Opinion ID: 2633435
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 20

Heading: Events Within the Limitations Period

Text: On or around January 27, 1993, Richards and the department manager, Bottorff, met for her annual evaluation. At the meeting, Richards submitted typewritten comments, which raised several items: Richards had been unable for the past three years to get a timely and correct 2 form; her wheelchair access in the hallways was restricted due to the constant accumulation of furniture and boxes; the disabled access ramps were often blocked by delivery trucks; and CH2M Hill had not yet established an adequate fire escape plan for Richards. According to Richards, Bottorff told her that she was facing a brick wall and that nothing was going to change, as she had been told the previous year. That same day, Bottorff gave Richards's typewritten comments to human resources administrator Kathy Metzger. Metzger began in earnest to attempt to address Richards's concerns. Between January 27 and February 8, 1993, Metzger reported to Richards almost daily on the progress made on her complaints. Metzger made sure the caterer and postal service were contacted and directed not to block the ramps. She formed a committee to develop a fire escape plan for Richards, and contacted the building owner to see if an additional wheelchair ramp could be built outside the exit near Richards's office. She had moved several of the items that were obstacles to Richards's access, including bookcases and furniture. Finally, Metzger began contacting various people in the corporate office and elsewhere in an effort to resolve the problems associated with Richards's W-2 form. Not all of Richards's access problems were resolved, however. Metzger had moved the microwave to an accessible area, but someone began piling ice chests in front of it and she lost access again. Metzger's attempts to move certain bookcases that blocked hallway access foundered when Uhouse informed her she did not have the staff to accomplish the task. When Richards returned to work on February 22, 1993, she submitted her resignation effective March 8, 1993. Richards testified that she resigned because she believed that all of the events over the previous four years had had a negative impact on her health: the accumulation of just so many things, it was justit was unbearable for me. I could not work there any longer. Richards continued: I knew my health was on the line. I was risking my health, permanent damage to my health.