# Geronimo v. Pottsville Ford

> District Court, M.D. Pennsylvania · September 14, 2021

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10410758

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, M.D. Pennsylvania
- **Decided:** September 14, 2021
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

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## Opinion text

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.
10

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

11

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.

13

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.”).

15

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

16

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

17

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

18

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.

19

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

20

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10410758. Public record. Not legal advice.