Shepherd v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr. , 2011 Ohio 5961 ( 2011 )

[Cite as Shepherd v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., 2011-Ohio-5961.]
Court of Claims of Ohio
The Ohio Judicial Center
65 South Front Street, Third Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
614.387.9800 or 1.800.824.8263
www.cco.state.oh.us
DON N. SHEPHERD, et al., Case No. 2010-06125
Plaintiffs,
v. Judge Clark B. Weaver Sr.
Magistrate Anderson M. Renick
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF
REHABILITATION AND CORRECTION, et al.,
Defendants. MAGISTRATE DECISION
{¶1} Plaintiffs brought this action alleging claims of constructive discharge,
intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, training, supervision and
retention, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and loss of consortium.1 The issues
of liability and damages were bifurcated and the case proceeded to trial on the issue of
liability.
{¶2} Defendant, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), hired
plaintiff, Don Shepherd, to work at defendant, Mansfield Correctional Institution
(ManCI), as a Food Service Coordinator (FSC) in June 2001. Prior to beginning his
employment with ManCI, Shepherd had been employed by the United States Marine
Corps. Shepherd testified that he enjoyed working in food service and that he had
hoped to be promoted to managerial positions at DRC.
{¶3} On or about February 14, 2007, Shepherd entered the office of Food
Service Manager (FSM) John Rodriguez to ask him a question. Shepherd testified that
when he entered the room, Rodriguez began to rapidly click on his computer with his
mouse. FSC Bradley Bailey was also in the room and later informed Shepherd that
Rodriguez had been viewing pictures of nude women, which Rodriguez had received
via e-mail. Shepherd advised Bailey to file an incident report, which he later filed with
1
Plaintiffs’ claim for promissory estoppel was dismissed pursuant to Civ.R. 41(B)(2).
Case No. 2010-06125 -2- MAGISTRATE DECISION
the captain’s office. (Plaintiffs’ Exhibit 3.) Although Shepherd did not view any
pornographic material, he too filed an incident report with the captain’s office. (Plaintiffs’
Exhibit 1.)
{¶4} Shepherd testified that later that evening, while working at his comic
bookstore, FSM Joe Dancy called him via telephone. Although he was unable to speak
with Dancy at that time, Shepherd returned Dancy’s call shortly thereafter. According to
Shepherd, Dancy stated that Shepherd’s life would be a living hell at work if anything
came of the incident report he had filed regarding Rodriguez. Shepherd filed another
incident report regarding the telephone call. The report indicates that Shepherd did not
feel personally threatened by the call. (Plaintiffs’ Exhibit 2.) Shepherd testified that he
was informed that nothing would be done because the incident had occurred outside of
work.
{¶5} Shepherd stated that several days later while at work, he called Rodriguez
to inspect the work he and FSC Keith Allen had completed on “the chow line.”
Shepherd testified that as Rodriguez was passing him on the line, Rodriguez drove his
elbow into Shepherd’s chest and then glared at him. Shepherd believed this was an
attempt to intimidate him in retaliation for reporting Rodriguez for viewing inappropriate
images at work, and he later reported the incident. (Plaintiffs’ Exhibit 5.) FSC Allen
testified that he saw Rodriguez bump into Shepherd, but that it looked like Rodriguez
was checking the line and it did not appear intentional or forceful. Allen also reported
the incident and was later interviewed as a part of the investigation.
{¶6} Shepherd testified that on or about March 2, 2007, he was in the tool room
putting away his kitchen tools prior to finishing his shift. FSC Joseph Townley was also
present in the room. According to Shepherd, Dancy began yelling at Shepherd and
positioned himself in such a way as to entirely block the only doorway out of the tool
room. Shepherd stated that he calmly sat down and waited for Dancy to leave. After
Dancy left, Shepherd immediately reported the incident by filling out an incident report.
Case No. 2010-06125 -3- MAGISTRATE DECISION
(Plaintiffs’ Exhibit 6.) Townley testified that he was on the opposite side of the room
putting his tools away when he overheard a heated conversation between Dancy and
Shepherd. Townley stated that he was too far away to hear particulars and was not
sure whether the conversation was work related. According to Townley, it did not
appear to him that Dancy was preventing Shepherd from leaving the tool room.
Townley explained that he did not fill out an incident report because he personally did
not feel trapped.
{¶7} Shepherd testified that, in addition to the above incidents, the managers
referred to him as a “snitch” and a “bitch” in front of both his coworkers and inmates,
and that his managers required him to perform tasks that he did not enjoy performing.
Additionally, Shepherd explained that the managers scheduled him to work at
inconvenient times and assigned him undesirable tasks as a form of informal
punishment. Shepherd testified that after he had reported Rodriguez for viewing
inappropriate material, the scheduling coordinator frequently assigned him to, what he
considered to be, the most undesirable tasks. Shepherd admitted, however, that there
are no rules prohibiting such conduct on the part of the managerial staff and that he
never reported the name-calling to anyone. Allen and FSC Douglas Danner both
testified that they never heard Shepherd referred to as a snitch or bitch.2
{¶8} Shepherd also testified that during this time period he was planning a
vacation to Hawaii with his wife, Donna Shepherd, and Dancy. Donna testified that she
and Shepherd purchased Dancy’s airline ticket to Hawaii and that she left a message on
Dancy’s phone asking him to reimburse the Shepherds for the ticket. Shepherd testified
that the next day at work, Dancy was very angry that Shepherd’s wife had attempted to
contact him and began yelling at Shepherd in front of the staff. According to Shepherd,
Dancy told him to speak to him regarding only work related matters. Shepherd
subsequently filled out an incident report. (Plaintiffs’ Exhibit 7.)
2
Danner testified by deposition. See Plaintiffs’ Exhibit 20.
Case No. 2010-06125 -4- MAGISTRATE DECISION
{¶9} Shepherd testified that he had been working overtime in order to build up
sufficient time to be able to take his vacation to Hawaii in April 2007. John Bond,
personnel director at ManCI, explained that when an employee works overtime, he or
she may choose to either be paid overtime or have it converted to comp-time. Bond
testified that in order for the employee to receive comp-time, the employee must fill out
a form and submit the form to payroll by noon on the Tuesday of the week in which the
payroll is being processed. Bond explained that if payroll does not receive a form, then
the employee will automatically receive overtime pay. Shepherd testified that he had
timely filled out the forms requesting comp-time to cover his vacation to Hawaii but that
he instead had received overtime pay. Shepherd explained that the forms are
submitted to the FSM and that the FSM then forwards them to the payroll department.
Shepherd asserted that the FSMs Dancy, Rodriguez, and Wolford deliberately
disregarded his comp-time requests. Wolford denied such a claim.3
{¶10} Shepherd testified that as a result of these incidents at work, he began to
feel anxious and nervous and that he dreaded going to work. Shepherd asserted that
his anxiety caused him to develop acid reflux and that he vomited often. He reported
that his relationship with his wife Donna and their children also deteriorated during this
time period and that he became very withdrawn at home. Donna testified that Shepherd
was often withdrawn and that he would “bring work home with him.” Donna asserted
that Shepherd’s problems developed shortly after he had reported his supervisor for
viewing inappropriate images at work. Donna testified that she had to perform more
tasks at home than she normally did because of Shepherd’s behavior.
{¶11} As a result of the problems, Shepherd contacted the prison help line and
was referred to Ohio Behavioral Health for counseling. Shepherd met with Constance
Brody, Ph.D., on March 13, 2007. Shepherd testified that he was diagnosed with
3
Neither Dancy nor Rodriguez testified at trial.
Case No. 2010-06125 -5- MAGISTRATE DECISION
depression and anxiety and was placed on temporary disability with the Ohio
Department of Administrative Services beginning March 13, 2007.
{¶12} Brody testified in her deposition that on March 13, 2007, she met with
Shepherd for an evaluation to determine whether he should be afforded disability.
Brody diagnosed Shepherd as suffering from general depression and anxiety and major
depression recurrent. Brody based her diagnoses upon the problems that Shepherd
had reported during their initial interview; she suggested weekly consultations and
encouraged Shepherd to receive psychotropic drug evaluations from his health care
provider. Brody and Shepherd met a total of four times. Brody testified that Shepherd’s
final visit occurred on March 30, 2007, and that she expected Shepherd to return for
continued appointments. Brody asserted that Shepherd did not mention that he was
planning on resigning and that Shepherd’s target date to return to work was April 17,
2007.
{¶13} While on disability, Shepherd did not receive his paychecks. Shepherd
learned that his paychecks were being held and that he was being investigated for
trying to use disability leave to go on vacation to Hawaii. Shepherd asserted that the
investigation was in retaliation for reporting Rodriguez for viewing pornography at work.
Bond testified that he was present during an investigatory interview with Shepherd and
that the purpose of the interview was to determine whether the allegations regarding the
trip to Hawaii were true. According to Bond, Shepherd was given an opportunity to
provide information but declined to do so. Bond stated that Shepherd abruptly
concluded the interview without providing him with any information.
{¶14} Janet Tobin, labor relations officer at ManCI, testified that Shepherd
received no discipline for going to Hawaii and that the interview with Shepherd occurred
early on in the investigatory process. Tobin explained that an incident report is written
by an employee and then submitted to the captain’s office. The report is then taken to
the warden for review by an incident review committee. If there is belief that a violation
has occurred, the report is returned to the supervisor who investigates, collects
Case No. 2010-06125 -6- MAGISTRATE DECISION
evidence, and reports the information to the warden for review in a memorandum titled
“fact finder.” At that point, if discipline appears necessary, a pre-disciplinary hearing is
scheduled and the employee’s prior discipline is investigated to determine where the
employee is on the progressive discipline schedule. Tobin testified that Shepherd was
being investigated because he had allegedly stated that he was planning to take
disability leave to go on his vacation to Hawaii. According to Tobin, an employee may
not use disability leave to go on a vacation. Tobin reported that Shepherd did not
receive any discipline for his vacation to Hawaii.
{¶15} Tobin testified that she also participated in the investigations into the
allegations made in Shepherd’s incident reports and that Dancy, Rodriguez, and
Wolford all received discipline resulting from viewing inappropriate content at work.
Tobin also testified that each of Shepherd’s other incident reports were investigated by
his supervisor, Lanny Imboden, FSM II. Tobin explained that Imboden investigated the
allegations and made recommendations in the fact finder. Imboden, who supervises
each of the five FSMs, testified that he did investigate the allegations made in
Shepherd’s incident reports but that he did not recommend any discipline.
{¶16} Shepherd testified that while he was on disability, Bond stopped by his
store and asked when he was planning on returning to work. Shepherd testified that he
believed the “harassment” would never end and resigned on April 2, 2007. Bond
testified that he did visit Shepherd’s store with a friend who was looking for baseball
cards but denied doing so to harass Shepherd. Wolford and Allen both testified that
they were “surprised” when they learned that Shepherd had resigned.
CONSTRUCTIVE DISCHARGE IN VIOLATION OF PUBLIC POLICY
{¶17} Plaintiffs seek recovery for common law retaliation under Greely v. Miami
Valley Maintenance Contrs., Inc. (1990), 49 Ohio St.3d 228. Plaintiffs argue that
Case No. 2010-06125 -7- MAGISTRATE DECISION
Shepherd was constructively discharged in violation of public policy for reporting his
supervisor’s inappropriate conduct. See id. at 234.
{¶18} “The test for determining whether an employee was constructively
discharged is whether the employer’s actions made working conditions so intolerable
that a reasonable person under the circumstances would have felt compelled to resign.”
Mauzy v. Kelly Servs., Inc., 75 Ohio St.3d 578, 1996-Ohio-265, paragraph four of the
syllabus. “In applying this test, courts seek to determine whether the cumulative effect
of the employer’s actions would make a reasonable person believe that termination was
imminent. They recognize that there is no sound reason to compel an employee to
struggle with the inevitable simply to attain the ‘discharge’ label.” Id. at 589.
{¶19} “An employee has an obligation not to jump to conclusions and assume
that every conflict with an employer evidences a hidden intent by the employer to
terminate the employment relationship. Simpson v. Ohio Reformatory for Women,
Franklin App. No. 02AP-588, 2003-Ohio-988, ¶25, citing Jackson v. Champaign Natl.
Bank & Trust Co. (Sept. 26, 2000), Franklin App. No. 00AP-170. Accordingly,
Shepherd’s belief that he was forced to resign must be evaluated “‘without consideration
of his undue sensitivities.’” Risch v. Friendly’s Ice Cream Corp. (1999), 136 Ohio App.3d
109, 113, quoting Wilson v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. (C.A.6, 1991), 932 F.2d 510,
515.
{¶20} Plaintiffs claim that Shepherd’s decision to resign was based upon the
cumulative effect of the behaviors of his co-workers, including his supervisors,
Rodriguez, Wolford, and Dancy. Based upon the totality of the evidence, the court finds
that while the incidents described by Shepherd may have been subjectively threatening
to him, such incidents were not objectively threatening or so egregious or pervasive as
to render the working conditions intolerable. Moreover, several of the incidents
described by Shepherd as threatening were not considered so by other witnesses to
those events. Furthermore, a reasonable interpretation of the incidents described by
Shepherd does not permit an inference that his termination was imminent or that any
Case No. 2010-06125 -8- MAGISTRATE DECISION
adverse employment decision was in the offing. The evidence also demonstrates that
DRC investigated each of Shepherd’s allegations and imposed discipline when
necessary; Shepherd was never disciplined as a result of any of the investigations
detailed above. In short, the court concludes that Shepherd was not compelled to
resign his position.
INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
{¶21} To prove a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, plaintiffs
must show that: “(1) defendant intended to cause emotional distress, or knew or should
have known that actions taken would result in serious emotional distress; (2)
defendant’s conduct was extreme and outrageous; (3) defendant’s actions proximately
caused plaintiff’s psychic injury; and (4) the mental anguish plaintiff suffered was
serious.” Hanly v. Riverside Methodist Hosp. (1991), 78 Ohio App.3d 73, 82.
{¶22} In Yeager v. Local Union 20 (1983), 6 Ohio St.3d 369, 375, quoting
Restatement of the Law 2d, Torts (1965) 73, Section 46, Comment d, the court
explained that liability in such cases “‘has been found only where the conduct has been
so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible
bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in a civilized
community. Generally, the case is one in which the recitation of the facts to an average
member of the community would arouse his resentment against the actor, and lead him
to exclaim, “Outrageous!”’”
{¶23} The weight of the evidence does not persuade the court that the conduct of
either Dancy, Wolford, Rodriguez, or any other DRC employee was “utterly intolerable
in a civilized community.” Therefore, plaintiffs have failed to prove their claim of
intentional infliction of emotional distress.
NEGLIGENT HIRING, TRAINING, SUPERVISION, AND RETENTION
Case No. 2010-06125 -9- MAGISTRATE DECISION
{¶24} The elements of a negligent retention claim are the same as those for a
negligent supervision and hiring claim. Browning v. Ohio State Hwy. Patrol, 151 Ohio
App.3d 798, 2003-Ohio-1108, ¶67, citing Harmon v. GZK, Inc., Montgomery App. No.
18672, 2002-Ohio-545. In order for plaintiffs to prevail on a claim for negligent hiring,
training, supervision, and retention, they must prove: “‘(1) the existence of an
employment relationship; (2) the employee’s incompetence; (3) the employer’s actual or
constructive knowledge of such incompetence; (4) the employee’s act or omission
causing plaintiff’s injuries; and (5) the employer’s negligence in hiring or retaining the
employee as the proximate cause of plaintiff’s injuries.’” Evans v. Ohio State Univ.
(1996), 112 Ohio App.3d 724, 739, quoting Ruta v. Breckenridge-Remy Co. (Dec. 12,
1980), Erie App. No. E-80-39. Liability for negligent retention arises where an
“employer chooses to employ an individual who ‘had a past history of criminal, tortious,
or otherwise dangerous conduct about which the [employer] knew or could have
discovered through reasonable investigation.’” Abrams v. Worthington, 169 Ohio
App.3d 94, 2006-Ohio-5516, ¶14, quoting Byrd v. Faber (1991), 57 Ohio St.3d 56, 61.
{¶25} Other than the undisputed evidence of an employment relationship
between Rodriguez, Dancy, Wolford, and DRC, plaintiffs have established none of the
elements of this claim. Specifically, plaintiffs have failed to show that Dancy, Rodriguez,
and Wolford were incompetent.
{¶26} Both Tobin and Imboden testified that each of Shepherd’s incident reports
were investigated to determine whether discipline was necessary. With respect to
Shepherd’s allegation that Rodriguez viewed inappropriate content at work, Tobin
testified that each of the FSMs involved admitted to such conduct and were disciplined
accordingly. Regarding the remainder of Shepherd’s allegations of harassment by
Wolford, Dancy, and Rodriguez, Imboden testified that he did not find enough evidence
to proceed to discipline. In short, plaintiffs have failed to prove their claim of negligent
hiring, training, supervision, and retention.
Case No. 2010-06125 - 10 - MAGISTRATE DECISION
NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
{¶27} Ohio courts limit recovery on a claim of negligent infliction of emotional
distress to those instances in which an individual was a bystander to an accident or was
in fear of physical injury to his own person. Paugh v. Hanks (1983), 6 Ohio St.3d 72;
High v. Howard (1992), 64 Ohio St.3d 82. No such circumstances are alleged in
plaintiffs’ complaint nor were any facts of that nature presented at trial. Accordingly, any
claim of negligent infliction of emotional distress must fail.
LOSS OF CONSORTIUM
{¶28} The court finds that plaintiffs failed to prove their claims of constructive
discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent hiring, training,
supervision, and retention, by a preponderance of the evidence. Therefore, the
derivative claim for loss of consortium also must fail. See Bowen v. Kil-Kare, Inc.
(1992), 63 Ohio St.3d 84, 93.
{¶29} For the foregoing reasons, it is recommended that plaintiffs’ claim of
negligent infliction of emotional distress be dismissed, and that judgment be rendered in
favor of defendants on plaintiffs’ claims of constructive discharge, intentional infliction of
emotional distress, negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention, and loss of
consortium. A party may file written objections to the magistrate’s decision within 14
days of the filing of the decision, whether or not the court has adopted the decision
during that 14-day period as permitted by Civ.R. 53(D)(4)(e)(i). If any party timely files
objections, any other party may also file objections not later than ten days after the first
objections are filed. A party shall not assign as error on appeal the court’s adoption of
any factual finding or legal conclusion, whether or not specifically designated as a
finding of fact or conclusion of law under Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(ii), unless the party timely
and specifically objects to that factual finding or legal conclusion within 14 days of the
filing of the decision, as required by Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(b).
Case No. 2010-06125 - 11 - MAGISTRATE DECISION
_____________________________________
ANDERSON M. RENICK
Magistrate
cc:
Beth A. Owens Daniel R. Forsythe
John W. Allen Velda K. Hofacker
Marc V. Hedrick Assistant Attorneys General
24 West Third Street, Suite 200 150 East Gay Street, 18th Floor
Mansfield, Ohio 44902 Columbus, Ohio 43215-3130
Filed October 21, 2011
To S.C. reporter November 18, 2011