Opinion ID: 789385
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Rescinded Interim Promotion — Position Awarded to Ann Lamar

Text: 14 Septimus contends that the University retaliated against her because she did not receive the Interim Director position upon Miller's retirement in March 1999. As stated above with respect to her other retaliation claims, Septimus must first demonstrate a prima facie case of retaliation. The elements of her prima facie evidentiary showing are 1) that she engaged in a protected activity; 2) that an adverse employment action occurred; and 3) that a causal link existed between the protected activity and the adverse action. 28 If Septimus successfully establishes her prima facie case, the burden then shifts to the University to state a legitimate non-retaliatory reason for its action. At this point, any presumption of retaliation drops from the case, and Septimus must show that the University's stated reason is actually a pretext for retaliation. 29 15 The record shows that Miller recommended to his supervisor, Martin, that Septimus replace him on an interim basis, and the record further shows that Miller announced Septimus as his interim replacement. However, there is no evidence that Martin was the individual who actually had authority to appoint Septimus to the interim post. When Martin sought Harris's approval for the appointment, Harris instead decided to reorganize the department and appoint Lamar. On these facts, the University argues that Septimus never received the interim promotion and therefore the University never revoked it, leaving her without the adverse employment action that is needed to establish her prima facie case. However, Septimus testified that Martin told her Harris had approved the promotion. Therefore, we indulge this inference in Septimus's favor and assume that she did receive the interim promotion and that it was later revoked. 16 Septimus has not raised a material fact issue regarding whether Harris had a retaliatory motive when he ultimately decided to deny her the interim promotion. To support this contention, she provides proof that Harris was aware of her discrimination complaints and that the denial of the interim promotion occurred only ten months after her March 1998 internal complaint, while her EEOC charge was pending. Additionally, Septimus cites to ongoing harassment by Duffy and speculation by Miller that Duffy was somehow involved as proof of retaliatory intent. Septimus has not claimed that Harris, the decision-maker, harassed her. All of this evidence amounts to mere speculation that Harris retaliated against her by awarding the position to Lamar instead. The district court properly entered summary judgment on this claim.