Opinion ID: 6536842
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Flynn's alleged racial prejudice

Text: Ross also alleges that Flynn harbored racial prejudice against him and that it tainted the hiring process. Ross cites Morrison's email to the Railroad's counsel stating that Flynn had formed an opinion about [Ross] and never let it go. Ross also cites Flynn's explanation during the investigation that one reason he did not want to hire Ross was because Flynn had learned that Ross could not complete the application by computer. Ross infers from this that Flynn likely believed, based on racial stereotypes, that Ross was unintelligent. The ALJ did not address these allegations in its recommendation, although supporting evidence was presented at the administrative hearing. Presumably the ALJ did not find Ross's allegations persuasive, and we do not find that decision necessarily unreasonable. It does not appear that Flynn was asked about his alleged bias during either the investigation or the administrative hearing, and Morrison's third-hand account alone is not necessarily conclusive. And although there may be reason to infer that Flynn's stated concern about Ross's computer skills was disingenuous - one candidate was selected even though he told the panelists his computer skills were not great and he may need some training, and he also had completed the application by hand - Ross offers nothing indicating that Flynn's true motives were discriminatory aside from Morrison's account and a conclusory statement that Flynn must have believed Ross could not complete the application using a computer because of his race.