Court Opinion

ID: 49414
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-26 00:23:33+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:38.751127
License: Public Domain

[DO NOT PUBLISH]

               IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

                        FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT            FILED
                          ________________________ U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
                                                             ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
                                No. 05-15055                    MAY 16, 2006
                            Non-Argument Calendar             THOMAS K. KAHN
                                                                  CLERK
                          ________________________

                     D. C. Docket No. 02-02430-CV-WSD-1

CRAIG GALLOWAY,
                                                         Plaintiff-Appellant,

                                     versus

GA TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY,
State of Georgia,
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,

                                                          Defendants-Appellees.
                          ________________________

                   Appeal from the United States District Court
                      for the Northern District of Georgia
                        _________________________

                                  (MAY 16, 2006)

Before BLACK, BARKETT and PRYOR, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:

      Craig Galloway, a white male, appeals pro se the summary judgment granted

in favor of his former employers, the Department of Administrative Services
(DOAS) and the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) regarding Galloway’s

complaint of sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964, retaliation in violation of both the Americans with Disabilities

Act and the Family Medical Leave Act, and intentional infliction of emotional

distress under Georgia law. We affirm.

                           I. STANDARD OF REVIEW

      We review de novo the grant of a motion for summary judgment. Rojas v.

Florida, 285 F.3d 1339, 1341 (11th Cir. 2002). Summary judgment is appropriate

“if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file,

together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any

material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.”

Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). We review for an abuse of discretion the application of local

rules by the district court. See Brown v. Thompson, 430 F.2d 1214, 1215-16 (5th

Cir. 1970).

                                 II. DISCUSSION

      At the outset, we note that although Galloway mentions his disparate

treatment claims under Title VII and recites some of the facts regarding those

claims, he does not make any arguments as to the merits of his disparate treatment

claims. Although Galloway lists facts that he believes constitute violations of the

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FMLA, he does not argue the merits of his interference claims. Galloway purports

to raise the issue whether the magistrate judge erred by finding that the defendants’

statement of facts was uncontroverted, but Galloway did not offer an argument on

this issue. Finally, Galloway did not address the findings of the district court that

he abandoned his race discrimination claim under Title VII, that he was not

disabled under the ADA, or the resolution of his section 1983 and defamation

claims. Because Galloway fails to make any of these arguments on appeal, we

consider them waived. See Farrow v. West, 320 F.3d 1235, 1242 n.10 (11th Cir.

2003); Kelliher v. Veneman, 313 F.3d 1270, 1274 n.3 (11th Cir. 2002).

      Galloway raises four issues on appeal. First, Galloway contends that the

district court erred when it found that he failed to show that the reasons for the

denial of a pay raise, the denial of promotion, and his termination were pretext for

retaliation and that the other alleged retaliatory conduct were not adverse

employment actions. Second, Galloway argues that the district court erred when it

found that the alleged sexually harassing conduct was not sufficiently severe or

pervasive to alter the terms and conditions of his employment. Third, Galloway

argues that the district court erred when it found that his employer’s conduct was

not extreme and outrageous and granted summary judgment on his claim of

intentional infliction of emotional distress. Finally, Galloway contends that the

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district court abused its discretion in its treatment of Galloway’s pro se pleadings.

We address each issue in turn.

                                 A. Retaliation Claims

      Galloway lists a multitude of facts that he contends constitute retaliation for

his complaints regarding gender discrimination in violation of Title VII, requests

for accommodations in violation of the ADA, and his FMLA leave. Galloway

identifies the following as adverse employment actions that affected the terms and

conditions of his employment: (1) he was excluded from meetings and training and

development; (2) he was not provided with the recruiting tools that were promised

when he accepted the position, and his “Net-Temps” recruiting tool was taken

away; (3) he did not receive a promised pay increase in 1999; (4) he was given

retaliatory reprimands and lower evaluations than his actual performance merited;

(5) separate rules were imposed on him; (6) he was not promoted to the position of

Human Resources Officer; (7) he was exposed to a hostile work environment; (8)

he lost his teleworking privileges; and (9) he was terminated.

      Galloway argues that he presented sufficient evidence of pretext. He

contends that each time he engaged in protected activity under either Title VII, the

ADA or the FMLA, his employer retaliated against him. Galloway further

contends that his employer prepared to fire him when it took the following actions:

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(1) hiring Audrey Hines as a Human Resources Consultant, which was also his

position; (2) forcing Galloway to train other Human Resource Consultants how to

recruit; (3) denying Galloway training; (4) assigned an attorney to respond to

Galloway’s requests under the ADA and requests for FMLA leave;

(5) conditionally authorizing Galloway’s FMLA leave so that Galloway could be

examined by another doctor for a second opinion; (6) failing to renew Galloway’s

state association membership; (7) requiring Galloway to see Dr. Davis, a forensic

psychologist frequently used by the state in litigation; and (8) refusing to allow

Galloway’s mother to reschedule his appointment with Dr. Davis. He argues that

this evidence establishes that his employer intended to terminate him before he

failed to attend the required medical examination, which was the stated reason for

his termination.

      To establish a prima facie case of retaliation under Title VII, the ADA and

the FMLA, Galloway must show that he (1) engaged in statutorily protected

activity; (2) suffered an adverse employment action; and (3) the adverse action was

causally related to the protected activity. Williams v. Motorola, Inc., 303 F.3d

1284, 1291 (11th Cir. 2002); Brungart v. BellSouth Telecomm., Inc., 231 F.3d 791,

798 (11th Cir. 2000). “An adverse employment action is an ultimate employment

decision, such as discharge or failure to hire, or other conduct that alters the

                                           5
employee’s compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, that

deprives him or her of employment opportunities, or adversely affects his or her

status as an employee.” Gupta v. Florida Bd. of Regents, 212 F.3d 571, 587 (11th

Cir. 2000) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). “Whether an action is

sufficient to constitute an adverse employment action for purposes of a retaliation

claim must be determined on a case-by-case basis, using both a subjective and an

objective standard.” Id. (internal citations omitted). “[N]ot all conduct by an

employer negatively affecting an employee constitutes adverse employment

action[,]” . . . and “Title VII[ ] is neither a general civility code nor a statute

making actionable the ordinary tribulations of the workplace.” Davis v. Town of

Lake Park, Fla., 245 F.3d 1232, 1238-39 (11th Cir. 2001) (internal quotations and

citations omitted).

       “Once a plaintiff has established a prima facie case, the employer then has

an opportunity to articulate a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason for the challenged

employment action.” Pennington v. City of Huntsville, 261 F.3d 1262, 1266 (11th

Cir. 2001). If that burden is met, the plaintiff then bears the ultimate burden of

proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the reason is a pretext for

retaliatory conduct. Id. “If the proffered reason is one that might motivate a

reasonable employer, a plaintiff cannot recast the reason but must meet it head on

                                             6
and rebut it.” Wilson v. B/E Aerospace, Inc., 376 F.3d 1079, 1088 (11th Cir.

2004) (internal citation omitted).

      Galloway alleges nine adverse employment actions. The district court

concluded that three constituted adverse employment actions, but that Galloway

did not establish that his employer’s articulated reasons for the actions were

pretextual. As to the other alleged adverse employment actions, the district court

concluded that the actions did not constitute adverse employment actions because

they did not alter the terms of Galloway’s employment. We first address the

actions that constitute adverse employment actions and then address the other

employment actions alleged by Galloway.

           1. Denial of Pay Raise, Denial of Promotion, and Termination

      It is clear that the denial of a pay raise, the denial of a promotion, and a

termination constitute adverse employment actions. See, e.g. Walker v. Mortham,

158 F.3d 1177, 1178 (11th Cir. 1998); Gupta, 212 F.3d at 590. Although these

decisions qualify as adverse employment actions, it is not clear that Galloway

established a prima facie case of retaliation regarding any of them. Even if we

assume that Galloway established a prima facie case, his complaint still fails.

      The DOAS and GTA articulated a legitimate reason for each adverse

employment action. First, Galloway was not given a pay raise because employees

                                           7
were not given pay raises in their first year of employment. Second, Galloway was

not promoted to the Human Resource Officer position because he was not as

qualified as the individual who received the position. Finally, Galloway was

terminated because he failed to attend a required medical examination regarding

his FMLA leave. The burden then shifted back to Galloway to establish that these

reasons were pretexts for retaliation. See id.

      Galloway failed to meet his burden. Other than his bald assertions,

Galloway offered no evidence that the stated reasons for the adverse employment

actions were pretextual. Galloway did not contest that employees were not given

pay raises during their first year of employment, the individual given the Human

Resources Officer position was more qualified, and Galloway did not attend the

required medical examination. Because Galloway failed to establish that his

employer’s reasons for the denial of the pay raise, denial of the promotion, and his

termination, were pretext for retaliation in violation of Title VII, the ADA, or the

FMLA, the district court correctly granted summary judgment on these claims.

                            2. Other Employment Actions

      Regarding the other alleged employment actions, the district court properly

concluded that none rise to the level of adverse employment actions. Simply put,

there is no evidence than any of these employment actions had any tangible effect

                                           8
on Galloway’s employment. See Davis, 245 F.3d at 1239. Galloway’s subjective

belief that he was being unfairly denied benefits is insufficient, and Galloway

offers no argument as to how these alleged adverse employment actions were

sufficiently material and serious to alter the terms and conditions of his

employment. As such, Galloway failed to establish a prima facie case of retaliation

regarding these employment actions, and the district court correctly granted

summary judgment on these claims of retaliation.

                                B. Sexual Harassment

      Galloway argues that he was subjected to an objectively hostile work

environment because of his sex. As evidence of the hostile work environment,

Galloway testified about the following four categories of comments: (1) comments

that men were unable to do tasks assigned to them; that men were “abusive,”

“insensitive,” “jerks,” and “stupid”; that “penises” were not allowed in the group;

and that men should be screened out from the workplace; (2) discussions about

mutilating men’s genitals; (3)“male-bashing material, offensive pornographic

material, [and] sexist comments[, including] references to seeing his butt in a pair

of jeans”; and (4) comments about Galloway’s intelligence. Galloway argues that

these comments, coupled with the fact that his female co-workers were treated

better than he was, established an “anti-male bias” in the workplace.

                                           9
      To establish a prima facie case of sexual harassment, an employee must

prove that (1) he belongs to a protected group; (2) he was subjected to unwelcome

sexual harassment; (3) the harassment complained of was based on his sex; (4) the

harassment complained of was sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the terms or

conditions of employment and to create a discriminatorily abusive working

environment; and (5) the defendant is responsible for such environment under

either a theory of vicarious or direct liability. Walton v. Johnson & Johnson

Servs., Inc., 347 F.3d 1272, 1279-80 (11th Cir. 2003). The employee must present

concrete evidence in the form of specific facts, not just conclusory allegations and

assertions. Earley v. Champion Int’l Corp., 907 F.2d 1077, 1081 (11th Cir. 1990).

      “A hostile work environment claim under Title VII is established upon proof

that the workplace is permeated with discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and

insult, that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim’s

employment and create an abusive working environment.” Miller v. Kenworth of

Dothan, Inc., 277 F.3d 1269, 1275 (11th Cir. 2002) (internal quotations omitted).

“In evaluating the objective severity of the harassment, we consider, among other

factors: (1) the frequency of the conduct; (2) the severity of the conduct; (3)

whether the conduct is physically threatening or humiliating, or a mere offensive

utterance; and (4) whether the conduct unreasonably interferes with the employee’s

                                           10
job performance.” Id. at 1276. Moreover, “simple teasing, offhand comments, and

isolated incidents (unless extremely serious) will not amount to discriminatory

changes in the terms and conditions of employment.” Faragher v. City of Boca

Raton, 524 U.S. 775, 788, 118 S. Ct. 2275, 2283 (1998) (citation omitted).

      Galloway failed to establish a prima facie case of sexual harassment because

the alleged comments were not sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the terms

and conditions of his employment. Although the alleged comments were arguably

frequent and may have been juvenile, crude, and unprofessional, the comments

were not physically threatening or humiliating. Most of the comments were not

addressed at Galloway, and were made by co-workers, not his supervisors. Most

importantly, the record is devoid of any evidence that the alleged comments altered

the terms and conditions of Galloway’s employment. Galloway’s allegations fall

far short of the threshold requirement that harassment be severe and pervasive.

The district court correctly granted summary judgment against Galloway’s claim of

sexual harassment.

                  C. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

      Galloway argues that his supervisors continued their behavior of “male-

bashing” and retaliation with the knowledge that he was susceptible to emotional

distress. The DOAS and GTA respond that district court properly granted

                                         11
summary judgment because the conduct alleged by Galloway was not extreme and

outrageous under Georgia law. We agree with DOAS and GTA.

         For an employee to prevail on a claim of intentional infliction of emotional

distress under Georgia law, he must demonstrate that (1) the employer’s conduct

was extreme and outrageous; (2) the employer acted recklessly or intentionally;

(3) the conduct of the employer caused emotional distress; and (4) the emotional

distress was severe. Lightning v. Roadway Exp., Inc., 60 F.3d 1551, 1558 (11th

Cir. 1995). Georgia courts have imposed liability only when the employer’s

conduct “has been so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go

beyond all possible bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious, and utterly

intolerable in a civilized community.” Biven Software, Inc. v. Newman, 473

S.E.2d 527, 529 (Ga.App. 1996). Derogatory comments made in the workplace

generally do not rise to this level and are usually considered “a common vicissitude

of ordinary life.” Jarrard v. United Parcel Serv., 529 S.E.2d 144, 146 (Ga.App.

2000).

         Galloway failed to establish that his supervisors’ conduct was so extreme or

outrageous that a reasonable person would find it atrocious and intolerable in a

civilized society. See Biven Software, Inc., 473 S.E.2d at 529-30. His following

allegations fell far short of that standard: (1) complaints being met with hostility;

                                           12
(2) being moved to a small and messy cubicle; (3) comments about the tidiness of

his workspace; (4) being shown a pornographic photograph; and (5) being asked

whether he enjoyed his vacation, although he was at a funeral. Most of this

conduct amounts to nothing more than insensitive or inconsiderate actions by co-

workers and is not actionable under Georgia law. See Jarrard, 529 S.E.2d at 147.

Although daily sexual harassment, if severe and pervasive, could be considered

extreme and outrageous, Galloway did not establish severe or pervasive sexual

harassment. The district court correctly granted summary judgment on this claim.

                                  D. Pro Se Status

      Galloway argues that, by requiring him to comply with Local Rule

56.1(B)(2)(a), the magistrate judge failed to construe his pleadings liberally.

Galloway contends that he highlighted a litany of discriminatory and retaliatory

acts and submitted evidence in support of his claims, and argues that the magistrate

judge trivialized his claims and ignored key pieces of evidence. We disagree.

      Although “[p]ro se pleadings are held to a less stringent standard than

pleadings drafted by attorneys and” are “liberally construed,” Trawinski v. United

Techs., 313 F.3d 1295, 1297 (11th Cir. 2002), pro se litigants still must comply

with the procedural rules governing the proper form of pleadings. McNeil v.

United States, 508 U.S. 106, 113, 113 S. Ct. 1980, 1984 (1993). “[L]ocal rules are

                                          13
effective unless modified or abrogated by the judicial council of the relevant

circuit.” Brown v. Crawford County, Ga., 960 F.2d 1002, 1009 n.10 (11th Cir.

1992) (internal quotations omitted). The district court did not abuse its discretion

when it applied the local rules.

      Under Local Rule 56.1 of the Northern District of Georgia, a party moving

for summary judgment must include “a separate, concise, numbered statement of

the material facts to which the movant contends there is no genuine issue to be

tried.” L.R. 56.1(B)(1). The district court deems the movant’s facts admitted

unless the opposing party either refutes the facts with citations to evidence or law

or states a valid objection to the movant’s evidence. L.R. 56.1(B)(2)(a). Galloway

was aware of and understood the local rules of the district court as he cited to them

when he requested extensions of time.

      Under Local Rule 56.1, Galloway’s response to the statement of facts of his

former employer was wholly inadequate. He did not cite any evidence in the

record and did not refute the statements of fact that he denied. Even though

Galloway failed to follow the local rules, the 84-page report and recommendation

of the magistrate judge thoroughly addressed Galloway’s numerous claims and

cited to both record evidence and Galloway’s brief.

      Throughout this litigation, the district court treated Galloway with leniency

                                          14
and respect, but the court was not required to act as Galloway’s de facto counsel.

The district court provided Galloway over two years to conduct discovery and

granted a generous extension to respond to the motion for summary judgment filed

by Galloway’s former employer. The district court treated Galloway’s pleadings

liberally and did not abuse its discretion.

                                 III. CONCLUSION

       The summary judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.

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