Opinion ID: 2754507
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Reorganization and Retaliation

Text: These claims are based on three series of actions: ● two reorganizations, ● Mr. Ward’s involvement in proceedings in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and ● demotion of Mr. Ward and his inability to get back his prior supervisory responsibilities.
In 2004, Mr. Ward’s subordinate, Ms. Michaela Nelson, filed a discrimination complaint about Mr. Ward. The complaint was investigated by the EEOC, and Mr. Ward participated. The Department of Interior then reorganized, and Mr. Ward’s supervisory responsibilities were turned over to another person (Mr. James Durrant). Upset by this change, Mr. Ward complained to the EEOC. A 3 few years later, Mr. Ward unsuccessfully tried to get these responsibilities back.
Mr. Ward was unable to get Mr. Durrant’s job. Thus, when a managerial vacancy arose in Provo, Mr. Ward applied along with four other individuals. Though Mr. Ward was not recommended by the initial panel, he and the other candidates were interviewed by the decision-maker, Mr. Larry Walkoviak. Mr. Ward was not selected for the position.
Mr. Ward complains in this suit about ● the refusal to give him Mr. Durrant’s supervisory responsibilities, and ● the hiring of another applicant for the Provo job. In Mr. Ward’s view, these decisions involved retaliation for his involvement in the EEOC proceedings years earlier.