Opinion ID: 1759424
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Findings by the Full Board

Text: In its order issued on July 11, 1990, the Full EAB also found as a fact that Young was terminated by the MSTC for alleged violations of four (4) Group Two Offenses: (1) Leaving his assigned work site without permission during working hours; (2) insubordination for failure to follow his supervisor's directives; (3) insubordination and failure to perform assigned work; and (4) insubordination and failure to perform assigned work and improve work habits. Relying upon this Court's definition of insubordination found in Sims v. Board of Trustees, Holly Springs Municipal Separate School District, 414 So.2d 431, 435 (Miss. 1982), the Full EAB found that a mere verbalization of objections does not reach the [ Sims ] standard of insubordination. The EAB also expressed concern over the failure of Young's supervisor to initiate a performance improvement plan in accordance with State Personnel Board requirements or to otherwise document proper attempts to improve the performance of Young and Flemming. Finally, the EAB found that the only distinguishing factor between the offenses of Young and Flemming was that Young was verbally improper toward his supervisor. The EAB specifically found that verbal impropriety does not rise to the level of a Group Two Offense and should not have constituted a ground for termination where, as here, Young's partner was only given a five (5) day suspension.