North Carolina Department of Justice v. Eaker , 90 N.C. App. 30 ( 1988 )

367 S.E.2d 392 (1988)

NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
v.
Jay EAKER.

No. 8710SC857.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

May 3, 1988.

Marc W. Sokol, Raleigh, for petitioner-appellant.

Atty. Gen. Thornburg by Sr. Deputy Atty. Gen. Jean A. Benoy and Sp. Deputy Atty. Gen. James Peeler Smith, Raleigh, for respondent-appellee.

EAGLES, Judge.

Judicial review of State Personnel Commission decisions is governed by Chapter 150B, the Administrative Procedure Act. G.S. 150A-1(c) (now G.S. 150B-1(c)); Area Mental Health Authority v. Speed, 69 N.C.App. 247, 317 S.E.2d 22, disc. rev. denied, 312 N.C. 81, 321 S.E.2d 893 (1984) (decided under former G.S. 126-43). Petitioner argues that in reversing the Commission's decision, the superior court erred when it concluded that: (1) the Commission lacked jurisdiction to reinstate him, (2) the Commission's findings that the Department failed to follow the applicable policies for accomplishing a reduction in force were unsupported by substantial evidence, (3) petitioner was not entitled to any remedy because he failed to show prejudice, and (4) any remedy available to petitioner before the Commission should have been limited to the Commission remanding the case to the Department for reconsideration. We review each of these issues in order.

I.

G.S. 126-4(7a) gives the State Personnel Commission the power, subject to the approval of the Governor, to establish policies and rules governing "[t]he separation of employees." G.S. 126-4(7a). The Department contends that a reduction in force is not a "separation" within the meaning of G.S. 126-4(7a), but is a "management" decision reserved solely to department heads under G.S. 143B-10(c). The Department concedes that the Commission has authority under G.S. 126-36 and G.S. 126-35 to reinstate employees whose positions have been abolished improperly as a result of unlawful discrimination or for a disciplinary motive. Otherwise, the Department argues, the Commission has no statutory authority to order reinstatement of an employee whose position has been abolished. In contrast, petitioner argues that a reduction in force is a "separation," and that under G.S. 126-4(7a) the Commission has authority to reinstate employees whose positions were abolished in violation of its policies and rules. We believe that both parties have failed to make the distinction between the management decision to abolish a position and personnel matters which may necessarily be a consequence of that management decision.

The purpose of Chapter 126 is "to establish for the government of the State a system of personnel administration under the Governor, based on accepted principles of personnel administration and applying the best methods as evolved in government and industry." G.S. 126-1. In addition to the power to promulgate policies and rules regarding the "separation" of employees, the Commission has the same policy and rule making power over "[t]he appointment, promotion, transfer, demotion, and suspension" of employees under G.S. 126-4(6) and "programs and procedures as may be necessary to promote efficiency of administration and provide for a fair and reasonable system of personnel administration" under G.S. 126-4(10). Chapter 126 clearly gives the State Personnel Commission the power to establish rules and policies governing personnel matters.

We need not fully delineate the extent of the Commission's powers; nor do we need to decide whether it has the power to issue rules and policies which attempt to affect when a reduction in force should occur. The only policies of the Commission which purport to do that were found in a portion of the State's Personnel Manual entitled "Suggested Guidelines for Reductions in Force." Those "guidelines" provide, among other things, that a reduction in force should occur only after "a thorough evaluation of the accomplishments of specific programs" and "measures such as a hiring freeze on vacant positions, limits on purchasing and travel, retirement options and job sharing and work schedule alternatives have proven insufficient." The superior court, however, correctly concluded that these guidelines were not mandatory and that the Department was not obligated to comply with them. Since, at the time petitioner's position was abolished, the Commission had not attempted to exercise any authority over the Department's decision to make a reduction in force, we need not decide whether the Commission has the authority to do so.

The only mandatory policy regarding reductions in force dealt with the retention of employees whose positions have already been abolished. It provided, in pertinent part, as follows:

Retention of employees in classes affected shall be based on systematic consideration of type of appointment, length of service, and relative efficiency; the relative weight of each of these factors is to be determined by management in making reduction-in-force decisions.

25 N.C.A.C. 1D.0504. It is immaterial whether the required "systematic consideration" of the listed factors is accomplished after the position is abolished or occurs as a means of deciding which position, among those similarly classified, should be abolished. In either case, the policy governs a personnel matter which does not interfere with "management" determinations such as whether a position is necessary, cost-effective, or consistent with the department's mission, or whether the department's limited resources could best be used elsewhere. Because retention of employees in abolished positions is clearly a personnel matter affecting the "separation" of employees, under G.S. 126-4(7a) the Commission has authority to issue the policy and to require the Department to follow it.

II.

In a conclusion of law, which would more appropriately be labelled a finding of fact, the Commission found that the Department had failed to follow the policy regarding retention of employees. It stated that:

14. [T]he retention of the other Research Associate in the Sheriff Standards Division and similar employees throughout the Department was not based on a systematic consideration of type of appointment, length of service and relative efficiency. Petitioner's skills, knowledge, and productivity were not compared to the skills, knowledge, and productivity of employees in similar positions who were retained in employment by Respondent. Mr. Roark, in fact, admitted that the people in the affected positions and their job performances were not evaluated as part of his own reduction in force process. Petitioner was dismissed even though he may have possessed more skills and knowledge and been capable of greater productivity than employees in similar positions who were retained.

The superior court concluded that this finding was not supported by the record and that Mr. Roark's procedures were sufficiently systematic to insure that the decision to abolish plaintiff's position was neither arbitrary or capricious.

Whether the Department's decision to abolish the position was arbitrary or capricious is not germane to the question of whether the Commission's personnel policies were followed. Court review of an agency's findings of fact is limited to determining, from an examination of the whole record, whether there is evidence to support the finding. Goodwin v. Goldsboro Board of Education, 67 N.C.App. 243, 312 S.E.2d 892, disc. rev. denied, 311 N.C. 304, 317 S.E.2d 680 (1984). If, after considering all of the evidence, including that which contradicts as well as that which supports the finding, the court finds competent, material, and substantial evidence in support of the finding, the finding is deemed conclusive on appeal. Boehm v. Board of Podiatry Examiners, 41 N.C.App. 567, 255 S.E.2d 328, cert. denied, 298 N.C. 294, 259 S.E.2d 298 (1979). We find, from the whole record, that the trial court erred and that there is substantial evidence to support the Commission's finding that the Department failed to follow the policy regarding retention of employees whose positions are abolished as part of a reduction in force.

Although there is substantial evidence to support the Commission's finding that the Department failed to follow the policy, and, as a result, the Department is not entitled to prevail on those grounds; nevertheless, we must remand this case to the Commission. In one of the Commission's conclusions of law complained of by the Department, the Commission stated that "[r]espondent has not satisfied its burden of proving that appropriate reduction in force procedures were utilized." We agree with the Department that the Commission improperly placed that burden on the Department.

Generally, the burden of proof is on the party attempting to show the existence of a claim or cause of action and, if proof of his claim includes proof of negative allegations, it is incumbent on him to do so. See Johnson v. Johnson, 229 N.C. 541, 50 S.E.2d 569 (1948). Neither Chapter 126 nor the Administrative Procedure Act indicate that the burden is shifted to the department or agency to show that it followed the Personnel Commission's rules, policies, or procedures. Moreover, we do not believe that the facts tending to show whether the policy was followed are so peculiarly within the knowledge of the Department that the burden should be on the Department to show the policy was followed. Cf., Joyce v. Sell, 233 N.C. 585, 64 S.E.2d 837 (1951).

Because the Commission acted under a misapprehension of the law, this case must be remanded. See Insurance Co. v. Chantos, 298 N.C. 246, 258 S.E.2d 334 (1979). The rule fixing the burden of proof constitutes a substantial right of the party upon whose adversary the burden rests and must be rigidly enforced. Owens v. Kelly, 240 N.C. 770, 84 S.E.2d 163 (1954). The law relating to the burden of proof is equally applicable to proceedings which are not conducted before a jury. Joyner v. Garrett, Comr. of Motor Vehicles, 279 N.C. 226, 182 S.E.2d 553 (1971). We cannot say, as a matter of law, that the Commission's finding was not affected by its misapprehension of the law. Cf., Bowles Distributing Co. v. Pabst Brewing Co., 69 N.C.App. 341, 317 S.E.2d 684 (1984). Therefore, we vacate the findings and conclusions and remand this case to the Commission for reconsideration of the evidence in additional proceedings in which petitioner has the burden of proof.

Although we remand this case to the Commission, we must address the Department's remaining arguments, since, if meritorious, they would require that we reverse the Commission's decision and uphold the trial court's order.

III.

The Department contends, and the superior court agreed, that even if the Department failed to follow the Commission's policies, petitioner is without a remedy unless he shows a substantial chance that a different result would have followed. The Department cites Farlow v. Bd. of Chiropractic Examiners, 76 N.C.App. 202, 332 S.E.2d 696, disc. rev. denied, 314 N.C. 664, 336 S.E.2d 621 (1985) and Leiphart v. N.C. School of the Arts, 80 N.C.App. 339, 342 S.E.2d 914, cert. denied, 318 N.C. 507, 349 S.E.2d 862 (1986) in support of its contention. We believe Farlow and Leiphart are distinguishable and we hold that plaintiff does not have to show prejudice once he carries his burden of showing the Department failed to follow the Commission's policies.

In Farlow, supra, the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, in violation of the Board's own rules, failed to render its decision within 90 days after the hearing. This court held that an administrative agency's failure to follow its own rules requires reversal only where "its failure to do so would result in a substantial chance that there would be a different result from what the result would be if the rule were followed." Id. at 208, 332 S.E.2d at 700. In Leiphart, supra, we applied the same holding to a petitioner's argument that the School of the Arts failed to follow its own internal grievance procedures. Since Farlow and Leiphart involved only an agency's failure to follow its own procedural rules, they are inapposite.

The policy at issue here was promulgated pursuant to the Commission's statutory authority under G.S. 126-4. The Legislature has delegated, to the extent of the Commission's statutory powers, its own legislative powers over the State's personnel system. Therefore, rules and policies made pursuant to the Commission's statutory authority have the effect of law. See Westmoreland v. Laird, 364 F. Supp. 948 (E.D.N.C.1973), aff'd, 485 F.2d 1237 (4th Cir.1973); American Federation of Labor v. Donovan, 757 F.2d 330 (D.C.Cir.1985); 2 Am.Jur.2d, "Administrative Law," sections 292, 295 (1962). Pursuant to its statutory authority, the Commission promulgated a policy requiring the State's departments and agencies to systematically consider certain factors in determining which employees should be retained once a department or agency has decided to implement a reduction in its force. Consequently, that policy has the force of law and must be strictly followed and enforced. See Parrish v. Real Estate Licensing Board, 41 N.C.App. 102, 254 S.E.2d 268 (1979); In re Trulove, 54 N.C.App. 218, 282 S.E.2d 544 (1981), disc. rev. denied, 304 N.C. 727, 288 S.E.2d 808 (1982). Petitioner was not required to show prejudice resulting from the Department's failure to follow the Commission's policy.

If petitioner were required to show prejudice, it would be nearly impossible for him to do so. The policy requires only that the Department have systematically considered certain factors, leaving the weight to be accorded each factor up to the Department. At the hearing before the Commission, petitioner presented some evidence of his own qualifications and work record. To show prejudice from failure to follow the policy, petitioner would have to show, not only how he stood in relation to other employees in the same class as to type of appointment, length of service, and work performance, but he would have to show the weight which the Department would attribute to each of those factors. The Commission and the reviewing court would be relegated to speculating how the Department would weigh each factor.

IV.

Finally, we address the Department's argument that the Commission has authority to issue binding orders for reinstatement only in disciplinary and discrimination cases.

G.S. 126-37(a) states, in pertinent part, that:

[t]he State Personnel Director or any other person or persons designated by the Commission shall investigate the disciplinary action or alleged discrimination which is appealed to the Commission. Appeals involving a disciplinary action, alleged discrimination and any other contested case arising under this Chapter shall be conducted in the Office of Administrative Hearings as provided in Article 3 of Chapter 150B; provided that no grievance may be appealed unless the employee has complied with G.S. 126-34.... The State Personnel Commission is hereby authorized to reinstate any employee to the position from which he has been removed, to order the employment, promotion, transfer, or salary adjustment of any individual to whom it has been wrongfully denied or to direct other suitable action to correct the abuse which may include the requirement of payment for any loss of salary which has resulted from the improperly discriminatory action of the appointing authority. [Emphasis added.]

G.S. 126-37(a). The State Personnel Commission's jurisdiction is not limited to disciplinary actions under G.S. 126-35 or discriminatory actions under G.S. 126-36; jurisdiction may also arise, under G.S. 126-34, for any "grievance arising out of or due to his employment." G.S. 126-34. See Poret v. State Personnel Comm., 74 N.C.App. 536, 328 S.E.2d 880, disc. rev. denied, 314 N.C. 117, 332 S.E.2d 491 (1985). Moreover, G.S. 126-4(9) provides the Commission with policy and rule-making authority regarding:

[t]he investigation of complaints and the issuing of such binding corrective orders or such other appropriate action concerning employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, discharge, and reinstatement in all cases as the Commission shall find justified.

G.S. 126-4(9). Although G.S. 126-37(a) makes more frequent reference to the Commission's remedial powers over disciplinary and discriminatory action, the statute also refers to "grievance[s]" under G.S. 126-34 and "any other contested case arising under this Chapter." It has been recognized that, to serve the purpose of Chapter 126, rules and policies made pursuant to G.S. 126-4 must be enforced. Bean v. Taylor, 408 F. Supp. 614 (M.D.N.C.1976) aff'd, 534 F.2d 328 (4th Cir.1976). We believe G.S. 126-37(a) allows the Commission to order reinstatement of an employee and direct other suitable relief, whenever it deems it necessary to correct the failure of a department or agency to follow policies or rules promulgated pursuant to G.S. 126-4. To hold that the Commission's opinion in those cases is merely advisory would give the Commission the power to establish policies and rules but no power to enforce them. That construction of G.S. 126-37 reaches a result which is contrary to the Chapter's stated policy.

Accordingly, this case is reversed and remanded to the Superior Court for remand to the Personnel Commission for reconsideration in additional proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Reversed and remanded.

BECTON and GREENE, JJ., concur.