Holdings Acquisition Co., L.P., d/b/a Rivers Casino v. UCBR ( 2015 )

IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Holdings Acquisition Co., L.P., :
d/b/a Rivers Casino, :
Petitioner :
:
v. : No. 135 C.D. 2015
: Submitted: July 24, 2015
Unemployment Compensation :
Board of Review, :
Respondent :
BEFORE: HONORABLE DAN PELLEGRINI, President Judge
HONORABLE MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, Judge
HONORABLE ANNE E. COVEY, Judge
OPINION NOT REPORTED
MEMORANDUM OPINION
BY JUDGE LEAVITT FILED: October 19, 2015
Holdings Acquisition Co., L.P. d/b/a/ Rivers Casino (Employer)
petitions for review of an adjudication of the Unemployment Compensation Board
of Review (Board) holding that Mark Miller (Claimant) was eligible for
unemployment compensation because he did not commit willful misconduct within
the meaning of Section 402(e) of the Unemployment Compensation Law (Law).1
In so doing, the Board reversed the decision of a Referee. Employer argues that
the Board erred because it focused on whether Claimant used profanity and not on
whether Claimant’s conduct in toto constituted rude and discourteous behavior
toward one of Employer’s customers in violation of a work rule. Employer also
1
Act of December 5, 1936, Second Ex. Sess., P.L. (1937) 2897, as amended, 43 P.S. §802(e).
asserts that the Board’s finding that Claimant did not use profanity is not supported
by substantial evidence. We affirm.
Claimant worked for Employer as an entry security administrator
from May 20, 2012, to September 22, 2014, earning $14 per hour. Claimant’s
primary job was to make sure guests entering Employer’s casino were at least 21
years old. Employer discharged Claimant for using profanity and being rude to a
casino guest on September 1, 2014. The Allentown UC Service Center denied
Claimant’s application for unemployment compensation for the stated reason that
Claimant committed willful misconduct. Claimant appealed, and a hearing was
held before a Referee.
At the Referee hearing, Andre Barnabei, Vice President of Human
Resources, testified for Employer. He explained that Employer places a very
strong emphasis on guest services. Accordingly, Employer’s handbook prohibits
“obscene gestures, cursing, or the use of foul language that may be offensive to
others.” Reproduced Record at 109a (R.R. ___). It also prohibits “disrespectful
conduct” and “[r]ude and/or discourteous behavior toward guests[.]” R.R. 109a-
10a. Barnabei offered copies of Claimant’s signed acknowledgement of the
handbook and relevant updates.
Barnabei testified that he received a complaint from a customer that
Claimant had been rude to her son and improperly refused him entry to the casino.
The complainant did not witness the incident.
Several days later, on September 4, 2014, the guest in question
completed an incident report. His report alleged that Claimant stopped him as he
entered the gaming area of the casino and asked for age identification. After the
guest produced the identification, Claimant refused to let go of the card. The
2
report went on to state that the guest, who is 36 years old, reminded Claimant that
he was a frequent visitor to the casino. Claimant responded “you think you[’re]
fucking tough you can leave.” R.R. 203a. When the guest explained to Claimant
that he was just trying to be nice, Claimant said “well you can leave and don’t
come back.” Id. While walking away, the guest turned and again said “I was just
trying to be nice.” Id. Claimant did not respond.
Barnabei reviewed a surveillance video of the incident.2 Barnabei
testified that the video showed Claimant moving from behind his podium toward
the guest. Barnabei also interviewed another entry security administrator,
Lawrence Lau, who was working near Claimant at the time of the incident. Lau
completed an incident report. Lau’s report stated that when Claimant asked the
guest for identification, the guest responded, “I’m in here every day, why are you
carding me.” R.R. 204a. According to Lau, the guest “kind of cornered
[Claimant]” and “was rather close to him,” prompting Claimant to step closer to
the guest and state, “do you think you[’re] fucking tough stepping to me like that.”
Id. The guest replied, “I just don’t understand why you[’re] carding me I am 36
years old[;] I am a black card member[;] I’m in here every day.” Id. Lau reported
that Claimant told the guest he was not going to let him in tonight because “I don’t
like your attitude.” Id. As the guest was leaving, he turned around and yelled “I
am a black card member” and Claimant responded, “Sir, have a good night.” R.R.
205a.
Barnabei interviewed Claimant, who denied using “the F word” but
admitted telling the guest to “get the hell out of here.” Notes of Testimony,
2
A DVD recording of the video was entered into the record. There is no audio.
3
October 27, 2014, at 31 (N.T. __); R.R. 45a. Barnabei considered the word “hell”
to be profane, which violated Employer’s policy and standards of conduct.
Lau also testified. He explained that an entry security administrator is
required to stop anyone entering the casino that appears to be 30 years old or
younger and ask for identification. He testified that the guest did look young and
that it was appropriate for Claimant to stop him. The guest complained in an
arrogant manner. Lau thought at the time that the guest was edging closer to
Claimant; however, the surveillance video did not confirm this impression. Lau
testified that he heard Claimant say “[d]o you think you’re F’ing tough for stepping
towards me.” N.T. 49; R.R. 63a. The guest said “I don’t understand why you’re
ID’ing me. I’m here every day.” Id. Lau then heard Claimant order the guest out
of the casino. When the guest went into the elevator, Lau alerted security that a
guest had been turned away so that his exit could be tracked by surveillance
cameras.
Ramon Hart, Director of Community Relations, also testified for
Employer. Because the guest had threatened to tell his story to the media, Hart
became involved in the investigation of Claimant’s conduct and was present when
Claimant was interviewed by Barnabei. Hart testified that Claimant admitted
telling the guest to “get the hell out of here” and acknowledged that this was
against casino policy. Hart viewed the surveillance video and believed Claimant’s
body language toward the guest was aggressive. Hart testified that Claimant
violated Employer’s policy by cursing and by using aggressive “body language.”
N.T. 40; R.R. 54a.
Claimant testified that the guest appeared to be under 30 years of age,
so he asked him for identification. The guest responded that he was “F’ing 36
4
years old” and is “in here every day with my mom who’s a black card member.” 3
N.T. 64; R.R. 78a. Claimant asked him not to swear. The guest then produced his
identification and said, “I told you I’m 36 F’ing years old.” N.T. 64-65; R.R. 78a-
79a. Claimant responded, “if you’re going to use that language, please leave the
casino right now” and pointed to the elevator. N.T. 65; R.R. 79a. The guest began
walking towards the elevator, then turned and yelled, “this F’ing casino is F’ing
bull s-h-i-t. F this casino.” Id. Claimant replied, “[S]ir, if you feel that way, do
not come back. We don’t force you to come in here if you don’t want to.” Id.
Claimant testified that he is authorized to turn a guest away who
refuses to produce identification or who “swear[s] at you,” and he has done so in
the past. N.T. 66; R.R. 80a. Claimant testified that he turned this particular guest
away because he had a “bad attitude.” N.T. 65; R.R. 79a. Claimant stated that he
never cursed at the guest, never used “the F word” and did not say “get the hell out
of here.” N.T. 67, 71; R.R. 81a, 85a. Further, when Barnabei asked him about the
incident, Claimant replied, “I did not swear at the guest.” N.T. 71; R.R. 85a. He
denied ever telling Barnabei that he used the word “hell.” N.T. 71-72; R.R. 85a-
86a.
Claimant testified that he did not hold on to the guest’s identification
card any longer than necessary. He looked at it, confirmed the guest was 36 years
old and handed it back. They were both talking, so Claimant conceded that his
hand may have been extended for a few seconds before the guest took back his
card. Claimant testified that he did not make an aggressive move toward the guest.
3
When asked what it meant to be a “black card member,” Claimant responded that it “means you
spend a lot of money in the casino.” N.T. 64; R.R. 78a.
5
Claimant stated that he moved slightly forward to give the identification card back
but denied trying to intimidate the guest, who happens to be smaller than Claimant.
The Referee found that when Claimant asked the guest for
identification, the guest responded that Claimant “should recognize him because he
came to the facility often” and, while displaying his identification said, “[s]ee I’m
36 f***ing years old.” Referee Decision, Findings of Fact Nos. 6 and 7. The
Referee also found that Claimant told the guest to get the “h[ell] out of the casino”
and “stepped closer to the guest” as he was saying it. Id., Findings of Fact Nos. 8
and 9. The Referee further found that Claimant “is 6’ 3” and weighs 250 pounds,
and is significantly larger than the guest.” Id., Finding of Fact No. 10.
The Referee found that Claimant’s act of stepping forward did not
appear particularly intimidating and that if the guest was intimidated by Claimant’s
size it was not Claimant’s fault. Indeed, the Referee observed that Employer
“likely hired [Claimant] because of his size and presence[.]” Referee Decision at
2. However, the Referee found that Claimant’s use of the word “hell” violated
Employer’s policy and its expected standards of behavior. Accordingly, the
Referee held that Claimant had committed willful misconduct and was ineligible
for unemployment compensation.
Claimant appealed to the Board. The Board agreed with the Referee’s
findings that the guest complained and cursed when asked to produce
identification. However, the Board found that Claimant did not use profanity when
he asked the guest to leave the casino. The Board found Claimant’s testimony
credible and specifically found that Claimant “did not admit to telling the [guest] to
get the h*ll out of the casino.” Board Adjudication at 3. The Board reiterated the
Referee’s finding that Claimant did not act in an intimidating manner, noting “that
6
[E]mployer likely hired [Claimant] because of his size and presence, and [that] this
is also a condition which [he] has no control over.” Id. In accordance with these
findings of fact, the Board reversed the Referee and granted benefits.
In its petition for this Court’s review, Employer raises several issues.4
First, it argues that Claimant was terminated for violating its policy prohibiting
rude or discourteous behavior toward guests, not for using profanity. Second,
Employer argues that the Board failed to consider whether Claimant’s conduct fell
below the standards Employer can reasonably expect of its employees, even absent
the use of profanity. Third, Employer contends the Board’s findings on who used
profanity are not supported by substantial evidence.
We begin with a review of the law on willful misconduct. Although
not defined in the Law, the courts have established that it means the following:
(1) an act of wanton or willful disregard of the employer’s
interest;
(2) a deliberate violation of the employer’s rules;
(3) a disregard of standards of behavior which the employer has
a right to expect of an employee; [or]
(4) negligence indicating an intentional disregard of the
employer’s interest or of the employee’s duties and obligations
to the employer.
4
Our scope of review determines whether constitutional rights were violated, an error of law
occurred, or whether the factual findings are supported by substantial evidence of record. Lello
v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 59 A.3d 1153, 1156 n.3 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2013).
Whether “an employee’s action constitutes willful misconduct is a question of law” over which
our scope of review is plenary. Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center v. Unemployment
Compensation Board of Review, 814 A.2d 1286, 1288 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2003).
7
Altemus v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 681 A.2d 866, 869 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 1996). Whether conduct rises to the level of willful misconduct is a
question of law to be determined by this Court. PMA Reinsurance Corp. v.
Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 558 A.2d 623, 625 (Pa. Cmwlth.
1989). It is the employer’s burden to establish that a claimant’s conduct constituted
willful misconduct. Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center v. Unemployment
Compensation Board of Review, 814 A.2d 1286, 1288 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2003).
Where willful misconduct is based upon the violation of a work rule,
the employer must establish the existence of the rule, its reasonableness, and that
the employee was aware of the rule. Bishop Carroll High School v. Unemployment
Compensation Board of Review, 557 A.2d 1141, 1143 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1989). Stated
another way, “the employer must show the existence of the rule and its knowing
violation.” BK Foods, Inc. v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 547
A.2d 873, 875 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1988) (emphasis in original). Once an employer
makes this showing, the burden shifts to the claimant to prove that the rule was
unreasonable or that he had good cause for violating the rule. Gillins v.
Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 633 A.2d 1150, 1156 n. 3 (Pa.
1993).
In its first argument, Employer contends that Claimant’s termination
was not based solely on his alleged use of profanity. Rather, he was fired for
violating Employer’s policy against “[r]ude and/or discourteous behavior toward
guests[.]” R.R. 110a. Employer argues that Claimant clearly violated this policy
by stepping toward the guest and yelling “if you feel that way, do not come back.
We don’t force you to come in here if you don’t want to.” N.T. 65; R.R. 79a.
Claimant responds that Employer never argued before the Referee or the Board
8
that this was the true reason for his dismissal; accordingly, Employer has waived
this claim.
An employer “must prove that the act in question was the actual
reason for the claimant’s discharge.” Browning–Ferris Industries of Pennsylvania,
Inc. v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 561 A.2d 856, 857 (Pa.
Cmwlth. 1989). Issues not properly raised before the Referee and the Board are
waived on appeal. See Wing v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review,
436 A.2d 179 (Pa. 1981) (quoting Zakrzewski v. Unemployment Compensation
Board of Review, 381 A.2d 503, 504 (Pa. 1978)) (holding that issue “is not
properly before us” because it was not presented to Referee or Board).5
At the Referee’s hearing, Employer never stated that it fired Claimant
for telling the guest not to come back if he did not like the casino. Instead,
Employer presented evidence that Claimant used profanity and assertive “body
language” by taking a step toward the guest. Employer did not argue either before
5
Waiver is also embodied in Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1551(a); it provides:
Review of quasijudicial orders shall be conducted by the court on the record made
before the government unit. No question shall be heard or considered by the court
which was not raised before the government unit except:
(1) Questions involving the validity of a statute.
(2) Questions involving the jurisdiction of the government unit
over the subject matter of the adjudication.
(3) Questions which the court is satisfied that the petitioner could
not by the exercise of due diligence have raised before the
government unit. If, upon hearing before the court, the court is
satisfied that any such additional question within the scope of this
paragraph should be so raised, it shall remand the record to the
government unit for further consideration of the additional
question.
PA. R.A.P. 1551.
9
the Referee or the Board that Claimant committed willful misconduct by stating,
“if you feel that way, do not come back” and “[w]e don’t force you to come in here
if you don’t want to.” The issue is waived.
In its second issue, Employer claims that the Board failed to consider
all the circumstances around the altercation, and they show that Claimant’s
conduct fell below the standards of behavior Employer can reasonably expect of its
employees, regardless of whether he used profanity. Employer contends that in the
hospitality business, employees may not argue with guests. Its evidence showed
that Claimant swore at the guest and took a step toward the guest. Claimant
responds that the Board resolved the relevant conflicts in the testimony in his
favor. Employer did not meet its burden of proving Claimant’s conduct fell below
the standards of behavior Employer had a right to expect.
In Woodson v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 336
A.2d 867 (Pa. 1975), our Supreme Court explained:
A determination of whether an employee has engaged in willful
misconduct can ... only be made by considering what standard
of conduct an employer reasonably requires. Standards
expected by one employer may of course not be the standards of
another employer. Willful misconduct cannot therefore be
considered in a vacuum. It must be considered in relation to the
particular employees and to the reasonable standards expected
by a particular employer.
Id. at 868 (emphasis added). Stated otherwise, the “standard of conduct” analysis
is not an exact science.
The Board acknowledged that Employer “gives great emphasis to
providing a pleasant experience for its guests.” Board Adjudication, Finding of
Fact No. 2. The Board also acknowledged that Employer had adopted “a policy
prohibiting use of profanity or rude or discourteous behavior towards guests[.]”
10
Board Adjudication, Finding of Fact No. 3. The question is not whether it was
reasonable for Employer to expect Claimant to behave courteously toward guests
but, rather, whether Employer’s evidence proved a violation of that standard. The
Board credited Claimant’s testimony that he did not use profanity or move
aggressively toward the guest. The Board is the ultimate fact-finder and has the
authority to resolve all conflicts in evidence, witness credibility, and weight
accorded the evidence. Dumberth v. Unemployment Compensation Board of
Review, 837 A.2d 678, 681 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2003). Thus, Employer’s second
argument fails.
Finally, Employer argues that the Board’s factual findings on
Claimant’s use of profanity are not supported by substantial evidence. Employer
refers to one statement in the adjudication where the Board “concludes that
[Claimant] did not use the f word with the [guest] as [Employer] alleged, as the
testimony indicates only that [Claimant] stated ‘f-ing’ (N.T. 49) not the whole
word, and [Claimant] consistently denied that he used the f word.” Board
Adjudication at 3. Employer contends that this is an inaccurate description of the
testimony. The transcript demonstrates that the witnesses testifying at the hearing
abbreviated the word “fuck” out of deference and respect for the proceedings.
Claimant responds that even if the above-cited statement in the
Board’s adjudication is inconsistent with the record, this does not establish that the
findings on profanity were not supported by substantial evidence. This Court must
examine the record as a whole. Claimant repeatedly denied using profanity.
Rather, it was the guest who used profanity. The Board found Claimant’s
“testimony is credible that he did not use profanity.” Board Adjudication at 3. It is
11
irrelevant whether Employer was trying to prove Claimant said “fucking” or
“F’ing.”6
Where substantial evidence supports the Board’s findings, they are
conclusive on appeal. Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board v. Unemployment
Compensation Board of Review, 879 A.2d 388 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2005). Substantial
evidence is established if the record “taken as a whole” supports the findings.
Taylor v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 378 A.2d 829, 831 (Pa.
1977). On appeal, this Court’s
duty is to examine the testimony in the light most favorable to
the party in whose favor the Board has found, giving that party
the benefit of all inferences that can logically and reasonably be
drawn from the testimony, to see if substantial evidence for the
Board’s conclusion exists.
Id. Substantial evidence, i.e., Claimant’s credited testimony that he never used
“the F word” or said the word “hell,” supports the Board’s finding that Claimant
did not use profanity. N.T. 67, 74; R.R. 81a, 88a.
Accordingly the order of the Board is affirmed.
______________________________
MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, Judge
6
Employer cites to the testimony of Lau, who repeatedly used the term “F’ing” at the hearing
when referring to the statements made by Claimant and the guest. See N.T. 49, 64-65; R.R. 63a,
78a-79a. In his incident report, Lau stated that Claimant used the word “fucking.” R.R. 204a.
The Board believed, apparently, that it was the guest and not Claimant that used that word. The
Board credited Claimant’s testimony that he “did not use profanity,” did not say “h[e]ll” and did
not use “the f word.” Board Adjudication at 3. Claimant testified that he “never swore at the
[guest]” or “used the F word” or said the word “hell.” N.T. 67, 74; R.R. 81a, 88a.
12
IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Holdings Acquisition Co., L.P., :
d/b/a Rivers Casino, :
Petitioner :
:
v. : No. 135 C.D. 2015
:
Unemployment Compensation :
Board of Review, :
Respondent :
ORDER
AND NOW, this 19th day of October, 2015, the order of the
Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, dated January 15, 2015, is
AFFIRMED.
______________________________
MARY HANNAH LEAVITT, Judge