Opinion ID: 4427013
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Essential Functions of a Shipper

Text: “The term essential functions means the fundamental job duties of the employment position the individual with a disability holds or desires.” 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n)(1). It “does not include the marginal functions of the position.” Id. Courts consider the following non-exhaustive list of factors in determining whether a function is essential: 5 Ohio courts follow federal law in regard to disability discrimination claims filed under O.R.C. § 4112.02. Bloomfield v. Whirlpool Corp., 984 F. Supp. 2d 771, 776 (N.D. Ohio 2013). Therefore, there is no need for a separate discussion of the elements of a claim for disability discrimination under Ohio law. -9- Case Nos. 16-4529/17-4135, Siewertsen v. Worthington Indus., Inc. (i) The employer’s judgment as to which functions are essential; (ii) Written job descriptions prepared before advertising or interviewing applicants for the job; (iii) The amount of time spent on the job performing the function; (iv) The consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function; ... (vi) The work experience of past incumbents in the job; and/or (vii) The current work experience of incumbents in similar jobs. § 1630.2(n)(3). “The inquiry into whether a function is essential is highly fact specific.” Hoskins v. Oakland Cty. Sheriff’s Dept., 227 F.3d 719, 726 (6th Cir. 2000) (citing Hall v. United States Postal Serv., 857 F.2d 1073, 1079 (6th Cir.1988) (“Such a determination should be based upon more than statements in a job description and should reflect the actual functioning and circumstances of the particular enterprise involved.”)). It is undisputed that shippers must communicate. Siewertsen admitted as much while testifying. The dispositive question is whether “communication” in this context encompasses the ability to hear audible communications. The district court found that there were genuine issues of material fact and submitted the question to the jury. The jury determined that it did not. Because the question was appropriately submitted to, and resolved by, the jury, we affirm. At trial, Worthington attempted to establish that the ability to hear is an essential function of a shipper by submitting proof that shippers are required to operate forklifts and overhead cranes, enter the coil field, and move among motorized equipment while on foot. It also showed that the noise level in the shipping department is low enough to allow for audible communication. Worthington produced documentation that, in its judgment, the ability to hear and talk are required physical attributes of a shipper. It also admitted into evidence policies that require forklift operators to sound the horn when they are coming around a blind spot, approaching a pedestrian, and crossing an aisle. - 10 - Case Nos. 16-4529/17-4135, Siewertsen v. Worthington Indus., Inc. For his part, Siewertsen put on evidence that he could perform the essential functions of a shipper without the ability to hear. Siewertsen’s expert testified that Siewertsen could safely operate the forklift through sight, and that he could sufficiently communicate through hand signals. Siewertsen himself testified that he had operated forklifts and other machinery for over ten years without an accident and that he had been certified to operate a forklift multiple times since 2000. One of Worthington’s own witnesses corroborated Siewertsen’s testimony that he had not had any accidents. Siewertsen further testified that he communicated with truck drivers through written notes and gestures. Thus, both parties submitted evidence concerning the type of communication required to perform the essential functions of a shipper. The jury was not required to give controlling weight to any one factor, including Worthington’s judgment or policies. EEOC v. Ford Motor Co., 782 F.3d 753, 765-66 (6th Cir. 2015) (en banc) (“None of this is to say that whatever the employer says is essential necessarily becomes essential . . . . Our ruling does not, in other words, require blind deference to the employer’s stated judgment.”). The jury weighed the evidence and concluded that Siewertsen could perform the essential functions of a shipper, even though he could not hear. Overturning the jury’s decision when there is evidence to support it is beyond the scope of FRCP 50. Therefore, we affirm.