Jenkins v. Agri-Lines Corp.

602 P.2d 47, 100 Idaho 549, 1979 Ida. LEXIS 489
CourtIdaho Supreme Court
DecidedSeptember 26, 1979
Docket12404
StatusPublished
Cited by24 cases

This text of 602 P.2d 47 (Jenkins v. Agri-Lines Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Idaho Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Jenkins v. Agri-Lines Corp., 602 P.2d 47, 100 Idaho 549, 1979 Ida. LEXIS 489 (Idaho 1979).

Opinions

McFADDEN, Justice.

This appeal has previously been argued before this court and an opinion issued. Petition for rehearing was filed by respondents Agri-Lines Corporation and the Department of Employment. The petition for rehearing was granted and the original opinion is withdrawn and this opinion substituted therefor.

Claimant-appellant M. H. Jenkins was employed by Agri-Lines Corporation (hereinafter Agri-Lines) until May 6, 1976, when he was discharged for misconduct. Claimant filed a claim for unemployment benefits, which claim was denied. He pursued his appeals through the Department of Employment, and in each instance the denial of his claim was upheld. He then appealed to the Industrial Commission which, after hearing further evidence submitted by claimant and by supervisory personnel of Agri-Lines, affirmed the denial of his claim. Jenkins then appealed to this court, and we affirm the order of the Industrial Commission affirming the denial of his claim.

In summary, the Industrial Commission found that on May 5, 1976, the day before claimant was discharged, he did not report for work because of an emergency at his home requiring him to repair a broken water line which supplied water for his domestic and livestock use. The repairs were completed during the morning of May 5, but Jenkins did not report for work at any time during the whole day.

Jenkins had requested his nephew, who was also employed by Agri-Lines, to notify his foreman that Jenkins would not be at work. Previously, Jenkins had used his nephew to inform his supervisors of his absence without incident. Jenkins did not telephone his employer to tell of his absence, nor did his wife attempt to notify his employer.

Nothing was said by the nephew to the assistant foreman (the foreman apparently not being at work) until after a 10 o’clock coffee break when the assistant foreman asked about claimant. The nephew advised the assistant foreman “He’ll [Jenkins] be in later.” Nothing further was said. Supervisory personnel decided to terminate Jenkins’ employment that morning, but did not notify him of his discharge until about midday of May 6.

Based on its findings of fact the Commission concluded that Jenkins’ absence from work constituted misconduct within the meaning of I.C. § 72-1366(e), and concluded that claimant had not properly notified the [551]*551company of his absence. The Industrial Commission then ordered that the claim be denied and affirmed the decision of the appeals examiner.

The principal issue presented by this appeal is whether the record sustains the findings of fact, and if so, whether there was “misconduct” within the meaning of I.C. § 72-1366(e), which at the pertinent time provided:

Personal eligibility conditions.—The personal eligibility conditions of a benefit claimant are that—
(a) . . .
(e) His unemployment is not due to the fact that he left his employment voluntarily without good cause, or that he was discharged for misconduct in connection with his employment.

This court’s review in unemployment cases on appeal from the Industrial Commission is limited to reviewing questions of law. Idaho Const., Art. 5, § 9; I.C. § 72-732. The first question of law presented is whether the findings of fact made by the Industrial Commission are supported by substantial and competent evidence. It is well settled that findings of the Industrial Commission in this type of case will not be disturbed on appeal when they are supported by substantial and competent evidence. Booth v. City of Burley, 99 Idaho 229, 580 P.2d 75 (1978); Simmons v. Department of Employment, 99 Idaho 290, 581 P.2d 336 (1978); Hutchinson v. J. R. Simplot Co., 98 Idaho 346, 563 P.2d 404 (1977).

The Industrial Commission found that although Jenkins requested his nephew to notify Jenkins’ supervisor of his intended absence, and that this method of notification would have been acceptable, nevertheless the notification received was insufficient to properly advise the employer of Jenkins’ intended absence. It is not clear whether the Industrial Commission found that the notification was insufficient because it was received late or because its content was defective. However, from a review of this record it is clear that, in either case, there is substantial and competent although conflicting, evidence supporting the finding of fact. Thus, it is the conclusion of the court that Jenkins did not properly notify his employer of his absence as required.

The next issue for consideration is whether, in the context of the facts of this case, the improper notification of Jenkins’ intended absence from work constituted such “misconduct” within the meaning of I.C. § 72-1366(e) so as to make him ineligible for unemployment compensation.

In Duran v. Employment Security Agency, 75 Idaho 94, 267 P.2d 628 (1954), a case where an employee had been discharged for irregularity in punching a time clock, leaving his place of employment during working hours, failing to previously arrange for absences or leaves, and failing to contact his employer during his absence, the court held that the record supported a finding that the claimant either was discharged for misconduct or quit voluntarily, and hence was not entitled to unemployment benefits. There this court stated, at 75 Idaho 97, 267 P.2d 630:

“Where an employee temporarily leaves his employment, and assuming that his absence is for good cause, it is his duty to advise his employer of the reason, seek a leave of absence, and keep the employer informed of his intentions and prospects of his returning. Though circumstances may vary these duties, good faith on the part of the employee must always appear. It is the duty of the employee to have regard for the interests of his employer and for his own job security, and to act as a reasonably prudent person would in keeping contact with his employer and in securing the permanence of his employment. . . ”

In Johns v. S. H. Kress & Co., 78 Idaho 544, 307 P.2d 217 (1957), claimant was discharged for refusing to work on Monday, December 26, which the Governor had declared a legal holiday. Previously the store manager had advised all store employees that they would be required to work on that [552]*552day. The court held this to constitute “misconduct.”

Watts v. Employment Security Agency, 80 Idaho 529, 335 P.2d 533 (1959), involved a log scaler who left his job without giving or attempting to give his employer any notice. He was discharged and upon filing for unemployment benefits, the claim was denied. This court affirmed the Industrial Accident Board, stating:

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Jenkins v. Agri-Lines Corp.
602 P.2d 47 (Idaho Supreme Court, 1979)

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602 P.2d 47, 100 Idaho 549, 1979 Ida. LEXIS 489, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/jenkins-v-agri-lines-corp-idaho-1979.