No. 20-341

Natalie McDaniel v. Robert Wilkie, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Lower Court: Sixth Circuit
Docketed: 2020-09-15
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: ada-constructive-discharge ada-essential-functions ada-hostile-work-environment ada-reasonable-accommodation ada-telework ada-undue-hardship constructive-discharge disability-discrimination essential-job-functions hostile-work-environment medical-restrictions reasonable-accommodation
Latest Conference: 2020-10-30
Question Presented (from Petition)

This Court, in US Airways, Inc. v. Barnett. 535 U.S. 391 (2002), considered what burden of proof governs the determination that an accommodation is reasonable under U.S.C. § 12112(b)(5)(A). Regulatory factors determine what job functions may be considered essential and require a showing that production standards are imposed in fact and not just on paper. 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n); 29 CFR pt. 1630, App. § 1630. 2(n), 395.

1. Whether the reasonableness standard articulated in Barnett requires that, a denial or removal of telework or other normally reasonable accommodation based on employer allegations of performance decline, must causally link performance to the accommodation by way of removal of an essential function of the position in order to render a normally reasonable accommodation unreasonable.

2. Whether forcing an employee to work in excess of her known medical restrictions, causing her to endure pain as a condition of employment, is a discrete act of discrimination so severe it constitutes constructive discharge and a hostile work environment under the ADA and Title VII.

A subsidiary question is whether career sabotaging acts that directly interfere with work performance can meet the threshold set by this Court in Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17 (1993).

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the reasonableness standard articulated in Barnett requires that, a denial or removal of telework or other normally reasonable accommodation based on employer allegations of performance decline, must causally link performance to the accommodation by way of removal of an essential function of the position in order to render a normally reasonable accommodation unreasonable

Docket Entries

2020-11-02
Petition DENIED. Justice Barrett took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
2020-10-07
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/30/2020.
2020-10-07
Waiver of right of respondent Wilkie, Sec. of VA to respond filed.
2020-10-01
Waiver of right of respondent Wilkie, Sec. of VA to respond filed.
2020-09-16
Blanket Consent filed by Petitioner, Natalie McDaniel.
2020-09-09
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due October 15, 2020)

Attorneys

Natalie McDaniel
Natalie McDaniel — Petitioner
Wilkie, Sec. of VA
Jeffrey B. WallActing Solicitor General, Respondent