P.G. Ramsey, Jr. v. UCBR ( 2017 )

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Paul G. Ramsey, Jr., :
Petitioner :
:
v. : No. 761 C.D. 2016
: Submitted: December 2, 2016
Unemployment Compensation :
Board of Review, :
Respondent :
BEFORE: HONORABLE ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge
HONORABLE JULIA K. HEARTHWAY, Judge
HONORABLE JOSEPH M. COSGROVE, Judge
OPINION NOT REPORTED
MEMORANDUM OPINION
BY JUDGE SIMPSON FILED: February 15, 2017
Paul G. Ramsey, Jr. (Claimant), representing himself, petitions for
review of an order of the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review (Board)
that affirmed a referee’s decision finding Claimant ineligible for benefits under
Section 402(b) of the Unemployment Compensation Law (Law)1 because he
voluntarily quit his employment without necessitous and compelling cause.
Claimant argues he did not voluntarily quit because the unemployment
compensation (UC) service center determined him not ineligible for UC benefits
pursuant to Section 402(e) of the Law, 43 P.S. §802(e) (pertaining to willful
misconduct). Upon review, we affirm.
1
Act of December 5, 1936, Second Ex. Sess., P.L. (1937) 2897, as amended, 43 P.S.
§802(b).
I. Background
Claimant worked full time as a maintenance person with Alumisource
Corporation (Employer) for 14 months. Claimant’s last day of work was
September 4, 2015. Employer discharged Claimant based on absenteeism. After
his separation from employment, Claimant applied for UC benefits. The local
service center determined Claimant not ineligible for benefits under Section 402(e)
of the Law because Claimant showed good cause for his last work absence.
Employer filed an appeal, and a referee held a hearing.
At the hearing, the issues were: whether Claimant voluntarily or
involuntarily separated from work; if the separation was voluntary, whether
Claimant had necessitous and compelling cause to separate from employment; and
if Claimant’s separation was involuntary, whether Employer discharged Claimant
for willful misconduct in connection with work. Referee’s Op., 1/14/16, at 1.
The referee heard testimony from Claimant, Brian Ritchie,
Employer’s Plant Manager (Plant Manager), and Chris Kowalski, Employer’s
Operations Manager (Operations Manager).2 Based on that evidence, the referee
found Employer sent Claimant home from work on September 8, 2015, based on
issues with attendance. At that point, Employer advised Claimant he was
suspended for three days and should return to work on Friday, September 11, 2015.
Claimant returned to the worksite, took personal items from a locker and failed to
report for work or duty. Employer considered Claimant to have abandoned his
employment. Referee’s Op., Findings of Fact (F.F.) Nos. 1-4.
2
Neither Claimant nor Employer were represented by counsel at the hearing.
2
Ultimately, the referee determined Claimant ineligible under Section
402(b) of the Law and reversed the service center’s decision.
Claimant appealed to the Board, which affirmed. The Board rejected
as not credible Claimant’s testimony that Employer discharged him. The Board
further found continuing work was available for Claimant after his three-day
suspension. Bd. Op., 3/16/16, at 1. The Board also adopted and incorporated the
referee’s findings and conclusions. Claimant petitions for review.
II. Issues
On appeal,3 Claimant contends he never received Employer’s “manual
based on absenteeism and tardiness as well as call off procedures.” Br. of Pet’r at
4. He also argues his work ethic “was well above par” and questions the warning
he received. Claimant asserts he did not receive “the paper I signed stating I was
suspended.” Id. Claimant further contends Employer never established a 401(k)
on his behalf. Claimant argues the Board “revoke[d] my eligibility … for a
different reason from which I was originally granted [UC benefits].” Id. Finally,
Claimant asserts “the referee was not made aware of [Claimant’s] initial eligibility
[for UC benefits] instead based [Claimant’s] case on ‘willful misconduct.’” Id.
3
Our review is limited to determining whether necessary findings of fact were supported
by substantial evidence, whether errors of law were committed, or whether constitutional rights
were violated. Hessou v. Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 942 A.2d 194 (Pa. Cmwlth.
2008).
3
III. Discussion
In UC cases, the Board is the ultimate fact-finder and is empowered to
resolve all conflicts in evidence, witness credibility and weight accorded to the
evidence. Ductmate Indus., Inc. v. Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 949
A.2d 338 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2008). Where substantial evidence supports the Board’s
findings, they are conclusive on appeal. Id. In addition, we must examine the
testimony in a light most favorable to the party in whose favor the fact-finder
ruled, giving that party the benefit of all logical and reasonable inferences from the
testimony. Id. Unchallenged findings are conclusive on appeal. Munski v.
Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 29 A.3d 133 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2011).
Substantial evidence is such relevant evidence upon which a
reasonable mind could base a conclusion. Umedman v. Unemployment Comp. Bd.
of Review, 52 A.3d 558 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2012). “The fact that [a party] … might
view the testimony differently than the Board is not grounds for reversal if
substantial evidence supports the Board’s findings.” Tapco, Inc. v. Unemployment
Comp. Bd. of Review, 650 A.2d 1106, 1108-09 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1994).
Section 402(b) of the Law provides, “[a]n employe shall be ineligible
for compensation for any week—[i]n which his unemployment is due to
voluntarily leaving work without cause of a necessitous and compelling nature ….”
In a voluntary quit case, it is the claimant’s burden to prove his separation from
employment is involuntary. Bell v. Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 921
A.2d 23 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2007). Whether a claimant’s separation from employment is
voluntary or a discharge is a question of law for this Court to determine from the
4
totality of the record. Id. In making this determination, we look at the totality of
the circumstances surrounding the separation. Wise v. Unemployment Comp. Bd.
of Review, 111 A.3d 1256 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2015). A voluntary termination requires a
finding that the claimant had a conscious intention to leave employment. Id.
Here, substantial, competent evidence supports the Board’s findings
regarding Claimant’s voluntary separation from employment. Claimant received a
written warning of his failure to report off work according to policy. Referee’s
Hr’g, Notes of Testimony (N.T.), 1/12/16, at 5, Ex. No. 1. The written warning
provided Claimant with a plan for improvement, stating: “[Claimant] will try to
miss less work and if necessary to do so, call in to report off.” Id. The written
warning stated the consequences of further infraction: “Continued failure to follow
Company Procedure regarding reporting off may result in termination.” Id. Both
Plant Manager and Claimant signed this written warning under the statement: “By
signing this form, you confirm that you understand the information in this warning.
You also confirm that you and your manager have discussed the warning and a
plan for improvement.” Id.
Plant Manager testified Employer gave Claimant a three-day
suspension. Plant Manager testified on the day Employer anticipated Claimant’s
return from his three-day suspension, Claimant had cleaned out his locker, “[gave]
us the impression that he was resigning … [and] … mentioned something to one of
his coworkers that he was no longer going to work here anymore.” N.T. at 5.
Plant Manager further testified that if Claimant returned to work on September 11,
2015, after his three-day suspension, continuing work was available. Id. at 5.
5
Plant Manager stated Employer and Claimant had more than one verbal
communication regarding improvement of Claimant’s performance prior to
Claimant’s written warning. Id. at 8.
Operations Manager testified he witnessed the counseling of
Claimant. N.T. at 6. Operations Manager testified he heard Claimant state that he
would be back after his suspension. Id. Operations Manager testified that during
the counseling, Claimant stated he “completely understood”4 why Employer
needed to suspend him. Id.
Claimant offered testimony that he signed his written warning, but did
not read it or understand it. Id. at 7-8. When questioned as to why he did not
return to work after his three-day suspension, Claimant did not recall agreeing to
return to work after his suspension and “didn’t know I had to work [on September
11, 2015] anyhow.” Id. at 5; see also id. at 7-8. Claimant further acknowledged he
cleaned out his locker after his suspension. Id. at 5-6.
A voluntary termination is not limited to a formal or even an express
resignation; it can be inferred from the employee’s conduct. G.C. Murphy Co. v.
Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 471 A.2d 1295 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1984). An
employee who leaves his employment without informing his employer when or if
he is planning to return may be held to have voluntarily quit. Iaconelli v.
Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 892 A.2d 894 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2006).
Examining the totality of the circumstances surrounding Claimant’s separation,
4
Referee’s Hr’g, Notes of Testimony (N.T.), 1/12/16, at 6.
6
Claimant’s actions evidence a conscious intention to leave employment. Wise.
Although Claimant offered conflicting testimony, the Board resolved these
conflicts in Employer’s favor.
To the extent Claimant contends the Board erred in finding
Employer’s evidence credible over his evidence, such credibility determinations
are within the sole province of the Board and will not be disturbed on appeal. See
Ductmate; Tapco, Inc.
Upon review, we conclude the Board’s findings are supported by
substantial, competent evidence. Umedman. In turn, the Board’s findings support
the conclusions that Claimant voluntarily quit his employment and that continuing
work existed for Claimant. Thus, we are satisfied the Board did not err in
concluding Claimant voluntarily quit.
An employee who voluntarily terminates his employment has the
burden of proving his termination was necessitous and compelling. Mansberger v.
Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 785 A.2d 126 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2003). In order
to show necessitous and compelling cause, a claimant must show: (1)
circumstances existed which produced real and substantial pressure to terminate
employment; (2) such circumstances would compel a reasonable person to act in
the same manner; (3) the claimant acted with ordinary common sense; and, (4) the
claimant made a reasonable effort to preserve his employment. Brunswick Hotel
& Conference Ctr., LLC v. Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 906 A.2d 657
(Pa. Cmwlth. 2006).
7
The question of whether a claimant has a necessitous and compelling
reason to terminate employment is a question of law reviewable by this Court.
Ann Kearney Astolfi DMD PC v. Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 995 A.2d
1286 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2006). A claimant seeking benefits under Section 402(b) bears
the burden of demonstrating a necessitous and compelling reason for leaving his
employment. Id. Resentment of supervisory criticism or a mere personality
conflict with a supervisor or a coworker, absent an intolerable work environment,
does not constitute cause to quit. Gioia v. Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review,
661 A.2d 34 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1995).
Here, Employer gave Claimant a written warning and placed him on a
three-day suspension based on attendance issues, with the understanding that he
should return to work on September 11, 2015. F.F. No. 2; N.T. at 5, 8. Claimant’s
written warning stated a plan of improvement and the consequences of further
infractions, including termination. Ex. No. 1; N.T. at 7. Claimant signed that
warning, confirming his understanding of the written warning. Id. Employer had
work available to Claimant upon his return to work. Id. Claimant chose not to
report for work after his three-day suspension. Instead, Claimant took personal
items from a locker and left work. F.F. No. 3; N.T. at 5-6.
Claimant did not prove circumstances of real and substantial pressure
to quit. Employer informed Claimant of available work upon his return. Claimant
did not attempt to improve his work attendance. Claimant acknowledged his
understanding of the written warning and suspension. Nevertheless, he chose not
to return to work after his suspension, but rather, cleaned out his locker without
8
notifying Employer of his reasons for quitting work prior to his separation.
Brunswick Hotel. Claimant failed to apprise Employer of his reasons for not
reporting to work, and he did not request assistance from Employer in dealing with
his reasons for his absences prior to his separation. The fact that Claimant received
a reprimand does not constitute good cause for Claimant to quit his employment.
Gioia. In fact, Claimant made no reasonable attempt to preserve his employment.
Thus, the record supports the Board’s determination that Claimant voluntarily
abandoned his employment without cause of a necessitous and compelling reason.
Ann Kearney Astolfi DMD PC.
Claimant next argues that although the UC service center determined
him not ineligible for benefits under Section 402(e) of the Law, the Board found
Claimant ineligible under Section 402(b) of the Law. Claimant’s argument fails.
The Board adopted the referee’s finding that Employer did not take action against
Claimant until he failed to return for work as scheduled. Bd. Op. at 1; Referee’s
Op. at 2. Thus, the fact-finder found Claimant voluntarily quit his job after his
three-day suspension. Because the fact-finder found a voluntary separation on the
part of Claimant, it did not reach an examination of the willful misconduct
provisions of Section 402(e) of the Law. Id.
Finally, in his brief to this Court, Claimant asserts he never received
Employer’s manual, his work ethic with Employer was contrary to the written
warning, and Employer never established a 401(k) on Claimant’s behalf.
However, Claimant did not raise these issues below. As such, they are waived.
9
See Yost v. Unemployment Comp. Bd. of Review, 42 A.3d 1158 (Pa. Cmwlth.
2012) (issues not raised before the referee or Board are waived).
IV. Conclusion
In sum, the Board’s findings are supported by substantial evidence.
The Board properly determined Claimant was ineligible for benefits having
voluntarily quit his employment without a necessitous and compelling reason.
Accordingly, we affirm.
ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge
10
IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Paul G. Ramsey, Jr., :
Petitioner :
:
v. : No. 761 C.D. 2016
:
Unemployment Compensation :
Board of Review, :
Respondent :
ORDER
AND NOW, this 15th day of February, 2017, the order of the
Unemployment Compensation Board of Review is AFFIRMED.
ROBERT SIMPSON, Judge