James A. Kuehn v. Snohomish County

CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedApril 6, 2015
Docket71743-0
StatusUnpublished

This text of James A. Kuehn v. Snohomish County (James A. Kuehn v. Snohomish County) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
James A. Kuehn v. Snohomish County, (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).

Opinion

5 i M - *- •' '*"''"'

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

JAMES A. KUEHN, No. 71743-0-1

Appellant, DIVISION ONE

v.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, UNPUBLISHED

Respondent. FILED: April 6. 2015

Cox, J. — A cause of action for wrongful termination in discrimination

cases accrues when notice of termination is communicated to the employee.1

Likewise, a cause of action for disability discrimination accrues when the

employer makes a decision not to accommodate the employee's disability and

communicates that decision to the employee.2 Here, Snohomish County

informed James Kuehn, in writing, by letters dated and received on August 2,

2007, that he was discharged as of the date specified. These letters provided

reasons for this action and communicated the County's decision not to

accommodate Kuehn's disability. His failure to commence this action within

1 See Douchette v. Bethel Sch. Dist. No. 403, 117 Wn.2d 805, 816, 818 P.2d 1362 (1991) (citing Del. State Coll. v. Ricks, 449 U.S. 250, 101 S. Ct. 498, 66 L Ed. 2d 431 (1980)).

2 Hintz v. Kitsap County. 92 Wn. App. 10, 16, 960 P.2d 946 (1998); Hinman v. Yakima Sch. Dist. No. 7. 69 Wn. App. 445, 449, 850 P.2d 536 (1993); Albright v. State. 65 Wn. App. 763, 767, 829 P.2d 1114 (1992). No. 71743-0-1/2

three years of this date bars the claims that he asserts. Accordingly, we affirm

the summary judgment of dismissal that the trial court granted to Snohomish

County.

Kuehn began working for Snohomish County in 1991. In 1993, he started

work as a Road Maintenance Worker, and he continued to work in the Road

Maintenance Division until his termination in 2007.

In 1999, Kuehn informed the County that he suffered from a sleep disorder

that affected his ability to arrive at work on time on a regular basis. He requested

various accommodations, which the County granted. The County notified Kuehn

that it would excuse tardiness that was directly related to his medical condition.

Any tardiness or absence that was not directly related to his medical condition

would be subject to discipline.

In 2002, the County determined that Kuehn's medical condition qualified

him for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act. By letter, it informed Kuehn

that he had to notify the County, in writing, when his tardiness or absence was for

medical reasons. The County reminded Kuehn that under this accommodation

plan, he had "not been granted unlimited permission to be late to or absent from

work at any time [or] for any reason."3 The letter also stated, "Absences or

tardiness unrelated to [Kuehn's] medical condition will be subject to the Division's

no fault policy . . . of which [Kuehn is] on notice."4 And it reiterated, "Unexcused

3 Clerk's Papers at 50 (emphasis omitted).

4 Id. No. 71743-0-1/3

absences or late arrivals will be treated in accordance with County and Division

policy . . . and shall be subject to discipline, up to and including termination."5

Under the Road Maintenance Division tardiness policy, unexcused

tardiness is a ground for discipline as follows:

a. First instance, documented verbal reprimand. b. Second instance, written reprimand. c. Third instance, one day off with no pay. d. Fourth instance, one week off with no pay. e. Fifth instance, one month off with no pay. f. Sixth instance, termination.[6]

By early 2007, Kuehn had several unexcused instances of tardiness. In

January 2007, the County imposed discipline against Kuehn for another instance

of tardiness. In accordance with the tardiness policy, it imposed a one week

suspension without pay.

On June 13, 2007, Kuehn called in late for work. The County held a pre-

disciplinary hearing on June 18. In response to the allegations against him,

Kuehn told the County that he had slept through his alarms. He did not state that

his tardiness was linked in any way to his medical condition. Nonetheless, the

County stated that "the information previously provided to the County indicates a

potential connection" and it decided to hold the disciplinary decision in abeyance

in order to allow Kuehn to provide any additional information.7 The County told

5 id, at 51.

6 id at 53.

7 Id. at 125. No. 71743-0-1/4

Kuehn to provide any information "not later than July 16, 2007" as the County

would make its determination "at that time."8

On June 27, 2007, Kuehn again called in late for work. The County held a

pre-disciplinary hearing on July 9. In response to the allegations against him,

Kuehn said he slept through his alarms and his wake up call. The County's

investigation determined that Kuehn did not hear his wake up call because other

occupants in his home had removed his phone from his bedroom. Kuehn

corroborated this at the hearing.

On July 10, 2007, the County received a facsimile from Kuehn's medical

provider stating that Kuehn was scheduled for additional medical testing on July

17. It indicated that further paperwork would be forwarded to the County after

the tests were completed, and it asked the County to allow two weeks for the

results. Kuehn's supervisor testified in his declaration that the County extended

the deadline to July 31, 2007, but it did not receive any additional information

from Kuehn or his medical providers before August 2, 2007.

On August 2, 2007, the County sent, and Kuehn received, two letters.

One letter contained the results of his June 18, 2007 pre-disciplinary hearing.

The other contained the results of his July 9, 2007 pre-disciplinary hearing.

With respect to the June 18, 2007 hearing, the County determined that

Kuehn violated the tardiness policy and that this was his fifth instance of

Id. No. 71743-0-1/5

tardiness. It found no mitigating factors. The County imposed a one month

suspension beginning August 6, 2007 for this violation.

With respect to the July 9, 2007 hearing, the County determined that

Kuehn violated the tardiness policy and that this was his sixth instance of

tardiness. It found no mitigating factors. The County imposed termination for

this violation. This letter stated that Kuehn's termination was effective on August

16, 2007 and that he would be on paid administrative leave until that date. This

letter also stated, "Please note that due to the discipline imposed herein, I am

holding in abeyance the discipline imposed with regard to your fifth instance of

tardiness, per the Road Maintenance Division Tardiness Policy for the instance

of tardiness on June 13, 2007."9

Kuehn filed two grievances in response to these disciplinary actions. He

also provided a letter from his doctor dated August 16, 2007 that related to his

most recent appointment. The County held a step one grievance meeting on

August 20, 2007. Kuehn's representative argued that the County should have

allowed more time for Kuehn's healthcare providers to provide information before

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