Rivers v. Commonwealth, Unemployment Compensation Board of Review
Rivers v. Commonwealth, Unemployment Compensation Board of Review
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
At 9:35 p.m. on the evening of April 15, 1975, Reuben Hall, private investigator, entered the Monte Carlo Club. He and his partner, Frank Ford, had been investigating Robert Rivers for 8 days, and it seemed as though the Monte Carlo Club held the key to unlocking their case. Using the alias, Joseph C. Hill, Reuben Hall was introduced to Robert Rivers by “Sis,” an attractive barmaid.
Although the above scenario could be the start of a dime-store mystery, it actually represents a summary of a portion of the evidence in the record of this unemployment compensation appeal. Robert Rivers (claimant) appeals from an order of the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review (Board) denying bim benefits. The Board’s order reversing the
Prior to March 10, 1975, claimant had worked for Westinghouse Electric Corporation for almost 24 years. On March 11, he began a disability leave from his position as a fitter which, according to his testimony, involved “partly heavy” work.
I certify that in applying for accident and sickness insurance I am totally disabled and unable to work for either myself or any company and . will return to work as soon as possible.
I further understand that falsification of information could result in termination or recovery of all money paid or termination of my employment.
The reverse side of the form was completed on March 25 by claimant’s physician, Dr. Litten, who diagnosed claimant’s illness as “flu-bronchitis; viral pneumonia” and estimated that he would be able to return to work on April 24, 1975.
At some point, Westinghouse became suspicious about the validity of the disability claim. Although they had a practice of requiring a claimant to undergo a medical examination by a company doctor where the state of health was in dispute, this was.not requested here. Instead, Reuben Hall and Frank Ford
By telegram of April 25, claimant was notified by Westinghouse that his overall attendance record, his current absence, and claim for benefits were being evaluated and that he should not report to work until notified. Claimant’s evidence indicated that on April 28 Dr. Litten signed a statement indicating that claimant had been under his care from March 11 to April 27, that he had seen him on March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 and that he was able to return to work on April 28. Claimant reported to work on April 28 but was told to leave pending completion of the evaluation. By telegram of May 2, 1975, Westinghouse notified him that his employment had been terminated as of March 10, 1975, the last day he worked.
Based on an extensive record, compiled during three hearings, the referee granted benefits, reasoning that claimant had been discharged merely due to Westing-house’s suspicions concerning his disability
3. A private investigation disclosed that the claimant left his home on a number of occasions and frequented a business location in another area.
4. A private investigation conducted by the employer revealed that claimant, during the time he was allegedly disabled, performed services such as setting up the bar, sweeping the floor and working in the kitchen of a business establishment known as the Atmosphere Lounge. The establishment was also known as Monte Carlo Club.
5. An employee of the Atmosphere Lounge introduced the claimant to an investigator as being the owner of the business.
6. Claimant was discharged for violation of company rule A-ll which calls for immediate discharge if an employee engages in ‘falsification of records, reports, time cards or claims for benefits.’
7. Claimant falsified his disability claim with the employer.
However, the Board made no mention of the dates on which he had been seen at the Monte Carlo Club.
On appeal to our Court, claimant has argued that finding of fact 7 is not supported by the evidence and, without this finding, willful misconduct has not been established. The burden of proving willful misconduct is on the employer. Where, as here, the party with the burden of proof has prevailed before the Board, our scope of review is limited to questions of law and a determination of whether any necessary finding of fact is not supported by substantial evidence. Roach v. Unemployment Compensation Board
Here, Westinghouse’s evidence, at most, indicated that, on April 15, 1975, claimant could do some light work for a short period of time.
Westinghouse’s reliance on Romeo Unemployment Compensation Case, 199 Pa. Superior Ct. 33, 184 A. 2d 274 (1962), is misplaced. There, the claimant reported her absence due to illness on January 2 and was found working in the family store by her employer’s representative on January 6. First, a much shorter time period was involved there. Moreover, the claimant in Romeo had signed a statement in which the reason for the termination of her employment was listed as “[falsification, working while being paid sick leave.” 199 Pa. Superior Ct. at 34, 184 A.2d at 275. Such an admission is not present here.
In the alternative, Westinghouse has argued that this Court should either affirm on the other findings of fact or remand for additional findings. We have held that a claimant’s conduct during a period of absence due to illness or injury may amount to willful misconduct. See, e.g., Williams v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 34 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 640, 383 A.2d 963 (1978) (failure to give a status report as instructed); Unemployment Compensation Board of Review v. Kennedy, 18 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 248, 334 A.2d 849 (1975) (failure to contact employer after release by physician to return to work). Here, however, it was, at best, unclear as to what a claimant on disability leave was required to do as his health improved. His certification on the claim report that he would “return to work as soon as possible” is ambiguous. He reasonably could have interpreted this statement to require only his return as soon as he could perform his job as a fitter. Westinghouse, however, offered no evidence indicating that the light activities he engaged in over a short period of time were as strenuous or taxing as his duties as a fitter, which claimant had described as “partly
Order
And Now, this 10th day of July, 1978, the order of the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, dated December 29, 1976, denying benefits to Robert Rivers, is hereby reversed, and the award of benefits by the referee, dated November 14, 1975, is hereby reinstated.
Westinghouse offered no evidence as to what claimant’s duties as a fitter involved. He was apparently a member of the United Electrical Workers.
Although Westinghouse’s evidence may have tended to indicate that claimant had a proprietary interest in the Monte Carlo Club, this fact is not relevant on the question of whether he falsified his disability claim.
One must question the wisdom of not making a request for a medical examination in a case such as this, since this appears to be a simple and expeditious manner of testing the veracity of a disability claim. The advantages of hiring two private investigators to follow a claimant over' a 9-day period are not readily apparent.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.