John Blake v. UPMC Passavant Hospital

394 F. App'x 940

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• Decided: September 17, 2010
• Docket: 08-2368
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

OPINION

SMITH, Circuit Judge.

John Blake was employed as a phlebo-tomist at defendant UPMC Passavant Hospital (“UPMC”). During his initial 180-day probationary period, he was absent from work a number of times. His absenteeism was addressed as a concern by superiors and a leave plan was worked out. After quite a few more absences, he informed his superiors that he suffered from bipolar disorder and other maladies and would continue to be in need of irregular absences. He continued to call out of work erratically, which UPMC addressed with progressive warnings, consistent with its disciplinary policy. Blake was eventually terminated consistent with that policy.

Blake filed this action seeking recovery under the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq. (“ADA”), the Family and Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601, et seq. (“FMLA”), and various state law causes of action. The District Court granted all defendants’ motion for summary judgment, and Blake appeals. 1

The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals, defined as those able, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential functions of the job. 42 U.S.C. §§ 12112(a), 12111(8). Likewise, the FMLA prohibits interference with certain rights of individuals able to perform the essential functions of their positions. Rinehimer v. Cemcolift, Inc., 292 F.3d 375, 384 (3d Cir.2002) (citing 29 C.F.R. § 825.214(b) (2001)). Thus, under each statute the ability to perform the essential functions of the job is a prerequisite to protection.

Blake was unpredictably absent from work on numerous days. He admits that his condition giving rise to such absences is permanent and his absences will thus continue. The District Court correctly concluded that Blake was not qualified for his position as a phlebotomist because he could not attend work regularly. Smith v. Davis, 248 F.3d 249, 251 (3d Cir.2001) (“An employee who does not come to work on a regular basis is not ‘qualified.’ ”) (citation omitted). Therefore, his claims under the ADA and FMLA must fail.

Thus, we will affirm the judgment of the District Court.

1 . The District Court had jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 for the federal claims and § 1367 for the state law claims, and we have jurisdiction under § 1291. We have plenary review over the District Court’s entry of summary judgment. Specialty Surfaces Int’l, Inc. v. Continental Cas. Co., 609 F.3d 223, 229 n. 1 (3d Cir.2010). Because Blake does not challenge the entry of summary judgment on his state law claims, we do not address them.