Opinion ID: 1654370
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Whether the Findings on the Issue to be Estopped Were Necessary

Text: Wal-Mart's stated reason for discharging Smitherman was that she violated company policy by making a profane and derogatory remark about a superior. The appeals referee's finding regarding the reason for Smitherman's discharge was necessary to the determination of whether Smitherman was entitled to unemployment-compensation benefits. Smitherman argues that she did not have an opportunity to litigate the issue whether Wal-Mart's stated reason for her discharge was a pretext for an otherwise impermissible termination. Specifically, she argues that the only issue before the appeals referee was whether her profane remark constituted job-related misconduct. We disagree. Smitherman had the burden of proving that she was not discharged from Wal-Mart for making a profane and derogatory remark about Wal-Mart's district manager of its pharmacy departments. That is, Smitherman had the burden of refuting Wal-Mart's stated reason for her discharge. Thus, in order to decide that Smitherman was partially disqualified under § 25-4-78(3)c., the appeals referee had to find that Smitherman was discharged by Wal-Mart for making a profane remark about her superior.