Opinion ID: 2494272
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Fair Dismissal Act

Text: Finally, the Board defendants contend that the trial court erred in concluding that the policies violate the Fair Dismissal Act, § 36-26-100 et seq., Ala.Code 1975. Section 36-26-102 of the Act states that nonprobationary employees shall ... not be terminated except for failure to perform his or her duties in a satisfactory manner, incompetency, neglect of duty, insubordination, immorality, justifiable decrease in jobs in the system, or other good and just causes; provided, however, such termination of employment shall not be made for political or personal reasons on the part of any party recommending or voting to approve said termination. (Emphasis added.) The trial court concluded that Policy 220.01 violated the Fair Dismissal Act because it required employees to resign and that Policy 609.04 created an irreconcilable conflict between an employee's legislative duties and his or her job performance. Accordingly, the trial court reasoned that the policies result in the termination of employees for reasons other than those stated in § 36-26-102. We disagree. Again, we consider the plain language of the statute in determining legislative intent. See Bright, 988 So.2d at 497-98. Section 36-26-102 regulates the termination of employment. Policy 609.04 requires two-year-college employees to obtain leave in order to engage in outside employment or activities during normal work hours. Nothing in Policy 609.04 relates to the termination of any employee. Accordingly, nothing in that policy violates the Fair Dismissal Act. Policy 220.01 provides: An employee who is elected or re-elected to an elected state office after the effective date of this policy must submit his or her resignation effective on or before taking office. By this language, Policy 220.01 does not categorically require the termination of any employee. Rather, it requires the employee's resignation, effective on or before taking an elected State office, only after the employee's voluntary decision to hold such office. As stated above, we have not found any authority granting citizens the right to simultaneously hold both elected office and the employment of their choice. Under Policy 220.01, the employee may choose to retain his or her employment or to give it up in favor of an elected State office. See Coats, 610 P.2d at 780; Holley, 238 So.2d at 406; Mulholland, 109 Mont. at 565-66, 99 P.2d at 239. Because that choice is voluntary, Policy 220.01 does not result in the termination of an employee who chooses to take public office. Accordingly, Policy 220.01 does not violate the Fair Dismissal Act.