Opinion ID: 3000113
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Kampmier’s Termination

Text: In 2003, Kampmier was scheduled to work on Friday, August 29 and Monday, September 1, which was Labor Day weekend. On Thursday, August 28, 2003, Kampmier went to her physician, Dr. Higgins, because she was in pain. He recommended that Kampmier have a hysterectomy to correct her endometriosis. Dr. Higgins informed Kampmier that he would have someone contact her on Monday, September 1, or Tuesday, September 2, to set up the hysterectomy. In the interim, he instructed her to take off work. After speaking with Dr. Higgins, Kampmier called Badell at home to cancel her Friday and Monday shifts. Kampmier told Badell that she might need a hysterectomy and that it would be scheduled as soon as possible. Badell said that was fine and that Badell had recently undergone a hysterectomy and knew exactly what Kampmier was going through. No. 06-1788 5 On Friday, August 29, Badell contacted Kampmier and requested a doctor’s note.2 Kampmier called Dr. Higgin’s office and spoke with his office nurse who told Kampmier that the doctor was out of the office. Kampmier asked the nurse to call Badell; however, Badell never received a phone call or a note and Kampmier never followed up with the doctor, Badell, or the nurse. On September 2, Kampmier called Badell and informed her that surgery was scheduled and she would need some time off, indicating that it might be two weeks, three weeks, or eight weeks depending on whether she had a hysterectomy or laparoscopic surgery. Later that day, Badell and Skinner called Kampmier’s home. Kampmier’s mother answered and told Badell and Skinner that Kampmier was sleeping. Badell and Skinner asked Kampmier’s mother to tell Kampmier that she needed to send a doctor’s note to the Loyalton. Badell testified that she made the phone call because another nurse claimed to have seen Kampmier at a Labor Day parade. Kampmier’s mother promised that Kampmier would call the Loyalton as soon as Kampmier woke up. Kampmier did not return Badell’s phone call. On September 5, several hours after the beginning of Kampmier’s scheduled shift, Kampmier called Badell and told Badell she was having surgery that evening. She told Badell that she would be back at work in two weeks. Kampmier did not come to work or call in for her shifts on September 6-8. Badell and Skinner contacted Kampmier’s doctor’s office and asked that the office fax a note, but they never received one. Badell and Skinner then contacted Lawson and informed her of the situation. Lawson 2 Emeritus’ attendance policy provides that an employee who is absent two or more days may be required to bring in a doctor’s note upon return to work. 6 No. 06-1788 told them to speak with the human resources director, Michelle See, to discuss the process to follow. Skinner told See that Kampmier was not showing up for her scheduled shifts and had failed to provide Emeritus with a doctor’s note. Together, See, Skinner, and Badell reviewed the facts, the schedule, and Emeritus’ attendance policy, which provides, “If an employee is unable to report to work[,] they are required to contact their supervisor a minimum of two hours prior to the start of their shift.” The attendance policy also states in bold capital letters, “A no-call, no-show is grounds for immediate termination.” On September 8, 2003, Badell spoke separately by telephone with See and Lawson, and the three agreed to terminate Kampmier for job abandonment because she did not report or call in for her scheduled shifts and because she failed to provide Emeritus with a doctor’s note. Kampmier received a letter, dated September 8, 2003, stating that Emeritus interpreted her failure to call or show up for work as voluntary resignation. Kampmier complained about her termination to both See and Lawson, neither of whom would reinstate her. In her phone call with See, Kampmier complained that Badell had sexually harassed her. After speaking to Kampmier, See informed both Lawson and Badell about the allegations, which Badell denied. On September 23, 2004, Kampmier filed a ten-count complaint against Emeritus in the Northern District of Illinois. Kampmier brought disparate treatment (Count I), reasonable accommodation (Count II), and retaliation claims (Count III) under the ADA; disparate treatment (Count IV), sexual harassment (Count V), and retaliation claims (Count VI) under Title VII; an ERISA claim; and state law claims for negligent hiring, negligent training and supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. No. 06-1788 7 On August 8, 2005, Emeritus filed a motion for summary judgment. On February 15, 2006, the district court granted the motion on counts I-VII of Kampmier’s complaint. The district court also declined to assert jurisdiction over the remaining state law claims.