Court Opinion

ID: 9734703
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 17:43:44.384616+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:50.674477
License: Public Domain

OTIS, Justice
(dissenting).
The majority holds that an employee who has suffered a work related injury in a metropolitan area where jobs are plentiful is entitled to benefits if he leaves the city and is unable to find work in a sparsely settled outstate area where jobs are scarce. I do not agree.
The Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals has made findings on conflicting evidence which we have consistently held we are not at liberty to set aside. They held:
The employer found a job within the employee’s physical limitations and he began work in June of 1978. His duties consisted of checking in cars in a parking garage, chauffer [sic] executives or customers, delivering materials, relieving the facility secretary.
The employer in effect discharged him from the job after two days work because of his bad attitude as demonstrated by the following testimony:
Diane Kay Oftedahl, the facility secretary, whom the employee was to relieve each day for approximately two hours, stated the employee said to her on several occasions that he could be making more money sitting on his butt at home rather than doing that stupid job. Further, that he hated the job— the phones, dealing with stupid peoples’ problems. * * *
The employee has not worked subsequent to June of 1978 and since that time has applied for only four jobs all of which were in his home area. * * * However, it is to be noted that both jobs the employee had with Control Data were in the Twin City area even though his home is outstate. Therefore, it would seem reasonable that the employee should be required to make a job search in the area of his employment, namely the Twin City area, where job opportunities would be more numerous.
The employee must make a reasonable diligent effort to find employment within his disability restrictions. If this is not accomplished, there is no basis upon which to determine an award of temporary partial or temporary total disability benefits. * * *
*866Nothing in this opinion shall prevent the employee from making future claim for temporary total or temporary partial disability if he makes the proper reasonable, diligent search to find employment.
The court below has found that this employee must make “a reasonable diligent effort to find employment within his disability restrictions.” It is not our prerogative to second guess that tribunal on questions of fact. I would affirm.