Pugh v. Heinrich

695 F. Supp. 533, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10130, 49 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 38,665, 55 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 431, 1988 WL 94233
CourtDistrict Court, M.D. Florida
DecidedSeptember 12, 1988
Docket85-496-CIV-T-17
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 695 F. Supp. 533 (Pugh v. Heinrich) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, M.D. Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Pugh v. Heinrich, 695 F. Supp. 533, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10130, 49 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 38,665, 55 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 431, 1988 WL 94233 (M.D. Fla. 1988).

Opinion

ORDER ON MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

KOVACHEVICH, District Judge.

This cause is before the Court on Defendant’s motion for summary judgment, filed March 25, 1988; response to motion for summary judgment, filed May 13, 1988; and court-ordered joint memoranda, filed July 13 and August 10, 1988.

This circuit clearly holds that summary judgment should only be entered when the moving party has sustained its burden of showing the absence of a genuine issue as to any material fact when all the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Sweat v. The Miller Brewing Co., 708 F.2d 655 (11th Cir.1983). All doubt as to the existence of a genuine issue of material fact must be resolved against the moving party. Hayden v. First National Bank of Mt. Pleasant, 595 F.2d 994, 996-7 (5th Cir.1979), quoting Gross v. Southern Railroad Co., 414 F.2d 292 (5th Cir.1969). Factual disputes preclude summary judgment.

The Supreme Court of the United States held, in Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986),

In our view the plain language of Rule 56(c) mandates the entry of summary judgment, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails 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 273.

The Court also said, “Rule 56(e) therefore requires that nonmoving party to go beyond the pleadings and by her own affidavits, or by the ‘depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file,’ designate ‘specific facts showing there is a genuine issue for trial.’ ” Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 324, 106 S.Ct. at 2553, 91 L.Ed. 2d at p. 274.

A complaint was filed in this cause July 26, 1985, and was amended April 27, 1987. The amended complaint asserts the following: Count I) violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1981, Count II) violation of 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000-e, et seq., and Count III) request for attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988.

Plaintiff has asserted twelve articulated incidents of discrimination pertaining to her charges of discriminatory treatment, constructive discharge, and existence of a racially hostile working environment (Ex. 1, motion for summary judgment):

1. Plaintiff was transferred to a substation approximately 21 miles from her home because of an altercation initiated by Cindy Ryals, Caucasian, who was transferred to a substation close to her home.
2. Plaintiff was transferred to the night shift when she had more seniority than other Caucasian C.S.O.’s who picked the shifts they wanted.
3. Plaintiff was transferred to the District II Station in Brandon, Florida even though she had more seniority than Caucasian C.S.O.s.
4. Plaintiff was denied use of a county car to travel the District II Station in Brandon, while Mr. Steve Smith, Caucasian, was given a take home car after being employed for less than six months.
5. Lesser qualified Caucasians were selected for deputy positions, while Plaintiff applied for a deputy position every academy session from February, 1982, through September, 1983.
6. Lesser qualified Caucasians were selected for detective training, while Plaintiff was overlooked.
*537 7. Around April 1983, Plaintiff was denied an opportunity to make up sick days (two), while Caucasian employees were afforded the opportunity.
8. In July 1983, Lt. Myers instructed Plaintiff to bring in a doctor’s statement if absent before or after scheduled days off, while Caucasian C.S.O.s who were absent (some intentionally) before or after scheduled days off did not have to provide statements.
9. In September 1983, Plaintiff was denied a request to take off from work four hours on three different Saturdays in order to take Spanish classes. Ms. J. Walker called in sick almost every weekend; however arrangements were made.
10. Around April or May 1982, Plaintiff was required to submit a memo by Sgt. King regarding being five minutes late to work, while Caucasians who were late on numerous occasions were not required to submit a memo.
11. On August 4, 1983, Plaintiff received a disciplinary notice report for neglect, absent without leave, and failure to give proper notice; however, Ms. Valerie Perez was absent in February 1983, failed to call in, and no disciplinary action was taken.
12. Plaintiff complained frequently to her supervisors about the work environment which resulted from the aforementioned conditions; however, no effort was undertaken to alleviate the above-referenced conditions. The lack of intervention by supervisory personnel, including that of Defendant, encouraged the racially discriminatory conduct to continue and intensify.

The parties in their joint memorandum of law state the following undisputed issues of fact:

1. Adella Pugh, Plaintiff, was employed by Defendant on or about December 16, 1981, as a Community Service Officer (C.S. 0.).

2. Plaintiff is a black female, citizen of the United States and a resident of Hills-borough County, Florida.

3. Plaintiff was continuously employed as a C.S.O. until September 23, 1983. On that date, Plaintiff’s rate of pay was $5.14 per hour.

4. A C.S.O. performs various clerical and support functions for the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office (Sheriff’s Office) and for Walter C. Heinrich, Sheriff.

5. A C.S.O. is not an entry level sheriff’s deputy position. Most deputy sheriffs have never been a C.S.O.

6. The Sheriff’s Office policy mandates that staffing requirements take precedence over requests for educational time off. During the period of Plaintiff’s request to take time off for Spanish classes, she was the only C.S.O. scheduled for duty on Saturdays at the Brandon station. Plaintiff requested time off after the scheduling was determined.

7. Plaintiff filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on October 13, 1983.

8.

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Bluebook (online)
695 F. Supp. 533, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10130, 49 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 38,665, 55 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 431, 1988 WL 94233, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/pugh-v-heinrich-flmd-1988.