Opinion ID: 176714
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: August 23, 2005 through October 7, 2005: Vera's Return to Work, Breakdown, and Termination of Her Employment

Text: On August 23, 2005, Vera reported to work as requested, bringing with her a note from her doctor stating that she needed to continue to be out of work, but she is willing to try going back to work. The note stated that Vera had a follow-up appointment with the doctor on August 30, 2005 at 3pm. It is unclear to whom Vera delivered her doctor's note. On August 26, 2005, Vera emailed Rodriguez explaining that she had to take paperwork to another office and that she would be at a meeting later that afternoon. Rodriguez forwarded Vera's email to Nevado stating that Vera had not reported to him. On August 29, Rodriguez again emailed Nevado to say that he had seen Vera, but that she had not reported to him. By this time, Rodriguez was using the office he and Vera had shared and Vera had been relocated to a different office. On August 30, Vera, through another employee, requested that Rodriguez give her leave to attend her medical appointment. When her request was denied, Vera suffered a nervous breakdown and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. Vera explained that her illness was precipitated by Rodriguez, who spent time pacing up and down her office that morning. On August 31, 2005, the day after Vera's breakdown at the office, Rodriguez issued her a notice of proposed removal from federal service. The notice states that Vera did not perform any of her assigned duties after returning to work on August 23rd, was discourteous, and failed to observe proper leave procedures. The August 31st notice also states, in reference to her breakdown at the office of the previous day, that Vera caused a disruption and created a disturbance at the work site. The notice characterizes that behavior as totally unacceptable and states that it will not be tolerated any longer. Vera was also apparently asked to submit medical documents to support her leaving work in the ambulance on August 30th. On September 14, 2005, López issued a memorandum barring other employees from talking to Vera on employment matters or requests for documents about personnel issues. According to Rodriguez, that memorandum was issued because Vera was asking for statements from people.. . to say what happened and things like that. . . . She was kind of collecting information. Both Rodriguez and Morales stated that they were not aware of similar orders being issued in other instances. Vera was terminated from her employment on October 7, 2005.
Vera filed an informal EEO complaint against Rodriguez alleging sexual harassment on October 26, 2005. [7] She filed a formal complaint on December 8, 2005. On August 7, 2006, Vera brought this action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5, against the Secretary of the Army, [8] alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. On January 11, 2008, after the taking of depositions and the exchange of documents, the defendant moved to dismiss or, in the alternative, for summary judgment. The district court granted the defendant's motion for summary judgment as to all claims. Vera filed this timely appeal.