Kreimeyer v. Hercules Inc.

892 F. Supp. 1360, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20686, 1994 WL 824520
District Court, D. Utah·Decided July 28, 1994·No. No. 92-NC-088S·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

[1362]*1362ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AGAINST GERALD J. HASLIP

SAM, District Judge.

This age discrimination action came before the court on the defendants’ motion for summary judgment against one of the 65 plaintiffs, Gerald J. Haslip (“Haslip”). For reasons discussed more fully below, the motion is granted.

I.Background

The plaintiffs assert two causes of action against the defendants for terminating their employment. Count I is for “age discrimination.” (Third Amended Complaint at 49.) The plaintiffs allege that:

Defendants’ decision to terminate the employment of each of the plaintiffs was based on the plaintiffs’ age at the time of termination ...

(Third Amended Complaint, ¶ 271). Count II is for “breach of contract/wrongful termination.” Id., ¶ 1. The plaintiffs allege that certain “provisions of the employment manual and employment contract were not properly followed by defendants at the time of plaintiffs’ termination.” Id., ¶278.

As to Haslip, the plaintiffs specifically allege:

He was employed by Hercules from 1966 to 1991, a total of 25 years. Haslip’s employment was terminated by defendants on or about August 6, 1991. At the time of his termination in 1991, Haslip worked as a Technical Manager II in Hercules’ Magna facility.
Haslip was 55 years old when he was terminated by defendants.

Id., ¶¶ 117 & 120.

The defendants argue that they are entitled to summary judgment on both of these claims as to Haslip because he was not terminated but voluntarily quit.

II.Standards for summary judgment

Summary judgment is proper where the pleadings and other documents of record “show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact, and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e). In applying this standard, the court must construe all facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 1356, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986).

A party seeking summary judgment always bears the initial burden of identifying the evidence which it believes demonstrates the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2553, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). However, once the moving party has carried its burden, “the nonmoving party must come forward with ‘specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.’ ” Id. at 324, 106 S.Ct. at 2553 (quoting Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(e)). The nonmoving party may not merely rely on the pleadings but must “make a sufficient shounng to establish the existence of an element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.” Id. at 322, 106 S.Ct. at 2552 (emphasis added).

Ml material facts asserted by the moving party are deemed admitted unless specifically controverted by the opposing party. D.Utah R. 202(b)(4). “Only disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude the entry of summary judgment.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 2510, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986).

III.Material facts

The material, undisputed facts set forth in the parties’ memoranda, may be summarized as follows:

1. Haslip worked for the defendant Hercules, Inc. (“Hercules”) for 25-)£ years. During the last few years of his employment, he worked as a Technical Manager 2 in Space and Technology Programs.

2. He reported to Bill Matthews (“Matthews”), Manager of Space and Technology Programs.

3. In January 1990, Haslip took two weeks off work to visit his mother in Montana. When he returned, he found that a [1363]*1363younger employee, Peter May, had replaced him in the job that Haslip had been doing.

4. At that time, Haslip was 53 years old; Peter May was 32 years old.

5. Haslip’s work was fully satisfactory, but he was not given any new, significant assignments after January 1990.

6. On July 31, 1991, Matthews signed an “Advance Notice of Personnel Separation/Transfer” which indicated that Haslip’s employment with Hercules was being terminated as part of a reduction in force. (Ex. D to memorandum in opposition to motion for summary judgment.)

7. On August 5,1991, Matthews informed Haslip that he could transfer to a position as a Subcontract Manager 2 in Air Force Programs or his employment would be terminated.

8. As a Technical Manager 2, Haslip made $5,657 per month. As a Subcontract Manager 2, he would have earned $5,415 per month — a decrease of 4.3%.

9. Haslip objected to the cut in pay. He informed E.L. Swanson, a Hercules employee in Human Resources, that he was willing to transfer to the new job but would not accept a cut in pay.

10. Haslip last worked for Hercules on August 6, 1991.

IV. Discussion

A ADEA claim

Claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA), 29 U.S.C. § 621-634, are “subject to the same indirect method of proof used in Title VII cases alleging discriminatory treatment.” Branson v. Price River Coal Co., 853 F.2d 768, 770 (10th Cir.1988). For the indirect method of proof, plaintiffs must present a 'prima facie case of employment discrimination and show that any legitimate nondiscriminatory reasons the employer gave for its actions are merely pretexts for age discrimination. Id.

To prove a prima facie case of age discrimination, a plaintiff generally must show that he was “(1) within the protected age group; (2) adversely affected by the defendant’s employment decision; (3) qualified for the position at issue; and (4) replaced by a person outside the protected group.” Id. In the context of a discharge or termination from employment, the elements may be stated as follows:

(1) [plaintiff] is within the protected age group, (2) he was doing satisfactory work, (3) he was discharged despite the adequacy of his work, and (4) his position was filled by a person younger than he.

Cooper v. Asplundh Tree Expert Co., 836 F.2d 1544, 1547 (10th Cir.1988) (emphasis added; quoting Cockrell v. Boise Cascade Corp., 781 F.2d 173, 177 (10th Cir.1986)).

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Kreimeyer v. Hercules Inc., 892 F. Supp. 1360, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20686, 1994 WL 824520 (D. Utah 1994).

892 F. Supp. 1360 (Kreimeyer v. Hercules Inc.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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