Sommer v. Elmore County
Sommer v. Elmore County
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER ON MOTION TO DISMISS
Pending before the Court is Defendants Motion to Dismiss (Dkt. 19). Having considered the briefing and counsels’ oral arguments, and otherwise being fully advised, this motion is denied, in part, and granted, in part, for the reasons explained below.
INTRODUCTION
Defendant Elmore County terminated the employment of Plaintiff Misty Sommer (“Sommer”) on October 4, 2010. Compl., ¶ 32 (Dkt. 1). Sommer asserts that Elmore County was required to provide her an opportunity to appeal her termination pursuant to the process provided in its personnel policy. Sommer argues that her status with Elmore County was as a full-time regular employee in a probationary period; Elmore County responds that, because of her probationary status, Sommer was not a “regular” employee entitled to an appeal.
Sommer filed a Complaint on June 22, 2011, bringing claims against Defendant Elmore County and Marsa Plummer, the Elmore County Clerk, (collectively “Defendants”) for (1) wrongful termination in violation of Sommer’s due process rights and (2) negligent infliction of emotional distress. Defendants responded with the Motion to Dismiss at issue now.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6)
When reviewing a motion to dismiss, the Court must accept as true all non-conclusory, factual (not legal) allegations made in the complaint, Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678-79, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009); Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 127 S.Ct. 2197, 167 L.Ed.2d 1081 (2007), and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party, Mo
The Court may not consider any evidence contained outside the pleadings without converting the motion to one for summary judgment. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b); United States v. Ritchie, 342 F.3d 903, 907-908 (9th Cir. 2003). “A court may, however, consider certain materials-doeuments attached to the complaint, documents incorporated by reference in the complaint, or matters of judicial notice-without converting the motion to dismiss into a motion for summary judgment.” Id. at 908 (citing Van Buskirk v. CNN, 284 F.3d 977, 980 (9th Cir. 2002); Barron v. Reich, 13 F.3d 1370, 1377 (9th Cir. 1994); 2 James Wm. Moore et al., Moore’s Federal Practice § 12.34[2] (3d ed. 1999)).
Sommer attached five documents to her Complaint: (1) the written Notice of Termination, (2) the Elmore County Personnel Policy, (3) Sommer’s Request for an Appeal Hearing, (4) a Notice of Action finding Sommer ineligible for food stamps, and (5) a Notice and Application for Emergency Unemployment Compensation. Compl., Exs. A-E (Dkts.1-4-1-8). The Court has considered only the written Notice of Termination and the Personnel Policy in ruling on the Motion to Dismiss. Defendants have not objected to the authenticity of these documents and, indeed, have cited to them in their briefing. Accordingly, these two documents are the type that may be considered without converting the motion into one for summary judgment. See Branch v. Tunnell, 14 F.3d 449, 453 (9th Cir. 1994) (“[Documents whose contents are alleged in a complaint and whose authenticity no party questions, but which are not physically attached to the pleading, may be considered in ruling on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss.”).
DISCUSSION
A. Due Process Claim
“A threshold requirement to a [either] substantive or procedural due process claim is the plaintiffs showing of a liberty or property interest protected by the Constitution.” Wedges/Ledges of Cal., Inc. v. City of Phoenix, 24 F.3d 56, 62 (9th Cir. 1994); Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 332, 96 S.Ct. 893, 47 L.Ed.2d 18 (1976). To state a claim under the Due Process Clause, Sommer must first establish she possessed a property interest, deserving of constitutional protection.
Sommer agrees that she was an at-will employee, but both parties submit varying arguments as to how Sommer should be classified according to the Elmore County Personnel Policy (the “Policy”).
Defendants’ counsel argued at the hearing that, regardless of whether Sommer is considered a “regular” full-time employee, as an at-will employee she has no property right in continued employment and, thus, no basis for a due process challenge. Defendants’ briefing, and the record of Sommer’s employment, suggests otherwise.
Hence, Sommer’s claim, if any, based upon the alleged deprivation of a hearing depends on whether she is considered a “regular” employee. Although being careful not to characterize the Policy as a contract in and of itself, determining its scope turns on principles of contract interpretation and will be examined accordingly in this limited instance. See, e.g., Metcalf, 778 P.2d at 747 (“This Court has recognized that “[a]n employee’s handbook can constitute an element of the contract.” Unless an employee handbook specifically negates any intention on the part of the employer to have it become a part of the employment contract, a court may conclude from a review of the employee handbook that a question of fact is created regarding whether the handbook was intended by the parties to impliedly express a term of the employment agreement.”) (internal citations omitted).
As noted above, the parties disagree about how to “interpret” the language of Elmore County’s Policy. Defendants suggest that the personnel policy “indicates that probationary employees enjoy no procedural limits to their termination” and because “Sommer was a probationary employee and not a full-time “regular” employee,” Defendants had no limits when terminating her employment relationship. Defs.’ Reply, p. 3 (Dkt. 21). Sommer counters that she was a “full-time regular at-will employee still in a probationary status.” Resp., p. 4 (Dkt. 20). Both interpretations are “reasonable” and thus the Policy is ambiguous. Potlatch Education Ass’n v. Potlatch School District No. 285, 148 Idaho 630, 226 P.3d 1277, 1280 (2010) (internal citations and quotations omitted) (explaining that a contract term is ambiguous “when there are two different reasonable interpretations”). Sommer was on probationary status and the Policy described that status “as an integral part of the selection process ... utilized for closely observing the employee’s work, for securing the most effective adjustment of a new employee to his or
B. Violations of State Constitutional Civil Liberties as a Basis for Monetary Damages
Defendants argue that Sommer cannot obtain monetary damages under Article 1, section 13 of the Idaho Constitution
Both of these cases were cited by Defendants in support of their request to dismiss the monetary damages claim for the alleged state civil rights violation. There is a third case taking the same view, Young v. Young, CV-06-324-S-EJL, 2009 WL 909241, *9-10 (D.Idaho Mar. 31, 2009). See Young (explaining that “[t]o the extent Counts 3 and 4 set forth a claim for a violation of Idaho’s Constitution, a civil cause of action for damages of a state constitutional right does not exist,” and because “State constitutional claims are not cognizable under Idaho law ... this claim must be dismissed as to all defendants”) (citing State v. Charpentier, 131 Idaho 649, 962 P.2d 1033, 1037 (1998) (rights of individuals under the Idaho Constitution not greater than those provided under the federal constitution)).
This Court finds these cases, and the primary case upon which they rely (Katzberg v. Regents of University of California, 29 Cal.4th 300, 127 Cal.Rptr.2d 482, 58 P.3d 339 (2002)) persuasive and adopts their reasoning and decision. The Katzberg court address the question of “whether, assuming the complaint states a violation of plaintiffs due process liberty interest, plaintiff may maintain an action for monetary damages to remedy the asserted violation of his due process liberty interests under article I, section 7(a)” of the California Constitution.
Sommer offers no cases finding otherwise, but instead relies on Allied Bail Bonds, Inc. v. County of Kootenai, 151 Idaho 405, 258 P.3d 340 (2011). Sommer argues that Allied’s significance “is that, as recently as July of 2011, the Idaho Supreme Court had the opportunity to hold that in Idaho there is no private cause of action for monetary damages based on an alleged violation of a person’s civil liberties,” but did not do so. However, that issue was not before the Allied Bail Bonds court, and the negative inference by implication argument will not carry the day here, in the face of the multiple decisions identified above.
C. Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
There are five elements to a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress in Idaho: (1) the existence of a duty; (2) a breach of that duty; (3) proximate cause; (4) damages; and (5) physical manifestation of the injury. Czaplicki v. Gooding Joint School Dist. No. 2S1, 116 Idaho 326, 775 P.2d 640 (1989). Sommer alleges that she suffers from severe emotional distress, suffering from depression, anxiety, fear, frustration, and irritability. Compl., p. 13 (Dkt. 1). At the oral argument Defendants counsel conceded that these are sufficient to allege injury for purposes of the motion for summary judgment, but argue that Sommer has not plead a duty owed to her by Defendants sufficient to support a negligent infliction of emotional distress (“emotional distress”) claim. See also, e.g., Czaplicki, 775 P.2d 640 (holding that a plaintiffs claim for emotional distress damages will survive summary judgment as long as they allege physical manifestations of the emotional distress); Cook v. Skyline Corp., 135 Idaho 26, 13 P.3d 857, 865-66 (2000) (allowing emotional distress claims to proceed because plaintiffs had testified “that the situation was ‘very stressful,’ ” that the problems put distance between them, that one felt ill just being in the house and she suffered from frustration, headaches and irritability and that the other suffered from ulcers and anxiety, and that he was “shaky” and “shaky-voiced”).
Thus, the only remaining issue for present purposes is whether Sommer has adequately pled that Defendants owed her a duty. Sommer asserts that the duty Defendants breached is the duty of good faith and fair dealing, which she asserts is applied to all employment agreements. Pl.’s Resp., p. 8 (Dkt. 20). Sommer did not allege this as claim in her Complaint, but offers it now to satisfy the duty element of her emotional distress claim. “The covenant of good faith and fair dealing is a judicially created exception to the employment at-will doctrine based on a contractual duty of good faith.” Crea v. FMC Corporation, 135 Idaho 175, 16 P.3d 272, 276 (2000). It requires the parties to “perform in good faith the obligations imposed by their agreement,” Jenkins v. Boise Cascade Corp., 141 Idaho 233, 108 P.3d 380, 389-390 (2005), and implies obligations into every employment contract. Sorensen v. Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Inc., 141 Idaho 754, 118
Defendants argued that the duty of good faith and fan- dealing in employment contracts is limited to actions such as taking away sick leave or other rights already earned. See Reply Br., p. 5. In a recent decision from the District of Idaho, the court determined: “[A]lthough the issue has not been squarely decided by Idaho courts, this Court is confident that Idaho courts would not recognize a claim for [emotional distress] in [the employment] context. The Plaintiffs claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress is therefore subject to dismissal.” Feltmann v. Petco Animal Supplies, Inc., No. 2:11-cv-414-EJL-MHW, 2012 WL 1189913, *6 (D.Idaho Mar. 20, 2012). The court in Feltmann considered that “other courts considering this issue have generally held that a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress cannot lie in the employment context.” Id.
CONCLUSION
At this stage in the proceedings the Court finds that Sommer is entitled to proceed, but only on her Section 1983 cause of action. The allegations in the Complaint for that cause of action satisfy the Rule 12(b)(6). Because the Court has denied, in part, Defendants’ Motion, the issue of attorneys’ fees is moot at this time.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (Dkt. 19) is DENIED, in part, and GRANTED, in part, as set forth above.
. Although Defendants' Motion to Dismiss refers to "IRCP 12(b)(6)'', see Mot., p. 1 (Dkt. 19), their memorandum cites to the rules applicable to this case, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
. A Section 1983 claim based upon procedural due process contains two elements: (1) a deprivation of liberty or property interest protected by the Constitution; and (2) a denial of adequate procedural protections. See Brewster v. Bd. of Educ. of the Lynwood Unified Sch. Dist., 149 F.3d 971, 982 (9th Cir. 1998).
. The Policy classifies employees, in relevant part, as provided below, see Policy, p. 9 (Dkt. 1-5):
1. Employee Classification
The classification of the position you hold with Elmore County may affect the status of obligations or benefits associated with your employment. The primary classes of employees and their respective status is outlined as follows:
a. Full-Time Regular Employees
Employees whose typical work schedule calls for at least 20 hours of scheduled work during each weekly payroll period. Full-time regular employees shall receive all employee benefits provided by Elmore County as such benefits now exist or may be subsequently changed.
b. Part-Time Regular Employees
c. Casual/Seasonal Employees
Employees who provide services for Elmore County on an irregular or temporary basis, less than 5 months per year or 19 hours a week or less, [and] receive no benefits provided to regular employees, except those required by law or those provided by express written authorization of the Board of Commissioners.
. The briefing does not contain a full discussion of the points and authorities supporting this position, nor did Sommer’s response pro
Individuals who have a property interest created by an “independent source, such as state law” are entitled to procedural due process protections.... In Oregon, a property right can be created by a statute or regulation, ... or by city personnel policies or handbooks.... "At-will” employees are not entitled to constitutional due process protection....
Plaintiffs retain their "at-will” status even when the employee handbook or other policy provides that the employees should only be terminated for certain reasons or after certain procedures ... or when the city had a "standard practice of affording hearings.”
Id. at *4 (emphases added and internal citations omitted). The Oregon court determined that the Procedures "merely provide a nonbinding framework for disciplining at-will employees and do not create a protected property interest.” Id. at *5. See also Lawson v. Umatilla County, 139 F.3d 690, 693-94 (9th Cir. 1998) (applying Oregon state law and determining that because the county defendant’s policy contained a disclaimer preserving the employee’s at-will status, the county’s rules about termination of permanent employees "merely provide a framework for disciplining at-will employees which is not binding on the County”).
However, the Court is reluctant to issue a ruling on this issue in the absence of a clear, developed argument, citing to legal authorities, along with an opportunity for response briefing. Although the Idaho Supreme Court has addressed whether a statute establishing that "city clerks are at-will employees, subject to removal from the appointive office without notice or a hearing,” may be modified by an employment manual outlining procedures for dismissal, including notice and a hearing, this does not present the exact same circumstances as the present case. See Boudreau v. City of Wendell, 147 Idaho 609, 213 P.3d 394, 395 (2009). The policy/manual in Boudreau contained a disclaimer similar to the one in Elmore County's Policy, i.e., that the policy is not a contract, but the court found the city clerk was not entitled to the hearing provided for in the policy because “once the legislature determined that a municipal appointive officer is at-will and provided for the removal of such an officer without notice or a hearing,” the city "could not alter that status by adopting a [policy/manual].” Id. Here, it does not appear that there is a legislative statement about county employees that the Elmore County Policy was attempting to override. In short, because there is not a clear answer provided by Idaho case law and the arguments related to this issue were not fully developed by the parties in the proceedings on the motion to dismiss, the case will proceed at this time, without prejudice to Defendants raising this argument and fully developing it in future motions. See D. Idaho Loc. Civ. R. 7(b) (explaining that non-routine motions must be accompanied by a separate brief "containing all of the reasons and points and authorities, relied upon by the moving party”).
. The Policy provides that: “THIS PERSONNEL POLICY IS NOT A CONTRACT. NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT WITH ELMORE COUNTY WILL BE VALID UNLESS IT IS SIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROPER PROCEDURES BY A SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GOVERNING BOARD AND UNLESS IT IS SIGNED BY AND CONTAINS THE NAME OF THE EMPLOYEE WHO WOULD BE BENEFITTED BY THE CONTRACT." Policy, p. 2, Compl., Ex. B (Dkt. 1-5) (emphasis in original).
. This section provides, in relevant part, that "[n]o person shall ... be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.” Idaho Const. Art. I, § 13.
. This provision is similar to Idaho's equivalent Constitutional guarantee, providing: "A person may not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law or denied equal protection of the laws.” Cal. Const., Art. I, § 7(a).
. See, e.g. Herman v. United Bhd. of Carpenters and Joiners, 60 F.3d 1375, 1386 (9th Cir. 1995) (holding that Nevada law precludes emotional distress claims in the employment context); Dodge v. U.S., 162 F.Supp.2d 873 (S.D.Ohio 2001) (holding that Ohio law does not recognize a separate tort for negligent infliction of emotional distress in the employment context); Snyder v. Medical Service Corp., 145 Wash.2d 233, 35 P.3d 1158, 1164 (2001) ("absent a statutory or public policy mandate, employers do not owe employees a duty to use reasonable care to avoid the inadvertent infliction of emotional distress when responding to workplace disputes.”). See also Berry v. Worldwide Language Resources, Inc., 716 F.Supp.2d 34, 52 (D.Me. 2010) (applying Maine law and declining to recognize a "special relationship” in the employment context sufficient to support a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress). See also, Perodeau v. City of Hartford, 259 Conn. 729, 792 A.2d 752 (2002) (disallowing emotional distress claims against individual employees who were involved in plaintiff's termination). Cf., Miller v. Fairchild Industries, Inc., 797 F.2d 727, 738 (9th Cir. 1986) (allowing an [emotional distress] claim to proceed under California law where the conduct giving rise to that claim was separate from that underlying the main claim of retaliatory discharge).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Misty SOMMER v. ELMORE COUNTY, Marsa Plummer, and John/Jane Does I through X, whose true identities are presently unknown
- Cited By
- 8 cases
- Status
- Published