Opinion ID: 1287022
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Retaliation for Filing a Complaint

Text: In the April 6, 2007, order, which was affirmed by the Commission, the Chief Administrative Law Judge found Improvements Unlimited subjected Mr. Peoples to retaliation for filing a complaint with the Commission through a series of actions such as following him, staring at him and offering him money to dissuade him from pursuing his complaint. This finding is based upon the Chief Administrative Law Judge's finding that Mr. Peoples' testimony regarding Claude Erps' worker's attempt to intimidate him [19] and Brian Eaves' attempt to give him money to drop his complaint [20] were credible. Appellants presented testimony contradicting Mr. Peoples, including the testimony of Claude Erps. Appellants also challenged Mr. Peoples testimony regarding Mr. Eaves' alleged offer on hearsay grounds arguing that Mr. Eaves did not testify and that Mr. Peoples' version of the event is based upon his subjective feelings. Because the findings on this issue are made upon credibility determinations in light of competing testimony, they are to be afforded deference. Accordingly, we affirm the finding that Mr. Peoples was intimidated and retaliated against for filing his complaint with the Commission. However, we note that Mr. Peoples was not awarded monetary damages for this alleged retaliation and intimidation. [21] Moreover, Mr. Peoples neither appealed this aspect of the order below, nor did he take exception to it before this Court. The directives contained within the April 6, 2007, order regarding the adoption, implementation and enforcement of an anti-harassment policy are sufficient remedies under the circumstances presented herein. The Commission may not, hereafter, award monetary damages for this claim because monetary damages were not previously awarded for this specific retaliation claim in the appealed orders and no exception to this lack of monetary damages being awarded on this issue was taken by Mr. Peoples.