Opinion ID: 714045
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Wolf's Complaints to Buss AG

Text: 15 Buss America first contends that its decision to terminate Wolf was partially justified in light of Wolf's dissatisfaction with the conditions at Buss America and Wolf's ensuing complaints to Buss America's parent company, Buss AG. More particularly, Buss America averred that Wolf reported directly to certain individuals at Buss AG and made unfavorable comparisons between Buss America and Buss AG's respective operations. Wolf admits that he contacted Buss AG on at least two occasions, but he asserts that his criticisms were constructive, and that both contacts resulted in favorable changes at Buss America. 16 By claiming that his suggested changes were ultimately beneficial, however, Wolf misses the point. Buss America does not claim that it was particularly troubled by the content of Wolf's communications to Buss AG. Rather, Buss America alleges that it was the occurrence of these communications which it found troubling. The fact that Wolf conducted these communications indicated, in Buss America's view, that Wolf had failed to adequately sever his ties with Buss AG--this situation, in turn, allegedly hindered Wolf's ability to adapt to the new environment of Buss America. 17 Wolf further adds that he was not criticized at the time he made his suggestions--approximately nineteen months before his dismissal. Buss America does not argue, however, that Wolf's actions were so opprobrious as to call for his immediate dismissal. Rather, Buss America asserts that it was only after an economic downturn--a development which Wolf does not dispute--forced it to fire one of its three service engineers that it dismissed Wolf as the least desirable of the three. Therefore, we conclude that Wolf has failed to raise an issue of material fact regarding this reason. 18