Anderson v. Honeywell, Inc.

421 N.W.2d 740, 1988 Minn. App. LEXIS 198, 1988 WL 25141
CourtCourt of Appeals of Minnesota
DecidedMarch 29, 1988
DocketNo. C9-87-2370
StatusPublished

This text of 421 N.W.2d 740 (Anderson v. Honeywell, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Minnesota primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Anderson v. Honeywell, Inc., 421 N.W.2d 740, 1988 Minn. App. LEXIS 198, 1988 WL 25141 (Mich. Ct. App. 1988).

Opinion

OPINION

HAROLD W. SCHULTZ, Acting Judge.

Relator seeks review of the Commissioner’s decision reversing the referee’s finding that respondent Anderson was discharged for misconduct. We affirm the Commissioner’s decision.

FACTS

Respondent Anderson worked full-time for relator Honeywell from November 17, 1977 to July 9, 1987. Anderson was given time off from January 20 to January 23, 1987, and from February 4 to March 23, 1987 because she sustained a work-related injury. She collected workers’ compensation temporary total disability benefits during her absence.

Anderson also worked part-time for Twin City Security (TCS). She worked at TCS on February 7, 8, March 7, 8, 14, 21, and 22, 1987 while collecting workers’ compensation benefits.

Relator discharged Anderson on July 9, 1987 claiming she violated Article 13, Section 1 of the collective bargaining agreement by working at TCS during her time off. This section states in relevant part:

Leaves of absence in writing of up to sixty (60) days may be granted to employees by the Company for legitimate reasons provided the requirements of the operations permit. The request for the leave shall be in writing with a full statement of the reasons on which the request is based. Where a leave is granted which requires travel outside of the North American Continent, additional time may be granted not to exceed reasonable travel time. Employees accepting employment elsewhere during leaves granted under this Section shall be terminated. Exceptions to this Section may be made by mutual agreement of the Company and the Union.

Anderson applied for unemployment compensation, and her request was denied. Initially, the adjudicator of the Minnesota Department of Jobs and Training determined Anderson was discharged for misconduct which disqualified her from receiving unemployment compensation. Anderson appealed.

On appeal, the Department referee affirmed, determining Anderson knew or should have known of the provision in the collective bargaining agreement prohibiting working a second job while on a “leave of absence.” The referee held her actions constituted misconduct.

Anderson appealed to respondent Commissioner of Jobs and Training. The Commissioner’s representative reversed the referee’s findings of fact and decision, reasoning that relator failed to show by a fair preponderance of the evidence that the [742]*742time off constituted a “leave of absence” under Article 13, section 1 of the collective bargaining agreement. The Commissioner’s representative determined Anderson was discharged for reasons other than misconduct. This court granted certiorari to review the Commissioner’s decision.

ISSUES

1. Did relator fulfill the requirements for filing an appeal pursuant to Minn.Stat. § 268.10 and Minn.R.Civ.App.P. 115?

2. Is the decision of the Commissioner supported by substantial evidence in light of the record reviewed by the referee?

ANALYSIS

1. Minn.R.Civ.App.P. 115.03, subd. 2 states, “[t]he petitioner shall file the bond or other security required by statute or by the Court of Appeals.” Id. The requirements are contained in Minn.R.Civ.App.P. 107, subd. 1, which provides:

Unless the appellant is exempt by law, a bond shall be executed by, or on behalf of, the appellant. * * * In lieu of the bond, appellant may deposit $500 with the clerk of the trial court as security for the payment.
Prior to filing the notice of appeal, the appellant may move the trial court for an order waiving the bond or setting a lesser amount or deposit.
# ⅜ * * * *
The bond or deposit may be waived by written consent of the respondent * * *.

Id.

Anderson argues the writ of certiorari should not have been issued because the required cost bond was not filed or properly waived. Although a waiver of the bond was filed by relator, Anderson was not a party to the waiver and, accordingly, objects to its validity.

Relator responds by citing Minn.Stat. § 268.10, subd. 8 (1986) which states in part:

Any party in interest, except a claimant for benefits, upon service of the writ shall furnish a cost bond to be approved by the commissioner and pay to the department of jobs and training the fee prescribed by rule 103.01 of the rules of civil appellate procedure which shall be disposed of in the manner provided by that rule.

Relator argues the waiver of the bond signed by the assistant attorney general on behalf of the Commissioner is sufficient to waive the bond requirements. It further asserts the statute does not require Anderson’s knowledge of or consent to the waiver.

The statute referenced by relator is silent with respect to whether and how the bond requirement may be waived. Both parties failed to follow the proper procedures with respect to waiving the requirements or objecting to the waiver. The parties’ respective errors, however, are without consequence; since no prejudice to Anderson resulted, the defects in the filing and objecting to the waiver are not fatal to jurisdiction.

This court and the Minnesota Supreme Court have considered whether filing a cost bond on appeal is jurisdictional. In Northern Oil and Gas Co. v. Birkeland, 164 Minn. 466, 203 N.W. 228 (1925), the Minnesota Supreme Court stated:

If the notice of appeal is served in the way and within the time provided by the statute, relief may be given from a failure through mistake to file the notice or appeal bond or pay the appeal fee within the time fixed.

Id. at 469, 203 N.W. at 228. In Ladwig & Ladwig, Inc. v. Orlin Ladwig, 372 N.W.2d 408 (Minn.Ct.App.1985), we followed this approach, stating “if no prejudice is shown, the court may relieve the appellant of default.” Id. at 411 (citing Dempsey v. Meighen, 257 Minn. 576, 579, 102 N.W.2d 825, 827 (I960)).

No prejudice to Anderson resulted because she will not incur significant taxable costs for which the cost bond may be distributed. See Minn.R.Civ.App.P. 139. In addition, relator, a major corporation, may be assumed to possess the financial capacity to pay the monetary award in the event Anderson succeeds on appeal. According[743]*743ly, although this court could have required relator to either post bond or obtain an appropriate waiver under rule 107, such procedure is unnecessary to adequately protect Anderson’s interests.

2. The standard of review in unemployment cases is limited. Findings must be reviewed in light most favorable to the decision, and if there is evidence reasonably tending to sustain them, they will not be disturbed. Smith v. American Indian Chemical Dependency Diversion Project, 343 N.W.2d 43, 44 (Minn.Ct.App.1984) (citing White v. Metropolitan Medical Center, 332 N.W.2d 25, 26 (Minn.1983)).

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Related

Dempsey v. Meighen
102 N.W.2d 825 (Supreme Court of Minnesota, 1960)
Lumpkin v. North Central Airlines, Inc.
209 N.W.2d 397 (Supreme Court of Minnesota, 1973)
Ladwig & Ladwig, Inc. v. Orlin Ladwig, Inc.
372 N.W.2d 408 (Court of Appeals of Minnesota, 1985)
White v. Metropolitan Medical Center
332 N.W.2d 25 (Supreme Court of Minnesota, 1983)
Smith v. American Indian Chemical Dependency Diversion Project
343 N.W.2d 43 (Court of Appeals of Minnesota, 1984)
Northern Oil & Gas Co. v. Birkeland
203 N.W. 228 (Supreme Court of Minnesota, 1925)
Boynton Cab Co. v. Neubeck
296 N.W. 636 (Wisconsin Supreme Court, 1941)
Tilseth v. Midwest Lumber Co.
204 N.W.2d 644 (Supreme Court of Minnesota, 1973)

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Bluebook (online)
421 N.W.2d 740, 1988 Minn. App. LEXIS 198, 1988 WL 25141, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/anderson-v-honeywell-inc-minnctapp-1988.