2. No genuine issue of material fact whether supervisor deliberately failed employee in retaliation for grievances (see Jackson v. UPS, Inc., 548 F.3d 1137 (8th Cir. 2008)). No evidence that he was aware of the complaints. No abuse of discretion striking statement of disputed facts that violated local rules.

Diaz v. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., 643 F.3d 1149, 24 A.D. Cases 1409 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: MARSHALL, Loken, Bye. Claims on Appeal: Iowa state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No genuine issue of material fact that employee, who by his own account was trying to protect another worker by reporting violations of his medical restrictions up the chain, was fired because the supervisor lied about who was responsible for the workload violation. Plaintiff admitted at his deposition that the only reason he lied was to protect his own job, not to retaliate.

Rahif v. Mo-Tech Corp., Inc., 642 F.3d 633, 112 FEP 787 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: BENTON, Beam, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Minn. state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Although three employees made out a prima facie case to establish a claim of age discrimination during a RIF, they did not present a genuine issue of material fact about pretext. No one was hired into the positions formerly occupied by the three employees. Company did not have to review their performance evaluations, and could use any method of selection not otherwise discriminatory (here, including computer software used to assess employee performance. No valid dispute that the company followed the factors listed in the employee handbook. No spoliation inference where employer was otherwise able to recreate process of choosing people to be fired. No arguable material inconsistencies in the explanations for their terminations.

Pye v. Nu Aire, Inc., 641 F.3d 1011, 112 FEP 865 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: FLEISSIG, Wollman, Bye. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Minn. state law harassment (race). 2. Title VII and Minn. state law termination (race). 3. Title VII and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Single incident of the use of a racial slur insufficiently hostile. 2. No evidence that white employees who was accused of similar conduct were not fired by employer. 3. Plaintiff established causation directly where there was testimony that the supervisor, in an interview about plaintiff's racial harassment complaint, asked him repeatedly what he wanted to get out of the complaint "to make the problem go away" - suggesting to the employee that he might be in line for another job or a company car - then reported this interview to management as if these suggestions came from the employee himself in an effort to "shake down" the company, and plaintiff was fired for trying to extort money in the process. No prior complaint about performance.

Clay v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 641 F.3d 927, 112 FEP 673 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: MELLOY, Shepherd [LOKEN, concurring]. Claims on Appeal: Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Most proffered actions were not materially adverse (rudeness), occurred prior to her protected activity, or were otherwise too remote temporally from protected activity to support inference of retaliation. Regarding her termination, no evidence of pretext, i.e., no evidence that employer did not honestly believe that the employee violated the "working-off-the-clock" policy. Company conducted good faith examination, and it was admitted that employee was arguably in violation by talking to another employee during non-shift hours about employee's work.

Torgerson v. City of Rochester, 643 F.3d 1031, 112 FEP 613 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: BENTON, Riley, Wollman, Loken, Gruender [COLLOTON, concurring] [SMITH, Murphy, Bye, Melloy, Shepherd, dissenting] . Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Minn. state law hiring (national origin, sex). 2. § 1981 hiring. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant] . Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Vacating 605 F.3d 584, 109 FEP 454 (8th Cir. 2010). 1. Court rejects suggestions in prior cases that summary judgment should be applied "sparingly" or "rarely" in employment discrimination cases. Alleged admission by fire commissioner about idea that city should not have accepted federal grant if it required department to hire women and minorities was not probative, where commissioner was not a decisionmaker (city counsel did the hiring) or influential in final hiring decision, though he did certify the hiring list. At any rate, statement did not demonstrate animus toward such candidates, but against policy that it was mandatory to hire them. Council Member who allegedly said that one candidate should be hired because he is a "big guy" did not relate to the plaintiffs. Under McDonnell Douglas, plaintiffs who were both on eligibility list established that they were "qualified" for purposes of prima facie case. Plaintiffs failed to present a genuine issue of material fact about legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for not hiring (that both scored lower overall than the candidates who were hired). Plaintiffs were 46th and 47th out of 48 applicants on the list after a written test (Phase I) and physical-agility test (Phase II). Phase III interviews, 40% of the score, not shown to be discriminatory. That the process allowed some exercise of subjective judgment is not evidence of discrimination. That fire chief tended to give candidates at the top of the list a presumption that they ought to be hired was not evidence of discrimination. Testimony that fire chief said he found the plaintiffs to be "unfit" not material, as City Counsel and all others involved in decision had already found that they were qualified to be firefighters.2. Plaintiff failed to preserve this argument below.

Kloeckner v. Solis, 639 F.3d 834, 112 F.3d 834 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: LOKEN, Wollman, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and ADEA retaliation. Disposition Below: Dismissed for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction, Fed. R. Civ. P 12(b)(1) [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Because MSPB did not reach merits of Kloeckner's discrimination claim, but dismissed because the appeal was untimely, case did not involve a "claim of discrimination" under 5 U.S.C. § 7703(b) and only the Federal Circuit had exclusive jurisdiction to review decisions that did not concern the merits of the claim (noting split in circuits on jurisdictional issue).

Bissada v. Arkansas Children's Hospital, 639 F.3d 825, 112 FEP 321 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: RILEY, Beam, Benton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Ark. state law suspension (race, national origin). 2. § 1981 suspensionTitle VI and state tort law claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant] 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Doctor's claim was within scope of charge because revocation of privileges at hospital and reporting of decision to national data bank were like or related to claim that executive committee vote on revocation. Summary judgment affirmed on ground that plaintiff consented to these actions as part of a settlement agreements, and thus they cannot be "adverse" actions as a matter of law. Absence of formal, final agreement was not determinative; exchange of emails and verbal acceptance was enough.2. No evidence of pretext, where complaints of misconduct were substantial, remarks about putative "cultural" difference were made by non-decision makers, and two other Egyptian Copts reported no issues of discrimination.

Clark v. Matthews Int'l Corp., 639 F.3d 391, 112 FEP 249 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: MELLOY, Riley [COLLOTON, dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADEA disparate impact. 2. ADEA termination. 3. Mo. law discrimination (age). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds:Vacating 628 F.3d 462, 110 FEP 33 (8th Cir. 2010)1. Decline in employees age 40 and over from 81.6% to 76.5% not sufficient evidence of impact to make prima facie case. 2. Statistical evidence, the mailing of AARP literature, and remarks about whether plaintiff and a co-worker were "just" planning to work to retirement, and that one could always get a job as a "greeter at Wal-Mart" insufficient to establish pretext, where it failed to rebut multiple, valid reasons (plaintiff's division was less valuable to the company, RIF was supported by business reasons, plaintiff's performance evaluations did not support his transfer into a less-affected unit). Younger retained employees were in a different unit with experience in a field (primary packaging) that was more valuable to the company. 3. Although record was not sufficient to fins but-for liability under federal law, it was enough in Missouri law to present a genuine issue of material fact under lower-threshold "contributing factor" standard.

Wilkie v. Dep't of Health and Human Services, 638 F.3d 944, 112 FEP 100 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: SMITH, Beam, Benton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (sex). 2. Title VII constructive discharge, discrimination and retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Incidents in 2004 were time-barred because they were not presented to an EEO counselor within 45 days. Testimony that plaintiff was "pretty stressed and depressed" did not create factual issue about tolling of limitations owing to mental condition and capacity. No continuing violation argument because 2004 incidents, which were personal and sexual in nature, were separate from 2005 events (which were confrontational and hostile). Focusing only on 2005 events, alleged incidents of rumor-spreading did not constitute severe or pervasive harassment.2. Alleged harassment was not sufficiently severe to constitute an adverse action.

Tusing v. Des Moines Indep't Community School Dist., 639 F.3d 507, 111 FEP 1761 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: SMITH, Loken, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA, ADEA and Iowa state law hiring as counselor. 2. ADA, ADEA and Iowa state law hiring as literacy leader. 3. ADA, ADEA and Iowa state law transfer. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee failed to present a genuine issue of material of fact that the reason proffered for not interviewing her (that she lacked a counseling license) was a pretext for age discrimination. Even if a license was not strictly required for the job, given the size of the applicant pool, it was not unreasonable for employer to limit interviews only to people with licenses. Although eight out of thirteen hired were under 40, three were older than plaintiff. as to the ADA claim, she failed to present sufficient evidence that her depression impaired her during the relevant period or that employer was aware of the disability at the time it did not interview her. 2. Claim was timely; even though she had sent a letter of interest in the job in April 2006, the position was only known to be filled in August 2007, so time ran from that date. But summary judgment could be granted on ground that, assuming plaintiff made out prima facie case, employer had legitimate reason for not hiring, i.e., she only expressed interest is a half-time position that was not then available. On disability law claim, no evidence that decisionmakers knew about putative disability. 3. Plaintiff accepted transfer voluntarily, thus no adverse action.

Trierweiler v. Wells Fargo Bank, 639 F.3d 456, 111 FEP 1768 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: MURPHY, Wollman, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: Title VII constructive termination (pregnancy). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee who chose not to return to work after maternity leave, fearing increased scrutiny and unpleasantness, was not constructively discharged.

Harrell v. Donahue, 638 F.3d 975, 111 FEP 1559 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: SHEPHERD, Wollman, Hansen. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination and reasonable accommodation (religion). 2. RFRA claim. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Accommodation that Seventh-Day Adventist be given every Saturday as a scheduled day off would have violated CBA and thus was not a reasonable accommodation and would impose undue hardship. Alternative of allowing employee to utilize annual leave time and unpaid leave to avoid service would place a real and actual imposition on co-workers who would have cover those dates. Where there were only seven mail carriers at the post office, it would be a hardship because each of them would be required to work Saturday shifts that they would otherwise have had off under the seniority system in effect at the postal office. It was not material that the seniority system was not required by the CBA. Title VII specifically protects seniority systems from scope of liability unless used as a pretext for age discrimination (42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(h)). 2. Title VII is exclusive federal remedy for religious discrimination in employment.

Wierman v. Casey's General Stores, 638 F.3d 984, 111 FEP 1547 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: BENTON, Riley, Beam. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (pregnancy). 2. Mo. state law termination (pregnancy). FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Where employee was terminated for eating store merchandise without pre-paying for it, she failed to identify any employee who had previously been known to management to have done the same thing and was not fired. Employee was also fired for repeated tardiness and absenteeism. Although the employee could arguably point to a temporal proximity of termination to her taking company leave, she could not establish pretext for these reasons. A revision in the inventory of food that the employee allegedly ate without first ringing up was not "shifting reasons" Employer did have invariable policy of demanding receipts and shortcomings in investigation (such as getting the employee's side of the story) is not a basis for finding pretext. Nor was their evidence of selective surveillance of the employee (that is, more intensive, frequent or otherwise unprecedented). No evidence of "suspicious timing," where video footage of employee consuming snacks without paying for them only first surfaced six days before her termination. Although employee denied eating food without paying for it, she admitted that she did not ring up or pay for items consumed in advance or that shift-audit envelopes did not contain signed receipts for those items. 2. District court had possible diversity jurisdiction over the state-law claim over the same termination. State law required only that the employee prove that the protected trait was a contributing factor in the challenged decision, not a determining factor. Evidence that she was terminated only four days after leaving work early due to pregnancy-related migraine, that manager forced employee to perform tasks on a footstool and refused to let her take a break to eat during a 16-hour shift and that her tardy and absence days related to her pregnancy-related sickness was some evidence of a contributing factor.

Haigh v. Gelita USA, Inc., 632 F.3d 464, 111 FEP 614 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: BYE, Riley, Benton. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADEA termination. 2. ADA termination. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Judgment after a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Court notices intra-circuit conflict about whether an employer's negative assessment of an employee's performance can negate, as a matter of law, the employee's prima facie showing that he was meeting the employer's reasonable expectations. Panel holds that it is unnecessary to resolve, because even if employee made out prima facie showing, he failed as a matter of law to present genuine issue of material fact about whether the employer's proffered reasons for termination - interpersonal and communications deficiencies - were pretextual. That employee was originally hired at age 60 also tends to negate any inference of age bias. 2. District court did not err denying motion for new trial, finding that plaintiff (contrary to post-trial motion) was able to participate fully at trial despite being on pain-killers. Motion to re-open judgment under Fed. R. Civ. P 60(b)(2) based on new evidence properly denied where there was no record of what the supposedly newly-discovered documents said.

Young-Losee v. Graphic Pkg., Inc., 631 F.3d 909, 111 FEP 488 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: BENTON, Riley, Bye. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Iowa law retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Being fired by a manager during a meeting about the employee's complaint of harassment (which the manager called "total bullshit," tossed in a garbage can, and ended with the manager telling the employee "I want you out of here") was direct evidence of retaliation. Termination for two days, even if rescinded, is a materially adverse action.

Tyler v. Univ. of Arkansas, 628 F.3d 980, 111 FEP 161 (8th Cir. 2011). Panel: BYE, Beam, Smith. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and § 1983 retaliation. 2. Title VII and § 1983 discrimination (sex). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Separation of nearly three years between filing civil action and adverse action lacks temporal proximity. Intervening action of transferring the employee's office was explained by neutral factor (he had new duties that required him to be closer to the administration offices) and was not materially adverse. Alternatively, plaintiff did not demonstrate that reason for failing to promote him to director's position was for any reason other than merit (he did not interview well, top two candidates outscored him, winning candidate was considered better credentialed and more interested in the job than the plaintiff). 2. No evidence of pretext, as above. Title VII claim was not submitted to the EEOC in a charge and so was waived.

Alvarez v. Des Moines Bolt Supply, 626 F.3d 410, 110 FEP 1353 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: COLLOTON, Bye [BEAM, concurring and dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Iowa law retaliation. 2. Title VII and Iowa law harassment (sex). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff was suspended after investigation (that was triggered by the harassment complaint) revealed that she too engaged in prohibited sexual banter. Although her report of harassment prompted the investigation, there is no evidence that the suspension was motivated by the harassment complaint itself. Investigation was carried out in good faith; employer was not required to interview all possible witnesses. Even though record showed that decisionmakers themselves engaged in allegedly harassing activity against other women (viewing pornographic websites, commenting on women's looks), if true it does not show that suspension was pretextual. No constructive discharge in this case - employee did not demonstrate that she gave the employer an opportunity to resolve post-suspension incidents of sex harassment. Employee was not excused from giving notice to employer of co-worker harassment, even is she was dissatisfied with their original handling of the matter. 2. Sexually oriented comments by co-workers of which company had notice prior to her January 10 complaint were insufficiently severe or pervasive to support Title VII claim. Subsequent complaints of being spanked, being touched repeatedly and subjected to sexual comments not actionable. After January 10 complaint, company undertook investigation that brought effective end to the harassment. Harassment after return to work from suspension not covered because plaintiff failed to seasonably complaint about it. Unfounded fear of retaliation is not sufficient excuse for not giving employer opportunity to remedy the situation. No evidence that management was on constructive notice of the alleged harassment.

Smith v. Fairview Ridges Hospital, 625 F.3d 1076, 110 FEP 1025 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: SHEPHERD, Melloy [BYE, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (race). 2. Title VII constructive discharge (race). 3. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Co-worker comments and incidents that lacked an "obvious or overt racial animus" and did not have an connection or nexus to such comments were properly not considered by the district court in the determination whether the harassment was severe or pervasive, in case involving African-American employee (asked she was Puerto Rican, her lunch was criticized because of its smell, comment about acne, plaintiff was criticized for talkin to volunteer from Somalia, image from The Onion satire tabloid). Remaining comments, though more specifically racial (picture of Buckwheat character, fried chicken comment, reference to ghetto dwellers), insufficiently frequent or severe.2. Because co-worker harassment was not severe enough to constitute harassment, neither could it serve as constructive discharge.3. Notices of Corrective Action one month or more after complaints of discrimination and EEOC charge lack sufficient temporal proximity. Alternatively, employee failed to rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory business-related reasons for discipline. Although she contended that other employees were given lighter treatment for workplace infractions, she failed to establish that the co-workers were similarly situated in all relevant respects.

Bonn v. City of Omaha, 623 F.3d 587, 110 FEP 925 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: COLLOTON, Wollman, Ebel. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and retaliation. § 1983 claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff who issued report complaining about racial discrimination in community policing did not "oppose a practice" covered by Title VII, even if the report briefly mentioned police recruiting as one part of the problem.

Smith v. Hy-Vee, Inc., 622 F.3d 904, 110 FEP 840 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: Per curiam [Arnold, Colloton] [BYE, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Mo. state law harassment (sex). 2. Mo. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Judgment after a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Female manager's sexually explicit comments and behavior which was directed equally at male and female employees not shown to motivated by sex..2. Plaintiff waived challenge to exclusion of specific incidents of harassment at trial by not presenting the evidence in an offer of proof (FRE103(a)), and not otherwise establishing plain error (FRE103(d))..

Prince v. Kids Ark Learning Center, LLC, 622 F.3d 992, 110 FEP 618 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: Per curiam [Loken, Bright, Gruender]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: District court did not abuse discretion by failing to extend successor liability to company that acquired the defendant's license, employees and assets after the harassment took place. The new business took over, with different management and financing, in the wake of the original owner falling ill and the former business being investigated by the state for licensing violations. The judge found no connection between the charge of discrimination and the business reasons for reorganizing the business.

Newberry v. Burlington Basket Co., 622 F.3d 979, 110 FEP 615 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: COLLOTON, Wollman, Ebel. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Iowa state law termination. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($25,000 compensatory damages, $140,000 attorney fees) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Jury was charged under mixed-motive theory. After trial, the Supreme Court issued Gross v. FBL Financial Servs., Inc., 129 S. Ct. 2343 (2009), which holds that all ADEA cases are subject to the but-for/determining factor standard of liability. While this charge is no longer valid under Gross, court affirms the verdict under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. The Supreme Court of Iowa recently concluded, in a sex-discrimination action tried as a so-called "pretext" case, that an instruction derived from Eighth Circuit Model Civil Jury Instruction 5.96 on "motivating factor" was correct. DeBoom v. Raining Rose, Inc., 772 N.W.2d 1, 13 (Iowa 2009). Because the instruction was correct under Iowa law, and the award (solely compensatory losses) was awardable fully under that law, there was no prejudice to defendant because of the charge, despite the intervening change of law under Gross. Plaintiff counsel's hourly rate affirmed, even though it was higher than defense counsel's hourly rate. No proportionality required between jury award and attorney fee. District court within its discretion to reduce duplicative hours between two counsel.

EEOC v. Con-Way Freight, Inc., 622 F.3d 933, 110 FEP 481 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: ARNOLD, Loken, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and § 1981 hiring (race). 2. Mo. state law hiring (race). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Applicant was interviewed by manager who made racially biased comments, but manager was fired before applicant's name was forwarded along for background check; when background check was completed, employee was disqualified because of past theft-related convictions. EEOC could not prevail either by straight pretext (she was not "qualified" for the position) or mixed-motive (person who made remark was not involved in the decision to turn her down). Title VII § 706(g)(2)(B) applies only to mixed-motive cases, and here the defendant offered only one reason why employee was not hired (she failed criminal background check). That manager reportedly told applicant that criminal background check "won't go that far" back not admissible under FRE801(d)(2)(D). 2. Plaintiff entitled to remand of state law claim, where Missouri law on mixed-motive is different from federal law and law ought to be clarified by state court.

Chism v. Curtner, 619 F.3d 979, 110 FEP 292 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: BYE, Colloton, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: § 1981 termination. Constitutional and state law claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: White officers who were not fired after arrests were not "similarly situated" to African-American plaintiff for purpose of prima facie test, where they were under different decision-makers. Alternatively, plaintiff failed to show that reason for discharge (six arrests, culminating in arrest on federal charges) was a pretext. Although job rules specified that convictions rather than arrests could support a termination decision, rules were non-exclusive grounds for termination and employee was admonished that they must engage in good conduct.

Colenburg v. Starcon Intern., Inc., 619 F.3d 986, 110 FEP 156 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: WOLLMAN, Smith, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Minn. state law promotion (race). 2. Minn. state law termination (race). 3. Minn. state law retaliation. 4. Minn. state law harassment (race). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant] 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. 4. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. 4. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Manager's contention that successful candidate had more relevant experience in same position (which he temporarily filled) not shown to be a pretext.2. Employee who was fired for having an altercation with a manger in front of co-workers cannot show that he was comparable to other, white employees who engaged in miscellaneous violations.Remark by co-worker to the effect that "that nigger is next" to be fired was inadmissible hearsay, not a party admission under FRE801(d)(2)(D).3. No prima facie evidence of causation between complaints of race discrimination, failure to promote and termination. No evidence that manager who made adverse decisions acted on racial complaints of others.4. Three oral comments insufficiently severe.

Sheriff v. Midwest Health Partners, P.C., 619 F.3d 923, 110 FEP 161 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: MURPHY, Benton[BEAM, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($100,000 compensatory damages) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Plaintiff presented sufficient evidence that the hostile work environment was motivated by sex:. Plaintiff testified that staff physician kissed her on the forehead. made physical contact with her on multiple occasions, including embraces where he pulled her against his body and brushed his hand against her breast. Record also established that environment was severe or pervasive, as it involved repeated grabbing over a two year period, which did not abate even after the employer imposed corrective measures. Attempted corrective measures were inadequate: "Midwest took no action after Sheriff's first complaint, waited seven weeks to confront Meyer after her second complaint, failed throughout to keep Sheriff informed, and never identified who was responsible for the investigation. Moreover, Meyer never fully consented to Midwest's remedial demands, and he continued to harass Sheriff by trying to mock and intimidate her." Plaintiff's award for emotional distress could be support by lay testimony. Under 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(b)(3)(A), plaintiff must establish a 101-employee threshold to support an award of $100,000; court affirms the award over an objection (that the panel held had been procedurally waived) that the plaintiff had established only that the defendant employed 15 or more people.

Watson v. CEVA Logistics U.S., Inc., 619 F.3d 936, 110 FEP 169 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: MELLOY, Hansen, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Title VII, § 1981 and state law harassment (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: African-American plaintiffs reported a host of racially-motivated offenses: slurs, threats, graffiti, the presence of Confederate flags, uneven discipline, false reports of violations and whites simply shunning or refusing to work with African-American co-workers. (As to the flags, the panel recognized the racial connotations but dropped a footnote acknowledging the differing significance that white Southerners and blacks invest in the stars-and-bars.) District court erred in framing the claim as one having only to do with occasionally slurs. It analyzes the record and holds that the district court understated the specificity of the attacks on plaintiffs. Comments were directed at plaintiffs and were made in their presence. Some comments were also directed at the plaintiffs in the presence of others, i.e., "I hate them damn n****rs," in reference to Watson, and Ryan Fisher's reference to Banks as a "f**king n****r." Some of the comments were made in a manner that a jury could reasonably conclude would be particularly demeaning or humiliating to the plaintiffs, i.e., "I told your black ass I wasn't going to do it," which was said to one plaintiff in front of a supervisor, rather than another co-worker. Slurs and other incidents evidencing racial animus were directed at co-workers in one particular protected group. Panel discredits defense arguments concerning graffiti; plaintiffs need not articulate with absolute precision the number of times they saw the graffiti and that we should analyze each viewing as a separate instance of harassment. "To that end, the 'key difference' between graffiti and a racial slur should not be overlooked: 'the slur is heard once' and 'vanishes in an instant, while graffiti remains visible until the employer acts to remove it." There were also allegedly threats to the plaintiffs' physical safety ("N****r, go down there and throw the switch" could mean that manager provoked a reaction from plaintiff and then threatened him with physical violence), and instance where co-workers created dangerous situations in an effort to sabotage and potentially injure them. Jury could find corrective efforts, such as painting over graffiti and firing one offender, was not enough. A reasonable fact finder could conclude that supervisors at other times acquiesced in discriminatory behavior or were at least indifferent to complaints (e.g., plaintiffs told to "tough it out" because they had "targets on their backs").

Kirkeberg v. Canadian Pacific Ry., 619 F.3d 898, 23 A.D. Cases 1000 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: COLLOTON, Bye, Beam. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA and Minn. state law termination. 2. ADA retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Under pre-amended ADA, employee failed to establish that monocular vision substantially limited his major life activities. Doctor's certification indicated that plaintiff need reduced work schedule only temporarily. Tiring more easily, finding foot travel more difficult, and not being able to read as long not a substantial limitation. Hepatitis C also not shown to be substantially limited. No"regarded as" liability, in the major life activity of working; employer never criticized employee's performance. Under Minnesota law, which uses a "materially limits" rather than "substantially limits" standard, result is the same. 2. Even assuming that retaliation for requesting a reasonable accommodation is actionable under 42 U.S.C. § 12203(a), employee never requested accommodation; never formally requested opportunity to relocate work to home.

Fuller v. Fiber Glass Systems, LP, 618 F.3d 858, 110 FEP 176 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: BENTON, Murphy, Beam. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and § 1981 harassment (race). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($65,000 compensatory damages, $63,930 attorney's fees) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Record presented sufficient evidence of an objectively severe or pervasive, racially-hostile work environment where the racist remarks continued over a two-month period. Notably, "[o]n [Fuller's] first day at the corporate office, her co-worker/trainer told her she didn't like black people." The panel also finds that the employer did not prevail, as a matter of law, on its Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense, because Fuller did reasonably raise complaints under the company's anti-harassment policy, which were not timely resolved; plaintiff testified that within the first week, she complained to her supervisor about how she was treated, but supervisor took no remedial action, and in fact told the alleged harasser about her complaint. Another manager told the plaintiff just to "hang in there." Only after the plant manager took a formal complaint, about two months after starting in the corporate offices, were any measures taken by the company. Compensatory award based on lay testimony affirmed (finding also that it was not "clearly excessive"). Rejects other claims of trial error by employer (possible juror prejudice, admission of a manager's statement over a defense objection that it was obtained by improper ex parte communications, alleged instructional errors, and an alleged defect in allowing the magistrate judge to preside briefly over part of the trial). Affirms attorney's fee award over cross-appeals by both parties; rejects employer's suggestion that partial success warranted reduction of 50%, and plaintiff's suggestion that correct lodestar hourly rate was $250 not $225.

Cross v. Prarire Medows Racetrack & Casino, Inc.,615 F.3d 977, 109 FEP 1712 (8th Cir. Aug. 12, 2010). Panel: WOLLMAN, Hansen, Murphy. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Iowa state law harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Four incidents in two years insufficiently severe or pervasive. Alternatively, admonition to employees to avoid horseplay was sufficient (in light of disputed evidence about how severe the misbehavior was), even if it was not in full compliance with company harassment policy. Employee also failed to pursue other avenues after it became clear that the first-level manage would not investigate complaints. Unreported incidents were not so open and notorious that employer should have been aware of them.

Fanning v. Potter, 614 F.3d 845, 109 FEP 1727 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: COLLOTON, Bye, Arnold. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII retaliation 2. ADA, Title VII discrimination. Breach of settlement agreement [not discussed here]. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No evidence that the USPS took any action to terminate OWCP benefits. While seven of Fanning's health benefit refund payments were issued late, the amount were very small and delays were brief; would not likely dissuade reasonable employee. As to employee's administrative separation, by the time that employee's separation became effective on December 23, 2006, she had been on leave without pay for over six years, and her physician had advised at least four times that she was permanently and totally disabled and would never be able to return to work, which was not a pretext for retaliation.2. Claims were not plead; at most they were alluded to in attachments to complaint. Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(b)(2), which provides for an issue not raised in the pleadings to be tried by the parties' express or implied consent, does not rescue claims. The parties did not squarely address the claim in their summary judgment briefs.

Nyrop v. Independent School Dist. No. 11, 616 F.3d 728, 23 A.D. Cases 801 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: RILEY, Gibson, Murphy. Claims on Appeal: ADA, Rehabilitation Act, and Minn. state law reasonable accommodation and hiring. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee with MS was not substantially limited in a major life activity. Impairments required the employee to make adjustments (putting more breath into her speech, using air conditioning to control temperature) and cumulation of fatigue, sensory loss and difficulty in chewing and swallowing did not substantially impair ability to take care of self. Though she can not teach music, she had never claimed not to be able to work, and did in fact work in a variety of positions. Record of disability claim fails for the same reasons; record did not suggest that she was substantially limited. "Regarded as" liability fails; no evidence that school district, which continued to employ plaintiff, regarded her as substantially limited in working. Isolated comments about her fitness to work in particular jobs did not imply that supervisors thought she could work in general.

Fercello v. County of Ramsey, 612 F.3d 1069, 109 FEP 1516 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: MELLOY, Bye, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff failed to establish that some or all of the events that occurred were either retaliatory. Loss of parking place and office relocation were not materially adverse. Exclusion from management meetings and e-mail might be deemed materially adverse, but same actions occurred simultaneously to others who did not have harassment complaints. Negative performance reviews, even if deemed materially adverse, occurred some six months after plaintiff complained, and (in any event) the employer sought varied feedback and complaints about the employee's performance were extensive. Plaintiff obtains no benefit for challenging particulars of the review. No evidence that oral warnings, complained about by employee, took place. Making fun of employee during meeting and ignoring contributions not materially adverse. Although placing employee under constant supervision could be evidence of retaliation, these steps pre-dated complaint of harassment. Failure to retain after probationary period occurred long after she made harassment complaint, and assessment of her performance was not shown to be tainted or dishonest. Conditions were not so intolerable as present circumstances of constructive discharge. Scattered assortment of events in the nineteen months after employee were petty, unsubstantiated or not casually related to complaint.

Wisbey v. City of Lincoln, NE, 612 F.3d 667, 23 A.D. Cases 618 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: SHEPHERD, Smith, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADA termination FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee was terminated not because she was "regarded as" disabled, but because she was certified as not fit for duty as an emergency dispatcher owing to her depression. Fitness-for-duty exam was not a prohibited medical examination under 42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(4)(A) because it was job-related and supported by business necessity (public safety position). Plaintiff was also properly held to admission in FMLA application that she was presently unable to work.

Jones v. National American University, 608 F.3d 1039, 109 FEP 1004 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: MURPHY, Riley, Gibson. Claims on Appeal: ADEA promotion. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury verdict ($17,565 damages, $17,565 liquidated damages, plus attorney's fees and costs) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court did not abuse its discretion in admitting job descriptions, concluding that two witnesses' testimony that the descriptions were posted at the job site was sufficient to establish authentication under Fed. R. Evid. 901(a) and that the descriptions were admissible as party-admissions under FRE 801(d)(2)(a). Defendant's EEOC position statement was properly admitted for impeachment purposes, even though the district court earlier excluded the EEOC file in its entirety. Judgment as a matter of law properly denied; jury could have found that the reason given by the defendant at trial for not promoting the plaintiff (lack of management skills) contradicted the reason given to the EEOC (sub-par performance in her current position), and was more likely than not a pretext for its actual reason -- that plaintiff was age 56 -- in the context of the entire record (that the successful candidate was more than two decades younger than the plaintiff and also lacked management experience, and the decisionmaker allegedly said of another candidate that "I'm not sure we want a grandpa working with our high school students"). District court did not err in refusing an "honest belief" instruction, and by instructing the jury that "[p]retext may be shown with evidence that the employer's reason for its employment decision has changed substantially over time."

Kobus v. College of St. Scholastica, Inc., 608 F.3d 1034, 23 A.D. Cases 522 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: LOKEN, Gruender, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Minn. state law reasonable accommodation. FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to affirmatively request a leave of absence to cope with depression, nor were his symptoms so conspicuous that the employer ought to have been deemed on notice. Court rejects EEOC ADA Enforcement Guidance suggesting that a request for time off to deal with stress is sufficient to trigger employer's obligation to provide a reasonable accommodation.

Norman v. Union Pacific R.R. Co., 606 F.3d 455, 109 FEP 679, 23 A.D. Cases 328 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: BENTON, Smith, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA termination. 2. Title VII termination (sex, race). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff made out prima facie case. She established that employer regarded her is mentally disabled and limited in her ability to work, and presented genuine issue of material fact whether she could have returned to work after recovering from a physical illness. She denied that she was not "qualified" for the job because never suffered a mental illness and recovered from her physical illness. Summary judgment is properly affirmed on ground that she was terminated for a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (failing to submit release from physician certifying her ability to return to work). Employer need not give reasonable accommodation to a person merely regarded-as disabled. 2. Plaintiff not similarly situated to white male employee who was allowed to return to work from leave for mental illness, where that employee furnished the necessary medical release to employer.

Anderson v. Durham D & M, L.L.C., 606 F.3d 513, 109 FEP 561 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: MELLOY, Riley, Wollman. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII, §1981 harassment (reverse race). 2. Title VII, §1981 discipline and termination (reverse race). 3. ADEA termination. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No evidence that miscellaneous name-called was due to race, or that employer should be held liable for co-workers' harassment that was not reported to the company. Occasional racial comments were also insufficiently severe or pervasive to support liability. No evidence that employee was subjectively offended, where he voluntarily return to work at the same site and suggested that his spouse apply to work there as well. 2. Plaintiff failed to identify similarly-situated minority employees, i.e., with driving accidents, who were treated more lightly. While a lack of investigation into the particular incident that caused his termination, he already had two prior preventable accident in his record. Fact that managers were black does not tend to establish a racial motive, and if anything cuts against it here because the black managers were also the ones who had employed him ("same actor"). 3. Even assuming that employee carried out administrative prerequisites, claim fails on the merits for the same reason as the race claim (i.e., failure to identify significantly younger comparables).

Burkhart v. American Railcar Industries, Inc., 603 F.3d 472, 109 FEP 378 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: MURPHY, Wollman, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Ark.. state law harassment (sex). 2. Title VII and Ark.. state law retaliation. State tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant] 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Harassment claims untimely. The only acts that are alleged to have occurred within 180 days of EEOC charge (and one year under state law) were not acts of sex harassment, but retaliation. 2. No proof of causation between making complaints about harassment and disciplinary action because employee had a long, pre-existing record of complaints about her performance.

Elam v. Regions Financial Corp., 601 F.3d 873, 108 FEP 1729 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: GRUENDER, Shepherd, Lange. Claims on Appeal: Title VII/PDA and Iowa state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Passing reference by manager to plaintiff as "the pregnant girl teller" which did not reflect bias but was purely descriptive was not "direct" evidence of discrimination. That employer attempted to accommodate employee by allowing her to come to work later not evidence of discriminatory animus. Nor was written warning about failure to perform her duties while she was absent from work due to morning sickness; no evidence that non-pregnant employees were treated relatively better when they were absent. Using direct method, and assuming that the plaintiff established a prima facie case, employee did not rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (repeated acts of misconduct: use of cell-phone at teller window, abandoning station, laying head down arriving late to a training meeting). Other employee may have committed one of the violations but not all of them. All reasons given by employer were consistent with the complaint of poor performance.

Schultz v. Windstream Communications, Inc., 600 F.3d 948, 108 FEP1619 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: BENTON, Smith, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Neb. state law benefits. ERISA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Although benefit plan set eligibility for early retirement in part on age, this is permitted by 29 U.S.C. § 623(l)(1)(A)(i).

EEOC v. Kelly Services, Inc., 598 F.3d 1022, 108 FEP 1409 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: SMITH, Melloy, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: Title VII employment agency referral (religion). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: It is illegal "for an employment agency to fail or refuse to refer for employment, or otherwise to discriminate against, any individual because of his . . . religion . . . ." 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(b). An employment agency's referral obligations under § 2000e-2 is "a question of first impression for this court"; open question whether an employment agency's failure to refer an applicant may constitute an "adverse employment action." Summary judgment warranted on alternative ground that EEOC failed to show that host employer had an available position to which defendant could actually refer employee when she applied for available temporary work. Employment agency not obliged to prove that an accommodation (under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e(j)) would place an "undue burden" on the host employer. Additionally, there was no evidence of discrimination by defendant, because it had a valid, non-discriminatory reason for not making the referral: host employer's "facially neutral, safety-driven dress policy prohibiting all employees-permanent and temporary-from wearing loose clothing or headwear of any kind," and employee wore a khimar (head scarf) for religious reasons. Outcome might have been different if the suit had been directly against host employer.

Helton v. Southland Racing Corp., 600 F.3d 954, 108 FEP 1505 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: Per Curiam [Loken, Arnold, Benton]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Ark. state law harassment and constructive discharge (reverse race). 2. Title VII and Ark. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Conduct was not sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute harassment or constructive discharge (occasional yelling, once-a-week emails that employee considered demeaning). 2. Because only adverse action indicated by plaintiff was constructive discharge, and this claim failed as a matter of law, there was no "materially adverse action" to support a retaliation claim.

Lake v. Yellow Transportation, Inc., 596 F.3d 871, 108 FEP 1029 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: BENTON, Murphy, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and § 1981 termination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: The district court erred when it held that the plaintiff's attendance deficiencies meant that the employee was not "otherwise qualified" under McDonnell Douglas. Plaintiff is not required to disprove reason for firing him at prima facie stage of the analysis. Plaintiff also presented a genuine issue of material fact on pretext: "Yellow contends that Lake's unavailability during probation is immaterial, insisting it fired Lake primarily for tardiness and no other probationary employees were tardy. . . . But drawing the inferences in favor of Lake, [manager's] statements of expectations for probationary employees do not distinguish tardiness and unavailability. Lake [who is African-American] was fired under Yellow's policy, and white employees were not."

Ernster v. Luxco, Inc., 596 F.3d 1000, 108 FEP 916 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: LOKEN, Bye [MURPHY, concurring]. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Iowa state law hiring. Disposition Below: Judgment following a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court appropriately instructed jury on issue of whether plaintiff sales representative was an independent contractor. Instruction not required to perfectly track Darden test. Bifurcating trial into deciding independent contractor issue first was proper, although as a legal question it was ultimately up to the district court to decide it. Sufficient evidence supported decision in favor of plaintiff being independent contractor, not covered by the relevant statutes, such as tax treatment of plaintiff, lack of benefits, plaintiff covered her own expenses, worked our in the field, set her own schedule, and testimony of other sales representatives who said they were contractors.

Lors v. Dean, 595 F.3d 831, 22 A.D. 1618 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: Per Curiam [Wollman, Hansen, Melloy]. Claims on Appeal: ADA demotion. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Whether at the prima facie or pretext stage, plaintiff was unable to show that the proffered reason for the demotion (disobeying orders) was false and that the true cause was disability. Employer also offered accommodations (to take breaks to check blood sugar, flexibility in work schedule to treat condition).

Lewis v. Heartland Inns of America, L.L.C., 591 F.3d 1033, 108 FEP 449 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: MURPHY, Bye [LOKEN, dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Iowa state law termination. 2. Title VII and Iowa state retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff presented genuine issue of material fact whether employer enforced a de facto requirement that a female employee conform to gender stereotypes in order to work the day shift. Plaintiff, a front-desk clerk at a motel, describes her own appearance as "slightly more masculine," e.g., loose fitting clothing, men's button down shirts and slacks, avoiding makeup and wearing her hair short. New director complained that plaintiff lacked "Midwestern girl look" and that appearance of front-desk clerks during the day should be "pretty." Title VII plaintiff who is a woman need not must produce evidence that she was treated differently than similarly situated males. Title VII protects against adverse actions motivated by sex stereotyping, citing similar decisions in other circuits. It also holds that the record betrayed the pretextual nature of the employer's reasons for firing plaintiffs. "Evidence that Heartland's reason for the termination were pretextual include the fact that Lewis had a history of good performance at Heartland. She had no prior disciplinary record and had received two merit based pay raises. The two individuals who supervised her during the majority of her employment at Heartland both stated that they had no problem with her appearance, and at least one customer had never seen customer service like that Lewis had provided. On this record, a factfinder could infer a discriminatory motive in Heartland's actions to remove Lewis." 2. Plaintiff made out prima facie case. She engaged in oppositional conduct by complaining that she was subjected to a second interview by management for an illegal reason, discrimination because of the way she dressed. There was also temporal proximity (fired three days after raising a protest).

Hawks v. J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, 588 F.3d 959, 107 FEP 1603 (8th Cir. 2010). Panel: SMITH, Bye, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: Minn. state law discrimination and harassment (reverse sex). Disposition Below: Dismissed for failure to state a claim, FRCP 12(b)(6) [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Conclusory allegation that he was treated differently and more hostilely then other employees fails to state a claim. No abuse of discretion in failing to grant more time to respond to motion or to reopen judgment.

Wimbley v. Cashion, 588 F.3d 959, 107 FEP 1603 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: BENTON, Melloy, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: § 1983 termination (race, sex). Disposition Below: Qualified immunity denied [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Plaintiff correctional officer presented genuine issue of material fact about whether she was singled out for disciplinary termination for using pepper spray in a prison cell when a white male who committed the same violation was not fired. Warden credited white male officer's explanation that the discharge was justified despite substantial prisoner testimony to the contrary.

Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc., 588 F.3d 614, 107 FEP 1441 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: COLLOTON, Melloy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Iowa state law termination. Disposition Below: On remand from Supreme Court [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Remanded for new trial on liability [defendant]. Grounds: Age discrimination "mixed-motive" verdict (where jury instruction shifted the burden to the employer in the event that the jury found a "motivating factor"), could not be upheld independently under state law, the Iowa Civil Rights Act. DeBoom v. Raining Rose, Inc., 772 N.W.2d 1 (Iowa 2009), and other cases confirm that state law would track federal law on the issue of whether the burden would shift to the employer in the event of a "motivating factor" finding. Under Iowa law, the panel holds that at most the burden of proof would not shift "in a mixed-motive case unless the plaintiff shows by direct evidence that age was a motivating factor in the employer's decision." Plaintiff conceded that there was no "direct" evidence in his case, so the original jury charge (which provided for an unconditional shift in the burden of proof) was not an accurate statement of the law. Plaintiff also sought to include willfulness and compensatory damages in the remand, two issues that he lost in the first trial. But because Gross he failed to take his own appeal from the first verdict, these issues were forfeited.

Baker v. Silver Oak Senior Living Mgt. Co., 581 F.3d 684, 107 FEP 363 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: COLLOTON, Riley, Bowman. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADEA and Mo. state law termination. 2. ADEA and Mo. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Whether Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc., 129 S. Ct. 2343 (2009), changed the liability standard under ADEA, this case was fully litigated under indirect method of proof. Direct evidence included comments by managers who participated in the termination decision that management should hire "younger, vibrant people," company "should start looking over applications better and try to consider hiring younger people," directions that managers should fire employees in their 50's and 60's to hire "younger workers," who would be "better workers, have more energy." Ambiguous comments ("dead wood," employee dressing "like an old lady"). Employee also was placed on probation after refusing instruction to fire older employee. Employer gave different reasons for decision aat time of termination and later (added more reasons after charge and after civil action was filed). 2. District court erred in striking plaintiff's affidavit, where employer's deposition questions to plaintiff-witness were unclear. Employee presented protected opposition activity (i.e. complaining that employer could not order terminate employees "just because they are old."

Sutherland v. Missouri Dept. of Corrections, 580 F.3d 748, 107 FEP 269 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: BENTON, Gruender, Arnold. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (sex). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant] 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. One incident of rubbing arm and touching breast not sever or pervasive. 2. Lower performance evaluation and shunning by co-workers not materially adverse.

Humphries v. Pulaski Co. Special Sch. Dist., 580 F.3d 688, 107 FEP 140 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: GRUENDER, Wollman (MELLOY, concurring in part). Claims on Appeal: Title VII, §§ 1981 and 1983, and Ark. state law promotion (reverse race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: "Racial equality" policies which provides that school district will make "special efforts to employ and advance women, blacks, and handicapped persons" was direct evidence of racial motive. Putative policy that at least one assistant principal in each school must be the opposite race as the principal, supported by statistics showing this to be nearly always true with respect to hiring/promotion also direct evidence of discrimination. In such a case, employer may defend that the policy was promulgated under a valid affirmative action plan. Genuine issue of material fact whether interviewers' scoring and ranking of interviews tainted promotion process. Even though plaintiff here had low scores that would have precluded advancement in process, possibility that scoring was itself biased negates this argument. Genuine issue of material fact whether, under Title VII and equal protection, affirmative action was validly adopted as corrective measure under consent decree. Here, decree did not set hiring goals, require biracial commissions, and demand pairing of assistant principals with principals of other races. Also a genuine issue of material fact whether there was a manifest racial imbalance in the workforce and whether policies were aimed at attaining balance in the workforce. Summary judgment on one promotion affirmed because it was not included in a timely charge.

Anderson v. Family Stores of Ark., 579 F.3d 858, 107 FEP 157 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: HANSEN, Loken, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Ark. state law harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Supervisor harassment that involved back and shoulder rubs, calling employee "baby doll," saying employee will not be "one of my girls," one-time sexual proposition by phone and insinuation that she would make more progress in company if she got along with him not severe or pervasive. No evidence that accusations of cash register shortages and bookkeeping discrepancies were motivated by gender. No tangible employment action where she was allowed to continue work after spurning proposition, and was even given a promotion.

Betz v. Chertoff, 578 F.3d 929, 107 FEP 152 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: ARNOLD, Smith, Sheperd. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADEA constructive discharge. 2. ADEA retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Judgment following a bench trial [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Judge not compelled to infer age bias from inquiry by manager about employee's retirement plans. That younger employees performing comparable work were classified GS-11 instead of GS-7 (like plaintiff) not material where other employees had a different supervisor. Another younger employee under the same supervisor was also classified GS-11, but there is no evidence manager knew that she was significantly younger than plaintiff. Evidence that was excluded in the course of summary judgment and not tendered at trial waived; alternatively, the evidence did not bear on the question of age animus. Plaintiff also not entitled to relief because court did not err in finding that she was not constructively discharged. It did not clearly err in finding that plaintiff was not intolerably overworked at her salary grade. 2. No genuine issue of material fact that plaintiff's retaliation claim was untimely because it was not submitted to a counselor within 45 days. Employee could not benefit from tolling under 29 C.F.R. § 1614.105(a)(2) because her previous complaint was timely filed, demonstrating that she was aware of the 45-day period. Continuing-violation principle did not apply to discrete act of denying a promotion. Retaliation-based constructive discharge claim, though it might have been timely, failed as a matter of law because there was no conduct that could be deemed intolerable.

Hutson v. Wells Dairy, Inc., 578 F.3d 823, 107 FEP 50 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: COLLOTON, Riley, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Title VII termination (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Termination is discrete act and 300 days began to run when the employee learned about the termination, even if she was allowed to continue to work after that date. Claims about other events occurring after she learned about her termination not included in the scope of the charge.

Dixon v. Pulaski Co. Special School Dist., 578 F.3d 862, 107 FEP 25 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: MELLOY, Wollman, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: Title VII, §§ 1981 and 1983, and Ark. state law promotion (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: That employer might have been factually inaccurate about employee's minimum qualifications does not support conclusion that decision was tainted by discrimination. Only suggestion that employer may not have honestly believed plaintiff was not qualified was inadmissible hearsay evidence. Even a showing that employer actually considered plaintiff minimally qualified would not mitigate fact that successful candidate was far more qualified. There was nothing fishy about altering job description, where evidence showed that revised description more accurately described the job. Deviation from policy of requiring board to review and approve changes to job description not evidence of pretext. No evidence that approval policy was in any way related to preventing discrimination. Deviation from policy of having entire interview committee screen applicants where this step was commonly skipped, anyway, and committee did eventually review that applications and consult with the decisionmaker. Deviations were not evidence of pretext for discrimination, in light of weak prima facie case, limited evidence of falsity and disparity of job qualifications.

EEOC v. Siouxland Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Assoc., LLP, 578 F.3d 921, 107 FEP 31 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: COLLOTON, Wollman, Riley. Claims on Appeal: Pregnancy Discrimination Act termination. Disposition Below: Judgment entered after a jury trial ($15,341 to plaintiff #1, $5,757 to plaintiff #2, prejudgment interest and $43,200 in attorney's fees) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed and remanded for punitive damage trial [plaintiff]. Grounds: EEOC presented sufficient evidence of willfulness to warrant a punitive damage instruction, and failure to offer instruction was reversible error. Decisionmakers were aware of the PDA and had been warned that company either could or should not fire plaintiffs. This evidence was sufficient to show knowledge or reckless disregard of plaintiffs' federal rights. Though defense witnesses contended that they did not manifest belief that they were committing discrimination, but genuinely believed that they were acting on legitimate grounds (that one employee would not be available during critical period, and the other was not hired because she supposedly was not qualified). Jury was not required to accept this conclusion, though. No prior circuit case law required entry of judgment as a matter of law on punitive damage case when managerial employees knew about the charge. Evidence of "inconsistent explanations" not a minimum requirement for punitive damages. Defendant's severance motion (for the two plaintiff) under FRCP 20(b) and 42 deferred for remand. District court did not err in denying injunctive relief where the record only contained two incidents of pregnancy discrimination in five years, and award of back pay and attorneys' fees were enough to meet the goals of Title VII to deter future discrimination. Award of fees to the two plaintiffs' shared trial attorney, for $43,200, remanded for reconsideration after the punitive damage trial concludes.

Sandoval v. American Building Maint. Indus. Inc., 578 F.3d 787, 107 FEP 38 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: BYE, Gibson (GRUENDER, dissenting in part). Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. state law discrimination and harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed in part [plaintiff]. Grounds: Failure to name subsidiary of employer as a second employer, and failure to move to amend until after limitations expired, rendered amendment untimely. Court applies four-part test of Baker v. Stuart Broad. Co., 560 F.2d 389 (8th Cir. 1977) - interrelation of operations, common management, centralized control of labor relations, common ownership or control - and comparable definition used in Title VII for foreign employers to establish a genuine issue of material fact that parent and sub are integrated employer. Record showed that entities shared officers, parent approved appointment of officers for sub, parent controls all stock of sub, the two companies entered into a Service Agreement, where parent provided accounting, administration, electronics services, benefits, HR insurance, legal services, safety advice and treasury services. Annual reports and company publications admitted significant control by parent of sub. Though court affirms dismissal of timely retaliation, discrimination and harassment claims for reasons stated by the district court, court remands claims about co-worker harassment on genuine issue of material fact about whether harassment was sufficiently widespread to put the employer on constructive notice. On-site supervisors lacked sufficient authority over employees to trigger strict liability, and employees' complaints to on-site supervisors were inconsistent with published anti-harassment reporting policies. Constructive notice might be established; district court erred by categorically excluding evidence of other sex harassment claims of incidents that plaintiffs did not witness. While such incidents may not be proof of a subjectively hostile environment, they are highly relevant to whether the harassment was severe and pervasive, and whether the employer had constructive notice.

Takele v. The Mayo Clinic, 576 F.3d 834, 106 FEP 1825 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: MILLER, Loken, Bye. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII, § 1981 termination (race, national origin). 2. Title VII, § 1981 retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee could not meet fourth prong of McDonnell Douglas prima facie test, where only identified comparable in resident program had superior grades, and shortcomings were not regarded by faculty as severe as the plaintiff. Same-actor inference applies where three of the four people who made decision to admit plaintiff to program also approved of his termination. Proffered evidence of racial bias does not suggest animus (comparing plaintiff's successful completion of a treatment plan to a thousand monkeys getting together to write the Bible, unexplained laughing and joking, references to foreigners). Also, plaintiff himself had not asserted racial motive during the review process for the termination. 2. Hospital's concerns about plaintiff's performance long pre-dated any complaint that plaintiff made to ombudsman, negating a retaliatory motive.

Winspear v. Community Development, Inc., 574 F.3d 604, 106 FEP 1483 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: MELLOY, (BOWMAN, concurring) (SMITH, dissenting). Disposition Below: Title VII harassment (religion). Outcome on Appeal: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court erred in applying constructive discharge standards to a hostile work environment claim, which have different standards (in particular, that constructive discharge requires proof of a tangible employment action). Though plaintiff stated in response to summary judgment that he quit his job "to escape religious and other harassment," he never amended his complaint to allege this claim or to dismiss the harassment claim. Court remands claim for review of the hostile work environment claim.

Mc Namara v. Yellow Transportation, Inc., 570 F.3d 950, 106 FEP 1025 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: MELLOY, Loken, Benton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII termination (sex). Disposition Below: Motion to compel arbitration denied [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Arbitration agreement enforced. Customer Relations Manager is not an exempt transportation worker under 9 U.S.C. § 1, despite that he managed employees who worked on shipping dock. Under South Dakota law, court predicts, continued employment may serve as consideration for arbitration agreement. Because of possible concern about enforceability of a contractual limitations period, district court ordered to retain jurisdiction to resolve at a later date.

Littleton v. Pilot Travel Centers, LLC, No. 08-1221 (8th Cir. June 4, 2009). Panel: LOKEN, Beam, Kyle. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Ark. state law retaliation. 2. Title VII and Ark. state law compensation (race). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Correction notice issued on employee's performance (allegedly for harassing a customer) not sufficiently adverse action to support retaliation claim. Although there was an open question about whether termination threats would constitute action, there was no proof of causal connection (months-long gap between complaint and corrective notice, no evidence that decision-maker was aware of the complaint). Although there was dispute about facts underlying the corrective notice, it did not reveal any basis for challenging legitimacy of process behind investigating customer complaint. 2. Although employee got lower pay raise than others in his area, he had recently transferred into region from another part of the country and already had relatively higher salary (despite that others had more seniority). Although judge who tried the case denied judgment as a matter of law owing in part to credibility determination, successor judge who replaced first judge after he died was not required to defer to that decision (Fed. R. Civ. P. 63).Exclusion of witnesses whose testimony was offered only on the dismissed retaliation claims was not error. Witnesses not shown to have personal knowledge of facts relevant to racial bias.

McLain v. Anderson Corp., No. 08-2473 (8th Cir. June 3, 2009). Panel: MELLOY, Murphy, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. Minn. state law termination (disability). 2. Minn. state law reprisal (retaliation). State tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Complaint that included claim for interference with pension benefits under Minnesota Human Rights Act conferred federal jurisdiction over case, where such a claim was completely preempted by ERISA. Though loss of benefits might be characterized as solely a measure of damages under state law, complaint actually alleged that decision to fire employee was motivated by intent to deprive him of benefits, a claim under section 510 of ERISA. Summary judgment on the merits affirmed where employee failed to show employer regarded him as materially limited from major life activity of working. Record shows that employer continued to give him assignments after his knee injury and report showing him totally disabled, and there were other areas of the company where it believed he could work. 2. Refusal to train and eventual termination supported by legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons (no alternative jobs open and work restrictions).

Qamhiyahv. Iowa State Univ., No. 08-2548 (8th Cir. June 1, 2009). Panel: MELLOY, Gruender [COLLOTON, concurring in the judgment]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Iowa state law denial of tenure (national origin, religion, gender, pregnancy). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff did not present direct evidence of discrimination by body that denied her tenure, Board of Regents. Whatever evidence she possessed about lower levels of decision making, there was no evidence that the board "served as the conduit, vehicle, or rubber stamp by which another achieved his or her unlawful design." Using pretext method of proof, plaintiff did not present a genuine issue of material of fact on pretext. No evidence of deviations from procedural norms; plaintiff had ample opportunities to present her candidacy. School didnot offer "shifting" reasons for denying tenure (reviewers consistently complained of weaknesses in scholarship, fundraising and publishing). Decision to deny tenure not "obviously unsupported."

Finan v. Good Earth Tools, Inc., 565 F.3d 1076, 21 A.D. Cases 1542 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: BENTON, Riley, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: ADA termination. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($410,000 back pay, $65,000 damages) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employee established that he was otherwise qualified in spite of neurological condition to perform essential functions of his job, in particular the ability to drive. Employee not estopped from ADA claim by acceptance of SSI benefits, where SSA did not determine whether he was incapable of performing essential functions of the job at the time he held it. No error in admitting evidence that employer failed to give employee a reasonable accommodation. No abuse of discretion in refusing to consider supposedly false affidavit submitted by employee to obtain appointed counsel. Because jury found that employee was able to perform essential functions of job, back pay award was appropriate.

Drum v. Leeson Elec. Corp., 565 F.3d 1071, 106 FEP 309 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: BENTON, Melloy, Magnuson. Claims on Appeal: Title VII, EPA and Mo. state law pay discrimination (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Because it is undisputed that there is a pay differential between male and female employees' salaries -- his approximated the market rate, hers was well below it - and they performed equal work, the burden of proof shifts to employer to show that the differential was based on a factor other than sex. Simply to argue that male was the most qualified candidate and required an annual salary of $62,500 was insufficient as a matter of law. Showing that male employee's salary resulted from a hiring policy that set salaries slightly under industry averages, there is genuine issue of material fact whether that policy was in effect when male was actually hired. Employee also failed to present relative education, experience, or other qualifications of employees.

Franklin v. Local 2 of the Sheet Metal Workers Intern. Ass'n, 565 F.3d 508, 106 FEP 300 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: RILEY, Smith, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII disparate impact (race). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. District court did not abuse discretion in rejecting expert analysis that did not account for race-neutral explanations for plaintiffs receiving fewer referrals (such as that some plaintiffs entered into settlements with several contractors promising not to re-apply for work, some were unwilling to work outside the metro area, etc.). The report also failed supposedly "to account for the impact of 'core employees' on the total number of hours worked." ("Core employees" are those who regularly work for a select employer.) District court was not required to consider "business necessity" because plaintiffs failed to make out a prima facie case. 2. While panel would not go so far as plaintiffs in holding that posting their names publically was retaliation per se, record presented genuine issues of material fact about pretext; evidence raises a possible reasonable inference Local 2 was aware of a negative impact on Appellants based upon the listing and, during meetings, reading of Appellants' names, claims, and related costs.

Wallace v. DTG Operations, Inc., 563 F.3d 357, 105 FEP 1761 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: MELLOY, Beam, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: Missouri state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($10,000 back pay, $20,000 compensatory, $500,000 punitive) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed, except punitive damage award remitted to $120,000 [plaintiff]. Grounds: Plaintiff presented sufficient evidence in support of verdict: she was fired fifteen days after making a complaint of sex harassment, employer unable to coherently explain why she was fired, and "one decisionmaker expressed anger based on Wallace's mode of reporting the alleged sexual harassment, even though she followed a recommended reporting method." Judge did not err in giving "contributing factor" instead of "determining factor" instruction on causation. Hill v. Ford Motor Co., No. SC 88981, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2009 WL 454281 (Mo. Feb. 24, 2009) (en banc). Affirms economic and compensatory damages and $220,000 in fees. Quantitative testimony regarding salary and bonuses, coupled with the qualitative testimony regarding benefits, was insufficient to support the finding of $10,000 in lost wages and benefits. Jury could place a value on those elements of actual damages that the testimony identified without precise testimony as to dollar amounts. The benefits at issue-free use of the Company's cars, including gas and insurance, and health benefits-were, by their nature, easily understandable and quantifiable by lay persons. Moreover, $20,000 for "other damages sustained by the plaintiff, such as future pecuniary losses, emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other nonpecuniary losses" supported by lay testimony (testimony from Wallace regarding her reaction to losing her job, the value she placed on the job, and her actions and opportunities following her termination; Wallace's aunt testified regarding Wallace's emotional state after her termination and what the job had meant to Wallace). On punitive damages, evidence support of award, but panel reduces award down to $120,000, citing due process concerns (stepping back from a 16:1 punitive-actual ratio to a4:1 ratio).

Peyton v. Fred's Stores of Arkansas, Inc., 561 F.3d 900, 21 A.D. Cases 1345 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: LIMBAUGH, Murphy, Smith. Claims on Appeal: ADA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff was not otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of her job because cancer treatment render her unable to go to work for an extended and indefinite period, which could not be accommodated. Plaintiff admitted that at the time of termination she had no idea when, if ever, she would be able to return; request for an indefinite leave of absence (regardless which party had the obligation to request it) is not a reasonable accommodation.

McCullough v. Univ. of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 559 F.3d 855, 105 FEP 1476 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: COLLOTON, Bye, Beam. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII discrimination (sex). 2. Title VII retaliation. First Amendment and state law claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Male plaintiff accused female employee of sex harassment; two female employees accused him of harassment, and the university, following an investigation, terminated plaintiff. Plaintiff could not generate "direct" evidence of termination simply by attacking employer's belief that women accusers were correct. Plaintiff also failed to establish that explanation for termination was pretext for sex discrimination. Nothing in record showed that the several levels of management looking at the allegations did not honestly believe that the women were telling the truth. University did not give "shifting" reasons for termination; reasons was based consistently on investigative findings. Failure to interview all possible witnesses, even if it violated university policy, did not tend to show that investigation was tilted on account of sex. Investigators did speak to 11 out of the 26 witnesses who plaintiff listed. 2. Though letter stating reason for termination referred to plaintiff's complaints of harassment, letter specifies that he was fired for filing untruthful complaints, as well as for sexual harassment. Conclusion that plaintiff lacked credibility was supported by independent corroboration from neutral non-parties.

Willnerd v. First National Nebraska, 558 F.3d 770, 21 A.D. Cases 1164 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: MELLOY, Riley, Gibson. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA termination. 2. ADA failure to rehire. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Employee presented genuine issue of material fact about whether proffered non-discriminatory reasons for terminating employee were pretextual. Employer did have business reason to conduct RIF, but selection process was possibly tainted. Employer placed production quota on employee that might have been unattainable. Supervisors made inconsistent statements regarding whether they considered other employees for termination (dispute about whether employee's performance even played a role in his termination). Other similarly-situated employees, though performing below plaintiff, were not subject to quotas or termination. Although employer claimed that he had additional duties, these duties were removed from his list of tasks about which he was reviewed. One comparable employee was able to stay in place despite inability to meet production levels. One supervisor admitted that he was concerned about how customers would react to plaintiff's disability (affecting his speech). 2. Employee turned down for four different positions. As for two, senior loan operations assistant and assistant branch manager, employee presented a genuine issue of material fact about whether he was a "qualified individual." Employer did not develop record about what the essential functions would be. Physician's report that stated that plaintiff could not have effectively used phone or spoken with clients contradicted by his actual experience of performing those tasks. For one of these positions, employer claimed to have hired superior candidate, but it failed to articulate job requirements clearly enough to relate to candidates' respective merits. Plaintiff had clearly more experience in loan-related job, more post-secondary education. As for senior credit analyst and mortgage loan originator positions, plaintiff possessed the very qualifications that the employer claimed that he lacked.

Graves v. UMB Bank Financial Corp., 558 F.3d 784, 21 A.D. Cases 1157 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: MELLOY, Beam, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADA hiring. Disposition Below: Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Case tried by EEOC; intervenor plaintiff took appeal. District court did not err in admitting evidence about defects in the EEOC investigation that delayed the employer from learning that the employee did not need voice-activated software. Employee opened door by querying during direct examination why the delay may have occurred. Admission of four exhibits in connection with EEOC investigation describing possible settlement demands not reversible error. In spite of FRE408, which ordinarily would exclude material containing or about actual offers of settlement, any error in admitting exhibits was harmless because employee lost on liability. Notes of HR investigator were admitted into evidence as a business record, FRE803(6). Notes of internal investigations generally ought not fit under this exception, but error was harmless; same witnesses testified at trial, and notes at most bolstered credibility. Admission of defendant's past hiring of disabled employees was relevant background evidence, and in any event plaintiff opened door by arguing that the company had "two doors," for the non-disabled and the disabled. Evidence of another individual who made claims of disability discrimination properly excludedunder FRE403, involving little more than allegatiosn that would require extensive examination at trial.

Satcher v. Univ. of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bd. of Trustees, 558 F.3d 731, 105 FEP 1109 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: MAGNUSON, Melloy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: § 1981 and First Amendment retaliation. Due process and state law claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Defendants did not waive immunity to suit by putting in answer but failing to present until summary judgment. No evidence of causal connection between prior complaint of discrimination and later non-renewal, and in any event school and legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for action (insubordination).

King v. Vilsack, 553 F.3d 1156, 105 FEP 486 (8th Cir. 2009). Panel: GRUENDER, Beam, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Iowa state law hiring. Disposition Below: Judgment following a bench trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court upheld on decision not to credit three statements as "direct evidence" of discrimination: statement that agency wanted to bring "educated, young blood" into the USDA; statement that chief had told them he had just hired a "young, skinny blonde" with a master's degree; statement at a work party that the "has-beens need to listen to the newbies." Case remanded because of fourth statement on which judge made no findings (at a retirement party in March or April 2005, chief discussed philosophy of hiring younger, educated people. At least one reasonable interpretation of testimony, if accepted as true, shows that statement was made shortly after the selection committee's March 4, 2005 decision and it arguably demonstrated discriminatory animus in the decision making process.

EEOC v. Southwestern Bell Telephone, L.P., 550 F.3d 704, 105 FEP 15 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: GRUENDER, Beam, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: Title VII termination (religion). Disposition Below: Judgment following a jury trial ($396,000 and $390,000 for two claimants; plus reinstatement and front pay) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employer waived appeal for sufficiency of the evidence or a new trial by failing to file post-trial motions under Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(b) and 59.

Jackson v. UPS, Inc., 548 F.3d 1137, 104 FEP 1571 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SHEPHERD, Bye, Beam. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII discrimination (race, sex). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee who was disqualified in June 2006 from her job as feeder driver, filed a grievance and a charge, and by September 2006 was successfully reinstated to the position with full back pay and seniority did not suffer an adverse employment action. 2. No causation shown between filing of charges in 2004 and 2005 and disqualification from position in 2006; no evidence that relevant agents at employer knew about charges.

Culpepper v. Johanns, No. 07-3824 (8th Cir. Dec. 1, 2008). Panel: GRUENDER, Wollman, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Rehabilitation Act promotion and retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employee complied with 29 C.F.R. § 1614.105(a)(1), by making written request for counseling to the agency's Office of Civil Rights instead of EEO Counselor. Request sufficed because it (1) initiated contact with an agency official who is logically connected with the EEO process and (2) demonstrated employee's intent to begin the EEO process.

Roeben v, BG Excelsior Ltd. Partnership, 545 F.3d 639, 104 FEP 1153 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: WOLLMAN, Loken, Smith. Claims on Appeal: ADEA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to rebut legitimate and non-discriminatory reason for discharge (e.g. theft of hotel property). Even if investigation was not conclusive, there was paucity of evidence that age was a factor in discharge. Employee's misconduct for more severe than that of alleged, youthful comparables.

Kosmicki v. Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Ry. Co., 545 F.3d 649, 21 A.D. Cases 289 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: ARNOLD, Murphy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADA "reagrded as" termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Possible deliberate failure of employee to accurately disclose prescription drugs he used, which might impair his ability to work safely, constituted legitimate and non-discriminatory reason for termination. That one manager might also have believed that employee suffered head injury was simply speculation and did not vitiate rule violation as "real reason."

Richey v. City of Independence, 540 F.3d 779, 104 FEP 333 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: COLLOTON, Erickson [SHEPHERD, concurring]. Claims on Appeal: Mo. state law termination. § 1983 claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that male employee engaged in protected activity by complaining about female co-worker's alleged advances (later found not substantiated), summary judgment affirmed on alternative ground that employer had legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (employee had violated multiple personnel policies), where report of harassment was not only unfounded but determined by city panel to be false, combined with other incidents of abuse of city employees. City was entitled to consider harassment allegation as a false complaint under its own personnel policies.

Jenkins v. Winter, 540 F.3d 742, 104 FRD 350 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BENTON, Murphy, Bright. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (sex). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. District court erred in excluding affidavits on the ground that they contained hearsay: Although each affidavit contained an inadmissible hearsay statement, this did not justify exclusion of entire affidavit. With affidavits reinstated to record, employee presented a genuine issue of material fact as to co-worker and supervisor harassment. There was genuine issue of material fact about when supervisors learned of harassment, with affidavits supporting a much earlier time period than the agency argued. 2. Claims waived either because they were not included in the notice of appeal or not argued in the opening brief.

Montes v. Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, 540 F.3d 852, 104 FEP 274 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: MELLOY, Murphy, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII termination (race, national origin). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to establish that reason for termination (that he promoted another music organization without prior board approval and was unwilling to cooperate with the board) was pretextual. Even assuming that the decision to fire him was unjustified, there was insufficient evidence to establish that the actual reason for the termination was race or national origin.

Kozisek v. County of Seward, NE, 539 F.3d 930, 20 A.D. Cases 1601 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BEAM, Melloy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADA termination. § 1983 claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff failed to established that he was "regarded as" disabled by alcoholism, where record established that boards's recommendation that employee enter alcohol-abuse program was based not on myths or stereotypes, but on incident that resulted in criminal charges (shooting household pets) and on recommendation of professional counselor. Plaintiff's other theory, that he was disabled by PTSD, fails because employer proffered legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for termination (that he would not enter inpatient treatment). Also, no evidence that the board knew about the PTSD diagnosis.

Martinez v. City of St. Louis, 539 F.3d 857, 104 FEP 445 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: LOKEN, Gibson, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: Title VII, §§ 1981 and 1983 hiring (reverse race). Disposition Below: Consent decree dissolved; retroactive, individual relief for two white applicants [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Individual relief vacated [defendant]. Grounds: 1976 affirmative-action consent decree was not dissolved until the present litigation in 2003, so white employees could not have prevailed on claim about hiring that occurred in 2001; compliance with consent decree was legitimate reason not to hire them. Plaintiffs also could not prevail on theory that city ought to have dissolved decree at an earlier date, which is speculative basis for liability at best.

Adams v. O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., 538 F.3d 926, 103 FEP 1793 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: ARNOLD, Melloy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employer prevails on Faragher/Ellerth defense. Employer maintains policy of "zero tolerance," requiring investigation and documentation of every report of sexual harassment; complaint procedure with multiple channels for reporting sexual harassment (supervisor, a special anonymous sexual harassment hotline, or the corporate human resources department); strictly confidential and specific prohibition against retaliation; widely disseminated through training videos and handbooks. Requirement that employee present corroboration not unreasonable. Four alleged incidents of failure to fully investigate other women's claims of harassment unsupported by record; in any event, no evidence employer failed to investigate reasonably and in good faith.. Plaintiff's decision to wait thirty months to report incidents was unreasonable. Fear of retaliation, unsubstantiated by record evidence, not enough reason.

Loeb v. Best Buy Co., Inc., 537 F.3d 867, 104 FEP 15 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SMITH, Wollman, Murphy. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Minn. state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that plaintiff made out prima facie case, plaintiff did not establish that employer's explanation for decision was pretext. Record supported plaintiff's argument that two reasons given by employer (reduce labor costs, streamlined processes) were not legitimate reasons. But those reasons were given by individuals who were not decision-makers. Letter to EEOC stated another reason (general staff reduction) , but this was consistent with fact that employer did eliminate plaintiff's job. Other explanations were mere elaborations on theme that employer believed plaintiff would be unhappy and lacked qualifications for new phase. No evidence other than very general job descriptions that younger employees replaced plaintiff. No evidence that subsequent younger hire was substantially less qualified than plaintiff. One inquiry about the employee's age and comment that he looked younger was insufficient evidence of age animus.

McNary v. Schreiber Foods, Inc., 535 F.3d 765, 20 A.D. Cases 1505 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SMITH, Wollman, Murphy. Claims on Appeal: ADA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee (with Graves disease and diabetes) fired for allegedly falling asleep on the job failed to present genuine issue of material fact about whether this reason (whether true or not) was honestly believed by supervisor. Comparative evidence fails because there was no evidence in record about whether other individuals who fell asleep were treated more leniently.

Heaton v. The Weitz Company, 534 F.3d 882, 103 FEP 1570 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: RILEY, Wollman, Beam. Claims on Appeal: Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury verdict; $137,070.44 in compensatory damages, including $73,320.00 for emotional distress; $25,000.00 punitive damages; $85,446.90 attorney fees [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Six-month delay between complaint about racial harassment and lay-off did not defeat inference of causation where there were other intervening events (friend of harasser picked turf fight with plaintiff, original lay-off decision revoked after plaintiff complained about retaliation, when laid-off he was told "things are catching up with you"). Jury could have inferred retaliation from such pattern of events. Punitive damages affirmed. Figures in management involved in critical decisions about harassment investigation and layoff knew about federal law against retalation. Jury could have found management placed a friend of the harasser in charge of the harassment investigation, and investigation was indifferent at best. Emotional distress award affirmed; plaintiff testified that he felt "inadequate" and had no sense of identity, and how his reputation among his peers was damaged. Employee went to a psychologist and a family counselor for help, and he began taking antidepressant medication, which he was still taking at the time of trial. The medication had negative side effects, including sweating, nausea and insomnia. Attorney fees (90% of requested) affirmed, despite losing some claims, where overall success was significant.

Stewart v. City of St. Louis, 532 F.3d 939 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: Per Curiam [Wollman, Beam, Riley]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII promotions (race) and disparate impact. Disposition Below: Summary judgment and judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Judgment affirmed for reasons stated by district court.

O'Brien v. Johanns, 532 F.3d 805, 103 FEP 1356 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SHEPHERD, Melloy, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment, constructive discharge (reverse race) and retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Two employees failed to identify adverse action for purposes of prima facie case or severe harassment. Supervisor scrutinized Appellants' travel documents arising out of a training session they attended in San Diego, California and issued a memorandum stating that they had acted improperly in relation to their travel vouchers; did not allow plaintiff to serve as acting state administrative officer; one plaintiff's authority suspended; sent partial files concerning the secretarial applicants to regional and national headquarters to be reviewed; did not allow plaintiff to attend a training session in Texas; failed to respond to request to work from home in a sufficient manner; denied plaintiff a performance award; discussed suspending them; and attempted to institute disciplinary action against them; supervisor interfered with their work on a daily to weekly basis; embarrassed, isolated, and ostracized them; closely scrutinized and criticized their work; and increased their workload.

Tjernagel v. The Gates Co., 533 F.3d 666, 20 A.D. Cases 1345 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: RILEY, Wollman, Beam. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Iowa state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee diagnosed with MS failed to establish that she was actually or regarded-as disabled. Plaintiff failed to show she was substantially limited in any major life activity, where she admitted that she required no accommodations in the aftermath of her termination, and report showed that prior claims of disability were likely overstated. Employer's belief that employee should not be on production floor was not evidence that it regarded her as substantially limited in major life activity of work. Alternatively, employee's inability to work overtime due to medical condition established that she could not meet an essential job function (mandatory overtime).

Bearden v. International Paper Co., 529 F.3d 828, 103 FEP 1032 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: MURPHY, Wollman ,Smith. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII teermination (sex). 2. ADEA termination. 3. Equal Pay Act. Defamation claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee who altered requisition form at work to obtain a bicycle for work (for her spouse) not authorized by the company terminated for breach of trust and deceit. Male employees whom plaintiff identified as having suffered less severe consequences for violating company procedures were not similarly situated since they did not engage in the same or similar conduct for which she was terminated (i.e., altering company form). 2. Record established that employee was replaced in her duties by another employee eight years older. Even if inference of age bias were raised, employee did not establish that legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (deceit) was a pretext for age discrimination.3. Alleged male comparable established to have had different responsibilities (plaintiff's function essentially confined to negotiating contracts with suppliers and purchasing items, while former colleague bore responsibility for managing and safeguarding the mill's $17,000,000 inventory and supervised a crew of eleven hourly employees).

Winship v. Gage County School District, No. 34, 528 F.3d 1074, 103 FEP 927 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BEAM, Riley, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: ADEA hiring. First Amendment claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee did not establish that reasons given for not hiring plaintiff (that she was only an average quality teacher, with demonstrated weaknesses in teaching large classes, and district would have to hire another part-time teacher to replace her) were a pretext for age discrimination. Alleged inconsistency in posted description of job, differences of opinion about quality of plaintiff's performance and use of subjective factors not genuine issues of material fact for trial of ADEA claim.

EEOC v. Allstate Ins. Co., 528 F.3d 1042, 103 FEP 805 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BRIGHT, Melloy [SHEPHERD, dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: ADEA disparate impact rehire. Disposition Below: Partial summary judgment for plaintiff [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Imposition of no-rehire policy for agents who were terminated en masse and reinstated as independent contractors challenged for disparate impact. Analysis showed that 5599 employees forty or over constituted 23% of general workforce, while 613 affected employees under 40 were 2.7% of workforce; . Rehire policy did fall under 29 U.S.C. § 623(a)(2), under which Smith v. City of Jackson, 544 U.S. 228 (2005), pegged the ADEA disparate impact theory: it was linked to an employment policy (the reorganization) and deprived the employees of opportunities with employer. Court also held that either oftwo statistical analyses established prima-facie case, where employer did not challenge validity of statistics.. Alternative hiring analysis pursued by employer was invalid basis to gauge impact of rehire policy, which regarded different applicant pool. Average-age analysis of persons adversely affected versus general workforce, pursued by EEOC, also invalid, because policy affected only one group, not general workforce, so pools are not comparable.

Hervey v. County of Koochiching, 527 F.3d 711, 103 FEP 813 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: COLLOTON, Riley [MELLOY, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Minn. state law discrimination (sex). 2. Title VII an Minn. state law retaliation. State law claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Argument that sheriff who made decision to remove major responsibilities from plaintiff during reorganization was not authorized to do so was not allegation of sex discrimination, and there was no inference that subsequent actions made by new management team were motivated by sex. Description of different officers as "boys in blue" (sheriff's deputies) and "boys in brown" (corrections officers) not probative of age bias (stray remark). Suspensions for insubordination not shown to be discriminatory. Alleged comparators did not commit recent offenses; plaintiff allegedly lied to a current supervisor, while males were either involved in incidents dating back decades or occurred off-duty. Same incidents did not constitute a hostile work environment, because they were not shown to be motivated by sex.2. Statement that sheriff would recommend that plaintiff be reassigned to corrections officer, oral warning for untruthfulness and suspension for insubordination not motivated by retaliation because they were in process owing to pre-existing disciplinary problems. Temporal proximity not sufficient basis for finding genuine issue of material fact. Even if method of imposing discipline was especially "humiliating," it is not probative of retaliation where other motivations (reaction to insubordination, personal tension between officers) were equally or more likely. Employee may not head off adverse action by filing a complaint of discrimination during intervening period.

Van Horn v. Best Buy Stores, L.P., 526 F.3d 1144, 103 FEP 599 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: ARNOLD, Murphy, Benton. Claim on Appeal: TitleVII and Iowa state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds:Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228 (1989), does not apply to retaliation cases under Title VII; only single-motive, determinative factor theory applies. Thus, employee failed to make out prima facie case where employee she had complained about offensive remarks as many as six months before she was fired, and only other evidence of causal link was tendency of manager to mock her for insisting on following rules and not having an "edge" (e.g., he would say "HR' or "game off" when she entered the room, and "game on" when she would leave).

Batiste-Davis v. Lincare, 526 F.3d 377, 103 FEP 506 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BENTON, Riley, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and §1981 termination (race). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court judge erred in admitting evidence of a Title VII and ADA discrimination case she filed six years earlier against another employer. The judge admitted proof of the lawsuit as evidence of "prior acts" under Rule 404(b), "to show Davis's motive in filing this case" and employee's "credibility, state of mind with respect to the current litigation, and pattern or plan of asserting false claims." No evidence that the earlier suit had been fraudulently filed. While several circuits bar the admissibility of prior lawsuits, if not fraudulently filed, circuit allows such evidence under a four-prong balancing test (e.g., if "prior suit was relevant, similar, and probably close enough in time," plus Fed. R. Evid. 403 undue prejudice). In this case, probative value of the lawsuit was minimal as employer presented evidence of only one suit, which was six years old. Because the probative value was substantially outweighed by its unfair prejudice, the district court abused its discretion in admitting evidence of Davis's prior lawsuit. On the other hand, the judgment was affirmed on the ground that admission was harmless; the evidence was used primarily for impeachment purposes. Because in the complaint, plaintiff alleged emotional suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life due to the alleged discrimination, district court did not err in holding that that the evidence of her treatment for depression was relevant to damages and thus admissible. Verdict not against great weight of evidence.

Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc., 526 F.3d 356, 103 FEP 518 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: COLLOTON, Melloy, Benton. Claim on Appeal: ADEA demotion. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial; $46,945 damages [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Under ADEA, mixed-motive cases proceed under Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228 (1989), and court adhere's to Justice O'Connor's concurrence that employee must present direct evidence to support this theory. Because jury was not properly instructed on this theory, case must be remanded for retrial. Jury not required to be instructed that reasons correlated with age are not a violation of the ADEA. On remand, district court judge should reconsider admissibility of vice president's testimony about complaints he heard about the plaintiff's performance.

Moore v. Forrest City School Dist., 524 F.3d 879, 103 FEP 257 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SMITH, Wollman, Bright. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII, §§ 1981 and 1983 promotion (race). 2. Title VII, §§ 1981 and 1983 retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. 2. Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Denial of March 2005 promotion justified by successful candidate's administrative experience, and fact that plaintiff applied too late in the process. Denial of August 2005 position supported by lack of eligibility to serve as a lead teacher. 2. No adverse action in failing to promote plaintiff in August 2005 when judge found there was no position available. Failure to appoint employee as Dean of Students supported by plaintiff's failure to apply for the job (due to its lower pay and prestige).

Buboltz v. Residential Advantages, Inc., 523 F.3d 864, 20 A.D. Cases 801 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BEAM, Gruender [BYE, dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: 1. ADA and Rehabilitation Act discrimination. 2. ADA and Rehabilitation Act reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee did not establish prima facie evidence of a materially adverse action. Requirement that legally-blind employee who provided residential services to the disabled work every other weekend, not dispense medicine and not work unaccompanied, where first item was applied uniformly to staff, and latter two did not significantly impair ability to perform job. Employee also did not establish that same conditions caused constructive discharge; no evidence that shift and staffing decisions were intended to discriminate or that they were severe enough to motivate her to quit. 2. Employee noting "I have, like, numerous devices I can use" insufficient evidence that she sought accommodation of her blindness.

Lyons v. Potter, 521 F.3d 981, 20 A.D. Cases 917 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: COLLOTON, Riley, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII (race and sex), ADEA and ADA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to present genuine issue of material fact on equitable tolling of limitations period for ten-month delay of filing civil action, where only evidence of incapacity was employee's statement that she was "distraught" during that period and "not able to make rational decisions."

Recio v. Creighton Univ., 521 F.3d 934, 103 FEP 25 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SHEPHERD, Loken, Wollman. Claim on Appeal: Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No materially adverse action in following events: delay in being notified of vacancy in Spanish faculty; temperature in office; requiring her to acknowledge probationary status in contract; denied work-study opportunity in Spain; switching teaching schedule from two to three days a week; ostracism; being excluded from department website. No causation proved regarding denial of opportunity to teach advanced courses; six months separate protected activity from decision, and she was denied such opportunities even before her complaints of discrimination.

Smith v. Int'l Paper Co., 523 F.3d 845, 103 FEP 37 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: GRUENDER, Loken, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee's complaint to human resources about workplace civility, not specifically related to race, not protected conduct. Although employee had previously complained about race bias, employee forfeited that allegation of protected activity by not mentioning it in his charge, complaint or during the briefing of summary judgment.

Fitzgerald v. Action, Inc., 521 F.3d 867, 103 FEP 30 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BYE, Riley, Benton. Claim on Appeal: ADEA termination. ERISA action (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that plaintiff made out prima facie claim of discrimination, employer articulated legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for termination (accumulated misconduct). Evidence of inconsistent explanations for termination and age comments by supervisor does not create genuine issue of material factof whether age was a determinative factor in termination where (1) employee had record of termination; (2) co-worker in protected group who did not have discipline record kept his job; (3) same-actor inference (hired at 50, terminated at 52).

Brannon v. Luco Mop Co., 521 F.3d 843, 20 A.D. Cases 709 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SHEPHERD, Melloy, Bright. Claim on Appeal: ADA termination and reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court did not abuse discretion in declining to strike defendant's local rule summary judgment statement of uncontested facts and Rule 56(f) declaration. Severe absenteeism (40 days out of the last 77 before termination) established that she did not meet the essential function of attendance at work.

Soto v. Core-Mark Int'l Inc., 521 F.3d 837, 102 FEP 1855 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BYE, Wollman, Shepherd. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee did not present genuine issue of material fact that employer manifested good faith belief that employee had fallen asleep on the job, based on supervisor's own observation and evidence of witnesses who believed he was asleep. Also, not evidence of retaliatory motives based on letter telling employee to make an appointment with the manager if he wanted to complain about workplace bias, being told to get out of manager's office and evidence that white employee may have been allowed to get by with infractions of uniform/cell-phone use rules.

Fields v. Shelter Mutual Ins. Co., 520 F.3d 859, 102 FEP 1652 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BEAM, Bye, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and §1981 compensation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff failed to identify similarly-situated individuals for purposes of prima facie case (comparators were hired into different titles, under new policy that paid outside hirers higher salaries, worked for different supervisors, had significantly more time at the company, or were in fact paid less than the plaintiff).

Riley v. Lance Inc., 518 F.3d 996, 103 FEP 272 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: BOWMAN, Bye, Smith. Claim on Appeal: ADEA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court erred at step two of the prima facie case analysis, when it required plaintiff to show a genuine issue of fact as to whether "he was performing his job at the level that met the employer's legitimate expectations." Plaintiff needed only to show that he was "otherwise qualified" for the position he held. Summary judgment affirmed on alternative basis that employer's reason for terminating him -that his performance did not meet employer's expectations-was a pretext for discrimination. Even if his sales were improving, employer was entitled to consider three-year record in putting him on a performance plan. Fact that he received bonuses not probative of employer's view of his performance; both the district sales bonuses and the regional bonuses were based on the overall performance of the entire district and region, respectively, not on his individual performance. Employee did not present genuine issue of material fact about whether he met targets set for him by the deadline given.

King v. Hardesty, 517 F.3d 1049, 102 FEP 1374 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SMITH, Bye, Bowman . Claim on Appeal: 1. §§ 1981, 1983 discrimination. 2. §§ 1981, 1983 retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Reversed in part [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. While school administrator made various racial remarks (use of the n-word, referring to black males as "bucks," etc.), one specific remark that "white people teach black kids . . . better than someone from their own race," constituted direct evidence that jury could find proves that race was a discriminatory motive in decision to terminate black instructor from staff and not assign her homebound instruction hours. Concerning adverse actions for which there was no direct evidence (as person who made remark was not involved in those decisions), employee presented sufficient evidence by pretext-method of proof to reverse on some items. Genuine issue of material fact on pay increase because while employer claimed that she did not qualify (she was not a certified teacher), there were two different versions of the policy and under one of them she did qualify. Removal from substitute list presented no genuine issue of material fact because this was discipline for rule infractions, and plaintiff could not establish similalry situated individuals who were subject to disciplined were allowed to stay on list. But employee presented genuine issue of material fact on assignment of fewer hours for substitute teacher after restored to list; district court erroneous issued sua sponte ruling that employee did not make out prima facie proof of this claim, which the defendant had not argued. District court also failed to rule specifically on claim that employee was not selected for home school communicator position.2. District court erred in granting summary judgment on claims regarding denial of fellowship opportunities and failure hire for other home communicator which employer did not move to dismiss. Claim on denial of individual opportunities for substitute teaching properly dismissed; evidence showed no issue of material fact that reason for denial of jobs was disciplinary removal from list. Claim regarding denial of homebound instruction assignments also properly dismissed, where employer had valid explanation based on her lack of qualifications. All other retaliation claims dismissed for same reasons as corresponding discrimination claims reversed, as employee had evidence of pretext.

Jessie v. Potter, 516 F.3d 709, 102 FEP 1270 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: GIBSON, Wollman, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII discrimination (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Noting split in circuits, court declines to decide whether employee has to plead and prove tolling of limitations period. Also court notes unresolved issue of who decides equitable tolling where there are contested issues of fact (bench or jury). Summary judgment affirmed on ground that employee failed to present genuine issue of material fact about whether she suffered mental incapacity to meet 45-day limit for reporting to EEO counselor. Mental disability (depression) did not impair employee's ability to understand and manage her legal business; she was pursuing workers compensation and disability retirement at the same time.

Anda v. Wickes Furniture Co., 517 F.3d 536, 102 FEP 1274 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: GRUENDER, Murphy, Hansen. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. HRA harassment and constructive discharge (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Isolated comments, only two of which had sexual content, not severe or pervasive, and employer took effective remedial action to reprimand and eventually terminate employees involved in the misconduct. Employer did not have imputed knowledge of other incidents, not involving plaintiff, which would have merited an earlier response; supervisors did not witness events and they were not reported. Insufficient evidence to support employee's contention that company maintained unwritten "two witness" rule to make a report of harassment, which was inconsistent with written policy. Same incidents were not severe enough to constitute constructive discharge.

Culton v. Missouri Dep't of Corrections, 515 F.3d 828, 102 FEP 969 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SMITH,Riley,Tashima. Claim on Appeal: Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to present evidence of causation where (1) supervisor made decision to transfer employee to lower status position before he learned about harassment complaints, and information provided by lower-level supervisor who was alleged harasser was not inaccurate; and (2) docking of pay owing to unauthorized sick day was consistent with agency policy.

Barker v. Missouri Dep't of Corrections, 513 F.3d 831, 102 FEP 803 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: SMITH,Riley,Tashima. Claim on Appeal: Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No protected activity, where alleged harassment was an isolated remark about an employee (not plaintiff) lacked a "commanding voice" and no one could have reasonably supposed that this comment alone was actionable.

Sturgill v. UPS, 515 F.3d 831, 102 FEP 803 (8th Cir. 2008). Panel: LOKEN, Wollman, Riley. Claim on Appeal: Title VII reasonable accommodation (religion). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($103,722.25 in compensatory and $207,444.50 in punitive damages, reinstatement, front pay, an injunction and attorneys fees and costs of $134,838.37) (plaintiff). Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed, except for injunction and punitive damages (plaintiff). Grounds: Driver fired after he refused to deliver packages after sundown on a Friday. District court erred in instructing the jury that a reasonable accommodation must eliminate the religious conflict rather than simply minimize it, an instruction that improperly took that issue from the jury. (Court notes conflict with other circuits on this issue.) Reasonable accommodation turns on fact-intensive issues such as work demands, the strength and nature of the employee's religious conviction, the terms of an applicable CBA, and the contractual rights and workplace attitudes of co-workers. Employee might in some instances have to compromise a religious observance or practice, or accept a less desirable job or less favorable working conditions. But while the district court erred, on the facts of the case the error had no probable effect on the verdict, because of UPS's complete failure to accommodate employee on the day in question, in spite of a pain-free alternative of splitting the load without violating the CBA." Denial of reasonable accommodation would not entitle an employee to legal relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(a)(1), which pertains only to "intentional" discrimination. Panel contrasted an accommodation claim with a claim of religious discrimination. Plaintiff presented both at trial, but won only the former. The panel characterizes a reasonable accommodation claim as following a "negligence" rather than "intentional" theory. Panel warns that allowing such damages in future cases might constitute plain error. The panel also held that the employee's termination was proximately caused by the failure to accommodate, supporting reinstatement, front pay and other relief. Injunction vacated as overbroad. Punitive award reversed. Employee failed to meet standard under 42 U.S.C. § 1981a where employer followed a nationwide, multi-step protocol for considering employee requests for religious accommodation and no UPS employee was shown to have acted with malice or reckless indifference to accommodation request. Award of fees affirmed in full, finding that the unsuccessful discrimination claim was an alternative theory, and that counsel would have devoted substantially the same time to both claims. Travel and process-server expenses were recoverable under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(k).

Rask v. Fresenius Medical Car North America, 509 F.3d 466, 19 A.D. Cases 1697 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: ARNOLD, Colloton, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: ADA and Minn. state law termination. FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No genuine issue of material fact about whether employee (who suffered depression) would be qualified individual, whether with or without accommodation, where regular attendance was an essential function of her job (patient care technician), employee failed to specifically identify any resulting limitations caused by her depression, and requested accommodation (giving her slack on attendance policy) would not have assisted employee in performance of duties.

Ward v. Int'l Paper Co., 509 F.3d 457, 102 FEP 167 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BENTON, Loken, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: ADEA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Requirement of "additional evidence" in reduction-in-force case to raise inference of discrimination was not overruled by Reeves. Employee did not present additional evidence with proof that (1) 71% of the positions eliminated in the RIF were held by individuals over age 50 (where there was no proffer of number of age 40 and over employees before and after RIF); (2) only some of the employee's duties were turned over to another younger employee; (3) that comparable, younger employee was promoted two years later; (4) employee claimed that younger comparable was "less qualified," (5) affidavits by replaced older employees lacking in personal knowledge, containing inadmissible hearsay or unrelated to plaintiff's situation; (6) evidence that employer selected positions to be eliminated.

Dovenmuehler v. St. Cloud Hosp., 509 F.3d 435, 19 A.D. Cases 1701 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: SMITH, Loken, Riley. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Minn. state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to present genuine issue of material fact about whether she suffered (or was regarded by employer as suffering) disability, where her status as recovered drug addict did not significantly restrict her in the major life activity of work, where it precluded her from a specialized nursing position (in pediatric intensive care setting) where hospital could not practically impose "supervised access" to drugs that would require constant supervision. Employee was able to work as a nurse in other settings.

Ramlet v. E.F. Johnson Co., 507 F.3d 1149, 102 FEP 6 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BENTON, Bowman, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Minn. state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Replacement of 42-year-old salesman in territory following RIF by two salesmen aged 37 and 41 did not present inference of age discrimination, where they were not "significantly younger," and no other additional evidence of intent was presented.

Brenneman v. Famous Dave's of America, Inc., 507 F.3d 1139, 102 FEP 1 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BENTON, Bye, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Iowa law harassment (sex). 2. Title VII and Iowa law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee made out prima facie case of harassment, with record that sexually-explicit comments by supervisor (combined with offensive touching) continued for virtually entire length of her employment. But employer made out entitlement to Faragher-Ellerth defense, where employee (1) could not demonstrate constructive discharge (employee was informed that employer was investigating and proposing solutions to harassment, and even invited her back with an apology after she resigned); (2) employer maintained and distributed preventative anti-harassment and anti-retaliation policy; (3) employer also proposed corrective measures (revised schedule or transfer of employee to restaurant five miles away), that employee unreasonably refused to discuss with human resources executive who was clearly superior in rank to the harasser and who was in position to prevent retaliation. 2. No evidence of constructive discharge meant that there was no materially adverse action.

Bakhtiari v. Lutz, 507 F.3d 1132, 102 FEP 9 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BEAM, [SHEPHERD, Murphy, concurring]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII , §§ 1981, 1983 retaliation .Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employer did not abuse discretion in denying sanctions for spoliation, related to disappearance of e-mails, where the record included evidence that employer's IT department took appropriate steps to back up files and there was some evidence that the employee may have contributed to the deletion of the e-mails. Court reiterates circuit case law that where employee presents no direct of circumstantial evidence of causal link between protected activity and materially adverse action, court applies McDonnell Douglas test. Plaintiff established no protected activity, where pursuing grade appeal to Department of Education or complaints to international affairs office about student immigration status were not related to opposing discrimination in his employment as teaching assistant.

Harris v. Chand, 506 F.3d 1135, 101 FEP 1793 (8th Cir. Nov. 13, 2007). Panel: BENTON, Melloy, [SMITH, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII/§ 1981 termination and retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment following a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court did not abuse discretion in admitting evidence of after-acquired evidence of resume fraud, where jury was instructed to consider it only for proof of damages and employer established that it terminated two other employees who made educational misrepresentations during same period. Court also did not abuse discretion in excluding evidence of alleged discrimination against another woman who worked under a different unit manager and different decisionmakers. Time limit of two days on employee to present her case not an abuse of discretion; employee made no offer of proof as regards two witnesses, unilaterally withdrew three more and waived her rebuttal case. Only two witnesses whose testimony plaintiff preserved concerned punitive damages, employee turned down opportunity to present in rebuttal and imposition of time limit was therefore not shown to affect substantive right of employee.

Engle v. Rapid City Sch. Dist., 506 F.3d 1118, 101 FEP 1808 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: COLLOTON, Loken, Arnold. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and S.D. state law harassment. 2. Title VII and S.D. state law constructive discharge . Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee presented a genuine issue of material fact regarding co-worker harassment, where employer's response to complaints was arguably inadequate. Employer did not dispute that co-worker conducted egregious harassment, and upon investigation he was suspended without pay. On return to workplace he was placed under counseling, denied free-rein of the worksite, kept away from other female employees and warned he would be fired if caught again. 2. Negligence that would support an claim of co-worker harassment insufficient to establish intent of employer to impose conditions severe enough that employee's decision to quit was a fitting response. No abuse of discretion to quash subpoena of deposition of attorney, where high burden for such discovery was not met.

Green v. City of St. Louis, 507 F.3d 662 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: GIBSON, Loken,Wollman. Claims on Appeal: § 1981 retaliation. First Amendment and False Claims Act claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to establish genuine issue of material fact regarding prima facie case, where there was no evidence that any particular jobs were open for which he was qualified or which the City had reason to believe he would be interested in. Employee whose department closed had failed to offer proof concerning jobs that became available, or whether the jobs were commensurate with his previous duties, compensation, and rank, which might have raised inference that the employee could expect city to recall him.

Napreljac v. John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc., 505 F.3d 800, 19 A.D. Cases 1313 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: LOKEN, Arnold, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: ADA termination. State tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to present genuine issue of material fact on whether he was disabled. Temporary work restriction did not substantially limit employee in major life activity of work.

Carraher v. Target Corp., 503 F.3d 714, 101 FEP 1055 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: SHEPHERD, Murphy [BEAM, concuring and dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Minn. state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Although employee made our prima facie case under pretext method of proof, he did not successfully rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory reason that he abandoned his job and did not inform supervisor of his plans. Contrary to employee's argument, he did not establish that he had accrued vacation time that he was making use of. No reason given for termination in official communication, so no inconsistency between contemporaneous reason and current ones offered in litigation. Age-based remarks made by non-decision makers five or more months before termination regarded as stray remarks. Asserted decline in age of recruiters, stepped-up college recruiting and alleged inconsistencies in following company policy not probative.

Weger v. City of Ladue, 500 F.3d 710, 101 FEP 917(8th Cir. 2007). Panel: SHEPHERD [LOKEN, concurring] [BYE, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Mo. state law harassment (sex). 2. Title VII and Mo. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Although commanding officer engaged in continuous harassment of two plaintiffs, employee waited a year to report behavior through official channels. Employer established Faragher/ Ellerth defense as a matter of law. City maintained policy calculated to prevent/correct harassment. That managers witnessed half-dozen acts did not constitute a report of harassment, with individual acts were insufficiently severe to manifest harassment. Argument that same observations constituted constructive notice invalid; policy designated specific office to which to make complaints, six incidents were not pervasive no single officer saw more than three. Though investigation was flawed and remedy arguably punitive against employee, it had effect of ending harassment. Generalized fear his retaliation not reasonable basis for plaintiffs' delaying a report of harassment. 2. Alleged events of retaliation not materially adverse, applied to employees generally or were not support by evidentiary record (directives isolating employees from co-workers, "papering" personnel files, less-positive performance evaluations, failure to provide comp/overtime opportunities).

Shaffer v. Potter, 499 F.3d 900, 101 FEP 489 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BENTON, Murphy, Bright. Claims on Appeal: Title VII termination (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee who threatened to kill coworker fails to present genuine issue of material fact on prima facie case; she could not identify other employees who issued such threats that were not terminated. Supervisor's statement that "if you hadn't been fooling around with a married man none of this would have happened" not direct evidence of sex discrimination; supervisor was not decisionmaker.

Clegg v. Arkansas Dept. of Corrections, 496 F.3d 922, 101 FEP 345 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: HANSEN, Colloton, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII/§ 1983 and Ark. state law reinstatement (race and sex). 2. Title VII/§ 1983 and Ark. state law retaliation. USERRA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No adverse action demonstrated, where (1) employee, upon return from active military service, was reinstated at same grade level and paid a higher hourly wage; (2) when she complained about assignment, she was returned to her original title; (3) lack of orientation back to work and equipment, which was remedied after employee complained; (4) performance evaluation of "satisfactory" did not detrimentally affect her employment; (5) cumulative effect of the above not severe or pervasive. Court affirms qualified immunity finding for individual defendants on same facts. 2. No materially adverse action under the same facts.

McGinnis v. Union Pacfic R.R., 496 F.3d 868, 101 FEP 254 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Bowman, Arnold. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Neb. state law termination (sex). 2. ADEA and Neb. state law termination. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No direct evidence furnished by alleged preference manager had for woman with whom he was having affair, where manager was simply engaged in consensual relationship, preference (if any) was not "because of sex" and (in any case) manager was not the individual who decided to terminate employee. Under pretext method of proof, district court erred in evaluating prima facie case by (1) holding that rule violations disqualified employee for job as train dispatcher, and (2) requiring him to show he was replaced by female employee. Summary judgment affirmed on alternative grounds that (1) employee did not demonstrate background circumstances that would cause employer to discriminate against him because he was a man (where 82% of employees in his job category are male); and (2) in any event, employer proffered unrebutted legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (poor performance, failing proficiency test, six rule violations). 2. Employee did not demonstrate that he was replaced by someone significantly younger as part of prima facie case (replacement was older), and employer established legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for termination. Proficiency test was not a pretext, where others younger than employee also failed it. Employee also failed to challenge the citations for rule violations when they occurred.

Gilbert v. Des Moines Area Community College, 495 F.3d 906, 101 FEP 572 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Hansen, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Iowa state law promotion (race). 2. Title VII and Iowa state law retaliation . Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. College proffered, as legitimate non-discriminatory reason for non-promotion that the four finalists out-pointed plaintiff. Contrary to employee's argument, the college did perform an affirmative action review. There was no record evidence that the college had an unwritten practice of interviewing qualified internal candidates, as plaintiff claimed. Employee also lacked prior presidential experience; although such experience was not required, it was a legitimate category. Viewed in the light most favorable to the employee, record shows at most that the employee was comparable to the finalists, not that he was more qualified. 2. No genuine issue of material fact about pretext regarding demotion after employee was found to have plagerized his application to be president. Employee admitted his application contained plagiarized materials and his response during the investigation was not fully candid. Lack of explicit prohibition against plagiarism does not demonstrate that college's decision to investigate and discipline employee was pretextual.

Merritt v. Albemarle Corp., 496 F.3d 880, 101 FEP 232 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: WOLLMAN, Bright, Gibson. Claims on Appeal: Ark. state law constructive discharge. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee claimed that team leader pressured her for sex, and that on occasions when she would refuse, she was assigned to relatively more dangerous tasks. Team leader, who lacked authority to take tangible job actions, but only power to assign her to particular work duties, was not supervisor for purpose of imposing vicarious liability. Alternatively, no evidence that employer knew or should have known of non-supervisor behavior.

Ollis v. HearthStone Homes, Inc., 495 F.3d 570, 101 FEP 109 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Melloy, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (religion). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Judgment following a jury trial ($1 nominal damages and fees) [plaintiff]. 2. Judgment following a jury trial ($1 nominal damages and fees) [plaintiff] . Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [plaintiff]. 2. Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. There was sufficient evidence in the record that the reason the employer terminated plaintiff was because of his resistance to New Age coaching (Mind Body Energy, or MBE) and management methods, rather than sex harassment allegations. Testimony at trial indicates (1) employee canceled many of his MBE coaching sessions, (2) HearthStone kept a record of attendance at these sessions, (3) attendance at the MBE meetings was reasonably perceived as an employment requirement, and (4) Ollis complained about MBE sessions. 2. Record also supported retaliation verdict: (1) MBE sessions conflicted with his beliefs; (2) employee expressed disagreement with the MBE concept to executives; (3) HearthStone kept a record of attendance at these sessions; and (3) attendance at the MBE meetings was reasonably perceived as an employment requirement. Fee award with 25% discount for failure to prove compensatory damages acceptable

Brown v. Fred's, Inc., 494 F.3d 736, 101 FEP 113 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: COLLOTON, Hansen, Gruender . Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (sex). 2. Equal Pay Act . Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. .Judgment after a jury trial [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Suit against parent properly dismissed on summary judgment, where nothing suggests that parent and subsidiary were a single entity. No grounds for estoppel because parent always made clear its separate corporate identity. 2. Jury was entitled to disbelieve employer's argument that employee did not perform equal work to another assistant manager in a different store; although male employee's store had high volume, there was scant evidence to show that difference in sales volume created substantial difference in working conditions or job demands. Although there were periods when the plaintiff earned more than her male counterpart, these were times when she functioned as a full rather than assistant manager, and that under ordinary circumstances when they performed substantially equal work, jury could find that plaintiff earned less. Jury could also find against employer on factor other than sex defense. As to at least two male employees, record did not substantiate that they had superior retail experience. Store volume was also not a defense; males who worked higher-volume store kept their high salaries when relocated to the plaintiff's store. Liquidated damages under 29 U.S.C. § 216(b) affirmed. Jury found willful violation and it was sufficient for district court to adopt that finding without making special finding for reduction or elimination of that award on the basis "good faith" and "reasonable grounds for believing" action did not violate EPA under 29 U.S.C. § 260.

Kight v. Auto Zone, Inc., 494 F.3d 727, 101 FEP 34 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: MURPHY, Hansen, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: ADEA termination. Disposition Below: Judgment following a jury trial ($110,500 damages, liquidated damages and fees) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court did not err in excluding four-year-old corrective action review (CAR) against employee at trial, which was not part of the decision to terminate the employee, was issued by a manager not called to testify, contents were vague, and employer had other witnesses it could have called about the employee's behavior. CARs of other employees not relevant because employer did not show that they were similarly situated to plaintiff, contents of CARs are too general to establish any comparison, and defendant did not make offer of proof as to the ages of the other employees. Employer forfeited objection to jury instruction, Fed. R. Ci.v P. 51. Judgment as a matter of law or new trial properly denied, where evidence at trial showed that the decision-maker harbored age-animus, that he previously had good evaluations, that management refused to address employee's complaints about the age bias, and manager manipulated interviews with employees to bias them against the plaintiff.

Dominic v. DeVilbiss Air Power Co., 493 F.3d 968, 101 FEP 21 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: MURPHY, Bright, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Ark. state law harassment (sex) and retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment following a jury trial ($113,000 compensatory damages, $250,000 punitive damages and $50,964.51 fees) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal. Reversed on punitive damages [defendant]. Grounds: Employer proved (and employee did not rebut) that it made good faith efforts to correct discrimination and harassment. Company had zero-tolerance policy for harassment, undertook four investigations that were neutral and non-suggestive. Investigation failed to conclude that there was harassment by manager, so termination of manager would have been unreasonable and transer of employee in small plant was infeasible. Company attempted to prevent retaliation by personally warning manager, quickly investigating retaliation, assigned an employee to monitor the situation, required manager to put employee's work assignments in writing, manager was given counseling and employee was allowed to work at home temporarily and given different HR executive to speak to when he said he did not want to continue dealing with another HR person. Even if employee proved that the employees involved in situation had malice or reckless indifference, that did not establish vicarious liability

Duckworth v. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Dept., 491 F.3d 401, 101 FEP 121 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BENTON, Murphy, Bright. Claims on Appeal: § 1983 reassignment (sex) and retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment on qualified immunity denied [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Individual defendants lacked exceedingly persuasive justification to transfer junior-most female police officer to permanent night-shift, on theory that each shift should be "diverse" and that female officers should be available to do female-only searches. Record did not support either justification. Nonetheless, reassignment decision was made pursuant to special order which recognized some circumstances where gender should be considered (such as guarding prisoners of the same sex, or taking reports from domestic violence victims), and that a police administrator faced with clearly-established law allowing gender to be a factor in public safety jobs could have reasonably ordered such an assignment.

Harrison v. United Auto Group, 492 F.3d 972, 100 FEP 1809 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BENTON, Loken, Gruender. Claims of Appeal: Title VII/§ 1981 failure to hire (race). Disposition Below: Judgment as a matter of law [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff failed to establish he was rejected for position as dealership manager, when uncontested evidence established that an offer was made and that he turned it down. Evidence that applicant was being steered to a Memphis location becausethere were more minorities there (versus Fayetteville) and that position was not compensated at the level that the plaintiff though ought to be offered (which was the same as white managers received) did not raise inference of discrimination.

EEOC v. Convergys Customer Mgt. Group, 491 F.3d 790, 19 A.D. Cases 740 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: SMITH, Melloy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADA reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury verdict; $14265.22 back pay, $100,000 compensatory [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employee in wheelchair with brittle bone disease was not required to request a specific accommodation for tardy policy, concluding that the employee provided the company all necessary information relevant to his disability. Employer here was obliged (but failed) to explore possible accommodations. Specifically, the jury could have concluded that a 15-minute grace period was reasonable (it would have simply created another time for the employee to return from lunch) and that the ADA (42 U.S.C. § 12111(9)(B)) especially recognizes "modified work schedules" as a reasonable accommodation. The record also supported emotional distress damages (severe depression and anxiety, leading to isolation, shame and weight gain). Employer was not entitled to a judgment as a matter of law on its affirmative defense of good faith, specifically recognized under 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(a)(3), for working "in consultation with the person with the disability who has informed the [employer] that accommodation is needed, to identify and make a reasonable accommodation . . . ." The panel rejects entry of remittur, finding the $100,000 award not grossly excessive.

Devlin v. Schwan's Home Service, Inc., 491 F.3d 778, 100 FEP 1713 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BYE, Smith, Beam. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and MN state law retaliation. 2. Title VII and MN state law harassment (sex). 3. Title VII and MN state law discrimination (sex). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No support in record for materially adverse action manifested in following claims: (1) denial of pay guarantees (little evidence regarding circumstances of payment of such guarantees, no evidence of causal connection); (2) interference with inventory on delivery truck (scant evidence that this actually occurred, and event was trivial); (3) report of customer complaints and unfair instance of punishment (trivial); (4) denial of Route Builder, an assistant assigned to the same route (no proof of significant value or causal connection); (5) failure to investigate discrimination claims (record contradicts this allegation); (6) cumulation of the above (insufficiently adverse). 2. A few comments and allegedly frustrating experiences on job (denied a Route Builder, unfairly disciplined, unfairly disciplined, paid less than comparable males, not allowed to expense phone calls, required to make inventory changes on computer) not severe or pervasive. 3. No adverse employment actions (denial of Route Builder, etc.), and collective events not severe enough to find constructive discharge. Company had offered to work with employee and transfer her to another division, so resignation was not only option.

McPherson v. O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., 491 F.3d 726, 19 A.D. Cases 673 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: MURPHY, Beam, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA termination. 2. ADA disclosure of confidential medical information. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No evidence in record that the employee, who became physically incapable of performing position available to employee on his return to work from medical leave, could perform essential functions of any of the warehouse vacancies he saw posted at the worksite. 2. No genuine issue of material fact presented on evidence that employee was unable to secure work elsewhere, and that his employment counselor during one phone call to former employer was told that McPherson was fired because he was "completely disabled." It was unclear what counselor might have told company agent who made that admission, and agent not shown to be aware that she was disclosing the information to prospective employer.

Huber v. Wal-Mart Stores, 486 F.3d 480, 19 A.D. Cases 484 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Wollman, Beam. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Ark. state law reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment for plaintiff [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee with a disabled hand went from an order-filler position (which she could no longer do) to lower-paying janitorial work. Although the employee sought to be employed in a vacant router position, the employer opted for a non-disabled applicant for the job. Court holds, noting split with Tenth Circuit, that 42 U.S.C. § 12111(9)(B) does nto require that employer give priority to disabled employee in filling vacancies where it is following a routine policy of filling position with best-qualified employee.

Fjelsta v. Zogg Dermatology, PLC, 488 F.3d 804, 100 FEP 1511 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: LOKEN, Melloy [Lay, deceased]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and MN state law discrimination (pregnancy). MN state law statutory and tort claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Supervisor's statement that "Tanya, you better take precautions so both you girls don't end up pregnant, we can't have both nurses gone at the same time," not direct evidence of discrimination because it did not reflect negative attitude toward pregnancy but merely reflected "obvious self-interest" of employee to avoid having both full-time nurses absent at the same time. Using indirect method, employee fails to establish that she was replaced by similarly-credentialed nurse, so fails prima facie case.

Holland v. Sam's Club, 487 F.3d 641, 100 FEP 105 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Wollman, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and MO state law harassment (sex). 2. Title VII and MO state law failure to transfer (sex). 3. Equal Pay Act. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee waived argument that limitations period for filing charge was tolled by continuing violations theory, where employee did not specify in district court specific facts supporting doctrine. 2. Transfer from operating forklift in warehouse to stocker in electronics not materially adverse. 3. Employee fails to make out prima facie case because she does not present sufficient evidence about responsibilities and conditions of jobs held by men.

Morgan v. A.G. Edwards & Sons, 486 F.3d 1034, 100 FEP 1075 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Hansen, Smith. Claims on Appeal: ADEA demotion. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Voluntary early retirement plan, directed only at protected-age employees, did not constitute evidence of an attempt by employer to sweep out its older staff: "Although the memorandum referred to the possibility employees who elected not to participate might be considered for any future involuntary reductions, a reasonable person would not have viewed this language as a coercive threat to 'quit or be fired.'" Memo also did not mislead employees into thinking that they would not be replaced. Plan also did not discriminate against relatively older employees. Employee failed to state a prima facie case under McDonnell Douglas (noting his replacement by an older employee, who remained three more years) and that testimony by co-workers and non-decionmakers about a supposed youth-movement did not constitute "direct" evidence of age discrimination.

Rehrs v. The Iams Company, 486 F.3d 353, 19 A.D. Cases 430 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Hanson, Smith. Claims on Appeal: ADA failure to transfer (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Shift rotation on a packaging plant line was an "essential function" of the employee's job (exposes more employees to management, increases productivity) that could not be accommodated by maintaining him in a straight shift (owing to his need for regular hours, to maintain his diabetes regimen). Employer established that it could not maintain employee on the same shift without hardship to his co-workers. That the plant used to operate on straight shifts does not present genuine issue of material fact, following acquisition of plant by new employer and decision to move to shift rotations. Temporary assignment of employee to a straight shift did not require employee to maintain that position. "Essential function" may include scheduling flexibility. No evidence of vacancies that employee was qualified to occupy.

Elnashar v. Speedway SuperAmerica, LLC, 484 F.3d 1046, 100 FEP 609 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: GIBSON, Loken, Murphy. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and §1981 failure to promote, demotion and constructive discharge. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: The employee, a manager trainee identified in the opinion as Egyptian-born and Muslim, claimed that he was treated poorly by the associate manager (camel-jockey, harem references; rude behavior; inferior job assignments). His tenure at the store also overlapped the 9/11 terror attacks. After the employee left Speedway, he was called upon at home by the FBI, questioned and searched ostensibly in connection with the 9/11 conspiracy, supposedly because of tip by former employer. Failure to allow discovery of identity of alleged informant by FBI not abuse of discretion. Magistrate fully considered plaintiff's need for the evidence and found it to be speculative. Even if disclosure of the informant's identity would confirm plaintiff's suspicion that the informant was employed at the defendant, he still would have to show that the informant's statements showed anti-Arab animus and connect that discriminatory intent to adverse employment actions. The magistrate's in camera review revealed that informant did not accuse employee of making bombs or other terroristic activities, substantially weakening his theory that the informant falsely accused him of being a terrorist and that this showed employer's animus against Arabs in the wake of September 11. Motion for continuance under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(f) properly denied, where there was no showing that FBI files were likely to contain evidence need to survive summary judgment. Transfer to other work location and reprimand were not materially adverse actions. Redesignation of employee from manager trainee to assistant manager was adverse action, but employer presented legitimate reason (employee ran out of trainee hours and manager did not think he was ready for promotion. Racially offensive statements were stray remarks unconnected to demotion decision. No genuine issue of material fact whether hour-reduction policy went into effect at the same time and resulted in loss of work hours for employee. Alleged false citizen complaint to FBI not supported by admissible evidence; alleged quote by FBI agent that source of tip was employer constituted inadmissible hearsay. Alleged racial harassment was not sufficient to support constructive discharge claim. Working conditions not severe or pervasive.

EEOC v. Convergys Customer Mgt. Group, 491 F.3d 790, 19 A.D. Cases 740 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: SMITH, Melloy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADA reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury verdict; $14265.22 back pay, $100,000 compensatory [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employee in wheelchair with brittle bone disease was not required to request a specific accommodation for tardy policy, concluding that the employee provided the company all necessary information relevant to his disability. Employer here was obliged (but failed) to explore possible accommodations. Specifically, the jury could have concluded that a 15-minute grace period was reasonable (it would have simply created another timefor the employee to return from lunch) and that the ADA (42 U.S.C. § 12111(9)(B)) especially recognizes "modified work schedules" as a reasonable accommodation. The record also supported emotional distress damages (severe depression and anxiety, leading to isolation, shame and weight gain). Employer was not entitled to a judgment as a matter of law on its affirmative defense of good faith, specifically recognized under 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(a)(3), for working "in consultation with the person with the disability who has informed the [employer] that accommodation is needed, to identify and make a reasonable accommodation . . . ." The panel rejects entry of remittur, finding the $100,000 award not grossly excessive.

Devlin v. Schwan's Home Service, Inc., 491 F.3d 778, 100 FEP 1713 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BYE, Smith, Beam. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and MN state law retaliation. 2. Title VII and MN state law harassment (sex). 3. Title VII and MN state law discrimination (sex). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No support in record for materially adverse action manifested in following claims: (1) denial of pay guarantees (little evidence regarding circumstances of payment of such guarantees, no evidence of causal connection); (2) interference with inventory on delivery truck (scant evidence that this actually occurred, and event was trivial); (3) report of customer complaints and unfair instance of punishment (trivial); (4) denial of Route Builder, an assistant assigned to the same route (no proof of significant value or causal connection); (5) failure to investigate discrimination claims (record contradicts this allegation); (6) cumulation of the above (insufficiently adverse). 2. A few comments and allegedly frustrating experiences on job (denied a Route Builder, unfairly disciplined, unfairly disciplined, paid less than comparable males, not allowed to expense phone calls, required to make inventory changes on computer) not severe or pervasive. 3. No adverse employment actions (denial of Route Builder, etc.), and collective events not severe enough to find constructive discharge. Company had offered to work with employee and transfer her to another division, so resignation was not only option.

McPherson v. O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., 491 F.3d 726, 19 A.D. Cases 673 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: MURPHY, Beam, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA termination. 2. ADA disclosure of confidential medical information. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No evidence in record that the employee, who became physically incapable of performing position available to employee on his return to work from medical leave, could perform essential functions of any of the warehouse vacancies he saw posted at the worksite. 2. No genuine issue of material fact presented on evidence that employee was unable to secure work elsewhere, and that his employment counselor during one phone call to former employer was told that McPherson was fired because he was "completely disabled." It was unclear what counselor might have told company agent who made that admission, and agent not shown to be aware that she was disclosing the information to prospective employer.

ON REVIEW TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT -- Huber v. Wal-Mart Stores, 486 F.3d 480, 19 A.D. Cases 484 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Wollman, Beam. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Ark. state law reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment for plaintiff [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee with a disabled hand went from an order-filler position (which she could no longer do) to lower-paying janitorial work. Although the employee sought to be employed in a vacant router position, the employer opted for a non-disabled applicant for the job. Court holds, noting split with Tenth Circuit, that 42 U.S.C. § 12111(9)(B) does nto require that employer give priority to disabled employee in filling vacancies where it is following a routine policy of filling position with best-qualified employee.

Fjelsta v. Zogg Dermatology, PLC, 488 F.3d 804, 100 FEP 1511 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: LOKEN, Melloy [Lay, deceased]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and MN state law discrimination (pregnancy). MN state law statutory and tort claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Supervisor's statement that "Tanya, you better take precautions so both you girls don't end up pregnant, we can't have both nurses gone at the same time," not direct evidence of discrimination because it did not reflect negative attitude toward pregnancy but merely reflected "obvious self-interest" of employee to avoid having both full-time nurses absent at the same time. Using indirect method, employee fails to establish that she was replaced by similarly-credentialed nurse, so fails prima facie case.

Holland v. Sam's Club, 487 F.3d 641, 100 FEP 105 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Wollman, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and MO state law harassment (sex). 2. Title VII and MO state law failure to transfer (sex). 3. Equal Pay Act. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee waived argument that limitations period for filing charge was tolled by continuing violations theory, where employee did not specify in district court specific facts supporting doctrine. 2. Transfer from operating forklift in warehouse to stocker in electronics not materially adverse. 3. Employee fails to make out prima facie case because she does not present sufficient evidence about responsibilities and conditions of jobs held by men.

Morgan v. A.G. Edwards & Sons, 486 F.3d 1034, 100 FEP 1075 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Hansen, Smith. Claims on Appeal: ADEA demotion. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Voluntary early retirement plan, directed only at protected-age employees, did not constitute evidence of an attempt by employer to sweep out its older staff: "Although the memorandum referred to the possibility employees who elected not to participate might be considered for any future involuntary reductions, a reasonable person would not have viewed this language as a coercive threat to 'quit or be fired.'" Memo also did not mislead employees into thinking that they would not be replaced. Plan also did not discriminate against relatively older employees. Employee failed to state a prima facie case under McDonnell Douglas (noting his replacement by an older employee, who remained three more years) and that testimony by co-workers and non-decionmakers about a supposed youth-movement did not constitute "direct" evidence of age discrimination.

Rehrs v. The Iams Company, 486 F.3d 353, 19 A.D. Cases 430 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Hanson, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and NE state law failure to transfer (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Shift rotation on a packaging plant line was an "essential function" of the employee's job (exposes more employees to management, increases productivity) that could not be accommodated by maintaining him in a straight shift (owing to his need for regular hours, to maintain his diabetes regimen). Employer established that it could not maintain employee on the same shift without hardship to his co-workers. That the plant used to operate on straight shifts does not present genuine issue of material fact, following acquisition of plant by new employer and decision to move to shift rotations. Temporary assignment of employee to a straight shift did not require employee to maintain that position. "Essential function" may include scheduling flexibility. No evidence of vacancies that employee was qualified to occupy.

Elnashar v. Speedway SuperAmerica, LLC, 484 F.3d 1046, 100 FEP 609 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: GIBSON, Loken, Murphy. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and §1981 failure to promote, demotion and constructive discharge. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: The employee, a manager trainee identified in the opinion as Egyptian-born and Muslim, claimed that he was treated poorly by the associate manager (camel-jockey, harem references; rude behavior; inferior job assignments). His tenure at the store also overlapped the 9/11 terror attacks. After the employee left Speedway, he was called upon at home by the FBI, questioned and searched ostensibly in connection with the 9/11 conspiracy, supposedly because of tip by former employer. Failure to allow discovery of identity of alleged informant by FBI not abuse of discretion. Magistrate fully considered plaintiff's need for the evidence and found it to be speculative. Even if disclosure of the informant's identity would confirm plaintiff's suspicion that the informant was employed at the defendant, he still would have to show that the informant's statements showed anti-Arab animus and connect that discriminatory intent to adverse employment actions. The magistrate's in camera review revealed that informant did not accuse employee of making bombs or other terroristic activities, substantially weakening his theory that the informant falsely accused him of being a terrorist and that this showed employer's animus against Arabs in the wake of September 11. Motion for continuance under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(f) properly denied, where there was no showing that FBI files were likely to contain evidence need to survive summary judgment. Transfer to other work location and reprimand were not materially adverse actions. Redesignation of employee from manager trainee to assistant manager was adverse action, but employer presented legitimate reason (employee ran out of trainee hours and manager did not think he was ready for promotion. Racially offensive statements were stray remarks unconnected to demotion decision. No genuine issue of material fact whether hour-reduction policy went into effect at the same time and resulted in loss of work hours for employee. Alleged false citizen complaint to FBI not supported by admissible evidence; alleged quote by FBI agent that source of tip was employer constituted inadmissible hearsay. Alleged racial harassment was not sufficient to support constructive discharge claim. Working conditions not severe or pervasive.

Vajdl v. Mesabi Academy of Kidspeace, Inc., 484 F.3d 546, 100 FEP 716 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: SMITH, Murphy, Hansen. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (sex). 2. Title VII retaliation. 3. Title VII constructive discharge (sex). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : 1. Court holds that, absent special circumstances, a correctional facility will not be held liable for a hostile work environment created by inmates. Behavior by co-workers was not objectively or subjectively sever or pervasive (three month window of being asked for a date, touched and occasionally subjected to comments on her looks); plaintiff admitted in deposition that it amounted to flirting. 2. Although plaintiff accused employer of limiting her ability to sanction inmates, employee admitted that limitation was never enforced, therefore not materially adverse. 3. Combined behavior above did not support the kind of objectively intolerable working conditions that would require employee to leave.

Libel v. Adventure Lands of America, Inc., 482 F.3d 1028, 19 A.D. Cases 267 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Hansen, Smith. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Iowa law termination. ERISA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court did not abuse discretion in enforcing local rule on summary judgment requiring citations to the record, when court gave employee leave to amend response to statement of uncontested facts but failed to correct deficiencies. Decision to terminate was made by manager who was not aware of employee's MS or insurance status, and no evidence that CEO communicated these facts to the manager. Employee also failed to demonstrate that she had an ADA-qualifying disability and waived argument on appeal.

Miles v. Bellfontaine Habilitation Center, 481 F.3d 1106, 100 FEP 645 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: Per Curiam (Riley, Hansen, Melloy). Claims on Appeal: Title VII discrimination. FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Dismissed for failure to state a claim, Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court erred in holding that employee was obliged to attach EEOC charge to complaint, or provide additional support for allegations in complaint that she met administrative filing precondition to suit.

Tipler v. Douglas Co., 482 F.3d 1023, 100 FEP 617 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BENTON, Bye, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII/§ 1983 Equal Protection shift reassignment . Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: In jail with female inmates, no need to perform BFOQ analysis if the policy requiring female-only supervision of female inmates is reasonable and policy imposes only minimal restriction on employee. Collective bargaining agreement granted county right to adjust shift schedule to produce enough female guards to supervise women inmates; plaintiff was assigned based on seniority order. Occasional use of men for short periods to allow female guards to take bathroom breaks did not make strict segregation otherwise unreasonable, and no evidence that employee suffered any loss of significant employment opportunities. It did not impair her ability to receive later promotions; personal inconvenience was not enough for liability. Under Equal Protection clause, employer had important governmental objective (following state law and union contract) and policy was "substantially related" to achieving those objectives.

Christensen v. Titan Distribution, Inc., 481 F.3d 1085, 100 FEP 624, 19 A.D. Cases 336 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: GRUENDER, Colloton, Bright. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA and Iowa law hiring. 2. ADEA and Iowa law hiring. Disposition Below: 1. Judgment entered following a jury trial (punitive damages $195,000, reduced to $97,500; $65,000 motional distress; $130,000 back pay ,reduced to $78,209; $47,525 front pay; $54,875.80 attorneys fees) [plaintiff]. 2. Judgment entered following a jury trial ($78,209 liquidated damages) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [plaintiff]. 2. Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Applicant was turned down for warehouse supervisor (to continue in plant where he worked when the defendant acquired his former employer) on ground that he was not physically fit (owing to knee problem) to perform all of the tasks of all the employees reporting to him. Jury had been given option to find liability for "regarded as" and "actually disabled," and it found liability as to both. District court erred in upholding, over a motion for judgment as a matter of law, finding that employer regarded plaintiff as disabled, because at most evidence raised inference that plaintiff could not perform all of the jobs at the facility. But evidence did support finding that employee was "actually disabled" (e.g., job restrictions on walking, stooping and lifting meant that employee could not perform 50% ofthe jobs in the job market). Jury could also find that employer's proffered justification for not hiring plaintiff (that it decided to eliminate the position for economic reasons) was pretext: reason contradicts assurance at time that job was available, no manger at trial admitted to making decision not to hire plaintiff, and non-disabled employee continued to perform supervisor duties after plaintiff was turned down. Punitive damages award supported by employer's awareness of federal law requirements and refusal of managers to associate with decision not to hire plaintiff. Emotional distress damages supported by lay testimony (plaintiff and spouse) that plaintiff suffered stress, felt distraught, was upset at not being breadwinner and cried during ten-month job search. New trial rejected. No abuse of discretion awarding front pay where parties stipulated to infeasibility of instatement and plaintiff's eventual employment was lower paying and less prestigious. 2. Plaintiff was age 58 and the person hired in his stead was age 25. For reasons discussed above, jury could find that reason proffered for not hiring plaintiff was pretextual. Plaintiff not required to submit statistical evidence showing a pattern of age bias. Liquidated damages supported by record that employer abandoned its original justification for not hiring plaintiff at trial and refused to identify manager who made the decision.

Carrington v. City of Des Moines, 481 F.3d 1046, 100 FEP 513 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BENTON, Bye, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Iowa state law retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No genuine issue of material fact on causation where employer's investigation of job-performance preceded his protected activity. Court finds that there is no mixed-motive analysis for retaliation, either under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(m) or Price Waterhouse, so district court did not err in not using "motivating factor" analysis.

Stewart v. Indep't Sch. Dist. No. 196, 481 F.3d 1034, 100 FEP 265, 19 A.D. Cases 281 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: MELLOY, Loken [Lay on panel, but took disability]. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and ADA retaliation . Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: School district executive transferred into principal's job at high school claimed retaliation for filing ADA/ADEA discrimination charge (2001) and delivering letter to district complaining about discrimination (2002); alleged adverse actions included unwanted transfer back to district job and hostile work environment. Six-month gap between filing of charge and forcible transfer defeats an inference based on temporal proximity; in any event, district was offering employee other jobs during this period to remove her from deteriorating situation at high school to which she was assigned, where faculty, parents and administration had targeted her as an undesirable outsider. Hostile work environment claim fails as a matter of law because hostility was clearly based on opposition to employee personally, rather than opposition to filing a charge; also, no temporal proximity (behavior followed 2-8 months after alleged protected activities). Vague voice-mail to faculty and parents that mentioned plaintiff's legal complaints did not establish genuine issue of material fact about causation. Subsequent EEOC charge by employee in 2002 not shown to cause hostile work environment in 2005.

Thomas v. Corwin, 483 F.3d 516, 100 FEP 297 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: RILEY, Wollman, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA medical testing. 2. ADEA discrimination and termination. 3. Title VII discrimination. 4. Title VII /ADA retaliation. State law claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. 4. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. 4. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Test was job-related and consistent with business necessity under 42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(4)(A), where fitness for duty (FFD) exam and review of medical records was integral to typist's duties (interacting with juveniles, parents in juvenile unit) who exhibited signs of stress and anxiety, was compelled to take three-week leave owing to psychological problems, and whom employer believed was not being honest about use of antidepressants. 2. No adverse employment action in negative employment evaluation or requirement that plaintiff participate in FFD. Termination, though adverse, not discriminatory where employee refused to cooperate in FFD and produced no evidence of another, improper reason for the termination. 3. No adverse consequences caused by negative evaluation. 4. Assuming that plaintiff participated in protected activities and that evaluation was an adverse action, employee presented no proof of causation, where FFD request came in heels of three-week leave from work due to stress, and in any event the request by the employer was a legitimate non-discriminatory basis for action. Termination was motivated by employee's failure to cooperate with FFD and violation of work rules of conduct.

Gretillat v. Care Initiatives, 481 F.3d 649, 19 A.D. Cases 97 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: WOLLMAN, Riley, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Iowa law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Extent of walking and standing restrictions known to employer were at most an inconvenience, not severe enough to substantially limit any major life activity. Other limitations not known to employer (crawling, kneeling, crouching, squatting) not major life activities as described in 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(i). No record of "working" being presented as a major life activity, and in any event employee admitted that limitations did not prevent her from working (provided that she got rest breaks).

Carpenter v. Con-Way Central Express, Inc., 481 F.3d 611, 100 FEP 521 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BYE, Loken, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Iowa state law constructive discharge. 2. Title VII and Iowa state law harassment (race). 3. Title VII and Iowa state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Supervisor's statement that "if you don't like the way things are run around here, leave your keys on my desk" not constructive discharge, where employee truck driver had just threatened to quit because of complaints of harassment that he felt were not being answered. Other employees (as many as six others) who were exposed to comparable harassment at plant did not resign, and supervisor in fact took steps to respond to the employee's complaint. 2. Pranks played on employee (misloading trailer, placing garbage in trailer) were not severe or pervasive enough to constitute hostile work environment. 3. Failure to immediately arrest alleged harassing behavior not adverse employment action under Burlington Northern. No causal connection between failure to correct behavior and employees cooperation in a co-worker's discrimination case.

Fair v. Norris, 480 F.3d 865, 100 FEP 517 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: MELLOY, Smith, Benton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII promotion (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee was not, in fact, denied a promotion and thus could not make out prima facie case, despite that she was required to file grievance to obtain consideration and wait 22 days for relief. No evidence that similarly situated male or white employees received a higher raise than she did in comparable position.

Higgins v. Gonzales, 481 F.3d 578, 100 FEP 206 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: BYE, Colloton,Benton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII discrimination (race). 2. Title VII retaliation . Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No adverse employment action taken against Indian assistant U.S. Attorney, as the following alleged activities did not result in loss of pay, benefits or opportunities: (1) removed from one primary job duty for a few weeks (to resolve issue of funding); (2) denied supervision and training, where employee's performance met expectations and extra training was not indicated; (3) subjected to "whisper" campaign and manager kept "shadow file"; (4) formally complained about, but no consequences; (5) denied review; (6) recommended for termination (record did not support this allegation); and (7) transferred to another office, where her term expired and she was offered position in a different district that involved the same work she had already been doing. Even taken collectively, record did not show systematic bad treatment. 2. Under Burlington Northern, alleged lack of training and transfer to another district were not materially adverse, where record did not establish that employee suffered "situation so unbearable or bleak" that an employee would have been dissuaded from complaining about discrimination. Transfer occurred after employee's term expired, through considerable effort by agency to locate another position. Though she had to go to another city and start fresh with new cases, this constitutes mere inconvenience.

In re Union Pacific Employment Practices Litig., 479 F.3d 956, 100 FEP 185 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: GRUENDER, Bowman [BYE, dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII/PDA benefits. 2. Title VII benefits (sex). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment for plaintiff [plaintiff]. 2.Summary judgment for plaintiff [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [defendant]. 2. Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Denial of insurance coverage of contraceptives (other than for medical necessity) not related to conditions of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. Panel rejects authority of EEOC opinion letter on subject, which related to question of whether employer could deny prescription contraceptive while covering surgical contraceptive measures. 2. No evidence that denial of all coverage of contraceptives treated women less favorably. District court used wrong standard when it held that employees could point to coverage of other treatments for conditions "that pose an equal or greater threat to employees' health than does pregnancy."

EEOC v. Woodmen of the World Life Ins. Soc., 479 F.3d 561, 99 FEP 1595 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: HANSEN, Riley, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment and retaliation. Disposition Below: Motion to compel arbitration denied [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Arbitration agreement could be enforced against employee-intervenor in EEOC enforcement action. Evidence of employee's bankruptcy and costs associated with arbitration did not render agreement unconscionable, because those conditions did not pertain at the time employee entered into agreement. Employer agreed to waive fee-splitting provision as it pertains to arbitrator; contract had severability clause. That employee faces attorney fees not unique to arbitration. While it would be more efficient to participate jointly with EEOC in a single proceeding, that also does not make agreement unconscionable. That EEOC filed own proceeding did not cause employee to forfeit her individual claim under Title VII (distinguishing Waffle House).

Harris v. Brownlee, 477 F.3d 1043, 99 FEP 1402 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel: MURPHY, Loken, Shepherd. Claims on Appeal: Title VII settlement agreement. Disposition Below: Agreement enforced [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee obtained all the relief that he was entitled to under settlement when agency re-reviewed his classification (using a neutral reviewer who reached same result as the one employee challenged).

EEOC v. Wal-Mart Stores , 477 F.3d 561, 18 A.D. Cases 1697 (8th Cir. 2007). Panel : SMITH, Riley, Hansen. Claim on Appeal: ADA hiring . Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employer declined to employee an applicant with cerebral palsy who uses crutches or a wheelchair, and has limited hand mobility. He twice applied for a "Greeter/Customer Assistant" or cashier position at his local Wal-Mart in July 2000 and February 2001. District court granted summary judgment on the grounds that Bradley was not a qualified individual and that, in any event, the reasons given by the employer for turning Bradley down were not pretextual. Panel holds that employee presented a triable issue of fact on his qualifications, having made a "facial showing" of his capacity to perform the jobs with an accommodation. The EEOC's expert "suggested several accommodations, including a sit-to-stand wheelchair, a drafting-type high stool with armrests for additional balance, a narrow wheelchair, the removal of several inches of the divider beside the checkstand to accommodate a regular wheelchair, supplying [applicant] with a handscanner, and installing a convex mirror. For the greeter position, [the expert] recommended that [applicant] use an electronic scooter or similar device." Panel also reversed district court's pretext ruling. Employer's reasons for its decision must be measured as of the time the decision was made, and record contained testimony showing that the various reasons furnished by Wal-Mart for its decision (doubts about the employee's availability, alleged holes in the employee's job history, supposed unwillingness to allow Wal-Mart to contact a current employer) did not or could not have motivated the failure to hire. The panel joins in circuit split about who bears the burden of proof on the ADA issue of "direct threat," holding (as have Second, Seventh and Ninth Circuits) that the burden of proving that an employee's disability poses a direct threat to the employee or others rests on the employer. (The First, Tenth and Eleventh Circuits and maybe the Fifth would place the burden on the employee.) Wal-Mart's expert testified that Bradley had a history of falling on his crutches, but he also "admitted . . . that his opinion assumes that Bradley would be using crutches, not a wheelchair." Panel concludes that employer "failed to explain how [applicant], using a wheelchair or other similar device, poses any more of a threat than Wal-Mart customers who shop using such devices."

Allen v. Tobacco Superstore, Inc.,475 F.3d 931, 99 FEP 1127 (8th Cir. 2007) . Panel: RILEY, Beam [SMITH, dissenting in part]. Claim on Appeal: Title VII promotion (race) and retaliation . Disposition Below: Judgment after advisory jury and bench trial; $16,116.26 back pay, $7500 compensatory, $75,000 punitives, $74,905 attorney fees, $4122.28 costs [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed except as to punitive damages [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court did not abuse discretion when it denied judgment as matter of law as a sanction against plaintiff for alleged perjury; court concluded that plaintiff did not present false testimony or withhold evidence material to the suit. Evidence of discrepancies had impeachment value; district court did not commit clear error in finding that employee did not deliberately falsify her application. Judgment as a matter of law properly denied on promotion, retaliation another claims. District court did not commit clear error in finding that white employee who got into argument with manager was promoted, while plaintiff who also got into an argument with a manager did not. No clear error on finding of discrimination on second promotion/retaliation claim, because employer hired white employee with considerably less experience and skill with computers. Moreover, with 82 stores in states with large black populationsthe chain had never hired or promoted a black manager, and employer lacked formal method to seek promotion, relying on oral requests and word of mouth. Timing of hiring of white manager shortly after employee filed a civil action against company supports inference of retaliation. Review of factual findings did not reveal evidence of bias sufficient to overcome presumption of impartiality. District court did not abuse discretion in empanelling an advisory jury (Fed. R. Civ. P. 39(c)). District court ordered jury with three days' warning, even though neither side demanded one. The judge, too late realizing his error, vacated the jury verdict, treated the verdict as advisory and issued findings of fact and conclusions of law. Panel finds no record evidence that the employer would have tried the case differently, and deems any alleged error not worthy of a new trial. Back pay affirmed as to finding on what additional salary employee would have earned, but corrects district court's math in calculating final award. The panel majority vacates punitive damages, finding that the employee failed to prove malice or reckless disregard of federal law, despite the following findings: "(1) TSI had no employment policies; (2) TSI did not hire a black manager until after two other black employees, Dianne Darrough (Darrough) and Theresa Sharkey (Sharkey) filed discrimination claims; (3) TSI had eighty-two stores in 2003 and no black managers; (4) TSI did not promote Darrough and Allen; (5) TSI was on notice of claims of discrimination because three charges of discrimination had been filed; (6) despite the charges, TSI continued its practice of not posting vacancies; and (7) the EEOC found TSI discriminated against Sharkey." Insufficient evidence of malice or recklessness. Attorney fees affirmed; district court reduced lodestar and number of claimed hours by principal attorney. District court did not abuse discretion by failing to deny award or sharply reduce it for limited success; employee was prevailing party on two of her claims.

Chalfant v. Titan Distribution, Inc., 475 F.3d 982, 18 A.D. Cases 1601 (8th Cir. 2007) . Panel: GRUENDER, Loken, Smith. Claim on Appeal: ADA and Iowa state law hiring. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($60,000 back pay, $100,000 punitives, $18,750 front pay) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court properly denied Rule 50 JMOL. There was sufficient evidence that employer regarded applicant as having "disability" owing to various health conditions (expert and fact witnesses testified that employee could have physically performed work he applied for, company surreptitiously altered exam from pass to fail, expert testified that by employer's evaluation applicant would have been prevented from performing 70% of jobs listed in Dictionary of Occupational Titles). Applicant and expert also demonstrated that position he applied for did not require lifting as "essential function" and that he had performed the job for a week before he was told he was not going to be hired. Jury was also free to conclude that employer did not eliminate position that plaintiff applied for until after it chose not to hire him, and that it lied to him about failing the physical exam, when he in fact passed.. Punitive award supported by evidence that managers had been trained that discrimination against the disabled violated state and federal law, "Titan also had knowledge of the federal disability discrimination laws because it had been a defendant in two federal disability discrimination cases that were ultimately appealed to our circuit,"managers all denied having anything to do with decision until trial. and company altered the applicant's exam results from pass to fail. New trial motion on "great weight" of evidence fails for the above reasons. Jury and district court could also find that employee sufficiently mitigated his damages and qualified for one-year back pay based on testimony that plaintiff regularly reviewed the classified ads for comparable work, and expert testimony that at the employee's age there were not likely to be many openings.

EEOC v. City of Independence, 471 F.3d 891, 99 FEP 770 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BENTON, Wollman, Bowman. Claim on Appeal: § 1981 termination. Disposition Below: 1. ADEA and Mo. state law benefits. 2. ADEA and Mo. state law constructive discharge. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. City adopted a policy that allowed employees to bank unused leave time on behalf of disadvantaged co-workers who exhausted their allocated leave and needed additional time off ("Leave Donation Program"). Such banked leave time was not extended to employees "eligible for regular retirement," i.e., those age 60 or older with over with five or more years of service. Employee who was over 60 and retirement-eligible was not allowed to withdraw leave time from the program to recover from complications posed by tachycardia (a form of heart disease). The record also contained age-discriminatory remarks directed at Hopkins ("I didn't know that you were that old"; "Well, you're of retirement age, Richard, you're over 60"). District court erred in granting summary judgment on ground that the policy -- based on retirement eligibility, not age per se - - merely "correlated" with age. Panel holds "[b]ased on the direct evidence that the city's Human Resources Administrator and other personnel decisionmakers said the disqualification was because of age and acted accordingly, [employee] raises a genuine issue of material fact as to what the employer supposed about age. In this case, . . . the discriminatory acts were not 'isolated' but were the standard operating procedure for the Leave Donation Program." 2. Denial of paid leave did not result in constructive discharge, where city met several times with employee to discuss other alternatives, such as reassignment and long-term disability.

Arnold v. Nursing and Rehab. Center, 471 F.3d 843, 99 FEP 586 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: SMITH, Loken, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: § 1981 termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court erred in considering the adequacy of the employee's performance as an element of the prima facie case. But summary judgment affirmed on alternative ground that employee - a nurse - failed to present genuine issue of material fact that reason for termination (abuse of a patient)was pretextual. Denial of fees to employer was not abuse of discretion.

Gordon v. Shafer Contracting Co., Inc., 469 F.3d 1191, 99 FEP 513 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: LAY, Loken, Melloy. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII (race) and § 1981 harassment. 2. Title VII (race), ADEA and § 1981 failure to hire. 3. Title VII (race), § 1981 wage. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Although there was issue regarding timeliness of employee's charge, defense is sidestepped by ruling in the merits. Employee failed to present genuine issue of material fact about employer's Faragher defense, where employee did not avail himself of complaint process, which was published in employee manual and gave employee several options of company management with whom to lodge complaint, including home phone numbers. 2. Assuming employee made out prima facie case of discrimination, he failed to show that reason for failing to rehire him (that he did not attend pre-season meeting or put in application for position until the jobs were already filled) was pretextual. 3. All persons in employee's position got the same wage under the collective bargaining agreement.

Wells v. SCI Mgt., 469 F.3d 697, 99 FEP 516 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: GRUENDER, Wollman, Riley. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Mo. state law termination. 2. Title VII and Mo. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Female employee failed to show that she was treated less favorably than similarly situated male employees in first stage of prima facie case, where (1) she was subject to a substantial number of complaints by customers (unlike male counterparts) and (2) during reduction in force men and women were both terminated. Sexist comments by non-decisionmakers were immaterial to claim. 2. Thirty-four month gap between charge of discrimination and termination did not establish causal link.

EEOC v. Dial Corp., 469 F.3d 735, 99 FEP 321 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: MURPHY, Hansen, Riley. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII hiring (sex) 2. Title VII disparate impact (sex). Disposition Below: 1. Judgment after a jury trial ($30,003 compensatory) [plaintiff]. 2. Judgment after a bench trial (back pay and benefits) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [plaintiff]. 2. Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. There was sufficient evidence to support the jury pattern-or-practice finding that lifting test that screened out most female applicants for factory job was discriminatory, where test required many more lifts than actual job, was more difficult than prior tests that allowed more women to be hired, women actually had lower injury rate than men, men were hired more often in spite of comparable performance by women, and scoring appeared biased against women. Statistical disparity in hiring men was ten standard deviations. Jury could have found that by April 2001, company was aware of disparity in hiring rates but continued to use the test. 2. No clear error in the judge's ruling on disparate impact. The panel affirmed the judge's finding that the Dial test lacked content validity (29 C.F.R. § 1607.5(B)). Although injuries declined after application of test, district court did not clearly err in finding that rate were already declining before test was implemented and women overall had lower injury rate. The court also affirmed recovery for the claimants denied employment (back pay up to $120,236 and lost medical premiums). Court not obliged to factor turnover rate into back pay award. Employees were not required to show that they incurred medical expenses for award of lost insurance premiums. It remanded, for further proceedings, denial of back pay for one claimant who was turned down for reemployment based on after-acquired evidence of a criminal record. There was genuine issue of material fact whether criminal record would have been discovered in hiring process; only evidence of policy was counsel's say-so, not under oath.

Pittari v. American Eagle Airlines, Inc., 468 F.3d 1056, 18 A.D. Cases 1089 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: RILEY, Colloton, Kyle. Claim on Appeal: ADA regarded-as forced leave. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($2000 actual, $1 compensatory; $24,000 in attorney fees and $5,906.06 in costs) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Judgment as a matter of law directed for employer. The employee, a flight attendant, argued too late that he was substantially limited (because of his use of depression/anti-anxiety medication) in the major life activity of "cognitive abilities." At trial the jury was instructed only on the major life activity of "working," and employee failed to prove significant limitation in that area, because employer offered to instatement him in other less demanding work. Court remands case to calculate costs accruing after the defendant's Rule 68 offer.

Lewis v. St. Cloud State Univ., 467 F.3d 1133, 99 FEP 113 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: ARNOLD, Bye, Melloy. Claim on Appeal: 1. ADEA and Minn. state law termination 2. ADEA, Title VII and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Replacement of dean by candidate who was two-and-one-half years younger was not "substantially younger" for purposes of prima facie test, but even if he made out prima facie case he did not prove that reasons for termination (creating divisive environment, ineffective in handling conflicts, favoritism and bias). Suggestion by provost that employee should start planning "retirement" not probative of age animus. Evidence of past positive annual reviews did not rebut reasons later given for dean's termination that he did not dispute. 2. Eleven-month period between charge and termination did not support inference of retaliation.

Didier v. Schwan Food Co., 465 F.3d 838, 18 A.D. Cases 915 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BEAM, Arnold, Doty. Claim on Appeal: ADA and Ark. state law termination and reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff unable to establish a substantial limitation caused by his injured right arm; he failed to demonstrate that the injury substantially affected the major life activity of taking care of one's self. Difficulty shaving, brushing his teeth, grooming, cleaning himself, wiping after going to the bathroom, feeding himself with a spoon, and dressing himself with his right hand mitigated by fact that he could accomplish the same tasks with his left hand. Moreover, requested accommodation (having another employee handle doors or drive open routes) was unrelated to this disability.

Wittenburg v. American Exp. Financial Advisors, Inc., 464 F.3d 831, 98 FEP 1697 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: SMITH, Bye, Hansen. Claim on Appeal: 1. ADEA and Minn. state law termination. 2. Title VII and Min. state law termination (sex). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Comments that employer was not averse to hiring younger portfolio managers and growing them," that analyst department would "maybe add a junior person," and comment that firm wanted to keep "those that were younger" with "more years of service ahead of them" too weak and generalized to establish causal relationship to termination much later. No inference that younger employees were retained when reduction in force hit younger and older analysts. Plaintiff also survived first round of RIF over younger staff. Explanation of RIF did not require employer to proffer evidence of financial distress. Resetting of performance rating prior to RIF not suspicious where there was rating was later changed and not used to evaluate employee, absent any evidence of manipulation. Evaluations, moreover, not shown to be age-biased. Comparable employees who were preserved in RIF were at most six years younger than plaintiff and thus not "substantially younger." Allegation that company refilled position that plaintiff occupied months later not supported by the record. 2. Following evidence insufficient to establish inference of discrimination: that plaintiff was one of two (out of 26) female analysts where males were also terminated, comment made by manager four years earlier that male analysts were "sole support for their families," that younger male was hired (when two other males were terminated from same division, comment that "you're husband has a job, doesn't he?" where same supervisor hired female analysts (including the plaintiff), and that one male was preserved who had superior 2002 rating.

Thompson v. Bi-State Development Agency, 463 F.3d 821, 98 FEP 1537, 18 A.D. Cases 769 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BOGUE, Arnold, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: 1. ADA constructive discharge. 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No constructive discharge where disciplinary hearing associated with employee's second preventable accident as bus driver was conducted normally and without intent to harass. 2. Four-month period between charge and disciplinary action does not present an inference of retaliation.

EEOC v. Trans States Airlines, Inc., 462 F.3d 987, 98 FEP 1441 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: SMITH, Gibson, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Mo. state law termination (race, national origin, religion). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Pilot of Indian descent native of Fiji was subject of investigation after anonymous tip that he had made comments supporting the terrorist attack of 9/11 at a bar. He was terminated later when he admitted a violation of company policy (wearing a uniform at a bar). EEOC failed to establish that reason given for termination was pretextual. Although employee's name was Mohammed Hussein, he was not Arab and there was no evidence that manager who terminated him (who had never met him) was aware of his religion, national origin or ethnicity. Alleged failure to follow progressive discipline policy not probative of discrimination, where collective bargaining agreement did not cover probationary pilot. Failure to conduct more thorough investigation not probative; other pilots were summarily terminated around the same time for drinking. Evidence that other managers faced with the same situation would have carried out more careful investigation does not establish that the manager who made decision abused his authority. No material "shifting" or conflicting explanation of reason for termination. Appropriate action taken in light of safety concern of public connection between pilots and alcohol. Attorneys' fees to defendant properly denied.

Twymon v. Wells Fargo & Co., 462 F.3d 925 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: MELLOY, Murphy, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Iowa state law termination (race). 2. Title VII and Iowa state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No proof of racial animus by direct method, by employee fired for alleged abuse of computer access. Comments about employee not knowing "her place" and "Midwest nice" lacked racial content, while alleged statements about "Uncle Tom" were made by executive while trying to help her career, not in context of her termination. By indirect method, even assuming plaintiff made out prima facie case, employee failed to rebut explanation athat employee was fired gross violation of computer policy (including excessive personal use of e-mail and internet access, and storing of obscene materials. Unsubstantiated claim that other employee might have had access to her computer, especially in light of protocols in place to identify users of individual computers, did not demonstrate that this reason was pretextual. Employee does not present genuine issue of material fact that bank did not honestly believe employee was accountable for violations of policy. 2. As above, although employee presumably made out prima facie case she cannot prove pretext for termination.

Arraleh v. County of Ramsey, 461 F.3d 967, 98 FEP 1744 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: SMITH, Gruender [HEANEY, dissenting] . Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII (race, national origin), § 1981 and Minn. state law failure to hire. 2. Title VII, § 1981 and Minn. state law retaliation. 3. Title VII (race. national origin), § 1981 and Minn. state law harassment. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Remarks that hiring temporary employee (who was Somali Muslim) on full-time basis would be like "raising little terrorist kids" and that employees should "leave their blackness behind" not direct evidence of discrimination where employee failed to show link between the people who made these remarks and the county's failure to hire. Plaintiff also failed to show, through indirect method, that (1) under prima facie case, he was passed over in favor of less-qualified candidate; and (2) in any event, plaintiff failed to establish pretext over employer's explanation (that the candidate selected had superior educational credentials and work experience). Employee incorrectly charged that county changed its reasons in the course of the litigation. 2. Period of three weeks between complaint and hiring decision was short enough to establish causation for purposes of prima facie case, but not sufficient to establish pretext (e.g., employer's explanation that it considered his deficiencies in performance). 3. Disparaging remarks were mostly unrelated to race or religion (e.g. complaints that hew was frequently late or lazy), and employer followed up on complaint at once with an appointment with the plaintiff (which he cancelled).

Clark v. Johanns, 460 F.3d 1064, 98 FEP 1249 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: COLLOTON, Murphy, Melloy . Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII failure to renew temporary appointment (sex). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. No genuine issue of material fact about pretext; employer's reasons (Monday-only work schedule inflexible, Clark appeared to want to allow term to expire). Evidence of alleged "hostile work environment" not relevant to claim of failure to renew. Same supervisor had made original decision to hire her (same actor). 2. It is not a protected activity to be an "unknowing" subject of another employee's complaint, where employer did not present evidence to show that employer attributed complaint to the employee.

Green v. Franklin Nat'l Bank, 459 F.3d 903, 98 FEP 1367 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: MELLOY, Wollman [LAY, dissenting in part] . Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII (race) and § 1981 harassment. 2. Title VII (race) and § 1981 termination. 3. Title VII and § 1981 retaliation. State statutory claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant] . Grounds: 1. Eight instances of co-worker calling black employee a "monkey," saying he would like to eat plaintiff's liver, and saying that he liked to "get even" with people who wronged him created genuine issue of material fact on severe or pervasive harassment. But no genuine issue regarding remedial action (co-worker harasser was fired less than a month after first complaint). Other alleged harassment not shown to be racially motivated. 2. No genuine issue of material fact on causation, because plaintiff failed to prove that the employees who allegedly mistreated her (not giving her a parking place, and snubbing her) were involved in decision. 3. District court erred in finding that employee failed to raise a genuine issue of material fact regarding prima facie case because she supposedly had an obligation to report the perceived failure of the company to take remedial action. Court also questions summary judgment on ground that temporal connection alone (three weeks) was not enough to prove prima facie case. But panel affirms summary judgment on ground that employee failed to prove that reason given for termination (that she insisted on attended classes that interfered with her working hours) was pretextual. Employer was short-staffed and employer even offered to reimburse the cost of the classes.

Jones v. UPS Inc., 461 F.3d 982 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: COLLOTON, Gruender [HEANEY, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (race). 2. ADEA, and Kan. and Mo. state law termination. Other statutory claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant].Grounds: 1. District court did not abuse discretion under W.D. Mo. R. 56.1in disregarding employees' statement of controverted facts, where it included various inaccuracies, was argumentative and violated standard that response be "concise." No evidence that employee subjectively perceived conditions at plant as harassing (e.g., filing a complaint). No evidence that similarly situated employees (those who were reassigned to another route and refused to drive it) were treated differently. 2. Employees did not present genuine issue of material fact on pretext, where they did not rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for termination (refusal to answer radio calls, insubordination).

Riser v. Target Corp., 458 F.3d 817, 98 FEP 1097 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BEAM, Murphy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. state law termination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Regardless of whether employee made out prima facie case that he was qualified for his job, he did not establish a genuine issue of material fact on pretext. Employer specifically identified performance reasons (as a management trainee, failed to conduct a sufficient number of "huddles,"failed to anser the phone, and was deficient in the number of pulls he completed). Challenging the accuracy of these conclusions or reasons for these alleged deficiencies (or alleged failure to communicate all of the reasons to the employee) does not cast doubt on the employer's good faith. Also failed to show that he was treated relatively less favorably than similarly situated whites.

Jeffery v. Kansas City Southern Ry., 456 F.3d 841, 98 FEP 929 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: MELLOY, Loken, McMillian. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment (race). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial; $900,000 in punitive damages;$128,000 actual damages for three plaintiffs [plaintiffs]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed, but punitive damages vacated [plaintiffs]. Grounds: District court properly denied Rule 50 motions based on sufficiency of the evidence and claim preclusion. On liability issues, there was testimony to support finding that employer did not always promptly act to prevent or correct harassment; incidents were open and notorious, and it was not enough for employer to simply point to its written policies. Prior litigation over racial discrimination in requiring plaintiff to produce a medical excuse for two absences involved events different from and occurring long before the present harassment claim. District court also did not err in vacated punitive damages, finding that in key instances the record failed to establish that acts of harassment (including offensive language, graffiti in the break room bulletin board, and vandalism of his locker) reoccurred after he lodged complaints with management. The Court accordingly found that the employee did not prove a wilful violation under Kolstad.

Reynolds v. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., 454 F.3d 868, 98 FEP 783 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: BENTON, Murphy, Beam. Claims on Appeal: Title VII transfer (pregnancy). State tort claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Transfer was not demonstrated to be materially adverse, because it preserved title, salary and advancement prospects. Preference to stay put in Sioux Falls instead of moving out-of-state not protected by Title VII. Claim that elimination of two states from her territory was adverse was not exhausted in EEOC charge or plead in complaint.

Robinson v. Potter, 453 F.3d 990, 18 A.D. Cases 198 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: BYE, Hansen, Smith. Claims on Appeal: 1. Rehabilitation Act retaliation. 2. Rehabilitation Act discrimination. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Judgment after a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendnant]. 2. Affirmed. Grounds: 1. On first of two claims, employee fails to make out prima facie case because hse cannot show decisionmaker knew about EEOC charge. With second application, she cannot make out a genuine issue of material fact about pretext, given that she used the wrong application format to apply, her interview process scored her the lowest of three applicants and she was regarded as overqualified. 2. No error in denying motion to compel on ground that employee did not exhaust good-faith efforts to resolve the discovery dispute under Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(2)(A). Grant of motion in limine not error where it concerned application for position that was not at issue in the case.

Yeager v. City Water & Light Plant of Jonesboro, Ark, 454 F.3d 932, 98 FEP 545 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: LOKEN, Lay, Smith. Claims on Appeal: Title VII termination (reverse discrimination, sex) Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee fired for sex harassment fails to demonstrate any similarly situated female employee treated more leniently for same offense. Employer could draw distinction between employee whose conduct draws a complaint from a co-worker and one whose does not.

Berkley v. Dillard's Inc., 450 F.3d 775, 98 FEP 633 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BENTON, Wollman, Hansen. Claim on Appeal: Race harassment and retaliation. Disposition Below: Claim dismissed after arbitration [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: "Dillard's Fairness in Action Program" was contractual, rather than purely information, because it was combined with an offer that could be accepted by continued employment. Refusal to sign acknowledgment did not alter employee's acceptance by performance. Arbitration agreement did not exclude pending administrative complaints. Employee waived unconscionability.

Wojewski v. Rapid City Regional Hospital, Inc., 450 F.3d 358, 17 AD Cases 1761 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: SMITH, Lay, Loken. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Rehabilitation Act termination Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Doctor with medical privileges at hospital not eligible for relief under Title I or III. Doctor did not constitute "employee" for Title I purposes despite signing Letter of Agreement with hospital subjecting doctor to more control than ordinary doctor with privileges. Doctor leased his own space, scheduled his own operating room times, employed and paid his own staff, billed his patients directly, received no social security or other benefits, and received no W2 or 1099 from hospital. Professional level of control did not affect relevant analysis of control of manner in which doctor performed operations. Under Rehabilitation Act, plaintiff was not a "qualified person with a disability," which also implied an employment (rather than independent contractor) relationship. Because plaintiff dies during pendency of case, equitable relief was moot under ADA Title III.

EEOC v. Technocrest Systems, Inc., 448 F.3d 1035, 98 FEP 115 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: GRUENDER, Murphy, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: Title VII subpoena enforcement action Disposition Below: Subpoena enforced [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court did not abuse discretion by enforcing subpoena (42 U.S.C. § 2000e-9) in investigation of discrimination against Filipinos at workplace to obtain comparative information about employees in different worksites. Commission had no threshold duty to establish prima facie case before obtaining data. District court erred, nevertheless, in denying Commission access to DOL and INS information about respondent's workforce, where it is relevant to national origin discrimination and court failed to explain why it had denied enforcement.

Richardson v. Sugg, 448 F.3d 1046, 98 FEP 401 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BEAM, Arnold, Riley. Claims on Appeal: Title VII termination (race). First Amendment claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court did not err in finding that personal service contract signed by college football coach was not enforceable as a prospective waiver of Title VII rights (restating continued validity of Alexander v. Gardner-Denver Co., 415 U.S. 36 (1974)). Such waivers violate public policy as espoused in Title VII. Nor may such a purported waiver be enforced by application of tender-back or ratification (noting split with Seventh Circuit). On the merits, the district court did not err in finding that two-year old racial comments by one defendant, followed by evidence that coach had since publically accepted defendant's change of heart, failed to produce direct evidence of discrimination. District court did not err in refusing to apply "cat's paw" analysis, where it was not adequately argued below, and not supported by the record in any case. Coach also failed to produce indirect proof of discriminatory intent, because defendants produced legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (coach had often, publically declared that the school should buy-out his contract, regarded as a slap in the face to the fans).

McClure v. Career Systems Development Corp., 447 F.3d 1133, 98 FEP 119 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BENTON, Murphy, Bowman. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII promotion (sex and race). 2. § 1981 retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Of three positions claimed, employee did not apply for two of them (and, alternatively, failed to show that applying would have been futile). As for the one he did apply for, the employer conceded the prima facie case, but established legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (other applicant was more experienced). Although employee's raw score was higher after interviews than successful applicant, this was only because he was asked more questions so his percentage score was overall lower. 2. Employee was suspended without pay when the employer learned during the employee's deposition that he lied about having a BA degree. Suspension was adverse employment action even after employee presented a corrected resume and was reinstated with back pay. Genuine issue of material fact presented where another employee who never complained about discrimination never suffered suspension, and there was a factual conflict about whether the employer was aware of the employee's educational background but took no action until after the lawsuit began.

Parsons v. Pioneer Seed Hi-Bred Int'l, Inc., 447 F.3d 1102, 98 FEP 203 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: HANSON, Wollman, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Iowa state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee release enforceable under Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. Waiver was written in a manner calculated to be understood by an employee (29 U.S.C. § 623(f)(1)(a)), where (1) challenged tender-back requirement appeared only in a separate confidentiality provision and did not apply to release itself; and (2) attorney's fee provision only applied to actions to enforce the agreement. District court should not have relied upon the employee's subjective state-of-mind or failure to act (such as his failure to question these terms before signing the release) in deciding whether the agreement was facially valid; at most, such evidence may apply to the ultimate question of voluntariness, but not to the technical requirements for a valid release.

Breitkreutz v. Cambrex Charles City, Inc, 450 F.3d 780, 17 AD Cases 1569 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BYE, Melloy [HEANEY, dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Iowa state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Lifting restriction did not translate into substantial limitation of major life activities of manual tasks or working, nor was there a genuine issue of material fact about whether employer regarded employee as so limited.

Nitsche v. CEO of Osage Valley Cooperative, 446 F.3d 841, 97 FEP 1850 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: RILEY, Heaney, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Mo. state law harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed as a matter of law to demonstrate that harassment was severe or pervasive (e.g., sporadic comments over 20 years, male-on-male sexual crudity, off-premises viewing of pornography, one incident of placing vermin inside the employee's lunch box, no physical or threatening conduct).

Kohlbek v. City of Omaha, 447 F.3d 552, 97 FEP 1742 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: WOLLMAN, Bye, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: Equal Protection promotion (reverse discrimination race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Two firefighters made out triable issue of fact about whether the affirmative action plan violated Equal Protection. The possible flaw in the plan, holds the court, is the use of racial classifications even for those titles where there was no history of past discrimination. Omaha used a rubric for underutilization of minorities -- the half person rule -- that determines that any time the actual number of minorities in a particular position is not within half of a person of the goal, an underutilization exists. Half person rule does not require a statistically significant showing of discrimination before racial classifications are triggered. There was no evidence of statistically significant shortfalls in officer ranks, and had not been for 14 years. Case remanded for consideration of alternate justification (compelling interest in diversity).

Tenge v. Phillips Modern Ag Co., 446 F.3d 903, 97 FEP 1667 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: GIBSON, Colloton, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: Title VII termination (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: It is not illegal under Title VII for an employee to discharge an employee on the basis of an employee's admitted, consensual sexual conduct with a supervisor ("sexual favoritism" does not amount to discrimination on the basis of "sex"). Supervisor could make termination decision because of need to placate spouse. Such evidence was not direct evidence of discrimination. Using indirect approach, court holds that employee failed to prove that male employees were involved in similar misconduct but treated differently. Sexual banter by men not comparable to notes and physical contact exchanged between plaintiff and her supervisor.

Powell v. Yellow Book USA, 445 F.3d 1074, 97 FEP 1679 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: ARNOLD, Wollman, Gibson. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (sex and religion). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Woman's hostile work environment claims against female co-worker fail where sex-related conduct (talk about sexual exploits outside the office, discussed particular fantasies that she harbored concerning co-workers, propositioned plaintiff for sex) was not severe or pervasive, while company gave prompt and effective response to alleged religious harassment (counseling other employee to stop proselytizing plaintiff). "An employer, however, has no legal obligation to suppress any and all religious expression merely because it annoys a single employee." Religious placards in cubical were not abusive. Alleged religious harassment not severe or pervasive. 2. Multiple reprimands that had no economic effect on the plaintiff not an "adverse employment action."

Schierhoff v. GlaxoKline Consumer Healthcare LP, 444 F.3d 961, 17 AD Cases 1441 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: COLLOTON, Melloy, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Mo state law termination (age and disabilities). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee failed to present prima facie case either that he was disabled under Missouri state law or that he met the employer's legitimate expectations (he was terminated for absenteeism, mising as many as 96 days in one-year period). Employee also failed to present direct evidence by way of manager's alleged statement one year earlier that the employee was "old and worn out" and ought to "quit." No evidence that the manager that made this statement was involved in decision to terminate employee, who at most gathered attendance records of plaintiff and others for review by human resources.

Cotrill v. MFA, Inc., 443 F.3d 629, 97 FEP 1487 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: GRUENDER, Bowman [MURPHY, dissenting in part]. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII discrimination (sex). 2. Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Hostile work environment allegations in EEOC charge did not exhaust claim of disparate treatment (i.e. that conditions of men's room was different from women's room). 2. Allegations that supervisor contaminated toilet area used by plaintiffs and employer's actions in investigating supervisor's spying on women's room were like or reasonably related to EEOC charge alleging spying against the offending supervisor. Spying itself was not a form of harassment because it did not alter "terms and conditions"; female employees were unaware of the spying and thus could not subjectively perceive actions as hostile, nor did they perceive the contamination (which involved use of poison ivy and petroleum jelly) as harassing. Plaintiff who participated in the investigation - who disrobed four times before supervisor was caught, fired and turned over to police - admitted in deposition that company did nothing improper during investigation and indeed cooperated in setting up the camera and planning sting. Even if she had not consented, four incidents were insufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute harassment. Both employees continued to use the bathroom and work at same facility.

Bowles v. Osmose Utilities Services, Inc., 443 F.3d 671, 97 FEP 1305 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: ARNOLD, Wollamn, Lay. Claim on Appeal: § 1981 harassment. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($20,000 compensatory damages, $80,000 punitive damages) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: The judge found the defendant employer liable for supervisor harassment of a black employee on a utility pole crew. While the employer argued that it should have prevailed as a matter of law on its Faragher defense, the panel held that there was a straight conflict in testimony about when the plaintiff first complained about the harassment and the district court judge could have believed the employee's account. "[T]he decision to credit certain witnesses and not others is virtually never clear error." The panel also upheld as reasonable punitive damage award, and held that it it is not necessary to plead punitive damages under Fed. R. Civ. P. 8 or 9(g), where the employee gave the defendant at least three weeks' notice before trial that he intended to seek such relief. The panel also noted that Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(c) allows award of "relief to which a party in whose favor [final judgment] is rendered, even if if the party has not demanded such relief in the party's pleadings.

Wallace v. DTG Operations, Inc., 442 F.3d 1112, 97 FEP 1292 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: MELLOY, Gruender [COLLOTON, dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employee presented genuine issue of material fact about whether she was fired in retaliation for filing a sex harassment charge, where the evidence shows that (1) supervisor made decision to fire her 15 days after her complaint came to light, and the actual termination occurred 28 days after her report; (2) employee was the only management employee axed in a general downturn in travel business after 9/11 in 2002; (3) the employer had no record that the employee was at risk of termination prior to the harassment charge; (4) the company violated its own transfer policy by not allowing plaintiff to land somewhere else in the enterprise; (5) supervisor expressed disapproval that employee went over his head about the complaint and complained that complaint would chill off-color humor; and (6) the employer couldn't keep its story straight in discovery. That employee did not expressly identify the transfer policy as a separate, continuing violation does not preclude her from using the failure to transfer as further evidence of retaliatory motive.

Box v. Principi, 442 F.3d 692, 97 FEP 1399 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: SMITH, Hansen, Bogue. Claims on Appeal: Title VII discrimination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Denial of training in one instance (due to lack of funding), work assignments, delay in producing job description, and denial of one annual leave day not adverse actions, thus employee did not establish prima facie case.

Simpson v. Merchants & Planters Bank, 441 F.3d 572, 97 FEP 1239 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BEAM, Bye, Smith. Claim on Appeal: Equal Pay Act. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($35,664.37 damages, doubled for willfulness) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Jury had sufficient evidence to find that defendant wilfully violated EPA, where record established that untitled male bank officer received $7,000 more in salary than plaintiff when he started, personnel policy treated men and women differently (e.g. sick leave cannot be used for maternity leave), bank president stated he wished she would quit, bank president ignored her idea for security but adopted same idea when male counterpart suggested it and executive VP (a woman) said that a man was needed at the bank. Jobs were substantially equal. Factor other than sex (college degree) could have been rejected on ground that skills needed at bank were learned on the job. Market defense properly rejected by jury on the record. Attorneys fee award with 20% reduction affirmed on cross-appeal, where plaintiff lost a number of claims on summary judgment.

Wedow v. City of Kansas City, 442 F.3d 661, 97 FEP 1217 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: HANSEN, Loken, Arnold. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII terms and conditions (sex) 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Judgment after a jury trial (plaintiff 1, $40,000 compensatory; plantiff 2, $225,000 compensatory) [plaintiff] 2. Judgment after a jury trial (plaintiff 1, $20,000 retaliation; plantiff 2, $60,000 retaliation) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [plaintiff] 2. Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Claim of unequal facilities and equipment for female firefighters (e.g. lack of proper bathrooms and changing rooms, ill fitting uniforms and safety equipment) not precluded (issue or claim preclusion) by prior hostile work environment trial and judgment for plaintiffs, where disparate treatment claim was not at issue in first case and were not litigated, but only considered as possible background evidence. Statute of limitations not violated by claims of conditions that continued each day; unequal conditions claim not barred by Morgan, but more resembled Bazemore pay claim. Unequal conditions were materially adverse, because they affected safety and effectiveness of women; meets terms of 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(2). Men and women not treated equally by being furnished same bathrooms and uniforms, where record showed that only men and not women were given proper-fitting equipment, that city knew that it could obtain tailoredclothing and equipment but refused to do so for five years because of cost. Bathroom/changing facilities foe women, if they existed, were materially inferior. No equitable relief because one woman retired, while for the other plaintiff she was already able to use private facilities owing to her promotion to battalion chief and department had already embarked on long-term project to fix stations to upgrade women's facilities. 2. Although plaintiffs did not specifically charge that failure to permit plaintiffs to serve additional shift designations or work out-of-class (which provide valuable training experience), claims were like or reasonably related to EEOC charges of discrimination. Retaliation occurred after charge was filed, but retaliation was alleged in charge and alleged to be "ongoing and continuing," which would have directed investigation into subsequent-arising charges. Charged violations were materially adverse and causation established by record that as soon as plaintiffs were ordered in first trial to be promoted, department refused to extend them the opportunities attendant to their rank. Evidence in record showed that deputy chief was aware of prior lawsuit and EEOC charges, and made decisions about shift designation assignment.

Wilson v. City of Des Moines, 442 F.3d 637, 97 FEP 1230 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: BEAM, Arnold, Riley. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Iowa state law harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment after a bench trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Testimony that co-workers called employee "bitch," "cunt," and "slut" was not hearsay, as district court originally concluded, but exclusion was not prejudicial because it did not bear on allegation of supervisor harassment and there was no evidence employer knew about alleged statements. Rule 412 governs evidence in Title VII sex harassment trials. But the panel also holds that the district court's failure to conduct a hearing before admitting the evidence at trial (which the employee lost) was harmless error, because the statements were confined to public statements she made at work, in which the employee enjoyed no privacy interest. No instructional error where jury was charged that (1) "an employee" (not necessarily plaintiff) could report to management about harassment; and (2) ostracism alone was not an adverse employment action under Iowa state law.

Quick v. Wal-Mart Stores, 441 F.3d 606, 97 FEP 1227 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: WOLLMAN, Riley [LAY, dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: Pregnancy Discrimination Act termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Criticism of employee by manager for taking 12 weeks maternity leave and manager's statement that she did not expect plaintiff to return to work not direct evidence of discrimination, which occurred in broader meeting about employee's deficiencies and five months before termination decision. Assuming plaintiff made out prima facie indirect case of discrimination, employer proffered legitimate non-discriminatory reason for termination (violating discount policy), which (though implemented upon employee's return on day after maternity leave) was preceded by management investigation of employee's admitted violation

Canady v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 440 F.3d 1031, 97 FEP 1133 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: WOLLMAN, Riley [LAY, dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (race). 2. Title VII harassment (race). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Evidence of employer's alleged racial insensitivity ot African-American (manager said he was a "slave driver," use of expression "what's up, my nigga" from a movie) not direct evidence, where manager was not decisionmaker. Under indirect method, employee failed to establish prima facie case where he presented no evidence of other employees, not black, who engaged in loud argument with supervisor in front of customers and employees and was treated differently. Insubordination was also a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for termination, and employee failed to present evidence otherwise presenting an inference of discrimination. 2. "Slave driver" comment lacked racial connotation, and manager apologized for one-time use of "nigga" comment. Other misguided attempts at racial humor were not severe or pervasive.

Garner v. Missouri Dep't of Mental Health, 439 F.3d 958, 97 FEP 1141 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: LOKEN, Lay, Benton. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII/§1981 termination (race). 2. Title VII/§1981 retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Judgment after a jury trial [defendant]. 2. Judgment after a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Evidence that employer investigated social workers' allegation that plaintiff improperly accepted money from patient's Social Security check not inadmissible hearsay, where it was offered as evidence of why employee was suspended, rather than for the truth of the allegation. Investigation also distinguished other circumstances where white employees were allegedly not terminated for comparable violations. No unfair prejudice under FRE403. 2. Complaint did not include § 1981retaliation claim against individual supervisor, and district court did not abuse discretion in finding that instructions conference was too late a stage in proceedings to amend complaint to add that claim under Fed. R. Civ. P. 15. Failure to amend was harmless because employer prevailed at trial on retaliation (on "same decision" defense), which means preforce that supervisor also would have been found not liable. No attorney fees in mixed-motive retalation verdict under 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(m).

Canny v. Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Bottling Group, Inc., 439 F.3d 894, 17 A.D. Cases 1153 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: RILEY, Arnold, Beam. Claim on Appeal: ADA and Iowa state law reasonable accommodation/ discrimination. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial ($53,910 back pay, $20,000 emotional distress, and $100,000 punitive damages) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed except punitive damages [plaintiff]. Grounds: Employee with Stargardt's Disease, a degenerative illness, had 20/200 vision. Jury could find he was qualified individual to work as merchandiser or in warehouse loader position. Employer waived objection to warehouse loader expressly when presenting Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(a) motion after close of plaintiff's evidence, which insulated verdict from review post-trial or on appeal. Alternatively, employee established that he could safely operate forklift in factory; supervisor erroneously concluded that if the employee was restricted in driving, he was also barred from operating forklift. Driving not an "essential function" of merchandiser job, where employee could arrange transportation with others. Jury could find that employer cause interactive process to fail, where employer's witnesses admitted that they never individually investigated employees performance, never sent employee for medical examination, never contacted other facility to locate available positions, knew that employee would agree to transfer and employer waited two years to make rehire offer. Punitive damages properly denied as a matter of law where failure to accommodate was motivated by safety, rather than malice towards blind employee. Admitting employer's renewed offer of employment (supposedly, a settlement offer) at trial was not abuse of discretion where employer opened door by using it in direct examination. Remittitur properly denied on back pay, where employer's offer of reinstatement was at best conditional and disadvantageous to employee (employee would have to arrange own transportation, relocate and make wage concessions.

Battle v. United Parcel Service, Inc., 438 F.3d 856, 17 A.D. Cases 1099 (8th Cir. 2006). Panel: BENTON, Smith, Heaney. Claim on Appeal: ADA and Ark. state law reasonable accommodation. FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial (back pay and compensatory damages) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Package Division Manager with depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders presented sufficient evidence to establish substantial limitation on major life activity of thinking through treating physician and spouse's testimony. Doctor had 38 years experience evaluating psychiatric impairment. Spouse testified that employee could not make ordinary household or financial decisions, or discipline children. Sufficient evidence established that employer failed to engage in good-faith interactive process, where physician furnished report that employee was fully capable of performing all essential job functions, but company waited two months to act on it, during which time employee was on leave. Requested accommodation, of supplying employee with agenda for meetings in advance, could be found reasonable.

Samuels v. Kansas City Missouri School Dist., 437 F.3d 797, 17 AD Cases 961 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: RILEY, Arnold, Beam. Claims on Appeal: ADA reasonable accommodation. FMLA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff not a qualified person with a disability, where medical examinations taken at the time of request for accommodation established no long-term or permanent disability from multiple accidents. Examination taken one year later for workers compensation claim not relevant. Evidence of temporary impairment also demonstrates plaintiff not substantially limited in major life activity of work.

Ledbetter v. Alltel Corporate Services, 437 F.3d 717 (8th Cir. 2006) . Panel: BENTON, Smith, Heaney. Claims on Appeal : Title VII/section 1981 denial of reclassification and a raise (race). Disposition Below : Judgment after a bench trial; $14,421.91 in backpay, $22,000 in compensatory damages, and costs and attorney's fees [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal : Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds : No clear error in judge's findings that (1) despite proffer of nondiscriminatory reasons for delaying plaintiff's reclassification and raise, such as uncertainty about the future of the Document Services department and the need to cut costs following the reorganization, two similarly situated white managers under same supervisor were treated better; (2) employer departed from internal procedures by denying plaintiff, but not other employees, reclassification; (3) excuse of lack of experience contradicted by favorable performance evaluation; and (4) denial of reclassification was an adverse employment action. Admission of incomplete list of employees identified by race not an abuse of discretion. Court's calculation of back pay was not clearly erroneous, where judge was required to select a percentage increase in salary, and judge's choice was within range. Compensatory award supported by employee's own testimony about humiliation and distress suffered.

Luney v. SGS Automotive Services, Inc., 432 F.3d 866, 97 FEP 198 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: MELLOY, Colloton, Benton. Claims on Appeal : Title VII harassment and termination (sex). Disposition Below : Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal : Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : Plaintiff's original dismissal for failure to prosecute was Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(b) dismissal on the merits for purposes of res judicata. Claim not preserved by Missouri Savings Statute, which by its terms did not apply to Title VII claims.

Lee v. Rheem Mfg. Co., 432 F.3d 849, 97 FEP 118 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel : GRUENDER, Loken, Benton. Claims on Appeal : ADEA failure to hire. Disposition Below : Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : Questions in interview about applicant's expected years of service (e.g., "things have changed a lot," whether employee could "grasp these new processes," whether he had a "plan for the future") not direct evidence. Employer articulated legitimate reason for not rehiring (employee had originally retired in 1996 because of chronic fatigue syndrome, previously exhibited poor judgment, exhibited no sign of wanting to advance in career but mostly interested in making income to recover from losses in the stock market) and hiring committee thought other candidate was more qualified. Evidence of pretext insufficient to present genuine issue of material fact; employer substantiated each justification (presented evidence of succession plan, employee conceded that his health was a legitimate concern, other candidate objectively possessed qualifications that plaintiff lacked).

Nuzum v. Ozark Automotive Distributors, Inc., 432 F.3d 839, 17 AD Cases 688(8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: RILEY, Fagg [LAY, concurring]. Claims on Appeal: ADA, ADEA and Minn. state law discrimination and retaliation. Disposition Below : Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal : Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : Tendinitis of the elbow not shown to be a "disability," where (1) employee's overall ability to perform manual tasks central to most peoples' lives not significantly limited (record revealed numerous household and life activities that employee could perform); (2) major life activity of working not by shown to be significantly affected by lifting restriction; (3) limitation on sleeping that prevented employee from sleeping more than five hours a night not significant; (4) limitation on "hugging," even if it involves a "major life function," unrelated to any accommodation that the employer could provide. Panel limits prior circuit case law classifying lifting as a major life activity, treating it instead as one category of basic motor functions that together represent a major life activity.

Johnson v. Univ. of Iowa, 432 F.3d 325, 97 FEP 109 (8th Cir. 2005).Panel: MELLOY, Lay, Benton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Equal Protection challenge to parental leave policy. Disposition Below : Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal : Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Parental leave policy that allowed adoptive parents and biological mothers, but not biological fathers, to use accumulated sick leave for parental leave, did not discriminate on the basis of sex. Employer could treat mothers differently because childbirth could reasonably be presumed to require disability-based leave. Employer could also rationally conclude that adoptive fathers might need additional time off for administrative reasons.

Baucom v. Holiday Companies , 428 F.3d 764, 17 A.D. Cases 491 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: RILEY, Fagg [LAY, concurring] . Claims on Appeal: ADA, ADEA and Minn. state law discrimination and retaliation. Disposition Below : Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal : Affirmed [defendant].Grounds: Modest fluctuation in working hours, disciplinary warnings, and negative performance review do not constitute adverse employment actions for purpose of prima facie test.

McPheeters v. Black & Veatch Corp., 427 F.3d 1095, 96 FEP 1459 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: HANSEN, Wollman, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Mo. state law termination. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal : Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No abuse of discretion in admitting evidence at trial. Evidence of colloquy during deposition between attorneys for both sides about whether defendant appropriately answered an interrogatory was inadmissible on FRE403 grounds. Court did not categorically rule out admission of evidence of other age discrimination claims against employer, but plaintiff's counsel did not make offer of proof at trial to renew issues of admissibility. Objections to plaintiff counsel's opening statement sustained; no abuse of discretion in barring plaintiff's counsel from discussing contested evidence. Judge's apparent frustration with lawyers was screened from jury andcaused no prejudice. Allowing recess during plaintiff counsel's opening statement not abuse of discretion. Excuse of company witness who plaintiff wished to cross-examine on medical grounds not an abuse of discretion, where plaintiff had opportunity to depose witness. Co-worker e-mails properly excluded on relevance grounds, FRE401. No offer of proof, and no plain error, regarding exclusion of evidence of salaries of incoming replacement employees. Defense counsel's use of management book kept by vice president in examination of witness permissible; district court properly excluded the book as an exhibit. Document written by plaintiff used for impeachment purposes only was not subject to disclosure in discovery; plaintiff suffered not prejudice. Defense counsel did not violate witness-advocate rule by reasking question that referenced to an earlier part of the trial. Alleged cumulation of errors did not warrent new trial.

Maxfield v. Cintas Corp. No. 2, 427 F.3d 544, 96 FEP 1249 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MCMILLIAN, Colloton, Benton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII, § 1981 and Ark. state law demotion, transfer and termination (race). USERRA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below : Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal : Affirmed [defendant] Grounds: Assuming that employee met prima facie test for McDonnell Douglas, he did not create genuine issue of material fact on whether reason for transfer (four months' sales deficits) was pretext. Only supposedly comparable individual ran only two months' worth of deficits. Termination supported by evidence of violation of company policy and dishonesty; and no evidence that discrimination motivated the decision.

Grabovac v. Allstate Ins. Co., 425 F.3d 538, 17 A.D. Cases 225 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: MCMILLIAN, Arnold, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (sex) and retaliation. 2. Equal Pay Act. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant] Grounds: 1. Broker who failed to pass mandatory examination by a set deadline was not qualified for purposes of the indirect, prime facie test. Alternatively, males who were alleged comparables had different titles and/or deadlines and met the employer's conditions. 2. Plaintiff's salary was second highest out of five marketing business consultants in her region, all others male.

Simpson v. Des Moines Water Works, 425 F.3d 538, 17 A.D. Cases 225 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: GIBSON, Bye, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Iowa state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee fired for testing positive for marijuana use neither established causation between any alleged disability and termination decision (for purposes of prima facie case), n or presented genuine issue of material fact on pretext (where proffered reason for discharge included driving company vehicle without a license and failed drug test).

Kasper v. Federated Mutual Ins. Co., 425 F.3d 496, 96 FEP 961 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: RILEY, Bowman, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII retaliation . Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : Employee failed to establish genuine issue of material fact about whether there was causal connection between sex harassment complaint and termination where first critical performance evaluation had already been communicated two weeks prior to the employee's complaint. Termination also came one year after her complaint. Alternatively, there is no evidence that the employer was motivated by any factor other than employee's failure to file monthly reports as required.

Larry v. Potter, 424 F.3d 849, 96 FEP 897 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: HANSEN, Wollman, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII transfer (race, sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee did not present genuine issue of material fact that employer's explanation of denial of transfer was pretextual (i.e. that employee had poor work attitude and excessive absences).

Johnson v. Ready Mixed Concrete Co., 424 F.3d 806, 96 FEP 1091 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: COLLOTON, Arnold, McMillian. Claim on Appeal: Title VII termination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee did not produce genuine issue of material fact on pretext, where white truck drivers identified as comparables were not similarly situated. Employee had been terminated for dishonesty (i.e., for allegedly concealing acid damage to truck), while the white drivers had not misrepresented facts to the company or falsified reporting documents. While timing evidence supported an inference of a mistake by the employer about the employee's damage to the truck, it does not show that the employer did not have an honest belief about the misconduct. District court did not have to draw adverse inference from the absence of photographic evidence of the damage to the trucks; even if pictures existed, it was the respective employee's actions during the investigation that mattered, not the damage to the vehicles.

Singletary v. Missouri Dept. of Corrections, 423 F.3d 886, 96 FEP 807 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: SMITH, Loken, Beam. Claim on Appeal: 1. § 1981 termination. 2. Title VII discrimination (race). 3. Title VII retaliation. 4. Title VII harassment (race). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. 4. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3.Affirmed [defendant]. 4. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. State has Eleventh Amendment immunity from § 1981 action. 2. Paid administrative leave was not an adverse employment action (citing case law form Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Circuits). 3. Same as (2). 4. Racial slurs did not constitute a hostile work environment where they were infrequent, not personally heard by employee, one officer who admitted using a slur was transferred, and alleged acts of vandalism were not shown to have any connection with the use of racial slurs.

Johnson v. AT&T Co., 422 F.3d 756, 96 FEP 762 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: HANSEN, Wollman, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII, § 1981 and Mo. state law termination (race and age). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee, who was terminated after he was identified (by nine co-workers, based on audiotape recording) as the individual who phoned in repeated bomb threats to his work facility, failed to establish pretext. Although a subsequent investigation revealed facts tending to exonerate the employee, that information was not available to the employer when the decision was mad to fire him. Court found no record support for claim that manager testified falsely about incident in state unemployment hearing. Lack of thorough investigation is not proof of pretext; termination adequately supported by co-worker testimony, absent evidence that the co-workers possessed racial bias against employee.

Gilooly v. Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services, 421 F.3d 734, 96 FEP 659 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MELLOY, Smith [COLLOTON, dissenting in part]. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII, § 1983 and Mo. state law harassment (sex). 2. Title VII, § 1983 and Mo. state law discrimination (sex). 3. Title VII, § 1983 and Mo. state law retaliation . Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3.Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Frequent desk visits and unannounced visits at home by female managers did not constitute severe or pervasive harassment. 2. Suspension supported by evidencethat employee violated confidentiality, conflict of interest and reporting rules, while allegedly similar employees had not committed infractions of comparable severity. 3. Employee created genuine issue of material fact about causation, where decisionmakers furnished different and contradictory accounts of the reason for the termination. Anti-retaliation provision protects an employee who files a good-faith complaint of harassment from adverse action even where the employer afterwards contends that the employee lied during the investigation, absent a clear record of deception.

Turner v. Gonzales, 421 F.3d 688 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: GRUENDER, Melloy, Heaney. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII discipline (race). 2. Title VII harassment (race). 3. Title VII retaliation . Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3.Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Employee FBI agent fails to present prima facie case, where she was disciplined for repeatedly ignoring internal workplace procedures and deadlines, while male agents were charged with lesser violations. 2. That male agents junior to employee in experience allegedly showed plaintiff disrespect and, in one instance, received an assignment ahead of plaintiff, and one comment uttered outside plaintiff's presence, not severe or pervasive. 3. Denial of automatic step increase, caused by performance rating downgrade, constitutes an adverse employment action. Timing of downgrade (two months ahead of schedule and five days after manager became aware of discrimination complaint) evidence of causation. Transfer of agent to different state and away from her area of specialty may also constitute an adverse employment action. Issue of fact presented regarding timing and validity of two negative performance evaluations that led to her transfer. Although plaintiff was accused of mistakes in two cases, plaintiff rebutted this showing with evidence of U.S. Custom's officer who contradicted FBI's claims. Moreover, agent who investigated plaintiff for second evaluation admitted that he interviewed no one who interacted with the plaintiff, other than her two superiors, and other agents with first-hand knowledge could and did vouch for her work as outstanding.

Davis v. KARK-TV, Inc., 421 F.3d 699, 96 FEP 673 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MELLOY, Loken, Hansen. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII, § 1981 and Ark. state law promotion (race). 2. Title VII, § 1981 and Ark. state law pay (race). 3. Title VII, § 1981 and Ark. state law constructive discharge (race). 4. Title VII, § 1981 and Ark. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. 4. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3.Affirmed [defendant]. 4. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Assuming that employee could make out prima facie case, employer met its burden of production by showing that employee was not as fast as other candidates at learning how to produce and display graphics, and employee's rebuttal only challenged the other candidates' experience. No evidence that employee was denied relevant training. 2. Employer rebutted employee's claim by showing that she had not earned a raise in excess of 2% based on her performance, and that she had stated that she did not want a raise in a lower range. 3. Transfer that gave employee a higher-level title and 7% raise not adverse, even if transfer required plaintiff to work undesirable evening shift. 4. Same as (3).

Jankovitz v. Des Moines Independent Community School Dist., 421 F.3d 649, 96 FEP 695 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MCMILLIAN, Arnold, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: ADEA benefits . Disposition Below: Summary judgment for plaintiff [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds : Early retirement plan that paid a lump sum based on unused sick leave, but that did not apply to employees age 65 or older, violated ADEA. Benefit plan not protected by affirmative defense, 29 U.S.C. § 623(f)(2)(B)(ii), because the definition of "early" retirement was entirely based on age instead of length of service.

Bass v. SBC Communications, Inc.,418 F.3d 870, 16 AD Cases 1857 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: SMITH, Murphy, Bye. Claim on Appeal: ADA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee with Raynauds Syndrome and Scleroderma who failed to produce evidence that he was medically released to return to work could not prove standing (i.e. that he was qualified to perform essential functions of job), and admitted in his deposition that during relevant time frame he was unable to return to work.

Wright v. Rolette County, 417 F.3d 879, 96 FEP 385 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MELLOY [BYE, concurring] [HEANEY, dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: 1. § 1983 constructive discharge (sex). 2. § 1983 harassment (sex). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment on qualified immunity [plaintiff]. 2.Summary judgment on qualified immunity [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Reversed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Although employee made out harassment claim, behavior did not reach "intolerable" stage that would compel employee to quit. 2. Right against sex harassment clearly established in 2002. That employee made no allegation of sexual advances or touching does not repudiate claim of harassment, where supervisor made extremely vulgar sexualized comments to employee, sometimes in presence of other employees, over two year period.

Rodgers v. U.S. Bank, N.A ., 417 F.3d 845, 95 FEP 340 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: GRUENDER, Melloy [COLLOTON, concurring in the judgment]. Claim on Appeal: Title VII, § 1981 and Mo. state law termination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: On prima facie case, panel majority disapproved of the stringent standard applied by the district court at the prima facie stage. "At the prima facie stage of the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework, we choose to follow the low-threshold standard for determining whether employees are similarly situated." At the pretext stage, the court affirmed summary judgment. Proffered reason was that employee violated the bank's policy against employees processing transactions on their own accounts. The employee failed to rebut this explanation, either by locating comparable white employees (whose offenses were sporadic and involved far less money). Plaintiff was also on final-warning status, where comparable white employees were not. Allegedly inadequate investigation not a basis for inferring pretext. Adding reasons to support discharge that do not contradict original explanation not evidence of pretext.

Pointer v. DART, 417 F.3d 819, 96 FEP 285 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: WOLLMAN, Hansen, Benton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII termination (race). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Although district court abused its discretion in refusing to enforce witness subpoenas, this decision was not shown to violate substantial rights under FRE103(a), where there was no offer of proof of what the witnesses' testimony would have been or whether it would have cast doubt on credibility of employer's witness.

Logan v. Liberty Healthcare Corp., 416 F.3d 877, 96 FEP 877 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: MCMILLIAN, Wollman, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADA, ADEA and Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that plaintiff made out prima facie case, plaintiff did not rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for demotion and termination (i.e., persistent personal animosity between plaintiff and supervisor that preexisted her complaint of discrimination, and alleged dishonesty about use of sick leave). Affidavit from co-worker that plaintiff was subject to unprecedented scrutiny was conclusory.

Wallace v. Sparks Health System, 415 F.3d 853, 96 FEP 253 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: BOWMAN, Riley, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Expressions of irritation by employer during EEOC conciliation process that lead to settlement do not establish causal connection, and one year passed between EEOC charge and layoff. No evidence that employer withheld information about open positions within organization. Alternatively, employer furnished legitimate non-discriminatory reason for termination (RIF), and plaintiff failed to establish that this reason was unworthy of credence.

Cheshewalla v. Rand & Son Construction Co., 415 F.3d 847, 96 FEP 171 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: WOLLMAN, Hansen, Riley. Claims on Appeal:1. Title VII harassment (sex). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Alleged harasser was not a supervisor within the meaning of Faragher; as foreman, he did not have hiring or firing authority. Evaluated as a co-worker harassment situation, plaintiff did not report harassment immediately and when she turned foreman in he was permanently transferred away from plaintiff, satisfying standard of due care. 2. Four-week interval between complaint of harassment and termination is insufficient by itself to establish causal connection. Intervening events (plaintiff's repeated unexcused absences and reduction in force) furnished legitimate reason for termination.

Russell v. City of Kansas City, Mo., 414 F.3d 863, 96 FEP 1 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: LOKEN, Hansen, Morris Sheppard Arnold. Claims on Appeal: Title VII termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Plaintiff terminated for alleged violation of anti-harassment policy presented genuine issue of material fact about intent. Though plaintiff waived direct method of proof, evidence showed evidence of pretext. Comments by plaintiff (about Mexican children in presence of Latina, and calling a gay employee "sissy pants") were not taken as insulting or harassing by those employees, who each testified that plaintiff was being singled out because of her race. One African-American, one white male were not punished as harshly under same policy.

Zhuang v. Datacard Corp., 414 F.3d 849 , 96 FEP 95 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: WOLLMAN, Gibson, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII, ADEA and Minn. state law termination. 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff does not make out prima facie case. Transfer to tester position involved only minor changes in working conditions and no change in compensation; not an adverse employment action. While termination was an adverse action, plaintiff did not show that she was meeting the legitimate expectations of the employers (she received low rating in RIF). Comments about plaintiff's age and accent did not support inference of discriminatory intent. 2. While there was a disputed issue of fact about the timing of her termination (before or after her discrimination complaint), fact is not material because record lacked other evidence sufficient to support causal connection; supervisor's knowledge of EEOC charge alone is not enough. Alternatively, employer establish performance-based reason for discharge not rebutted by plaintiff.

Ace Elec. Contractors, Inc. v. International Broth. of Elec. Workers, Local Union Number 292, AFL-CIO, 414 F.3d 896 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: HANSEN, Melloy [MURPHY, dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: Minn. state law challenge to collective bargaining agreement (age). Disposition Below: Summary judgment for plaintiff [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds : CBA that required quota of employees age 50 or over as electrical workers violated public policy, as declared in state employment discrimination law. Minnesota law, unlike ADEA, protects relatively younger employees as well.

Philip v. General Motors, 413 F.3d 766, 95 FEP 1858 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MELLOY, Bye [HEANEY, dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII termination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff did not present prima facie case that he was treated differently than similarly situated employees. Acts of disparate treatment alleged in affidavits not connected up with plaintiff's incident.

Tatum v. Arkansas Dep't of Health, 411 F.3d 955, 95 FEP 1697 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: MELLOY, Loken, Hanson. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (sex). 2. Title VII constructive discharge (sex). Disposition Below: 1. Judgment as a matter of law, after jury awarded $300,000 compensatory damages [defendant]. 2. Judgment as a matter of law [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. In co-worker harassment,case, remedial action was prompt and effective as a metter of law -- despite taking two weeks to initiate after complaint -- where harassment ceased at once, even though plaintiff continued to work in the same office as the alleged harasser. Investigation took two and a half months, involved two investigators and nineteen witness interviews, and resulted in a written finding. 2. Being forced to continue to work with alleged harasser during investigation, and unfriendly behavior of co-workers, not "intolerable" and failed to establish that employer intended to force plaintiff to quit.

Soliman v. Johanns, 412 F.3d 920 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: RILEY, Colloton [BYE, dissenting]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment and temination (race, national origin). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: District court did not abuse discretion by denying pro se litigant leave to file a response to summary judgment after his father's death, where court had already granted one extension, warned that there would not be another extension, and plaintiff filed second motion for extension after deadline had run. Plaintiff, on the merits, failed to establish that he was performing up to employer's reasonable standards (record contained evidence of serious performance deficiencies) and evidence of alleged harassment was not sufficiently severe. Although district court erred in waiting only one day to enter judgment on magistrate judge's report and recommendation, error was harmless because plaintiff lacked any non-frivolous objections.

Coons v. Mineta, 410 F.3d 1036, 95 FEP 1616 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MURPHY, Heaney, Smith. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Title VII failure to rehire (race). Disposition Below: Dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Issue of fact presented on face of complaint regarding equitable tolling of limitations period for filing a charge. District court erred in holding that supposedly untimely charge deprived court of subject matter jurisdiction. Plaintiff's complaint sufficiently alleged that discriminatory act (rehire decisions in 1998) was not known to plaintiff until 2002. Record insufficiently developed to determine whether agency abused discretion in interpreting 29 C.F.R. § 1614.105(a)(2) not to allow extension to file charge. Alleged systemic discrimination throughout rehire process to present might also support continuing violation.

Tatum v. City of Berkeley, 408 F.3d 543, 95 FEP 1470 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MCMILLIAN, Riley, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: Title VIIand §1981 discrimination and harassment (race); and retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment as a matter of law [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed for one plaintiff [plaintiff]. Grounds: Dismissal of six plaintiffs' cases affirmed. Panel rejects claims of different plaintiffs that zero-tolerance drug policy was pretextual, that one employee was constructively discharged when someone tampered with his breathing equipment, and sundry claims treated summarily. One plaintiff, though, presented evidence that although he supposedly failed probation because of alleged falsification of his employment application, there was evidence that the oral interview panel showed no concern about the alleged misrepresentation after he offered to clear it up with additional documentation. Jury could infer retaliatory or discriminatory motive.

Haas v. Kelly Services, Inc., 409 F.3d 1030, 95 FEP 1355 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: SMITH, Melloy [COLLOTON, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADEA and Mo. state law termination. 2. ADEA and Mo. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff established prima facie case, but failed to establish that age motivated termination, as against evidence that she was fired for insubordination (failure to return to work when called). Evidence about altercation between younger female supervisor and plaintiff about supervisors "short skirt" and denial of bonus did not point specifically to age. 2. That termination occurred weeks after complaint of discrimination, timing of termination decision was in dispute, and facts about alleged insubordination were in dispute creates genuine issue of material fact on retaliation.

Williams v. Missouri Dep't of Mental Health, 407 F.3d 972, 95 FEP 1345 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: SMITH, Melloy, Colloton. Claims on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Female employees contended that the acts of harassment (a supervisor who exposed himself, and fondled and grabbed the two plaintiffs) were so severe and pervasive that liability for hostile work environment attached before they ever had an opportunity to complain (although one plaintiff did complain, albeit after she left the worksite). Court holds that employer proved Faragher/Ellerth defense as a matter of law. Employer's policy allowed employees to skip levels of management and was otherwise reasonable, and as soon as one of the plaintiffs complained, the agency began investigation and placed harasser on administrative leave. Even if first incident created actionable hostile work environment, employer still would have had defense as it took prompt corrective actions after first complaint.

Sallis v. University of Minnesota, 408 F.3d 470, 95 FEP 1281 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: SMITH, Loken, Riley. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII promotion (race). 2. Title VII discrimination (race). 3. Title VII harassment (race). 4. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. 4. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2.Affirmed [defendant]. 3.Affirmed [defendant]. 4. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Desert Palace v. Costa mixed-motive analysis not applicable to ordinary disparate treatment case. Assuming plaintiff made out prima facie test, summary judgment supported by failure of plaintiff to rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory reason (other candidate more qualified). 2. No evidence of other adverse employment actions to support claim. District court did not abuse discretion by denying access to university's entire file of race discrimination complaints and limiting him only to complaints from his department, Parking and Transportation Services. 3. Rude, insensitive remarks singling plaintiff out because of his skin color not severe or pervasive. 4. Complaints in personnel file insufficient to constitute "adverse employment action."

Al-Zubaidy v. TEK Industries, Inc., 406 F.3d 1030, 95 FEP 1292 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: RILEY, Loken, Morris Sheppard Arnold. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (race, sex, religion, national origin). 2. Title VII harassment (race, sex, religion, national origin). 3. Neb. state law discrimination. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant] 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Employee (a state inmate who worked for a manufacturing facility that contracted with the state) did not rebut legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for termination (excessive absences). Plaintiff waived failure-to-rehire claim by not putting it in his administrative charge. 2. Offensive, offhand and isolated remarks not severe or pervasive. 3. State civil rights statute does not govern prison labor according to state's attorney general opinion. Whether correct or not, judgment could be affirmed on alternative ground that claim lacked merit (as found under Title VII).

Voeltz v. Arctic Cat, Inc., 406 F.3d 1047, 16 A.D. Cases 1208 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: BOWMAN, Morris Sheppard Arnold, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA reasonable accommodation. 2. ADA transfer and failure to rehire. Disposition Below: 1. Judgment entered after a jury trial; $71,000 back pay ; $74,626 in front pay [plaintiff]. 2. Judgment entered after a jury trial; liability, but finding mixed-motive defense for employer [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. JAML correctly denied on estoppel defense; jury found that employee manifested good-faith belief that application for SSDI benefits was not inconsistent with definition of "qualified individual" under Cleveland v. Policy Management. Jury, however, did not make a finding that plaintiff lost his job because of employer's failure to engage in the interactive process and accommodate his MS, hence no proof of injury to substantiate award. Case remanded for entry of nominal damages. 2. Because of the jury's finding on the affirmative "same decision" defense, where reinstatement "could not have been ordered as a matter of law because of the jury's findings that Voeltz would not have been working at Arctic Cat regardless of his disability, Voeltz is not entitled to front pay as an alternative to reinstatement."

Pope v. ESA Services, Inc., 406 F.3d 1001, 95 FEP 1230 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: GRUENDER, Bye, John R. Gibson. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Minn. state law promotion (race). 2. Title VII and Minn. state law termination (race). 3. Title VII and Minn. state law retaliation. State tort and whistleblowing claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2.Affirmed [defendant]. 3.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff did not rebut explanation for decision to hire outside applicant for district manager's position (plaintiff had not shown superior performance as a general manager, other candidate had experience managing multiple grocery stores). No admissible evidence that decisionmaker refused to socialize with black employees. 2. Employer reasonably and in good faith believed employee committed overtime violation and had petty cash shortage. Only other white employee with comparable record was also fired. 3. Fact that plaintiff mentioned absence of black managers in region to hiring manager was not a "protected activity."

Peterson v. Scott County, 406 F.3d 515, 95 FEP 1252 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: HEANEY, Bye, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADEA, Title VII (sex) and Minn. state law failure to hire. 2. ADEA, Title VII (sex) and Minn. state law promotion. 3. Title VII, ADEA and Minn. state law harassment. 4. Title VII, ADEA and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. 4. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Reversed [plaintiff]. 2. Reversed [plaintiff] 3. Affirmed [defendant]. 4. Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1.Proffered explanation was that plaintiff applied later than other applicants, whose background checks were completed ahead of hers. Genuine issue of material fact whether employees were hired in strict order that background checks were completed. Employer also changed explanation mid-stream, allowing inference of unlawful discrimination. 2. For purposes of prima facie case, plaintiff was similarly situated to three younger men considered for job, even though they were already full-time employees with more experience. At pretext stage, where employer raised relative qualifications of applicants, plaintiff presented genuine issue of material fact where two males hired did not meet minimum qualifications. Also, alleged performance deficiencies of plaintiff could not have affected hiring decision because they were not reported to decisionmakers. 3. Three comments by supervisors about "old ladies" not severe or pervasive. 4. Because sexual harassment under Title VII is evolving, plaintiffs who reasonably believed that comments about "old ladies" were harassment engaged in protected conduct by complaining to manager, even if a court ultimately concludes that plaintiff was mistaken in her belief. Termination occurred only two weeks after complaint, and was preceded by calendar entry that stated "Call Pam Johnson/ER . . . INTR-Dismissal" which may have referred to plaintiff (who was interim employee). Conflicting evidence about how many shifts plaintiff missed.

Thomforde v. IBM Corp., 406 F.3d 500 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: HANSEN, Smith, Fagg. Claims on Appeal: ADEA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Under Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, 29 U.S.C. § 626(f), release held not enforceable where agreement was not written in a manner calculated to be understood by participants, as required by the OWBPA. Covenant not to sue excluded ADEA claims, but release did not. Employee asked in-house counsel prior to signing what this apparent conflict in the language meant, company refused to answer.

Wentzel v. Missouri-American Water Co., 404 F.3d 1038, 16 A.D. Cases 1124 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: BENTON, Wollman, MacMillian . Claims on Appeal: ADA and Mo. state law forced leave. Disposition Below: Summary judgment (defendant). Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed (defendant). Grounds: Employer could not have regarded plaintiff as substantially limited in the major life activity of working, where his lifting restriction only made him unqualified for his laborer's job, not broad range of jobs. Delay in return to work was not motivated by retaliation, but by plaintiff's failure to abide by arbitrator's award requiring second medical opinion before returning to full-duty.

Henderson v. Ford Motor Co., 403 F.3d 1026, 95 FEP 970, 16 A.D. Cases 1025 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: DORR, Loken, Smith . Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA and Minn. state law reasonable accommodation. 2. ADA and Minn. state law termination. 3. Title VII, ADA and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant] 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1.No equitable tolling of limitations periods for claim, where employee admitted in a deposition that she was already suspicious as early as 1998 that she was not being placed in an open position because her supervisor told her she was instructed by company to keep her from returning to plant in retaliation for helping other employees pursue discrimination claims. 2. Plaintiff failed to prove as part of prima facie case that she was qualified to fill any of the openings with her medical restrictions and low seniority. Alternatively, employer's alleged failure to reasonably accommodate plaintiff is not evidence of pretext because those events occurred years before. 3. Protected activity separated from termination by more than two years.

Torlowei v. Target, 401 F.3d 933, 95 FEP 753 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: Per Curiam [Smith, Beam, Benton]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII discrimination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment (defendant). Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed (defendant). Grounds: Published opinion affirms district court's analysis, except to correct its reliance on Desert Palace , which it holds to be inapplicable at the summary judgment stage.

Parisi v. The Boeing Co., 400 F.3d 583, 95 FEP 596 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: MCMILLIAN, Riley, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: ADEA failure to rehire. Disposition Below: Summary judgment (defendant). Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed (defendant). Grounds: Plaintiff failed to exhaust 94 applications to be rehired in EEOC charge. Original charge does not incorporate additional incidents, which occurred in some instances before he filled out intake questionnaire. Each incident was discrete event within meaning of Morgan.

Stidham v. 3M Company, 399 F.3d 935, 95 FEP 417 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: BYE, Murphy, McMillian. Claims on Appeal: ADEA and Mo. state law termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff terminated during reductio-in-force when her job was declared "redundant." While acknowledging that the dictionary definition of "redundant" is ordinarily "repetitive," the panel found no disputed issue of fact that the 3M Company meant something different by its use of the word. Court declines to credit alleged statistical evidence of fate of older employees. Employer presents "same actor" inference, because manager who made decision to eliminate her job also the one who originally hired her. Her retirement benefits would not have bee affected is she had accepted reassignment to her prior position.

Shelton v. Boeing Co., 399 F.3d 909, 95 FEP 606 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MCMILLIAN, Riley, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: ADEA failure to rehire. Disposition Below: Dismissal under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee did not exhaust administrative remedies where neither his charge nor his intake questionnaire made reference to failure to rehire claim, but only to original layoff. Scope of charge specifically limited by reference to date of layoff, but no other event.

Eliserio v. United Steelworkers of America, 398 F.3d 1071, 95 FEP 421 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: GRUENDER, Bye, Beam. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Ia. state law harassment (race) and retaliation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: The plaintiff (who was in the bargaining unit, but not a member) complained to management about racial harassment; the company fired the employee, but he was reinstated in the course of grievance proceedings. Graffiti began to appear throughout the plant referring to "Taco Bob," "Ratelserio" (complete with drawings of the plaintiff as a rat), and "a woman gave birth to a taco shaped turd and she named him Bob." After the plaintiff complained, there subsequently appeared pre-printed, union-issued "No Rat" stickers sprouting on union members personal belongings. Distribution of stickers at time coinciding with graffiti presented genuine issue of material fact about whether union supported racial harassment. Evidence that harassers admitted that they would "stop at nothing to get rid of" plaintiff was not hearsay under FRE 801(d)(2).

Kratzer v. Rockwell Collins, Inc., 398 F.3d 1040, 95 FEP 549 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: BENTON, Smith, Beam. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADA, Title VII and Iowa state law training (sex). 2. Title VII and Iowa state law harassment (sex). 3. Title VII and Iowa state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant] 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff (with workplace injury and medical restrictions) failed to meet prima facie burden because she did not pass test that qualified her for training. No reasonable accommodation claim because plaintiff failed to inform employer of accommodation that was needed. Plaintiff failed to return to doctor for follow-up evaluation. Plaintiff who failed qualifying test also failed prima facie burden under Title VII of establishing she qualified for training. 2. Plaintiff who admitted that she was not bothered by offensive conduct flunks subjective prong of proving harassment. 3. No adverse action in denying training, because decision was based on failure to provide updated medical evaluation. Offer to allow plaintiff to training in exchange for withdrawing administrative charge was settlement offer under FRE408 and therefore not admissible.

Strate v. Midwest Bankcentre, Inc., 398 F.3d 1011, 16 A.D. Cases 801 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: MCMILLIAN, Murphy, Benton. Claims on Appeal: ADA and Mo. state law termination claim. ERISA claim (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Claim was termination for association with a disabled person (her newborn child with Down's syndrome). Prima facie case was not disputed. After Desert Palace, analysis of summary judgment did not change; plaintiff was always able to prove unlawful discrimination without directly disproving the proffered reason for the adverse action. Although district court properly analyzed claim under indirect method, it erred in holding that plaintiff did not raise genuine issue of material fact challenging asserted reason for termination (elimination of plaintiff's job in reorganization). Here, job was eliminated two months after plaintiff enrolled her child on her insurance, she had excellent record for eleven years, and she was qualified (but discouraged from applying for) vice president vacancy.

Pedroza v. Cintas Corporation No. 2 d/b/a Cintas Corporation , No. 03-1407 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MELLOY, Beam [COLLOTON, concurring]. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Mo. state law harassment (same-sex), retaliation and constructive discharge. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff failed to show that unwelcome, sexually-tinged behavior by female co-worker was motivated by sex. To show that harassment was motivated by sexual desire, plaintiff had to present admissible evidence that. Much of what plaintiff presented was inadmissible comments or rumors about her co-worker's sexual orientation that was excluded in the district court, and no appeal was taken on the decision on the motion in limine. Fact that harassing actions involved physical grabbing, kissing and statement that co-worker "wanted" plaintiff was insufficient to establish co-worker's motivation. Court declines to set separate standard for female same-sex harassment from men. No adverse action based on plaintiff's voluntary decision to switch positions with co-worker and then resign.

Shanklin v. Fitzgerald, 397 F.3d 596, 95 FEP 240 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: RILEY, Gibson, Gruender. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII and Mo. state law termination (race). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Teacher failed to show as a matter of law that she was meeting school district's legitimate expectations, where there was systematic documentation of repeated problems in the classroom (difficult relations with students, cursing, using tape recorder in class when directed not to by administration) and evaluations showing that she was not competent. Alternatively, school district had legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for terminating teacher (did not improve in areas in which she was specifically counseled). 2. No evidence of causal connection between October 2000 EEOC charge and August 2001 termination. Ten-month gap, combined with ample evidence of intervening and repeated failures by teacher, defeats genuine issue of material fact.

Okruhlik v. Univ. of Arkansas, 395 F.3d 872, 95 FEP 82 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: WOLLMAN, McMillian, Riley. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII retaliation, denial of tenure. 2. Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: 1. Judgment as a matter of law [defendant]. 2. Judgment as a matter of law [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Female faculty member who did not appeal negative recommendation by dean did not suffer "adverse employment action," because recommendation did not end tenure process and plaintiff withdrew herself before it was completed. Court defers to university's characterization of the tenure process as complete only after the university president makes decision. While intermediate decision might be relevant to discrimination case, it does not give rise to a separate claim. 2. University prevailed as a matter of law on Faragher/Ellerth defense; plaintiff failed to avail herself of grievance mechanisms.

LeGrand v. Area Resources for Community & Human Services, 394 F.3d 1098, 95 FEP 14 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: RILEY, Gibson, Gruender. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Mo. state law harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Following activity (by priest who was advisor and served on board of plaintiff's project) not sufficiently severe or pervasive to male employee: invitation to watch porn and masturbate together); subsequent invitation to watch porn combined with kiss on the mouth, grab at buttocks and hand brushed against genitals; priest briefly gripped employee's thigh.

Knutson v. AG Processing, Inc., 394 F.3d 1047, 16 A.D. Cases 545 (8th Cir. 2005) . Panel: COLLOTON, M. Arnold, Riley. Claims on Appeal: ADA reassignment. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial (compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief and attorney's fees) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Employee could not show that employer regarded him as disabled, as regards the major life activity of work, where it removed him as boiler operator and reassigned him to other work in the plant, at the same level pay and a comparable level of physical activity.

Hesse v. Avis Rent a Car Systems, Inc., 394 F.3d 624, 94 FEP 805 (8th Cir. 2005). Panel: MURPHY, Lay, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (sex). 2. Title VII termination/failure to recall. 3. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. 3. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Male manager's noisemaking was not specifically directed female employee. Although same manager had two years earlier kicked her desk and pushed her chair, record showed that he ceased harassing activities after plaintiff complained to supervisors in 1999; subsequent activity that resumed in 2001 not shown to be related to plaintiff's gender. Moreover, employer would prevail on Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense, since it took effective steps to end harassment. 2. Plaintiff failed to identify a similarly situated male employee in her job category who was laid-off and not recalled. Alternatively, the reason for termination -- reduction in force - was not pretextual. 3. Termination came nearly twoyears after her complaint about manager was resolved, defeating causation.

Banks v. Int'l Union Electronic, Electrical, Technical, Salaried and Machine Workers of America, 390 F.3d 1049 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel : SMITH,Riley, Lay. Claims on Appeal: Title VII race and retaliation claims. LMRA claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds : Claims barred by res judicata/collateral estoppel because they rose out of same nucleus of common events as prior case; no additional events occurred that created new claims.

Riggs v. Kansas City Missouri Public School Dist., 385 F.3d 1164, 94 FEP 1102 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MCMILLAN, Morris Sheppard Arnold, Melloy. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII, section 1981 and Mo. state law termination (race). 2. Title VII, section 1981 and Mo. state law promotion (race). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Judgment following a jury trial [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : 1. In reverse discrimination case, plaintiff failed to present prima facie case that he was meeting employer's legitimate expectations (fired for failure to follow directives, failure to comply with written warning and unwillingness to provide direction to staff); alternatively, plaintiff raised no inference of race discrimination by evidence that prior administration expressed preference for African-Americans. 2. Intervening Desert Palace decision did not require retrial on mixed-motive theory where plaintiff expressly declined a charge on that theory at trial and thus waived objection.

Griffith v. City of Des Moines, 387 F.3d 733, 94 FEP 993 (8th Cir. 2004) . Panel: LOKEN, Bye [MAGNUSON, concurring] . Claims on Appeal: Title VII, § 1981 and 1983, and Iowa state law discrimination and retaliation . Disposition Below : Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal : Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : Handling of sex abuse charges against Latino firefighter found neither to be motivated by race nor retaliation. Court holds that Desert Palace v. Costa did not alter direct/indirect methods of proof at summary judgment stage under McDonnell Douglas. Leave of absence in face of public allegations of sex abuse not discriminatory where the employee himself requested it. After he was allowed to return to work, denial of request for retraining not actionable because it was not an adverse employment action. unrelated disciplinary actions were supported by evidence of plaintiff's misconduct, and not bias or retaliation. No retaliation where complaints of discrimination were filed only after pre-hearing notice of discipline. Co-workers who mocked plaintiff about abuse charges, sometimes but not always in racial terms, did not create a severe or pervasive racially hostile work environment.

Wortham v. American Family Ins. Group, 385 F.3d 1139, 94 FEP 1005 (8th Cir. 2004) . Panel: RILEY, Wollman, McMillian. Claims on Appeal: 1. ADEA, Title VII (race), and Iowa state law transfer. 2. Section 1981 transfer. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : 1.Plaintiff insurance agent held an "independent contractor," based on form of contract; lack of supervision, budget, formal hours of work and office space; and compensation by commission. 2. No evidence of disparate treatment.

Maki v. Allete, Inc., 383 F.3d 740, 94 FEP 743 (8th Cir. 2004) . Panel: HEANEY, Wollman, Bowman. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. state law pension (sex). Disposition Below: Dismissed on Rule 12(b)(6) motion [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds : Claim that plaintiffs' pension payments were too small because they were not allowed to bridge service dates that were cut short by discriminatory marriage and pregnancy rules in the 1950s and 60s accured (for statute of limitations purposes) when each individual plaintiff retired and her pension benefits vested.

Genthe v. Quebecor World Lincoln, 383 F.3d 713, 15 A.D. Cases 1697 (8th Cir. 2004) . Panel: WOLLMAN, Hansen [BYE, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: ADA failure to promote. Disposition Below: Judgment as a matter of law[defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : No genuine issue of material fact about whether plaintiff was turned sown for promotions because employer regarded him as having a limiting impairment, or that he was passed over for promotion because of such an impairment. For the two promotion decisions that the jury found were discriminatory, the decisionmakers (an individual supervisor and a committee) made reference to plaintiff's health, but did not manifest doubts about his fitness overall for any major life activity. No plain error in ADA charge to jury on his other, losing claims.

Baker v. John Morrell & Co., 382 F.3d 816 (8th Cir. 2004) . Panel: BYE, Loken, Magnuson. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Iowa state law harassment, retaliation, discrimination ans retaliation (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial; $839,470 compensatory damages, $33,314 back pay, $650,000 punitive damages [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed[plaintiff]. Grounds : Evidence sufficient to support verdict on all claims (years of verbal and physical abuse, and employer's ineffectual awareness of situation). Constant barrage of harassment was objectively intolerable, company failed to respond to complaints and employee rationally determined that she had no response other than to leave. Retaliation claim supported by evidence that employer cut down her breaks, refused to provide job assistance, yelled at her about mistakes, withheld privileges extended to other employees and discouraged her from making further complaints. District court did not abuse its discretion under Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(b) and 54(c) by allowing plaintiff to amend complaint following the verdict to include Iowa state law claim. Because state and federal law standards are the same, defendant was on notice and not prejudiced by amendment. Although defendant contended that it would more likely have settled if it had known about uncapped damages, there was no evidence of that strategy was actually affected and plaintiff's demands had been well in excess of $300,000 (which placed defendant on notice that she might seek more than the Title VII capped damages).

Wilson v. Brinker Int'l, Inc., 382 F.3d 765, 94 FEP 585 (8th Cir. 2004) . Panel: MELLOY, McMillian, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and Minn. state law harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment as a matter of law after a jury verdict [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : Judgment for defendant affirmed where plaintiff failed to establish continuing violation for harassment claim, where jury executed special interrogatories finding that no act of harassment occurred within 300 days of plaintiff's EEOC charge filing date.. District court did not err in failing to grant judgment as a matter of law to plaintiff on timing issue, because employer contested acts of harassment that allegedly occurred during the 300 day period and jury could have chosen to disbelieve plaintiff (as an interested witness). Burden of establishing continuing violation on plaintiff, notwithstanding Morgan . Challenges to form of instructions waived below and do not present plain error.

Morgan v. United Parcel Service of America, Inc., 380 F.3d 459, 94 FEP 591 (8th Cir. 2004) . Panel: BEAM, Morris Sheppard Arnold [MELLOY, concurring and dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: Title VII and §1981 pattern or practice pay, work conditions and promotions (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : Four Rule 23(b)(2) classes of African-American managers were certified for liability purposes. On promotionclaim, relying on subjective factors, plaintiffs' expert failed to perform correct Wilcoxon test to determine racial pattern of promotions, and when performed correctly the test results were negative. Proof of discrimination in promotions in some districts would not establish "standard operating procedure" of discrimination overall. Plaintiffs also relied on applicant pool without correcting for unqualifieds. Unverified complaints by class members about unequal work conditions insufficient to raise an inference of pattern-or-practice discrimination. Regarding compensation, two multiple regression analyses by plaintiffs' experts failed to create a genuine issue of material fact because they were critically incomplete (did not consider past pay or performance evaluation data) and exclusion of these explanatory variables was not justified without evidence that they were biased by past discrimination against the class. Moreover, plaintiffs failed to present anecdotal evidence of pay discrimination.

Jackson v. Flint Ink North America Corp., 382 F.3d 869, 94 FEP 549 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, John Gibson, Riley. Claim on Appeal: Title VII harassment (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds : Plaintiff presented genuine issue of material fact on severe or pervasive harassment, which included uses of the word "nigger," and two instances of "KKK" graffiti over eighteen months, including in graffiti in showers with an arrow connecting plaintiff's name to a burning cross ans KKK sign. Case previously reported at 370 F.3d 791, 93 FEP 1612 (8th Cir. 2004).

Rowe v. Hussmann Corp., 381 F.3d 775, 94 FEP 520 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: WOLLMAN, Richard S. Arnold, Morris Sheppard Arnold. Claims on Appeal: Title VII and Mo. state law harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial; $500,000 emotional distress damages, $1,000,000 punitive damages [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds : Charge filed in 1999 timely under state and federal law. Under Title VII, as construed by Morgan, plaintiff's claim continued because jury could have found that harassment by manager did not cease between 1996 and 2000. District court did not err in failing to give jury defendant's version of the instruction, which provided two inaccurate alternative bases for finding limitations defense. Under state law, charge was timely under the continuing violation doctrine, which is consistent with Morgan. Emotional distress damage award supported by plaintiff's testimony that she suffered a constant fear of her manager; experienced panic attacks (nausea, headaches, sweating, and hyperventilation); moved her residence; obtained a gun card and mace;. took lunch and taking coffee breaks in the women's restroom; and had impaired relations with children. (Her treating psychologist testified that plaintiff suffered from an anxiety disorder and that her prognosis is poor.) Punitive award supported by harasser's outrageous conduct (contact verging on rape, threats of violence, etc.) and company's failure to take action.

Williams v. The Thomson Corp., 383 F.3d 789, 94 FEP 543 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: PER CURIAM (Murphy, Heaney, Magill). Claim on Appeal: Title VII and ADA discrimination claims. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : Plaintiff's claims time-barred by failure to file suit within 90 days of receiving right-to-sue letter; plaintiff's original failure to read letter for two weeks after it was forwarded to her. Law-of-the-case did not apply to ruling by federal district court in Ohio that transferred case to Minnesota (rather than dismissing outright). No tolling because plaintiff should have advised Commission of her change of address. In any event, claims were meritless. Plaintiff's response affidavit that merely reiterated her complaint properly struck.

Kammueller v. Loomis, Fargo & Co., 383 F.3d 779, 15 A.D. Cases 1601 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MELLOY, Murphy, Bright. Claim on Appeal: Minn. state law disability reasonable accommodation claim. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds : Plaintiff's polycystic kidney disease, requiring dialysis three times a week (along with rigorous schedule of treatment, limits on lifting, diet, and other physical limitations) is a disability under state law. Plaintiff was terminated from driving and other work; he was told at the time that it was because he could not meet lifting requirement, but during litigation employer also noted his inflexible schedule. State law "material limits" standard is more inclusive that ADA "substantially limits" standard. Not only is kidney failure itself a disability, but so are incapacitating conditions of plaintiff's treatment. Plaintiff also presented genuine issue of material fact about whether lifting duties were "essential," where previously the company accommodated restrictions. and plaintiff had functioned for six years within his medical restrictions. Undue burden defense presented genuine issue of material fact. Termination out of seniority order constituted adverse employment action. McDonnell Douglas pretext burden-shifting does not apply to reasonable accommodation claims.

Kincaid v. City of Omaha, 378 F.3d 799, 15 A.D. Cases 1505 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MELLOY, Riley, McMillian. Claim on Appeal: ADA, Title VII and §1981 failure to promote. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds : Though assuming that plaintiff met prima facie case for disability and race discrimination, employer articulated legitimate, non-discriminatory explanation (i.e. plaintiff's failure to furnish "fitness for duty certificate" and successful candidate's qualifications), and plaintiff failed to advance sufficient evidence to rebut these reasons. Court had no basis to second-guess relative qualifications of candidates.

Williams v. ConAgra Poultry Co., 378 F.3d 790, 94 FEP 266 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, McMillian, Melloy. Claim on Appeal: Title VII, §1981 and Ark. state law harassment and termination claims. Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial; on termination claim, $927,788.90 compensatory, $6,063,750 punitive damages (remitted to $173,156 compensatory, $600,000 punitive damages); on harassment, $1,001,397.40 compensatory, $6,063,750 punitive damages (remitted compensatory damages to $600,000) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed, except punitive damages remitted to $600,000 [plaintiff]. Grounds : Plaintiff, a black male supervisor at a poultry plant, was terminated allegedly for fighting with a co-worker. At trial, Williams claimed that he was instead fired on account of race, and had suffered racial harassment. The race harassment evidence at trial included incidents both witnessed and not witnessed by the plaintiff, including numerous racist remarks, nooses left at the stations of black employees, exposure to KKK fliers and selective sexual harassment of African-American women.. District court did not err in admitting evidence of harassing events not witnessed by plaintiff, on grounds that evidence was relevant (1) to credibility of plaintiff's testimony, (2) as evidence of racial animus for termination claim and (3) to prove punitive damage. Evidence relating specifically to harassment suffered by plaintiff was sufficient to support finding of severe or pervasive harassment (management singling out plaintiff for special scorn, using racially insensitive language and one specifically racial slur, graffiti in men's room, selective enforcement of rules, disparate assignment of job duties). Jury could award punitive damages separately for both claims. Plaintiff presented sufficient evidence to support finding of reckless indifference to plaintiff's federally protected rights. Citing State Farm Auto. Ins. Co. v. Campbell, 538 U.S. 408 (2003), court finds $6 million punitive verdict excessive because it improperly relied on evidence of misconduct that occurred to others and is excessive compared to $300,000 cap under Title VII. Court reduces award to $600,000.

Bainbridge v. Loffredo Gardens, Inc., 378 F.3d 756, 94 FEP 283 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: FAGG, Loken [Richard S. Arnold, dissenting in part]. Claims on Appeal: 1. Title VII, section 1981 and Iowa state law harassment (race). 2. Title VII and Iowa state law retaliation. 3. Section 1981 retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]. 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]. 2.Affirmed [defendant]. 3. Reversed [defendant]. Grounds : 1. Use of racial epithets at workplace did not rise to severe or pervasive harassment where they occurred about once a month and were not targeted at the plaintiff (who was white). 2. Plaintiff failed to exhaust administrative remedies by raising retaliation in charge. 3. Genuine issue of material fact presented where employee was fired while on vacation just six days after making last complaint about harassment, and where reason given for termination (poor relations with subordinates) had never been raised before, contradicted plaintiff's otherwise commendable history and appears to have been solicited by management while plaintiff was on vacation.

Tolen v. Ashcroft , 377 F.3d 879, 94 FEP 193 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MELLOY, Morris Sheppard Arnold, McMillian. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII termination (race). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff terminated as Assistant U.S. Attorney for perjury in connection with his brother's bank robbery trial, the unauthorized outside practice of law, making false statements to investigating officers, using government time, clerical assistance, and space for personal reasons, and misusing his position as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for personal gain. failed to present prima facie case that he was treated less favorably than comparable non-minority staff, as other alleged misconduct by co-workers was neither as severe nor as frequent as plaintiffs. Even if he survived prima facie test, plaintiff failed to disprove legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for termination. 2. Refusal to cooperate in investigation was not a protected act. No post-employment act was causally connected to filing of EEOC charge.

McCurdy v. Arkansas State Police, 375 F.3d 762, 94 FEP 228 (8th Cir. 2004) . Panel: RILEY, Erickson [MELLOY, disseniting]. Claim on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that plaintiff demonstrated that single incident of harassment by supervisor was severe (one hour of intensive sex talk and physical grabbing) and made timely complaint, and where agency took effective steps to investigate and remedy harassment (by relocating plaintiff, turning investigation over to internal affairs, conducting a disciplinary hearing and ultimately demoting guilty officer), employer was not required under Faragher/Ellerth affirmative defense to prove second prong (that plaintiff unreasonably failed to use remedial policy) in order to avoid liability.

Woods v. Perry, 375 F.3d 671, 94 FEP 146 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MURPHY, Wollman, Heaney. Claim on Appeal: Title VII promotion (reverse discrimination). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff failed to present "background circumstances" in prima facie case that would support inference that agency discriminated against male staff. With prior promotions favoring women, the same supervisors had previously promoted men and women, and the agency furnished non-invidious explanations for the decisions. The successful female candidate in this case had objectively superior qualifications (15 years longer in agency, 14 years as assistant manager, superior leadership). Nothing suspicious about omission from job description of requirement of knowledge of vehicle maintenance, which would not have tipped balance in plaintiff's favor. No proof that agency's stated reason was pretextual

Neumann v. AT&T Communications, Inc., 376 F.3d 773 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel : COLLOTON, Melloy, Fagg. Claim on Appeal: Minn. state law disability reasonable accommodation claim. ERISA and tort claims (not discussed here). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Plaintiff's receipt of workers' compensation benefits precludes a disability discrimination claim under Minn. law, because both claims were based on the same back injury.

MacGregor v. Mallinckrodt, Inc., 373 F.3d 923, 94 FEP 35 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: GOLDBERG, Murphy, Fagg. Claim on Appeal: Title VII promotion and termination claim (sex). Disposition Below: Judgment after a jury trial; $68,802 lost wages, $102,000 lost stock options, $1 nominal compensatory damages, $829,197 punitive damages (reduced to $300,000) [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Plaintiff presented sufficient evidence that she was terminated, rather than constructively discharged: she was previously denied a promotion (in favor of a less-qualified male), manager had twice remarked that there were "too many women" in marketing, plaintiff's job was eliminated, and only alternative position offered to plaintiff was plainly inferior (same salary, but no supervisory or budgetary responsibilities, and job was eliminated one year later). No error in adverse action" instruction or verdict form. Punitive damages supported by evidence that plaintiff complained about manager's sex biased comments, investigation was minimal, manger was not reprimanded and plaintiff was never informed of outcome. Amount of punitive damages not excessive. In setting appropriate cap, judge could take judicial notice of size of company from tax and company records (FRE 201(b)). District court did not abuse discretion by allowing plaintiff to present lost stock options at trial, where she did not answer discovery on that element of damages, where defendant knew about claim and did not move to compel data.

Groves v. Cost Planning and Management Int'l, Inc., 372 F.3d 1008, 93 FEP 1769 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: PER CURIAM (Morris Sheppard Arnold, Fagg, Riley). Claim on Appeal: Pregnancy Discrimination Act termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that plaintiff satisfied prima facie case requirements, she could not prove that reasons for her termination (her job was identified as most expendable in RIF) were pretextual, and undisputed record showed that employer only learned about pregnancy after making the decision to eliminate her job. Panel reaffirms that even after Reeves, an employee in a RIF has burden to show both that the reason proffered was pretextual and that the protected status was a factor in the decision. No evidence to support spoliation inference, where documents that the company destroyed were not personnel records under 29 U.S.C. § 1602.14 and there was no indication that the documents (correspondence with company's insurance carrier) would have favored her case.

Duncan v. Delta Consolidated Industries, Inc., 371 F.3d 1020, 93 FEP 1843 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MELLOY,.Beam, Colloton. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (sex). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Failure on EEOC charge form for pro se plaintiff to check box for "sex" or provide description of alleged sex harassment forfeited that claim. 2. Alleged retaliation (being assigned heavier parts of machinery to operate after complaining about harassment) was not an adverse employment action and was not shown to be motivated by complaints about sex harassment.

Jackson v. Flint Ink North America Corp., 370 F.3d 791, 93 FEP 1612 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, Riley [JOHN GIBSON, dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII harassment (race). 2. Title VII retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Six uses of the word "nigger," and two instances of "KKK" graffiti over eighteen months not sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute harassment. Graffiti, which included burning cross, presents "closer case," but was generic in quality and not directly menacing to plaintiff. 2. Assuming that a month elapsed between his harassment complaint and his termination, plaintiff had long, preexisting disciplinary record, the termination (for "abuse of time") was grieved and arbitrated by union and the findings went entirely against the employee, there was no evidence that disciplinary warnings were pretextual, and other employees similarly situated were also terminated.

Ristrom v. Asbestos Workers Local 34 Joint Apprentice Committee, 370 F.3d 763, 15 A.D. Cases 1057 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: RILEY, Morris Sheppard Arnold [HEANEY, concurring]. Claim on Appeal: 1. ADA cancellation of apprenticeship. 2. ADA retaliation. Disposition Below: 1. Summary judgment [defendant]. 2. Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1. Affirmed [defendant]. 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1. Plaintiff could not prove that ADD and depression substantially restricted his ability to learn compared to the average person in the general population. Two medical evaluations failed to make this connection. Inability to complete a few, highly specialized courses did not indicate an inability to learn. Moreover, union did not know that employee had a learning disability. No evidence that depression medication impaired plaintiff. 2. Termination came three months after he sought accommodation for his disabilities and was reasonably based on superceding failure to attend classes and to obtain medical verification of his disability.

Younts v. Fremont Co., 370 F.3d 748, 93 FEP 1544 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: RILEY, Hansen, Melloy. Claim on Appeal: Title VII/EPA unequal pay and promotion claims. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed in relevant part [defendant]. Grounds: One plaintiff who died was not proper party where neither a suggestion of death nor a motion for substitution was filed in any court. Except in one instance, plaintiffs failed to demonstrate duties, skill, effort and responsibilities associated with jobs to which they sought to compare themselves (remand allowed on one job where plaintiff claimed she did not receive equal amenities - uniform allowance, cell phone, vehicle). Plaintiff failed to show, with respect to promotion, that she was qualified for the position or similarly situated to the male who won the job.

Jackson v. Homechoice, Inc., 368 F.3d 997, 93 FEP 1688 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: PER CURIAM [Melloy, Hansen, Colloton]. Claim on Appeal: 1.Title VII discrimination and retaliation(race); 2.§1981 discrimination and retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]; 2.Summary judgment [defendant] Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]; 2.Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: 1.No equitable tolling for plaintiff who believed he had filed charge by mail 27 months earlier. EEOC's failure to inform him of status of his charge was not misleading.; 2.Section 1981 claim became timely under Jones v. R.R. Donnelley.

Faber v. Menard, Inc., 367 F.3d 1048 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: WOLLMAN, Fagg, Hansen. Claim on Appeal: ADEA and Iowa state law discrimination and retaliation. Disposition Below: Denial of motion to compel arbitration [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [defendant]. Grounds: Remanding case to determine whether, under Iowa law, fee splitting provision in arbitration agreement is unconscionable under the facts of this case, in which case it would be severed from the contract and the balance enforced.

Kohrt v. MidAmerican Energy Co., 364 F.3d 894, 93 FEP 1064 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: HANSEN, Morris, Sheppard, Arnold, Heaney. Claim on Appeal: ADEA termination; Iowa state law tort claim [not discussed here]. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No proof of pretext for failure to rehire plaintiff where plaintiff admitted the other candidates had more relevant, recent experience as linemen, and comments about age by non-supervisors did not furnish causal link. (Plaintiff did prevail under public policy tort claim).

Watson v. O'Neill, 365 F.3d 609, 93 FEP 1080 (8th Cir. 2004) . Panel: SMITH, Melloy, Lay. Claim on Appeal: 1. Title VII retaliation; 2. Title VII racial hiring. Disposition Below:1. Summary judgment [defendant]; 2.Judgment after a jury verdict [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]; 2. Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1.Retaliation claim not included in charge.; 2.New trial motion properly denied. Evidentiary objections defaulted, except for one racist statement that was years too remote in time to be probative.

Horn v. Univ. of Minnesota , 362 F.3d 1042, 93 FEP 1050 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: HANSEN, Morris, Sheppard, Arnold, Riley. Claim on Appeal: 1.Title VII and Equal Pay Act wage discrimination; 2.Title VII retaliation; 3.Title VII constructive discharge (sex). Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]; 2.Summary judgment [defendant]; 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]; 2.Affirmed [defendant]; 3.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1.Male plaintiff did not have substantially equal duties compared to woman, both of whom functioned as assistant coaches, but female coach had additional PR duties.; 2.Decision not to invite plaintiff to attend an independently run hockey camp and some alleged frostiness in their professional relations insufficient to establish adverse employment action.; 3.Director's documentation of alleged performance problems and dressing plaintiff down in front of students not "intolerable.".

Cherry v. Ritenour School Dist., 361 F.3d 474, 93 FEP 645 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: BEAM, Loken, McMillian. Claim on Appeal: Title VII termination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Assuming that plaintiff met prima facie burden, defendant's reason for not renewing plaintiff, African-American teacher's contract (did not improve in areas where she was counseled) found not pre-textual. Plaintiff identified no white teachers who were similarly situated and treated better.

Wheeler v. Aventis Pharmaceuticals, 360 F.3d 853, 93 FEP 641 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: SMITH, Melloy, Richard S. Arnold. Claim on Appeal: Title VII termination (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: African-American female plaintiff terminated for grabbing a male co-workers genitals. Although plaintiff made out prima facie case (there were other incidents of sexual horseplay in the workplace that were not punished as severely), only incident that employer learned of at the time and was fully comparable also resulted in termination. Co-worker's comments that women and blacks were "untouchable" not attributable to employer. Failure to uncover another incident of breast touching and conflicting testimony regarding her offense does not challenge employer's good faith belief in its reasons.

Weyers v. Lear Operations Corp., 359 F.3d 1049, 93 FEP 507 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: WOLLMAN, Beam, Nangle. Claim on Appeal: ADEA and Mo. state law termination and harassment. Disposition Below: Judgment after jury trial; more than $1 million (remitted to $718,962, plus costs and fees [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed for new trial [plaintiff]. Grounds: District court erred in excluding plaintiff's verified intake questionnaire to EEOC (offered to impeach plaintiff's trial testimony), on ground that it mentioned sex discrimination claims that were already dismissed. Exclusion prejudicial, because questionnaire directly contradicted plaintiff's account of duration of harassment. Noting split of authority, court adopts Seventh Circuit's view that for supervisor liability for harassment to attach, asserted supervisor must control the plaintiff's own terms and conditions of employment.

Henthorn v. Capitol Communications Inc., 359 F.3d 1021, 93 FEP 585 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: WOLLMAN, John R. Gibson, Riley. Claim on Appeal: 1.Title VII and Iowa state law harassment (sex); 2.Title VII and Iowa state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]; 2.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]; 2.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1.Supervisor's offer to tear up unfavorable performance evaluation in exchange for going out for a drink not tangible employment action where plaintiff refused proposition and supervisor destroyed memo anyway. Alleged behavior not severe or pervasive. Requests that plaintiff go out with supervisor unaccompanied by sexual talk, propositioning, or touching.; 2.Supervisor's increased criticism of plaintiff's work and refusal to let her audition for temporary anchor-person position not adverse employment action, thus plaintiff did not make out prima facie case. Additionally, employer proffered non-discriminatory reasons for the negative evaluations and the decision not to audition plaintiff (co-workers turned in higher quality work).

Murphey v. City of Minneapolis, 358 F.3d 1074, 15 A.D. Cases 420 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: LAY, Murphy, Fagg. Claim on Appeal: ADA termination claim. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Reversed [plaintiff]. Grounds: Plaintiff was not estopped from proving that he is a qualified person with a disability because of application for disability benefits, where employee's application nowhere averred that he was totally and permanently disabled, and doctor's statement attached to application which so suggested was not attributable to plaintiff.

Sellers v. Mineta, 358 F.3d 1058, 93 FEP 417 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: HANSEN, [LOKEN, concurring], [BYE, dissenting]. Claim on Appeal: Title VII harassment and retaliation. Disposition Below: Judgment after jury trial; $800,000 compensatory (remitted to $300,000), $345,000 back pay $27,329.33 prejudgment interest, $638.293.99 front pay [plaintiff]. Outcome on Appeal: Front pay vacated and remanded. Grounds: District court should have considered post-employment conduct (fired for cause from a subsequent employer for filing a fraudulent loan request) that would constitute after-acquired evidence. District court on remand should consider whether plaintiff would have been reinstated. While eight year, eight month front pay period was not an abuse of discretion, failure to originally seek comparable employment in aviation industry requires reduction of amount for mitigation.

Erenberg v. Methodist Hospital, 357 F.3d 787, 93 FEP 467 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: MELLOY, Bye, Hansen. Claim on Appeal: 1.Title VII and Minn. state law harassment (sex) 2.ADEA and Minn. state law termination; 3.Title VII and Minn. state law retaliation. Disposition Below: 1.Summary judgment [defendant]; 2.Summary judgment [defendant]; 3.Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: 1.Affirmed [defendant]; 2.Affirmed [defendant]; 3.Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: 1.No prima facie case. Alleged conduct not severe or pervasive (co-workers engaged in back rubs, sexual joking, called plaintiff "Malibu Barbie" 2-3 times).; 2.No prima facie case. Failed to show she was qualified for job, in view of performance deficiencies.; 3.No prima facie case. Criticism of her job did not change before and after she submitted complaint about alleged harassment.

Hitt v. Harsco Corp., 356 F.3d 920, 93 FEP 200 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: COLLOTON, Melloy, Richard S. Arnold. Claim on Appeal: ADEA termination. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Company could rely on eyewitness reports that plaintiff threw a punch at a co-worker, even if plaintiff could produce other witnesses that contested that account. Younger employees were terminated for fighting as well. Testimony that foreman and supervisor called plaintiff "old man" and "too old" not probative where they did not influence the termination decisions. Evidence of subsequent RIF does not influence case either, because RIF was not implemented prior to the fighting incident.

Joens v. John Morrill & Co., 354 F.3d 938, 93 FEP 72 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: LOKEN, Lay, Heaney. Claim on Appeal: Title VII harassment (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Noting split of authority, court adopts Seventh Circuit's view that for supervisor liability for harassment to attach, asserted supervisor must control the plaintiff's own terms and conditions of employment. Foreman's yelling at plaintiff not shown to be because of sex, but because of low production rate.

Marquez v. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., 353 F.3d 1037, 93 FEP 92 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: PER CURIAM (Loken, Wollman, Hansen). Claim on Appeal: Title VII discrimination (sex). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: No evidence that similarly situated persons were treated differently. Lengthy disciplinary record distinguished plaintiff from co-workers.

Peebles v. Potter, 354 F.3d1, 15 A.D. Cases 146 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: BEAM, Morris Sheppard Arnold [BYE, concurring]. Claim on Appeal: Rehabilitation Act reasonable accommodation. Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Failure to accommodate need not be solely motivated by discriminatory animus; rejecting application of pretext analysis to analyze reasonable accommodation claim. Under U.S. Airways v. Barnett, plaintiff's demand to obtain reassignment to light duty, without complying with "substantiation" requirement (to justify two-year absence from employment) would not be reasonable, because it would violate a work rule without cause. Termination of plaintiff four years after plaintiff began leave for bad back not retaliatory.

Clark v. Riverview Fire Protection Dist., 354 F.3d 752, 92 FEP 1793 (8th Cir. 2004). Panel: BYE, Richard S. Arnold, Smith. Claim on Appeal: Title VII discrimination (race). Disposition Below: Summary judgment [defendant]. Outcome on Appeal: Affirmed [defendant]. Grounds: Upholding release signed by firefighter to return to active duty after being terminated for sleeping through a fire call.