Geronimo v. Pottsville Ford

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

CLAUDDETTE GERONIMO,

Plaintiff, :

V. : 3:20-CV-02145

(JUDGE MARIANI)

POTTSVILLE FORD dib/a/

SANDS FORD OF POTTSVILLE

Defendant.

MEMORDANDUM OPINION

I, INTRODUCTION

On November 18, 2020, Plaintiff Claudette Geronimo filed a Complaint against

Defendant Pottsville Ford, d/b/a/ Sands Ford of Pottsville. (See Doc. 1). The Complaint

alleges a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (Count |), discrimination based on

sex in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Count II), and discrimination

based on national origin in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Count III) in

connection with Plaintiffs employment with Defendant. (/d.). Presently before the Court is

Defendant’s Motion of Dismiss Counts |, Il, and III of Plaintiffs Complaint pursuant to

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). (See Doc. 7). For the reasons that follow, the

Court will grant in part and deny in part Defendant's Motion to Dismiss.

Il. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

Plaintiffs Complaint alleges the following facts which, for the purposes of resolving

Defendant's Motion to Dismiss, the Court takes as true:

Plaintiff worked as salesperson for Defendant beginning in or around December

2019 and lasting until her termination on or about March 24, 2020. (Doc. 1, J 11, 39).

“Plaintiff has a history of asthma and dyslexia, which she had disclosed to [Defendant] upon

her hire[.]’ (/d. at ] 15). Plaintiff also informed Defendant that “she cannot anticipate when

she will have an asthma attack nor can she gauge how it will impact her.” (/d. at J 16).

When Plaintiff arrived to work on January 8, 2020, she “suffered an excruciating and

debilitating asthma attack with no warning” and “felt like she was going to die.” (/d. at [J 17,

18). Plaintiff “approached Brandon Buckheart and Larry Buck in the manager's office and

told them she was having an asthma attack” and “begged them to call 911.” (Id. at Tf] 18,

19), Mr. Buckheart and Mr. Buck “treated [Plaintiff] as if she were crazy and continued to

work” without offering assistance. (/d. at JJ 20-21). Plaintiff then went to another

employee, Rose Lapp, “and begged for help again.” (Doc. 1 at § 21). Ms. Lapp did not

assist Plaintiff and instead, “demanded that Plaintiff get away from her as she did not want

to become ill and also refused to assist Plaintiff in her medical emergency.” (/d. at 21).

“Plaintiff then made her way slowly to her desk and fumbled for her inhaler and made

her way outside, in zero degree weather, for air.” (/d. at 23). When Plaintiff went back

inside, none of Defendant's employees asked if she was okay or offered to help her. (/d. at

q 24). Shortly thereafter, Plaintiff “had an even stronger asthma attack and went to the

manager and told him she needed to go to the hospital. The manager merely said, ‘okay,

go’ and offered zero assistance.” (/d. at J 25). Plaintiff called 911 herself and an

ambulance transported her to the hospital, where she was treated for a high heart rate.

(Doc. 1 at § 26). Because Plaintiff did not receive immediate medical treatment, she was on

medication for one month. (/d. at § 27). The Monday following Plaintiff's asthma attack,

Plaintiff returned to work with a doctor’s note. (/d. at J 28).

On or about January 13, 2020, Plaintiff was told that if she did not sell 30 cars in the

month she would be terminated. (/d. at 29). Mr. Sands reminded Plaintiff of this quota on

or about February 1, 2020 when, up to that point, Plaintiff had only sold six cars. (/d. at J

33). Plaintiff explained that her ability to make sales “was out of her hands” because many

customers had poor credit or were waiting to receive their tax refund. (Doc. 1 at J 33).

On or about January 14, 2020, Mr. Buck told Plaintiff “that he had a son [her] age

who also has a disability and he can sell more cars than she can.” (Id. at □ 30).

Additionally, Defendant’s agents told Plaintiff that “she doesn’t know how to talk” and she

needs to learn how to talk because she speaks with an accent since her parents are from

the Dominican Republic. (/d. at § 31).

“On or about December 13, 20[19],” one of Defendant's employees mistreated

Plaintiff in front of a customer, causing the customer to comment on it and discouraging the

customer from doing business with Defendant. (/d. at 32). One of Plaintiff's co-

employees then said he would deal with the customer, which prevented Plaintiff from

making a sale to help her meet the sales quota. (/d.)

Mr. Sands “berated [Plaintiff] for being late,” when Plaintiff arrived at 9:01 one day

and when Plaintiff said she had to park further away than she usually did, Mr. Sands “yelled

at her that she was a liar.” (Doc. 1 at □ 34). Furthermore, Mr. Sands “spoke angrily at her,

claiming she was going around bothering co-workers.” (/d. at ] 35). Plaintiff explained to

Mr. Sands that she was not bothering co-workers, but instead, “was merely asking for help

as this was her first dealership job, everything was new to her and she was trying to learn

her job properly.” (/d.).

“On or about March 24, 2020” Defendant temporarily closed the dealership because

of the COVID-19 pandemic and sent employees, including Plaintiff, home and Mr. Sands

advised Plaintiff that he would let her know when the dealership would be reopened. (/d. at

36, 37). Plaintiff contacted Chris Halven, another employee of Defendant, for more

information regarding the dealership closure and he told Plaintiff that “if Mr. Sands didn’t tell

her or email her then she should apply for unemployment.” (/d. at J 38).

On April 10, 2020, Plaintiff emailed Mr. Halven to follow up on the situation and he

responded on the same day, saying “a letter was mailed out to her on March 24, 2020

advising her that she was no longer an employee of Sands Ford.” (Doc. 1 at ] 39). “Other

employees with less seniority were not terminated,” including “one male employee, who was

hired after Plaintiff, [who] had not met the quota and was still employed after Plaintiff was

terminated.” (/d.). When Plaintiff was terminated, Defendant failed to pay Plaintiff her

vacation and sick days to compensate her for the dealership closure. (/d. at {| 40).

Ill. STANDARD OF REVIEW

A complaint must be dismissed under Federal Rule Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), if it

does not allege “enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Bell Atl.

Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). The plaintiff must aver “factual content that

allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the

misconduct alleged.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009).

“While a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss does not need

detailed factual allegations, a plaintiffs obligation to provide the grounds of his entitlement

to relief requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the

elements of a cause of action will not do.” Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555 (internal citations,

alterations, and quotations marks omitted). In other words, “[flactual allegations must be

enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level.” Covington v. Int'l Ass'n of

Approved Basketball Offs., 710 F.3d 114, 118 (3d Cir. 2013) (internal citations and

quotation marks omitted). A court “take[s] as true all the factual allegations in the Complaint

and the reasonable inferences that can be drawn from those facts, but. . . disregard[s] legal

conclusions and threadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere

conclusory statements.” Ethypharm S.A. France v. Abbott Labs., 707 F.3d 223, 231 n.14

(3d Cir. 2013) (internal citation, alteration, and quotation marks omitted). Thus, “the

presumption of truth attaches only to those allegations for which there is sufficient ‘factual

matter’ to render them ‘plausible on [their] face.” Schuchardt v. President of the U.S., 839

F.3d 336, 347 (3d Cir. 2016) (alteration in original) (quoting /qba/, 556 U.S. at 679).

“Conclusory assertions of fact and legal conclusions are not entitled to the same

presumption.” /d.

“Although the plausibility standard ‘does not impose a probability requirement,’ it

does require a pleading to show ‘more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted

unlawfully.” Connelly v. Lane Constr. Corp., 809 F.3d 780, 786 (3d Cir. 2016) (internal

citation omitted) (first quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556; then quoting /qbal, 556 U.S. at

678). “The plausibility determination is ‘a context-specific task that requires the reviewing

court to draw on its judicial experience and common sense.” /d. at 786-787 (quoting /qbal,

596 U.S. at 679).

However, even “if a complaint is subject to Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal, a district court

must permit a curative amendment unless such an amendment would be inequitable or

futile.” Phillips v. Cty. of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224, 245 (3d Cir. 2008).

{E]ven when plaintiff does not seek leave to amend his complaint after a

defendant moves to dismiss it, unless the district court finds that amendment

would be inequitable or futile, the court must inform the plaintiff that he or she

has leave to amend the complaint within a set period of time.

IV. ANALYSIS

A. Count | -— Americans with Disabilities Act

In Count 1 of her Complaint, Plaintiff alleges a failure to accommodate claim under

the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) for the events associated with her January 8,

2020 asthma attack and for comments perceived to be associated with her dyslexia. (Doc.

1 at JV 41-49).

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), an employer may not

“discriminate against a qualified individual on the basis on disability in regard to job

application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees, employee

compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.” 42

U.S.C. § 12112(a). Discrimination under this provision includes “not making reasonable

accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified

individual with a disability ..., unless such covered entity can demonstrate that the

accommodation would pose an undue hardship on the operation of the business of such

covered entity.” 42 U.S.C. § 12112(b)(5)(A).

1 Plaintiff makes it clear in the Brief in Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 11) that Count | is a failure to accommodate

claim under the ADA. Plaintiff alleges:

Defendant did not provide [Plaintiff] with a reasonable accommodation and instead,

belittled her for asking questions of co-workers to become better at her job. These clear

and convincing facts show that Plaintiff has met the burden for a prima facie case by the

following: 1. She had a disability; 2. Defendant had notice of the disability; 3. She could

perform the essential functions of her position with a reasonable accommodation; and 4.

Defendant failed to provide a reasonable accommodation. Plaintiff, in her Complaint

showed that she met the requirements for a prima facie case in that from Day 1, Defendant

was aware and was even faced with not only her learning disability, but her severe asthma

attacks requiring her to go to the hospital wherein she was told had she gotten help sooner,

she would not have been required to be on medication for a month.

(Doc. 11 at 10-11).

The Court begins its analysis with whether Plaintiff has a disability within the

meaning of the ADA. The term “disability” is defined as “(A) a physical or mental

impairment that substantially limits one or more maior life activities of such [an] individual;

(B) a record of such an impairment; or (C) being regarded as having such an impairment.”

42 U.S.C. § 12102(1). The term “major life activities” includes, inter alia, “caring for oneself,

performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting,

bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating,

and working.” 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(A). The implementing regulations of the ADA

Amendments Act (“ADAAA”) of 2008 make clear that:

The primary purpose of the ADAAA is to make it easier for people

with disabilities to obtain protection under the ADA. Consistent

with the Amendment Act's purpose of reinstating a broad scope

of protection under the ADA, the definition of “disability” in this

part shall be construed broadly in favor of expansive coverage

to the maximum extent permitted by the terms of the ADA. The

primary object of attention in cases brought under the ADA

should be whether covered entities have complied with their

obligations and whether discrimination has occurred, not

whether the individual meets the definition of disability. The

question of whether an individual meets the definition of disability

under this part should not demand extensive analysis.

29 CFR § 1630.1(c)(4); see also 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(j)(1)(iii) (“The primary object of

attention in cases brought under the ADA should be whether covered entities have complied

with their obligations and whether discrimination has occurred, not whether an individual’s

impairment substantially limits a major life activity. Accordingly, the threshold issue of

whether an impairment ‘substantially limits’ a major life activity should not demand extensive

analysis.”). “The determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life

activity requires an individualized assessment.” 29 CFR § 1630.2(j)(1)(iv).

In her Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that she is an individual with disabilities as defined

by the ADA because she “has a history of asthma and dyslexia.” (Doc. 1 at J 15).

Defendant asserts that Plaintiff “fails to properly allege a ‘disability’ within the meaning of the

ADA” because she “claims in only the most conclusory manner that she has a ‘disability’

within the meaning of the ADA.” (Doc. 8 at 5).

Plaintiff contends that asthma “requires care and treatment requiring the modification

of a person’s activities and the administration of medications to control the asthma

condition” and that “she cannot anticipate when she will have an asthma attack nor can she

gauge how it will impact her.” (Doc. 1 at ] 44). Concerning her dyslexia, Plaintiff claims

that dyslexia “requires [that] she be given additional time for any reading, testing and

comprehension.” (/d.). Beyond these statements, Plaintiff does not allege how her

conditions impact her on an individual level and instead, she relies on generic statements of

how asthma and dyslexia generally impact people with these conditions. Indeed, Plaintiff's

Complaint seems to suggest that the mere existence of her asthma and dyslexia diagnoses

are sufficient to meet the ADA’s definition of disability.

Given the interpretive guidance in the ADAAA, however, the Court finds that, though

the pleadings lack specificity, Plaintiff has plead the qualifying disabilities of asthma and

dyslexia for purposes of the ADA. While not explicitly stated in Plaintiffs Complaint, it can

be reasonably inferred that asthma impacts the major life activity of breathing, especially

during an asthma attack. See Bertig v. Julia Ribaudo Healthcare Grp., LLC, 2016 WL

3683439, at *4 (M.D.P.A. July 12, 2016) (“Regarding plaintiffs asthma, her condition limits

her ability to breathe, a recognized major life activity.”); see also Doc. 11 at 8 (noting that

“asthma clearly affects one’s ability to breath[e], sometimes walking and being able to

function in general.”). Therefore, Plaintiffs asthma is considered a disability under the ADA.

Plaintiff further alleges that her dyslexia impacts “reading, testing and

comprehension,” which provides little detail as to how the condition impacts her work duties

as a salesperson. Plaintiff adds some additional detail in the Brief in Opposition (Doc. 11), 2

alleging that “[hjer dyslexia affects her ability to learn in as quick a fashion as others can.

She struggles with reading and following written directions.” (Doc. 11 at 10). However, the

ADAAA explains that determining whether an individual has a qualifying disability “should

not demand extensive analysis.” 29 CFR § 1630.1(c)(4). Therefore, Plaintiffs dyslexia is

also a qualifying disability within the meaning of the ADA.

Accordingly, Plaintiff is considered an individual with disabilities under the ADA.

To establish a prima facie case of failure to accommodate under the ADA, the

plaintiff must demonstrate that “1) the employer knew about the employee's disability; 2) the

employee requested accommodations or assistance for his or her disability; 3) the employer

SE a ee

Motion to Dismiss.

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did not make a good faith effort to assist the employee in seeking accommodations; and 4)

the employee could have been reasonably accommodated but for the employer's lack of

good faith.” Moore v. CVS Rx Servs., Inc., 142 F. Supp.3d 321, 335 (M.D.P.A. 2015).

Plaintiff alleges, and Defendant does not deny, that she disclosed her history of

asthma and dyslexia to Defendant upon her hire. (Doc. 1 at J 16). Therefore, the first

element of a failure to accommodate claim is plausible for purposes of the motion to

dismiss.

Next, the Court turns its analysis to whether Plaintiff requested a reasonable

accommodation for her disability. The ADA states that “reasonable accommodation”

includes “making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by

individuals with disabilities” and “job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules,

reassignment to a vacant position, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices,

appropriate adjustment or modifications of examinations, training materials or policies, the

provision of qualified readers or interpreters, and other similar accommodations for

individuals with disabilities.” 42 U.S.C. § 12111(9)(A)-(B).

The Court will first address the events associated with Plaintiff's asthma attack on

January 8, 2020. Plaintiff alleges that she requested assistance from three of her

coworkers during the attack and “begged them to call 911” and “begged for help,” but none

of them helped her or “offered to get her to the hospital.” (Doc. 1 at 17-26). The basis for

Plaintiff's failure to accommodate claim is that she “was deprived of immediate, necessary

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medical care by agents of Defendant” during her January 8, 2020 asthma attack. (Doc. 1 at

7 48).

The denial of medical treatment is not recognized as a reasonable accommodation

under the ADA and, thus, falls outside of the scope of the ADA’s coverage. See /seley v.

Beard, 200 Fed. Appx. 137, 142 (3d. Cir. 2006) (‘“Iseley does not claim that he was

excluded from any program on the basis of his disability. Rather he claims that he was

denied medical treatment for his disabilities, which is not encompassed by the ADA’s

prohibitions.”); see also Davila v. Cnty. Of Lackawanna, 2013 WL 1628261, at *4 (M.D.P.A.

April 15, 2013) (Furthermore, the court agrees with Judge Schwab that the ADA does not

cover So-called ‘denial of treatment’ cases.”) (citation omitted). While co-workers should be

encouraged to assist one another during times of medical distress, neglecting to do so does

not, by itself, give rise to a failure to accommodate claim under the ADA.

Plaintiffs claim that Defendant “deprived her of immediate, necessary medical care”

during her asthma attack is, in essence, a request for medical treatment or assistance,

which is not a reasonable accommodation contemplated by the ADA. Therefore, it cannot

form the basis of Plaintiffs failure to accommodate claim. As such, Plaintiff fails to state a

claim for failure to accommodate under the ADA for the events associated with her January

8, 2020 asthma attack.

Next, the Court will address Plaintiffs allegations in Count | that she “was derided by

an agent of Defendant for her disability during her employment with Defendant.” (Doc. 1 at

12

49). It is unclear to what exactly this allegation refers, but it is likely in relation to Plaintiffs

claim that Mr. Sands, an agent of Defendant, “spoke angrily at her, claiming she was going

around bothering co-workers” when she asked them for help. (Doc. 1 at {[ 35).

In her Complaint, Plaintiff does not describe what reasonable accommodations she

required or requested, nor does she describe what reasonable accommodations Defendant

denied, Plaintiff says that when Mr. Sands told her that she was bothering co-workers,

“[s]he advised him that she was not, she was merely asking for help as this was her first

dealership job, everything was new to her and she was trying to learn her job properly.”

(Doc. 1 at ] 35). This allegation, however, is devoid of a direct or indirect reference to her

dyslexia or any accommodation Plaintiff requested because of it. Many people with or

without a disability need to ask co-workers questions when they start a new job, and asking

for help, without more, does not indicate Mr. Sands’ comment related to her dyslexia.

“When Plaintiff does not provide the Court with any indication of what occurred to support

her disability allegations, the Court cannot engage in the necessary ‘individualized

assessment’ to determine whether she can state a claim under the ADA.” Oliver v.

Scranton Materials Inc., 2015 WL 1003981, at *8 (M.D.P.A. March 5, 2015). Accordingly,

Plaintiff fails to state a claim for failure to accommodate under the ADA based on

accommodations for her dyslexia.

Therefore, the Court grants Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Count | of Plaintiffs

Complaint without prejudice.

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B. Counts I! & Ill - Title VII Discrimination

Next, the Court turns to Count II and Count III of Plaintiffs Complaint for

discrimination based on sex and discrimination based on national origin, respectively, in

violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title Vil prohibits discrimination by an

employer against an individual on the basis of that individual's race, color, religion, sex, or

national origin. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a). A plaintiff can prove discrimination on a direct

basis, which requires direct evidence of discriminatory animus. Walden v. Georgia Pacific

Corp., 126 F.3d 506, 513 (3d Cir. 1997): Anderson v. Wachovia Mortg. Corp., 621 F.3d 261,

269 (3d. Cir. 2010). Alternatively, a plaintiff can prove discrimination on an indirect basis by

satisfying the three-step burden-shifting analysis set forth in McDonnel Douglas Corp. v.

Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802-03, 93 S. Ct. 1817, 36 L.Ed.2d 668 (1973); Burton v. Teleflex

Inc., 707 F.3d 417, 425 (3d Cir. 2013); see also Scheidemantle v. Slippery Rock Univ. State

Sys. of Higher Educ., 470 F.3d 535, 539 (3d Cir. 2006) (“To prevail on a claim for gender

discrimination under Title VII... , [plaintiff] must satisfy the three-step burden-shifting inquiry

laid out in McDonnell Douglas.”).

Under the McDonnell Douglas framework, Plaintiff must first establish a prima facie

case of disparate treatment, which requires a showing that: “1) he is a member of a

protected class; 2) he was qualified for the position; 3) he was subjected to an adverse

employment action; and 4) the circumstances of the adverse action imply discrimination.”

Dalickas v. Summit Ridge Biosystems, Inc., 2011 WL 4565770, at *4 (M.D.P.A. Sept. 29,

14

2011) (citing Sarullo v. U.S. Postal Serv., 352 F.3d 789, 797 (3d Cir. 2003)). “A plaintiff may

also meet the last element by showing that the adverse employment action ‘occurred under

circumstances that could give rise to an inference of intentional discrimination.” /d. (quoting

Makky v. Chertoff, 541 F.3d 205, 214 (3d Cir. 2008)). “The central focus of the prima facie

case is always whether the employer is treating some people less favorably than others

because of their [membership in a protected class].” Sarullo, 352 F.3d at 789.

In response to Plaintiffs prima facie showing, the burden shifts “to offer a legitimate

non-discriminatory [justification] for the adverse employment action.” Burton, 707 F.3d at

426 (quoting Smith v. City of Allentown, 589 F.3d 684, 690 (3d. Cir. 2009)). “This burden is

relatively light and is satisfied if the employer provides evidence, which if true, would permit

a conclusion that it took the adverse employment action for a non-discriminatory reason.”

Id. (citing Tomasso v. Boeing Co., 445 F.3d 702, 706 (3d Cir. 2007)). “At this stage, ‘the

defendant need not prove that the articulated reason actually motivated its conduct.” /d.

(quoting Shellenberger v. Summit Bancorp, Inc., 318 F.3d 183, 189 (3d. Cir. 2003)). At the

pleading stage, a plaintiff must only plead enough facts to state a plausible claim for relief

under the McDonnell Douglas standard. See Connelly, 809 F.3d at 788-89 (‘{Alt least for

purposes of pleading sufficiency, a complaint need not establish a prima facie case in order

to survive a motion to dismiss.”).

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L Count Il - Gender Discrimination

Count II of Plaintiffs Complaint alleges gender discrimination in violation of Title VII.

In this case, the parties do not dispute the first three elements of a Title VII claim — that

Plaintiff is a member of a protected class as a woman, she was qualified for the salesperson

position, and that she was terminated on or about March 24, 2020 — of Plaintiffs Title VII

gender discrimination claim. Therefore, the Court's analysis will focus on the fourth element

of this claim to determine whether Plaintiff has plausibly alleged that the circumstances of

her termination imply discrimination.

In Count Il, Plaintiff claims that agents of Defendant were in violation of Title VII

because “ Plaintiff was derided by aforementioned agent by comparing his son’s abilities to

Plaintiff's abilities,” “Plaintiff, a female and protected class, was terminated for not meeting

an alleged quota of thirty vehicles while another employee, a male, who was hired after

Plaintiff, was still able to continue his employment,” and because Defendant “used

employment practices that had the effect of discrimination against Plaintiff due to sex.”

(Doc. 1 at □□□ 56-58).

Defendant argues that Plaintiff fails to state a cognizable Title VII claim for gender

discrimination and contends that her only allegation of gender discrimination is that she was

terminated for not meeting the sales quota, while a male employee with less experience

was not terminated. (Doc. 8 at 8-9). Defendant continues, “Plaintiff herself has proffered

multiple bases for her own termination, including arriving late to work; failing to meet her

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sales quota; and bothering her coworkers.” (/d. at 9). In response, Plaintiff asserts that

Defendant is “cherry picking the allegations and choosing to ignore Plaintiffs allegations

and facts detailed in the Complaint itself.” (Doc. 11 at 13).

At this point in the proceedings, the Court is satisfied that Plaintiff has plausibly

alleged a prima facie case of gender discrimination in violation of Title VII. Plaintiff alleges

that a male employee with less seniority and who, like Plaintiff, had not met the sales quota

was still employed with Defendant after Plaintiff was terminated on or about March 24,

2020. (Doc. 1 at J 39). On its face, Plaintiffs claim that Defendant discriminated against

her based on her gender is plausible and, therefore, Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Count II

of Plaintiffs Complaint is denied.

iL Count I/I - National Origin Discrimination

Plaintiffs third and final claim is a Title VII claim for discrimination based on national

origin. (Doc. 1 at {J 59-64). As was the case with Plaintiff's gender discrimination claim,

the parties do not dispute the first two elements of Plaintiffs discrimination based on

national origin claim, namely, that Plaintiff is a member of a protected class an individual

from the Dominican Republic and that she was qualified for the salesperson position. As

such, the Court will focus its analysis on the third and fourth elements of this claim.

The Court will first determine whether Plaintiff suffered an adverse employment

action. Adverse employment actions include, inter alia, “hiring firing, failing to promote,

reassignment, or a decision causing significant change in benefits.” Sherrod v. Phila. Gas

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Works, 57 Fed. Appx. 68, 73 (3d. Cir. 2003) (quoting Burlington Indus., Inc. v. Ellerth, 524

U.S. 742, 761 (1998). “Unnecessary derogatory comments do not rise to the level of

adverse employment actions.” Rosati v. Colello, 94 F. Supp.3d 704, 714 (E.D.P.A. 2015).

Plaintiff alleges that she spoke with a Dominican accent because her parents are

from the Dominican Republic and, because of her accent, “[flellow employees have said

and made passing comments such as Plaintiff should read to learn how to talk.” (Doc. 1 at

17 31, 62). Plaintiff also contends that “she was treated differently based on her national

origin” and that “she was mocked and disparaged against based not only her national origin

but her Dominican accent.” (Doc. 1 at J] 63-64). In response, Defendant argues that

“Plaintiff's sole allegation in support of her national origin claim is that other employees

mocked her accent. There is no basis in the Complaint to infer that such comments, even if

said, constitute a discriminatory employment practice or policy adopted, followed or

condoned by Defendant.” (Doc. 8 at 9).

Plaintiff makes additional factual averments in her Brief in Opposition to the Motion

to Dismiss that were not included in her Complaint. For example, Plaintiff alleges that “a

younger, male employee of American origins, was allowed to continue employment, despite

also not meeting the alleged quota” and that she “was terminated for not meeting a quota

yet a younger, male employee from this country was allowed to continue employment.”

(Doc. 11 at 8, 13). In her Complaint, Plaintiff does not allege that Defendant terminated her

employment based on her national origin, nor does she allege that the male employee who

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was still employed with Defendant after Plaintiff was terminated was of “American origins” or

“from this country.”

“To the extent that [Plaintiff] attempts to amend her pleading through [her] Brief in

Opposition, it is ‘axiomatic that the complaint may not be amended by the briefs in

opposition to a motion to dismiss.” Bilby v. Hoffman, 2016 WL 859672, at *1 n. 1 (M.D.P.A.

Jan. 27, 2016) (quoting Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ex rel. Zimmerman v. PepsiCo.,

Inc., 836 F.2d 173, 181 (3d Cir. 1988)). Accordingly, the Court cannot properly consider

Plaintiffs supplemental factual averments in her Brief in Opposition.

Based on the averments made in the Complaint, Plaintiffs only allegations that

support Count III are that her coworkers mocked her accent and that she needed to read to

learn how to talk. Because “unnecessary derogatory comments do not rise to the level of

adverse employment actions,” Plaintiff fails to plausibly allege that she suffered an adverse

employment action to satisfy the third element of her Title VII discrimination based on

national origin claim. As such, the Court must grant Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss the

Count II of the Complaint without prejudice.

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V. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 7) will be granted in

part and denied in part. A separate Order follows.

FE (WN

Robert D. Mariani

United States District Judge

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