Court Opinion

ID: 4090337
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-10-18 17:00:43.435538+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:35:20.879696
License: Public Domain

NOT PRECEDENTIAL
  UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
       FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
            _____________

                No. 15-2177
               _____________

             MICHAEL SCOTT,
                       Appellant
                   v.

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
           _______________

On Appeal from the United States District Court
   for the Western District of Pennsylvania
           (D.C. No. 2-14-cv-00537)
    District Judge: Hon. David S. Cercone
 _____________________________________

               _____________

                No. 15-2225
               _____________

              LAMONT JONES,
                        Appellant

                      v.

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

On Appeal from the United States District Court
   for the Western District of Pennsylvania
           (D.C. No. 2-14-cv-00536)
     District Judge: Hon. Nora B. Fischer
               _______________

 Submitted Under Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a)
             September 6, 2016
           Before: JORDAN, VANASKIE, and NYGAARD, Circuit Judges.

                                 (Filed: October 18, 2016)
                                     _______________

                                       OPINION ∗
                                    _______________

JORDAN, Circuit Judge.

       In these consolidated appeals, two former employees of the Education

Management Corporation (“EDMC”) appeal from orders dismissing their separate claims

of discrimination. The employees – Michael Scott and Lamont Jones – allege that

EDMC discriminated against them in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment

Act (“ADEA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Pennsylvania common

law. In each case, the United States District Court for the Western District of

Pennsylvania dismissed the discrimination claims in their entirety because it concluded

that the claims were subject to binding arbitration. We disagree, and conclude that Scott

and Jones never agreed to arbitrate these claims. Accordingly, we will vacate the orders

of dismissal and remand for further proceedings.

       ∗
        This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and, pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7,
does not constitute binding precedent.
                                             2
I.     BACKGROUND 1

       Scott and Jones were employed as Assistant Directors of Admissions at the Art

Institute of Pittsburgh, an EDMC subsidiary. In July 2012, both men received what they

described in their respective complaints – in the very same words – as “inexplicably

harsh and unfair quarterly job evaluation[s]” that rated their job performance as “below

expectations.” (JA 37-38, 53.) In early August 2012, they both filed complaints with the

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), Jones alleging race and age

discrimination and Scott alleging only age discrimination.

       Soon thereafter, in late September and early October 2012, EDMC instituted a

company-wide alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) policy. The ADR policy created a

multi-step process for dispute resolution that culminated in binding arbitration. The

policy informed employees that it was “intended to create the exclusive means by which

all work-related disputes between [EDMC] … and its employees will be promptly

addressed and fairly resolved.” (JA 84.) As to its scope, the ADR policy specifically

stated that it applied to all “claims of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation,

wrongful termination or other alleged unlawful treatment [under] state, local or federal

law.” (JA 84-85.) The ADR policy further provided that “all such disputes [must] be

       1
         Although these cases were consolidated on appeal, they proceeded separately in
the District Court before different judges. We will nonetheless recount their facts
simultaneously, as there is significant overlap in the circumstances giving rise to each
case – they each worked the same job for the same employer, allege similar
discriminatory actions taken against them, and filed their nearly-identical complaints on
the same day. Also, because this appeal addresses only the validity of the arbitration
agreements at issue, we do not consider the underlying facts of their discrimination
claims.
                                             3
resolved only through final and binding Arbitration and not by way of court or jury trial.”

(JA 86.) It also stated that “continuing employment with the Company after receipt of

this Policy constitutes agreement to abide by its terms.” (JA 84.)

       Two months after filing their EEOC complaints, Scott and Jones were informed of

EDMC’s new ADR policy in an automated email sent to all covered employees on

October 3, 2012. 2 The email emphasized that compliance with the ADR policy was a

term and condition of continued employment, and it requested that employees

acknowledge their receipt and acceptance of the new policy. That same day, Jones’s

attorney – who now represents both Jones and Scott on appeal – sent an email to EDMC

expressing his client’s belief that the ADR policy was “illegal” and “in flagrant violation

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” (JA 685.) Jones amended his EEOC complaint the next

day, supplementing his previously-filed complaint and alleging that the ADR policy was

instituted in retaliation for it. Scott made the same amendment to his own EEOC

complaint.

       Jones’s employment with EDMC was terminated in January 2013, and Scott’s was

terminated in April 2013. The EEOC determined there was insufficient evidence for it to

pursue either of the plaintiffs’ cases and requested additional evidence from them. The

plaintiffs instead requested that the EEOC issue them right to sue letters, which it did.

       2
          In September 2012, Scott had taken short-term disability leave, from which he
did not return until December 2012. In his complaint, Scott says that upon his return in
December he was then presented with the ADR policy and EDMC “demanded” that he
sign it as a condition of his continued employment. (JA 38.) Scott says that he “resisted
repeated pressure to sign it.” (JA 39.)

                                              4
       Scott and Jones filed separate but simultaneous complaints, alleging that EDMC

had discriminated and retaliated against them, in violation of the ADEA, Title VII, and

Pennsylvania common law. After discovery, and on EDMC’s motion, both cases were

dismissed with prejudice, 3 solely on the basis that the discrimination claims fell within

the terms of the company’s ADR policy and that Scott and Jones had manifested their

assent to the policy by continuing to work at EDMC after receiving it.

       The plaintiffs filed timely notices of appeal, and the cases were consolidated on

their joint motion.

II.    DISCUSSION 4

       “We exercise plenary review over questions regarding the validity and

enforceability of an agreement to arbitrate.” Puleo v. Chase Bank USA, N.A., 605 F.3d
172, 177 (3d Cir. 2010). We must first “determine which standard should have been

applied” in the District Court – that governing a motion to dismiss or that governing

motions for summary judgment. 5 Guidotti v. Legal Helpers Debt Resolution, LLC, 716
F.3d 764, 772 (3d Cir. 2013).

       3
         In Scott’s case, the District Court granted what EDMC styled as a motion to
dismiss while “apply[ing] the … summary judgment standard” out of “an abundance of
caution.” (JA 10.) In Jones’s case, the District Court “adopt[ed] the reasoning set forth
in” the previous dismissal order in Scott’s case, as well as referencing a related case
raising similar issues – Masoner v. Educ. Mgmt. Corp., 18 F. Supp. 3d 652 (W.D. Pa.
2014). (JA 21.)
       4
         The District Courts had jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331. We exercise
jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. See Devon Robotics, LLC v. DeViedma, 798
F.3d 136, 144 (3d Cir. 2015) (“[A]n order dismissing claims in favor of arbitration is
immediately appealable because it is a final order.” (original emphasis)).
       5
           As we have previously stated,
                                              5
       In choosing between the two standards, we have held that, “if the complaint and its

supporting documents are unclear regarding the agreement to arbitrate,” the parties

should proceed through discovery and we should entertain a motion to compel arbitration

under the standard for assessing motions for summary judgment. Id. at 776. Because

both of these cases have been through discovery, we will apply the summary judgment

standard. Under that standard, the parties opposing arbitration, Scott and Jones, are

entitled to “the benefit of all reasonable doubts and inferences that may arise.” Kirleis v.

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C., 560 F.3d 156, 159 (3d Cir. 2009) (internal quotation

marks omitted). We note, however, that neither party has asserted that any material facts

       the two standards differ in significant ways. The test in reviewing a motion
       to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6) is whether, under
       any plausible reading of the pleadings, the plaintiff would be entitled to
       relief. We will affirm a district court’s dismissal for failure to state a claim
       only if, accepting all factual allegations as true and construing the
       complaint in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, we determine that the
       plaintiff is not entitled to relief under any reasonable reading of the
       complaint. We consider only the complaint, exhibits attached to the
       complaint, matters of public record, as well as undisputedly authentic
       documents if the complainant’s claims are based upon these documents.

       Under Rule 56, by contrast, a “court shall grant summary judgment if the
       movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and
       the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
       56(a). The party asserting that there is a genuine dispute of material fact
       must support that assertion by citing to particular parts of the record,
       including depositions, documents, electronically stored information,
       affidavits or declarations, stipulations, admissions, interrogatory answers,
       or other materials. In evaluating the motion, the court must draw all
       reasonable inferences in favor of the nonmoving party, and it may not make
       credibility determinations or weigh the evidence. Because summary
       judgment can be supported or defeated by citing a developed record, courts
       must give the parties adequate time for discovery.
Guidotti v. Legal Helpers Debt Resolution, LLC, 716 F.3d 764, 772 (3d Cir. 2013)
(internal citations, quotation marks, and ellipses omitted).
                                              6
remain in dispute that would foreclose resolution of this appeal. Accordingly, we turn to

an assessment of the validity of the agreement to arbitrate.

         “[A] party cannot be compelled to submit a dispute to arbitration unless it has

agreed to do so.” Century Indem. Co. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s London, 584
F.3d 513, 524 (3d Cir. 2009). A disputed claim must be arbitrated if “there is a valid

agreement to arbitrate between the parties,” and “the merits-based dispute in question

falls within the scope of that valid agreement.” Flintkote Co. v. Aviva PLC, 769 F.3d
215, 220 (3d Cir. 2014) (internal quotation marks omitted). “If a party challenges the

validity … of the precise agreement to arbitrate at issue, the federal court must consider

the challenge before ordering compliance with that agreement.” Rent-A-Center, West,

Inc. v. Jackson, 561 U.S. 63, 71 (2010). Although it is well established that the Federal

Arbitration Act (“FAA”) reflects a “strong federal policy in favor of the resolution of

disputes through arbitration,” Alexander v. Anthony Int’l, L.P., 341 F.3d 256, 263 (3d Cir.

2003), “this presumption in favor of arbitration does not apply to the determination of

whether there is a valid agreement to arbitrate between the parties,” Kirleis, 560 F.3d at

160 (internal quotation marks omitted). Whether such an agreement exists is a question

of state contract law. Blair v. Scott Specialty Gases, 283 F.3d 595, 603 (3d Cir. 2002).

Under Pennsylvania law, which the parties agree governs both cases, a valid contract

exists if: (1) both parties manifested an intention to be bound by the agreement; (2) the

terms of the agreement are sufficiently definite to be enforced; and (3) there was an

exchange of consideration. Biddle v. Johnsonbaugh, 664 A.2d 159, 163 (Pa. Super. Ct.

1995).

                                               7
       EDMC’s motions to dismiss founder on the element of mutual assent. 6 The

company argues that Scott and Jones impliedly agreed to the new policy because “[a]n

employee’s intent to agree to an ADR policy is manifested when the employee continues

employment with the company after receiving an ADR policy that provides that

continuing employment after receipt of the policy indicates acceptance of its terms.”

(Answering Br. at 29.) It appears that district courts within our Circuit have accepted that

argument as a matter of Pennsylvania law. 7 In the present cases, however, we need not

decide whether the argument is sound. Whatever the validity of EDMC’s legal theory

that continuing to work can, in and of itself, constitute implied assent to new terms of

employment, that rule does not control the outcome here. In the employment context, an

implied-in-fact contract may arise “by words and [be] inferred from circumstances, thus

entailing consideration of factors such as oral representations, employee manuals, and

       6
         EDMC says that the plaintiffs did “not raise an issue explicitly challenging th[e]
core arbitrability ruling,” and have therefore waived the issue. (Answering Br. at 26.)
We disagree. Scott and Jones focused most of the attention in their briefing on their
claim that the ADR policy was unenforceable because it was instituted in retaliation for
their EEOC complaints, but they also emphasized that they had both “withheld assent to
and protested the newly imposed ADR term of employment.” (Opening Br. at 8.) They
similarly noted their “immediate and continual rejection of, resistance to, and/or federally
contesting of the imposition of the ADR policy and the ADR policy’s retaliatory effect …
.” (Id. at 16.) The plaintiffs repeatedly challenged the validity of the agreement to
arbitrate elsewhere in their brief. We therefore do not consider this issue waived, and,
indeed, view it as dispositive.
       7
        See, e.g., Alexander v. Raymours Furniture Co., Civ. No. 13-5387, 2014 WL
3952944, at *5 (E.D. Pa. Aug. 13, 2014) (collecting cases); see also Bauer v. Pottsville
Area Emergency Med. Servs., Inc., 758 A.2d 1265, 1269 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2000)
(“Provisions in a handbook or manual can constitute a unilateral offer of employment
which the employee accepts by the continuing performance of his or her duties.” (internal
quotation marks omitted)).
                                             8
party conduct.” Braun v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 24 A.3d 875, 943 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2011)

(internal quotation marks omitted). When EDMC added the ADR policy, both Jones and

Scott did indeed continue working. But they also promptly voiced their specific

objection to and rejection of the ADR policy. Rather than indicate their assent, both men

quite clearly expressed their strong disagreement with its terms. Giving further emphasis

to their dissent, they both supplemented their complaints to the EEOC to allege that the

ADR policy was an illicit act of retaliation by EDMC. On the facts here, it cannot be said

that their continuing to work constituted an agreement to be bound by the new ADR

policy. A contract cannot be implied when assent has been expressly disavowed. See

Temple Univ. Hosp., Inc. v. Healthcare Mgmt. Alternatives, Inc., 764 A.2d 587, 594 (Pa.

Super. Ct. 2000) (rejecting the “legal conclusion that [the offeree] could assent by

conduct to an offer it had already expressly rejected in writing”). 8

       Were that not enough, Pennsylvania law requires that any agreement to arbitrate

be “clear and unmistakable,” and holds that “such agreements should not be extended by

implication.” Emmaus Mun. Auth. v. Eltz, 204 A.2d 926, 927 (Pa. 1964); see also Quiles

v. Fin. Exch. Co., 879 A.2d 281, 287 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2005) (“[S]uch agreements are

upheld only where it is clear that the parties have agreed to arbitrate in clear and

unmistakable manner.”). We have previously recognized that “under Pennsylvania law,

explicit agreement is essential to the formation of an enforceable arbitration contract,” so

       8
         That conclusion is also consistent with the Restatement of Contracts. With
limited exception not relevant here, “the rendering of a performance does not constitute
an acceptance if within a reasonable time the offeree exercises reasonable diligence to
notify the offeror of non-acceptance.” Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 53 (1981).
                                              9
any argument that an employee has “impliedly agreed to arbitrate h[is] claims must fail

under Pennsylvania law.” Kirleis, 560 F.3d at 163. EDMC has not suggested that this

rule of heightened clarity unfairly targets arbitration clauses for invalidation, and we

discern no reason in these cases why the Pennsylvania rule should not apply.

       In granting EDMC’s motions to dismiss, both District Courts here relied heavily

upon Masoner v. Education Management Corporation, which dismissed a discrimination

complaint against the same employer because of the applicability of the same ADR

policy at issue now. 18 F. Supp. 3d 652 (W.D. Pa. 2014). In Masoner, however, the

plaintiff employee “accepted and agreed to abide by all [of] EDMC’s then-existing

policies, including the ADR Policy at issue in this case.” Id. at 656. The court

emphasized that the plaintiff had “never asked any questions about the ADR Policy,

expressed a desire to reject or challenge the terms of the ADR Policy, indicated that she

found the terms of the ADR Policy to be unfair or oppressive, or made any effort to

rescind her acceptance of the ADR Policy and its terms.” Id. In the Masoner court’s

view, there had thus been “manifested a clear intention to be bound by the ADR Policy.”

Id. at 660. Here, in stark contrast, there was no such agreement. Indeed, there was an

explicit disagreement by both Scott and Jones with the terms of the new policy. The

object of the “mutual assent” inquiry is to discern “the intent a reasonable person would

apprehend in considering the parties’ behavior.” Am. Eagle Outfitters v. Lyle & Scott

Ltd., 584 F.3d 575, 582 (3d Cir. 2009) (applying Pennsylvania law). On the record in

these cases, it cannot rightly be said that either Scott or Jones demonstrated their

                                             10
agreement to the terms of EDMC’s ADR policy. It was therefore error for the District

Courts to have dismissed these cases on the basis of the alleged agreements to arbitrate. 9

III.   CONCLUSION

       For the foregoing reasons, we will vacate the orders of dismissal and remand for

further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

       9
        Because there was no valid arbitration agreement, we need not address any of the
remaining arguments raised by the parties. In particular, Scott and Jones ask us to grant
summary judgment in their favor. In the District Court, neither of their motions for
summary judgment was addressed on its merits – Scott’s motion was stricken as
premature and Jones’s motion was terminated as moot after EDMC’s motion to dismiss
was granted. We decline the plaintiffs’ invitation to be the first court to address the
merits of their summary judgment motions.
                                            11