Opinion ID: 769567
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Boersig Denied Promotion to Meter Installer Because of Disability

Text: 7 Sometime during the first half of 1994, Boersig expressed interest in promotion to the position of Meter Installer (Installer). In May 1994, when an Installer position became available, Boersig was wearing a leg brace and had just returned from wrist surgery. Richard Guenther, the superintendent of the Meter Department at that time, knew Boersig was interested, but also knew about Boersig's injuries and was concerned that Boersig would not be able to handle the physical requirements of the Installer job. 3 In late June or early July 1994, Boersig asked Ed LaFaver, Meter Shop supervisor, to permit him to go outside and observe or try the Installer job so that he could determine whether he could do it despite his physical limitations. Boersig suggested to LaFaver that he could perform the Installer job by climbing ladders one-legged. LaFaver told plaintiff that he did not want to train someone who would be unable to perform the job. 8 Union Electric asked Dr. Bryan Rogers to review the Installer Job Description and consult with Boersig's physicians to determine whether Boersig could safely perform the Installer position. Based on Dr. Roger's report, the restrictions from Boersig's physicians, and the observations of Boersig's supervisors, Union Electric determined that Boersig could not safely perform the Installer job. On July 25, 1994, after consulting with Boersig and Boersig's physicians, Guenther sent plaintiff a letter that stated: 9 On July 11, 1994, we met in Ed LaFaver's office to inform you of our determination as to your fitness for promotion to fill a vacancy in the position of Electric Meter Installer, Grade II. It was our determination that your physical limitations would prevent you from safely and effectively performing these job duties. Therefore, promotion was denied. 10 From that time on, Union Electric filled vacancies that occurred in its Installer positions with Helpers who had less seniority than plaintiff. Boersig never filed a grievance with Local 1439 or a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR). When future Installer positions became available, Boersig failed to request any reasonable accommodations to allow him to successfully perform the job. 11