Opinion ID: 149580
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Testimony of Robert Kyle

Text: Kyle testified that, initially, he was a Finishing Process Operator with Formica. His job was to carry, flip, and sand or cut 21 pound sheets of formica. He used regular hand tools and micrometers. [5] Kyle went into management in 1992 with the title supervisor in trim and sand. Even after becoming a manager, Kyle was up and around his workers. For example, Kyle showed the foremen how to pass the material through the machine and responded when he was called regarding a machine that was not working properly. He wrote production, safety and accident reports, and also sometimes helped lift and carry the sheets of formica. Kyle testified that a new supervisor came the year before Kyle was terminated. The supervisor wanted more numbers but Kyle, having done it for 20 years, knew the supervisor's way was not going to work. Despite this, Kyle still got [the] job done. Kyle continued to receive assignments, complete his paperwork, and, although he might go around the way to do it, achieved the same outcome. Kyle's production numbers were good or better than anybody else. I didn't have no safety issues. One day, the supervisor called him in and said they were going to terminate him. He was essentially fired. Kyle told the ALJ he could not perform his former job as a supervisor because he could not stand, climb around the machines, or handle materials like he did before. He testified that he could, however, perform a paperwork job at a desk if he were allowed to stand up and walk around every 20 minutes or so. He testified that he sent out resumes and searched for jobs for ten months after he was terminated. He sought both management positions and regular hourly work. While he received interviews, he never worked again. With respect to physical exertion, Kyle testified that he climbed three steps to get into his home, but was fine once he got in. He could walk about 100 feet before he needed to rest.