Opinion ID: 6321818
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The substantial relationship

Text: ¶37 Based on the evidence Cree submitted, the circumstances of Palmer's convictions substantially relate to the Applications Specialist position in at least two regards. First, Palmer's willingness to use violence to exert power and control over others substantially relates to the independent and interpersonal nature of a pre and post sales job like the Applications Specialist position. The relevant circumstances of the Applications 18The Application Specialist job posting stated that the job performs a mixture of design, presales and post sales customer support responsibilities[,] and would be part of a team, [] applying project management skills to drive your own projects to completion. Palmer, No. 201502651, at 3-4. 27 No. 2019AP1671 Specialist position would have presented situations where Palmer's power or authority could have been threatened. Palmer would have been responsible for designing an appropriate lighting system for Cree's customers and responding to their complaints, problems, and demands. Furthermore, in this situation, he was likely going to interact with coworkers and supervisors who may have challenged his ideas or perceived authority. These kinds of challenges and demands could lead Palmer to react, consistent with his past behavior, in a violent manner in order to exert his own power or control. ¶38 Second, the absence of regular supervision creates opportunities for violent encounters. LIRC's decision in this case emphasized that unsupervised contact with other people cannot in and of itself be a circumstance that might lead someone to violent recidivism. This is true, but it is not just the unsupervised contact with others that creates the substantial relationship in this case. The lack of supervision is bolstered by the secluded nature of portions of the large facility, the covering noise in portions of the facility, and the broad opportunities afforded to Palmer when working with clients on location or traveling for trade shows. Palmer's conviction record evinces a propensity to use violence to exert power and control over others, particularly when they are isolated and unable to attain help. Cree's Racine facility offers sufficient opportunities for Palmer to either encounter a victim in isolation or to intentionally isolate someone in one of the secluded, noisy portions of the facility that experience little foot traffic. 28 No. 2019AP1671 Furthermore, traveling to customer sites or for trade shows provides more significant opportunities to isolate and victimize someone. ¶39 Several other factors also weigh in favor of finding a substantial relationship. First, the seriousness of Palmer's convictions would force Cree to assume the risk of Palmer repeating his conduct and threatening the safety of employees, customers, and the public. Additionally, the recentness of Palmer's convictions——a scant two years——eliminates any favorable inference of a long-dormant conviction record. Finally, Palmer's emerging pattern of domestic violence convictions further highlight his recidivism risk. ¶40 When we consider the fostering opportunities for conflict and violence in light of the character traits shown by Palmer's convictions along with the seriousness, relative recentness, and emerging pattern to Palmer's crimes, we conclude that Cree met its burden to show a substantial relationship between Palmer's convicted offenses and the Applications Specialist position. Palmer's willingness to use violence to exert power and control over others substantially relates to the independent and interpersonal circumstances of the position, the layout of the facility——which provides sufficient opportunities to isolate a victim——and the opportunities created by unsupervised travel. To be abundantly clear, this holding is based on the specific circumstances of Palmer's convictions and this particular Applications Specialist job. Nothing in this opinion condemns all domestic violence offenders to a life of unemployment. But in 29 No. 2019AP1671 this case, Cree sufficiently demonstrates that requiring it to employ Palmer would force it to carry too much risk relating to his recent criminal behavior.