Court Opinion

ID: 9850122
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:52:27.137201+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:32.003299
License: Public Domain

*295HOWE, Justice,
dissenting.
I dissent. The Board of Review did not question the findings of fact made by the appeal referee and agreed that Christensen’s acts were volitional and that their consequences were foreseeable. However, the Board then concluded that the “evidence was inadequate to show that the claimant’s actions were sufficiently culpable” to disqualify him for benefits. I do not believe that Christensen’s conduct as found by the appeal referee can be reasonable viewed as being other than “deliberate, willful or wanton and adverse to the employer’s rightful interest.” U.C.A., 1953, § 35-4-5(b)(l).
The appeal referee found the following facts: Christensen was insubordinate in that Pueblo would ask that things be done his way, but Christensen would disagree and want them done his way. Claimant received several disciplinary warnings concerning his attitude and work that culminated in his being put on probation on May 3, 1983. He was asked to reduce bickering, be on time for work, observe time limits for lunch and breaks and follow the rules and regulations.
Christensen responded as follows: On May 9, he transacted personal business during working hours with Big 0 Tire Center; on May 10 and 11, he took excessive time for lunch; on May 11, he picked up a mechanic during working hours in a City vehicle and drove him to the City shops where the mechanic picked up Christensen’s private vehicle to drive it to his garage for repairs. On that same day he also left his assigned work area without permission. On May 12, he called in sick and was placed on paid sick leave by the City, but later in the day he was seen at the garage where his private vehicle was being repaired.
I do not believe that Christensen’s actions can be viewed other than “deliberate, willful and wanton” under these circumstances. They certainly cannot be termed merely negligent or careless. He had been repeatedly warned and placed on probation. The Board of Review erred in concluding that they were not “sufficiently culpable.”
HALL, C.J., concurs in the dissenting opinion of HOWE, J.