“The question is not whether an employer made an erroneous decision; it is whether the decision was made with discriminatory motive.”
How later courts described this case
- “The question is not whether an employer made an erroneous decision; it is whether the decision was made with discriminatory motive.”
- applying the McDonnell Douglas framework to discrimination and retaliation claims
- creating the McDonnell Douglas burden shifting framework
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
FIRYAL THABATAH CIVIL ACTION
NO. 23-1043
VERSUS
DENIS R. MCDONOUGH, SECRETARY, UNITED SECTION: “G”(2)
STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS
ORDER AND REASONS
In this case, Plaintiff Firyal Thabatah (“Plaintiff”) claims she was subject to race, sex,
national origin, and religious discrimination constituting a hostile work environment and
retaliation while employed at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Southeast Louisiana
Veterans Health Care System.1 Before the Court is Defendant Denis Richard McDonough’s
(“Defendant”) Motion for Summary Judgment.2 Plaintiff opposes the motion.3 For the reasons
discussed in more detail below, the Court finds there are genuine issues of material fact in dispute
regarding Plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim based on her race, national origin, and
religion. However, there are no material facts as to certain other claims. Therefore, considering the
motion, the memoranda in support and in opposition, the record, and the applicable law, the Court
grants summary judgment in part and denies it in part.
1 Rec. Doc. 1.
2 Rec. Doc. 32.
3 Rec. Doc. 36.
1
I. Background
Plaintiff has worked as a Registered Nurse for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System since September 2017.4 Defendant is presently
the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (the “VA”).5 Plaintiff is a 46-year-old
Muslim, Middle Eastern, Palestinian female who, at the time of the alleged events in this case,
worked as a nurse in the Emergency Department and later Primary Care Unit of the VA Medical
Center in New Orleans.6 Plaintiff claims her race, religion, national origin, and sex are apparent
in her appearance and that she was the only employee that could regularly be seen praying multiple
times during her shift.7 In the Complaint, Plaintiff alleges discrimination in the workplace based
on sex, race, religion, and national origin under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.8 Plaintiff
additionally claims the VA retaliated against Plaintiff and subjected her to a hostile work
environment on the basis of Plaintiff’s protected characteristics.9 The Responsible Management
Officials that Plaintiff alleges are responsible for the alleged harassment and conduct at issue are:
(1) David Ronnenburg (“Ronnenburg”), who is a white male; (2) Nicele Shine (“Shine”), who is
4 Rec. Doc. 1 at 1.
5 Id.
6 Id. at 3. Plaintiff still works in the same facility in the “flow” department. Rec. Doc. 32-2 at 1 (Defendant’s
Statement of Undisputed Facts); Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 1 (Plaintiff’s Statement of Undisputed Facts).
7 Rec. Doc. 1 at 2.
8 Id. at 12–15.
9 Id. at 16.
2
an African American female; and (3) Dr. Edwina Whitney-Jones (“Dr. Whitney-Jones”), who is
an African American female.10
In support of Plaintiff’s contention she was subject to a hostile work environment and
retaliation, Plaintiff cites the following eighteen events:11
1. In 2020, [Plaintiff] became aware that David Ronnenburg, Registered Nurse
Manager, made the statement, Shine is going to fire Firyal because “she hasn’t
returned to work.”
2. On March 11, 2021, Ronnenburg failed to assist [Plaintiff] with an agitated
patient when she requested and dismissed her concerns when she addressed his
refusal to help; he also stated, “Firyal was never in any danger and the patient was
an old frail man and Firyal was never in harm’s way.”
3. On March 12–13, 2021, and June 4, 2021, management failed to take appropriate
corrective action when [Plaintiff] reported two of her coworkers and a Police
Officer made harassing jokes about [Plaintiff] possessing and/or making bombs.
4. Since March 14, 2021, Nicele Shine (NS) Registered Nurse Manager, Dr. Edwina
Whitney-Jones (EWJ), Utilization Management Department Manager, and
Ronnenburg blocked [Plaintiff’s] attempts to leave the Emergency Department
(ED).
5. On March 18, 2021, David Ronnenburg responded, “I don’t care about your pity
party” when [Plaintiff] reported a patient threatened to kill her due to her
race/national origin/religion and coworkers joked about her due to her race/national
origin/religion.
6. On June 1, 2021, management intentionally investigated [Plaintiff’s] harassment
concerns in a way which embarrassed, humiliated, and alienated her in the presence
of her coworkers.
10 Rec. Doc. 32-2 at 2 (Defendant’s Statement of Undisputed Facts); Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 1–2 (Plaintiff’s
Statement of Undisputed Facts).
11 Rec. Doc. 32-2 at 2–5 (Defendant’s Statement of Undisputed Facts); Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 2–4 (Plaintiff’s
Statement of Undisputed Facts).
3
7. On July 14, 2021, management failed to select [Plaintiff] for the position of Pre-
Screener and the position was relisted after [Plaintiff] was interviewed.
8. In September 2021, [Dr. Whitney-Jones] failed to interview [Plaintiff] for the
Pre-Screener position although she was notified that she was eligible and would be
contacted for an interview.
9. On unspecified dates, [Plaintiff] overheard Ronnenburg sexually harass two
female nurses by commenting, “You would have sex with me, right?” and then to
another nurse, “Well, if I give it to you what are you going to do for me” in reference
to approving a leave request.
10. On November 5, 2021, management failed to select [Plaintiff] for Registered
Nurse Pre Access Admission Reviewer, CBST-11212612-21-KMB.
11. On unspecified dates, Ronnenburg did not approve [Plaintiff's] request for
schedule changes as his favored nurses, who are mostly white nurses and males.
12. On September 6, 7, 10 and 11, 2021, NS disapproved [Plaintiff's] request for
authorized absence paid leave during Hurricane Ida.
13. On January 14, 2022, Ronnenburg disapproved [Plaintiff's] request for leave
for February 25 and 26, 2022, but approved the white nurses and male nurses to
take leave that day.
14. On January 17, 2022, Ronnenburg disapproved [Plaintiff's] request to work
holiday hours and approved two white male nurses to work that day.
15. On August 12, 2022, [Plaintiff] received an email from Nicele Shine stating that
[Plaintiff] is perceiving the review of restraint documentation as a targeted,
personal, malicious attack, when [Plaintiff] raised concerns about being the only
nurse singled out for incomplete patient documentation although another white
female RN also cared for the same patient. Additionally, [Plaintiff] raised concerns
that Ronnenburg failed to assist her when she requested help with the patient
documentation.
16. On November 9, 2022, Nicele Shine blocked [Plaintiff] from completing a
required training and sent an email to [Plaintiff] accusing her of choosing not to
verbally communicate with [Plaintiff's] management team to complete that required
training.
4
17. On December 13, 2022, Charge RN Kyle Kruse commented to staff present that
he was “sick of working with these lazy nurses” and that he had “only one more
week left to work with her” referring to [Plaintiff].
18. On December 1, 2022 and December 5, 2022, David Ronnenburg denied
[Plaintiff’s] VATAS annual leave request for the months of March and April 2023,
for fasting for religious purposes during the month of Ramadan.
Plaintiff made initial contact with an EEO counselor on December 6, 2021, with an initial
interview occurring on December 10, 2021.12 Plaintiff has filed no other EEO claims or
complaints.13 However, Plaintiff filed two motions to amend her claims, both of which were
accepted by the EEO.14 Based on the amendments, the EEO investigated Plaintiff’s claims that
she was subject to a hostile work environment based on her religion, race, national origin, and sex
and her claim that she was subject to reprisal for making the complaint.15
Plaintiff originally filed a Complaint in this Court on March 24, 2024.16 Defendant filed
an answer on July 2, 2023.17 Defendant then filed the instant Motion for Summary Judgment on
12 Rec. Doc. 32-2 at 2 (Defendant’s Statement of Undisputed Facts); Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 2 (Plaintiff’s
Statement of Undisputed Facts).
13 Rec. Doc. 32-2 at 2 (Defendant’s Statement of Undisputed Facts); Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 2 (Plaintiff’s
Statement of Undisputed Facts).
14 Rec. Doc. 32-2 at 2 (Defendant’s Statement of Undisputed Facts); Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 2 (Plaintiff’s
Statement of Undisputed Facts).
15 Rec. Doc. 32-2 at 2 (Defendant’s Statement of Undisputed Facts); Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 2 (Plaintiff’s
Statement of Undisputed Facts).
16 Rec. Doc. 1.
17 Rec. Doc. 21.
5
June 11, 2024,18 and Plaintiff filed an opposition on June 24, 2024.19 Defendants filed a reply to
the opposition on June 26, 2024.20
II. Parties’ Arguments
A. Defendant’s Arguments in Support of the Motion
Defendant argues that the Court should dismiss Plaintiff’s claims for multiple reasons.21
First, Defendant claims that Plaintiff cannot make a prima facie showing of a hostile work
environment or retaliation.22 Specifically, with respect to the hostile work environment claim,
Defendant claims that Plaintiff cannot establish that: (1) the harassment was based on a protected
characteristic, (2) the harassment affected a term, condition, or privilege of employment, or (3)
Plaintiff’s employer knew or should have known of the harassment and failed to take prompt
remedial action.23
With respect to Events 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 16 and 17, Defendant asserts it is undisputed
that there is no evidence, other than Plaintiff’s own subjective speculation and belief, suggesting
the events occurred because of Plaintiff’s protected characteristic24 Defendant asserts this is also
18 Rec. Doc. 32.
19 Rec. Doc. 36.
20 Rec. Doc 37.
21 Rec. Doc. 32-1 at 1.
22 Id. at 9–11.
23 Id. at 3.
24 Id. at 5.
6
true for Events 11 through 14 and Event 18, which all relate to leave requests.25 Additionally, for
those events, there are legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for the denials of the leave
requests.26 With respect to Event 15, Defendant asserts Plaintiff admits it was not related to her
protected characteristics as she admitted she did not properly maintain a patient’s chart.27
Similarly, regarding Event 16, Defendant contends Plaintiff admits she received the training that
she was allegedly blocked from taking.28 As for Event 3, Defendant argues Plaintiff admits the
“pity party” comment referred to her crying and not her protected characteristics.29 Therefore,
Defendant argues there is no evidence, other than Plaintiff’s own subjective beliefs, that any of her
claims were based upon her protected characteristics.30
Next, Defendant contends Plaintiff cannot show any alleged harassment affected a term,
condition, or privilege of her employment.31 Defendant argues the “pity party” comment was a
single isolated incident that is objectively not offensive.32 With respect to Event 3, the comments
about bombs, Defendant asserts the VA investigated the claims and found them to be
25 Id.
26 Id.
27 Id. at 6.
28 Id.
29 Id.
30 Id.
31 Id. at 7.
32 Id.
7
unsubstantiated.33 Even assuming the comments were true, Defendant asserts these two jokes were
made over the course of one day and never occurred again.34 As for the racial slurs by the patient,
Defendant argues this was a single instance and the patient never threatened Plaintiff. Defendant
argues the comments do not constitute a hostile work environment because they were not made by
a VA employee.35
Defendant also argues Plaintiff cannot show the VA knew of the harassment and failed to
take prompt remedial actions.36 Defendant asserts the VA investigated the jokes allegedly made
by co-workers and moved Plaintiff to a new department.37 Defendant contends that Ronnenburg
had to undergo sensitivity training following the “pity party” comment and he has not made any
insensitive comments since.38
Next, Defendant contends the VA had a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for all of the
conduct in question.39 Defendant contends Plaintiff was not selected for the Registered Nurse Pre
Access Admission Reviewer position (Event 10) because she lacked clinical RN experience and
experience with programs that were vital to the position.40 As for the denials of leave requests,
33 Id.
34 Id.
35 Id. at 8.
36 Id.
37 Id.
38 Id. at 9.
39 Id.
40 Id. at 10.
8
Defendant asserts Plaintiff was denied leave for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons.41
Moreover, Defendant asserts there is no evidence to show pretext.42
Finally, Defendant asserts the claims that have not been administratively exhausted must
be dismissed because the Court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction over them.43 Defendant argues
Plaintiff has only exhausted her claim related to the 18 identified Events, and any other claims
must be dismissed.44
B. Plaintiff’s Arguments in Opposition to the Motion
Plaintiff argues that the VA subjected her to discrimination and a hostile work environment
because of her race, religion, and national origin. 45 Plaintiff does not discuss the sex
discrimination claim in the Opposition.46 Plaintiff notes that whether a protected individual has
been subject to a hostile work environment and discrimination is ill-suited for summary judgment
resolution because of the fact-intensive nature of the inquiry.47 Plaintiff’s claims in this case are
based upon eighteen events, each presenting a unique circumstance.48
41 Id. at 10–11.
42 Id. at 11.
43 Id. at 12.
44 Id.
45 Rec. Doc 36 at 1.
46 Id.
47 Id. at 2.
48 Id.
9
Plaintiff contends there are material facts in dispute as to her hostile work environment
claim.49 Plaintiff asserts “Events 2 through 6 are inextricably tied together and, whether viewed
separately or together, state a case for a hostile workplace.” 50 Plaintiff argues Event 2
demonstrates a hostile work environment because Ronnenburg refused to assist her with the hostile
patient and dismissed her concerns when she addressed his refusal to help.51 Plaintiff asserts this
event was “but one of a series of actions where management not only failed to assist and protect
[her], but also minimized and ignored the seriousness of derogatory statements made about her
because she is a Muslim and Mid-Eastern.”52 Plaintiff also argues Event 3 demonstrates a hostile
work environment because she was subjected to three incidents of harassing jokes by coworkers
and a police office within a few days of each other.53 Plaintiff asserts the VA’s investigation of
Event 3 was wholly inadequate, as it occurred over two months after she notified management of
the comments and Ronnenburg continued to dismiss and minimize Plaintiff’s concerns.54 Plaintiff
contends the “pity party” comment discussed in Event 5 demonstrates a hostile work environment
because Ronnenburg made the comment during a meeting about the threats made by the patient.55
Plaintiff asserts Event 6 demonstrates a hostile work environment because management
49 Id. at 3.
50 Id. at 4.
51 Id.
52 Id. at 6.
53 Id. at 8.
54 Id. at 11–12.
55 Id. at 12–13.
10
intentionally investigated the harassment concerns in a way that embarrassed, humiliated, and
alienated Plaintiff.56 Finally, Plaintiff asserts Event 4 demonstrates a hostile work environment
because management blocked her attempts to transfer from the Emergency Department after she
complained of the harassment.57
Plaintiff also argues that summary judgment must be denied with respect to her claim she
was discriminated against when she was not selected for the Registered Nurse Pre Access
Admission Reviewer (Events 7, 8, and 10).58 Plaintiff asserts that her experience was not properly
credited, and if it had been, she would have obtained at least the same or a higher grid score than
the person who was offered the job.59 Under these circumstances, Plaintiff suggests she has stated
a prima facie case that Defendant discriminated against her by failing to interview her or offer her
the position.60
Next, Plaintiff contends that summary judgment must be denied with respect to her claim
that she was discriminated against when Ronnenburg denied her requests for schedule changes and
leave (Events 11, 13, 14, and 18).61 Plaintiff contends these decisions were based on her protected
status because she was treated differently than other employees.62 With respect to Event 18,
56 Id. at 14.
57 Id. at 15–16.
58 Id. at 17.
59 Id. at 18.
60 Id.
61 Id. at 20–24.
62 Id. at 22.
11
Plaintiff also suggests that to justify the denial of her request for leave during Ramadan Defendant
would have to show that the granting of this accommodation would impose an undue hardship.63
Finally, with respect to Event 15 (being singled out for an error in a patient’s chart),
Plaintiff acknowledges it would not constitute a viable discrimination claim if it were an isolated
incident.64 However, Plaintiff asserts that the conduct demonstrates a pattern of hostility toward
her.65
C. Defendant’s Arguments in Further Support of the Motion
In reply Defendant claims that Plaintiff has not rebutted the fact that Plaintiff did not
establish a prima facie case of a hostile work environment and did not present legally sufficient
evidence that Defendant’s non-discriminatory, legitimate reasons are pretextual in nature.66
Defendant argues Plaintiff does not dispute that she did not suffer sex-discrimination and that the
claim is specifically withdrawn in the Opposition.67 Because Plaintiff did not specifically mention
Events 1, 9, 12, 16, or 17 in the opposition, Defendant argues that this Court should dismiss all of
those claims as a matter of law.68
63 Id. at 24.
64 Id. at 23.
65 Id.
66 Rec. Doc. 37 at 1.
67 Id.
68 Id. at 2.
12
As for the other events, Defendant claims that Event 14 must be dismissed as a matter of
law because Plaintiff admits that she requested January 17, 2022 off so her claim she was
discriminated against by not being allowed to work on that day cannot be true.69 In relation to
Events 11 and 13, Defendant claims that Plaintiff has cited no evidence to show the white nurses
were given days off instead of her, and so the Court should dismiss those events.70 With respect
Event 15, Defendant claims that Plaintiff does not meaningfully dispute that there was a legitimate,
non-discriminatory basis for the email.71 Plaintiff admits she did not do the restraint charting and
does not dispute the email was sent because she failed to do the charting.72 Defendant lastly claims
that Event 18 should be dismissed because Plaintiff does not dispute that Defendants had a
legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for denying her extended leave for Ramadan.73
III. Legal Standard
Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings, discovery, and affidavits
demonstrate “no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as
a matter of law.”74 To decide whether a genuine dispute as to any material fact exists, the court
considers “all of the evidence in the record but refrain[s] from making credibility determinations
69 Id.
70 Id.
71 Id.
72 Id. at 3.
73 Id.
74 Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see also Little v. Liquid Air Corp., 37 F.3d 1069, 1075 (5th Cir. 1994).
13
or weighing the evidence.”75 All reasonable inferences are drawn in favor of the nonmoving
party.76 Yet “unsupported allegations or affidavits setting forth ‘ultimate or conclusory facts and
conclusions of law’ are insufficient to either support or defeat a motion for summary judgment.”77
If the entire record “could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving party,” then
no genuine issue of fact exists and, consequently, the moving party is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law.78 The nonmoving party may not rest upon the pleadings.79 Instead, the nonmoving
party must identify specific facts in the record and articulate the precise manner in which that
evidence establishes a genuine issue for trial.80
The party seeking summary judgment always bears the initial responsibility of showing the
basis for its motion and identifying record evidence that demonstrates the absence of a genuine
issue of material fact.81 “To satisfy this burden, the movant may either (1) submit evidentiary
documents that negate the existence of some material element of the opponent’s claim or defense,
or (2) if the crucial issue is one on which the opponent will bear the ultimate burden of proof at
75 Delta & Pine Land Co. v. Nationwide Agribusiness Ins. Co., 530 F.3d 395, 398–99 (5th Cir. 2008) (citing
Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods., Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 150 (2000)).
76 Turner v. Baylor Richardson Med. Ctr., 476 F.3d 337, 343 (5th Cir. 2007) (quoting Reeves, 530 U.S. at
150).
77 Galindo v. Precision Am. Corp., 754 F.2d 1212, 1216 (5th Cir. 1985); Little, 37 F.3d at 1075.
78 Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986) (quoting First Nat’l Bank of
Ariz. v. Cites Serv. Co., 391 U.S. 253, 289 (1968)).
79 Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325 (1986).
80 See id.; Ragas v. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., 136 F.3d 455, 458 (5th Cir. 1998).
81 Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323.
14
trial, demonstrate that the evidence in the record insufficiently supports an essential element of the
opponent’s claim or defense.”82 If the moving party satisfies its initial burden, the burden shifts to
the nonmoving party to “identify specific evidence in the record, and to articulate” precisely how
that evidence supports the nonmoving party’s claims.83 The nonmoving party must set forth
“specific facts showing the existence of a ‘genuine’ issue concerning every essential component
of its case.”84
The nonmovant’s burden of demonstrating a genuine issue of material fact is not satisfied
merely by creating “some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts,” “by conclusory allegations,
by unsubstantiated assertions, or by only a scintilla of evidence.”85 Moreover, the nonmoving
party may not rest upon mere allegations or denials in its pleadings.86
IV. Analysis
In the Complaint, Plaintiff alleged national origin, religion, race, and sex discrimination
under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.87 Plaintiff also claimed retaliation in violation of
the same Title.88 However, Plaintiff did not address sex discrimination in the opposition to the
82 Duplantis v. Shell Offshore, Inc., 948 F.2d 187, 190 (5th Cir. 1991) (internal citation omitted).
83 Forsyth v. Barr, 19 F.3d 1527, 1537 (5th Cir. 1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 871 (1994); see also Morris v.
Covan World Wide Moving, Inc., 144 F.3d 377, 380 (5th Cir. 1998).
84 Morris, 144 F.3d at 380; see also Bellard v. Gautreaux, 675 F.3d 454, 460 (5th Cir. 2012).
85 Little, 37 F.3d at 1075 (internal citations and quotation marks omitted).
86 Morris, 144 F.3d at 380.
87 Rec. Doc. 1 at 12-15.
88 Id. at 16.
15
instant motion and specifically contemplates withdrawing that claim.89 Plaintiff also does not
address Events 1, 9, 12, 16, or 17 in the opposition.90 Plaintiff has not provided any briefing or
argument to support an inference that these events created a hostile work environment, were
discriminatory, or were retaliatory. Accordingly, the Court dismisses any claim related to Events
1, 9, 12, 16, and 17. The Court proceeds to address Plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim and
her discrimination/retaliation claims.
A. Hostile Work Environment
Title VII makes it unlawful for employers to require “people to work in a discriminatorily
hostile or abusive environment.”91 “A hostile work environment claim is composed of a series of
89 Rec. Doc. 36 at 1 n.1.
90 See id. Events 1, 9, 12, 16, and 17 are:
1. In 2020, [Plaintiff] became aware that David Ronnenburg (“Ronnenburg”), Registered Nurse
Manager, made the statement, [Nicele] Shine is going to fire Firyal because “she hasn’t returned to
work.”
9. On unspecified dates, [Plaintiff] overheard Ronnenburg sexually harass two female nurses by
commenting, “You would have sex with me, right?” and then to another nurse, “Well, if I give it to
you what are you going to do for me” in reference to approving a leave request.
12. On September 6, 7, 10 and 11, 2021, NS disapproved [Plaintiff’s] request for authorized absence
paid leave during Hurricane Ida.
16. On November 9, 2022, Nicele Shine blocked [Plaintiff] from completing a required training and
sent an email to [Plaintiff] accusing her of choosing not to verbally communicate with [Plaintiff’s]
management team to complete that required training.
17. On December 13, 2022, Charge RN Kyle Kruse commented to staff present that he was “sick of
working with these lazy nurses” and that he had “only one more week left to work with her” referring
to [Plaintiff].
91 Gardner v. CLC of Pascagoula, L.L.C., 915 F.3d 320, 325 (5th Cir. 2019) (quoting Harris v. Forklift Sys.,
Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 21 (1993)).
16
separate acts that collectively constitute one “‘unlawful employment practice.’”92 To establish a
hostile work environment, Plaintiff must show: “(1) she is a member of a protected group; (2) she
was subjected to unwelcome harassment; (3) the harassment was based on her membership in a
protected class; (4) the harassment affected a term, condition, or privilege of her employment; and
(5) her employer knew or should have known of the harassment and failed to take prompt remedial
action.”93 The burden-shifting framework established in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green94
does not apply to a hostile work environment claim.95
Defendant does not dispute the first two elements of the hostile work environment claim:
Plaintiff was a member of a protected group, and she was subject to unwelcomed harassment.96
For the reasons discussed in more detail below, the Court finds there are genuine disputes of
material fact for each of the remaining elements of Plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim.
To establish the third element, Plaintiff must show the harassment was based on her
membership in a protected class. In this case, Plaintiff is alleging she experienced harassment
92 Nat'l R.R. Passenger Corp. v. Morgan, 536 U.S. 101, 117 (2002) (quoting 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)(1)).
93 Gibson v. Verizon Servs. Org., Inc., 498 F. App'x 391, 394 (5th Cir. 2012) (citing Ramsey v. Henderson,
286 F.3d 264, 268 (5th Cir. 2002)).
94 411 U.S. 792, 802 (1973).
95 Lewis v. Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State Univ., No. 21-198, 2023 WL 8370096, at *8 (M.D. La.
Dec. 1, 2023) (citing Pollard v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours Co., 213 F.3d 933, 943 (6th Cir. 2000)) (explaining that the
McDonnell Douglas framework cannot apply to a hostile work environment sexual harassment claim because “there
is no legitimate justification for such an environment, and thus recourse to the McDonnell Douglas test is not
warranted”), rev’d on other grounds. See also Abbt v. City of Houston, 28 F.4th 601 (5th Cir. 2022) (applying
McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework to a retaliation claim but not a hostile work environment claim).
96 See Rec. Doc. 32-1 at 4.
17
based on her race, religion, and national origin.97 The inception of many of Plaintiff’s complaints
was a racist rant a patient engaged in directed towards Plaintiff on March 11, 2021.98 In this rant,
the patient threatened to kill Plaintiff stating, “I am not f***ing cooperating with you, you f***ing
Muslim, you are a Muslim rat, a f***ing Muslim cockroach. I ought to blow your ass up and kill
you.”99 In response, Plaintiff requested assistance from Ronnenburg by visiting him in his office,
which was only ten feet away.100 Plaintiff then went to the VA police office to ask for assistance,
but the office was empty.101 When Plaintiff returned to the triage room a few minutes later,
Ronnenburg had not come to assist her.102 Plaintiff attests that she was left alone with the patient
for 15 minutes after reporting the interaction, until a charge nurse arrived to escort the patient back
to acute care.103
On March 13, 2021, two days after the patient’s racist rant, Plaintiff states that “a nurse
jokingly asked,” if Plaintiff needed to be “pat[ted]… down for bombs.”104 The next day, March
14, 2021, Plaintiff attests that nurse Frank Jones walked in while Plaintiff was praying and stated
97 Rec. Doc 36 at 1. As discussed earlier, Plaintiff withdrew her sex discrimination claim by not addressing
it in her opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment.
98 Rec. Doc. 32-8 (May 20, 2022 EEO Affidavit of Plaintiff); Rec. Doc. 32-13 (Police Report).
99 Rec. Doc. 32-8 at 7 (May 20, 2022 EEO Affidavit of Plaintiff); Rec. Doc. 32-13 (Police Report).
100 Rec. Doc. 32-8 at 7 (May 20, 2022 EEO Affidavit of Plaintiff).
101 Id.
102 Id.
103 Id.
104 Id. at 9.
18
that Plaintiff “must have been busy making bombs.”105 On June 4, 2021, Plaintiff attests that a
VA police officer asked her if she “ha[d] any bombs on [her] today?”106 All of these comments
appear to relate to Plaintiff’s race, religion, and national origin. The VA investigated these
incidents and found the bomb comments to be unsubstantiated.107 However, Plaintiff posits the
investigation was wholly inadequate because the employees who allegedly made the comments
were not questioned.108 Therefore, Plaintiff has demonstrated there are facts in dispute regarding
whether she was harassed based on a protected characteristic.
To establish the fourth element, Plaintiff must demonstrate the harassment affected a term,
condition, or privilege of her employment. “To affect a term, condition, or privilege of
employment, the harassment must be sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the
victim’s employment and create an abusive working environment.” 109 In making this
determination, courts evaluate the “totality of the circumstances,” which can include the frequency
of conduct, the severity of that conduct, whether it was physically threatening or humiliating or
105 Id.
106 Id.
107 Rec. Doc. 32-14 (June 16, 2021 Memorandum).
108 Rec. Doc. 32-8 at 14–15 (May 20, 2022 EEO Affidavit of Plaintiff).
109 West v. City of Houston, 960 F.3d 736, 741–42 (5th Cir. 2020) (quoting Aryain v. Wal-Mart Stores Tex.
LP, 534 F.3d 473, 479 (5th Cir. 2008)).
19
just a mere offensive utterance, and whether the conduct interferes with the employee’s work
performance.110 No single factor is determinative.111
The parties dispute whether the interaction with the patient was physically threatening.
Considering that the patient made a death threat, a reasonable factfinder could conclude that the
comments were physically threatening. It is not lost on this Court that the patient was not an
employee of the VA, and it is unclear whether Plaintiff alerted Ronnenburg in that moment of the
discriminatory tone of the patient’s rant. However, Plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim is
premised not only on the incident itself, but also on her supervisors’ response to the incident.
As discussed above, there are facts in dispute regarding whether the “bomb” comments
were in fact made. Assuming they were for purposes of summary judgment, these comments strike
a demonstrably discriminatory and insulting tone. Plaintiff also attests that she was confronted
with hostility from her supervisors when she expressed her concerns and that the supervisors
suggested that Plaintiff was lying about the comments being made in the first place.112
On March 14, 2021, Plaintiff requested a transfer out of the Emergency Department
because of the ridicule and mistreatment she claims she was subject to.113 On March 18, 2021, a
meeting was held for Plaintiff to share her concerns. During this meeting, Ronnenburg stated “I
110 Gibson, 498 F. App’x at 394 (quoting Ramsey, 286 F.3d at 268).
111 E.E.O.C. v. WC&M Enterprises, Inc., 496 F.3d 393, 399 (5th Cir. 2007).
112 Rec. Doc. 32-8 at 15 (May 20, 2022 EEO Affidavit of Plaintiff).
113 Rec. Doc. 36-2 at 5 (Email from Plaintiff to Shine).
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don’t care about your pity party.”114 During his deposition, Ronnenburg admitted to making this
comment.115 Ronnenburg stated that Plaintiff was out of the room when the comment was made,
but she heard the comment through a closed door.116 Defendant suggests this comment is
objectively not offensive.117 Plaintiff contends that this comment was in response to her sharing
her experience with the patient’s threat and the “bomb” comments.118 It is true that a “subjective
belief of racial motivation, without more, is not sufficient to show a hostile work environment.”119
But considering the comment was made during a meeting specifically called to discuss the alleged
harassment, Plaintiff presents more than just her subjective belief that the “pity party” comment
was motivated by Plaintiff’s race, national origin, or religion.
Plaintiff also argues that her supervisors subjected her to a hostile work environment when
they refused to grant multiple leave requests and sent her a targeted email on August 12, 2022.
With respect to the denials of leave, Plaintiff suggests that she was treated less favorably than
white employees. Plaintiff additionally alleges that on August 12, 2022 she received an email from
Shine stating that Plaintiff was mistakenly “perceiving the review of her restraint documentation
as a targeted, personal, malicious attack” when Plaintiff raised concerns about being the only nurse
114 Rec. Doc. 32-8 at 2 (May 20, 2022 EEO Affidavit of Plaintiff).
115 Rec. Doc. 32-7 at 29 (Deposition of Ronnenburg).
116 Id.
117 Rec. Doc. 32-1 at 7.
118 Rec. Doc. 32-8 at 2 (May 20, 2022 Affidavit of Plaintiff).
119 Price v. Valvoline, L.L.C., 88 F.4th 1062, 1067 (5th Cir. 2023) (quoting Cavalier v. Clearlake Rehab.
Hosp., Inc., 306 F. App’x 104, 106–07 (5th Cir. 2009)).
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singled out for incomplete documentation.120 Plaintiff claims another white, female nurse who
failed to document restraint was not singled out for her failure to complete this same
documentation.121 It does not appear the email in question was attached to the Motion for
Summary Judgment or the Opposition. Therefore, the Court cannot fully evaluate this claim at this
time. Assuming for purposes of summary judgment that Plaintiff was singled out for this conduct,
a reasonable factfinder could find that it was motivated by Plaintiff’s race, national origin, or
religion.
The question of whether the facts of this case, taken in the light most favorable to Plaintiff,
establish a severe and pervasive hostile work environment is a close one. In Johnson v. PRIDE
Industries, the Fifth Circuit held that two incidents using the term “n*****” and “mayete”
combined with other, lesser demeaning language and conditions provided sufficient evidence for
a factfinder to conclude that a plaintiff's work environment was racially hostile.122 When taken
together, the threats by the patient, three bomb comments, pity party comment, multiple denials of
leave, singling out of Plaintiff, and alleged dismissiveness by Plaintiff’s supervisors would be
sufficient for a reasonable factfinder to conclude that Plaintiff was subject to a hostile work
environment based on her race, religion, and national origin. Accordingly, there are facts in dispute
regarding whether the harassment affected a term, condition, or privilege of Plaintiff’s
employment such that summary judgment is not warranted on this element.
120 Rec. Doc. 36 at 23.
121 Rec. Doc. 32-5 at 76 (Deposition of Plaintiff).
122 7 F.4th 392, 403–04 (5th Cir. 2021).
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To establish the fifth element, Plaintiff must show her employer knew or should have
known of the harassment and failed to take prompt remedial action. To constitute “prompt remedial
action” by an employer, the remedial action “must be reasonably calculated to end the
harassment.”123 This is “a fact-specific inquiry,” as “not every response by an employer will be
sufficient to absolve the employer of liability under Title VII.”124 In certain circumstances, the
Fifth Circuit has held that an employer took prompt remedial action as a matter of law, such as
where, immediately after the reported harassment, the manager separated the plaintiff and harasser
and instructed the harasser to stay away.125
There is no dispute in this case that Plaintiff’s supervisors knew about the harassment that
Plaintiff faced. Plaintiff shared the harassment with her supervisors during a March 18, 2021
meeting. Plaintiff was then transferred from the Emergency Department to the Progressive Care
Unit for a period of 60 days starting on March 22, 2021.126 Near the end of the 60-day period,
Plaintiff requested to permanently be removed from the Emergency Department,127 but her request
was denied. This denial was levied even after Plaintiff pleaded with her superiors to keep her in
the Progressive Care Unit because of the “atmosphere of high tension and hostilities” in the
123 Johnson v. Bd. of Supervisors of Louisiana State Univ. & Agric. & Mech. Coll., 90 F.4th 449, 456 (5th
Cir. 2024) (quoting Stewart v. Miss. Transp. Comm’n., 586 F.3d 321, 329 (5th Cir. 2009)).
124 Id. (quoting Williams-Boldware v. Denton County, 741 F.3d 635, 640 (5th Cir. 2014)).
125 Id. (citing Skidmore v. Precision Printing & Packaging, Inc., 188 F.3d 606, 617 (5th Cir. 1999); Kreamer
v. Henry’s Towing, 150 F. App’x 378, 382-83 (5th Cir. 2005)).
126 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 25 (Plaintiff’s Statement of Undisputed Facts).
127 Rec. Doc. 36-2 at 21 (May 18, 2021 Email from Plaintiff to Dr. Davis and Shine).
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Emergency Department caused by the discriminatory and insensitive comments made to
Plaintiff.128
In addition, the VA did not start a formal investigation into the comments until early June
2021, a full two months after Plaintiff notified her supervisors of the comments and after Plaintiff
had returned to the Emergency Department from the temporary relocation. Plaintiff posits that the
investigation was wholly inadequate because the employees who allegedly made the comments
were not questioned.129 With respect to the investigation, Plaintiff told the EEO:
The investigation began on June 1, 2021. The investigation was not initiated until
over two months after notifying Nursing Management of the discriminatory
comments. The investigation was also not initiated until after my temporary
reassignment to the Pre-op/Post-op Department had concluded and I had returned
to the Emergency Department. I did not know and was not informed that an
investigation was underway until several coworkers came up to me asking me
questions as to why they were being taken into a room and asked questions about a
nurse praying and making bombs.
I was blindsided and embarrassed at that time, and I went to my assistant manager
Trechell Clavo while crying. I asked her why the Agency would wait over two
months after the incident occurred and when I returned to the Emergency
Department from my temporary job detail to conduct an investigation. I cried and
explained to Trechell that this investigation should have been conducted while I
was away from the ED during my temporary job detail, so that I would not have to
suffer further alienation, embarrassment and retaliation by coworkers.
Although several of my coworkers were interviewed during the investigation, the
two nurses who actually made the inappropriate comments to me were never
interviewed. I was later told by a coworker that they overheard David telling
Trechell Clavo that he believes that I was lying about the discriminatory comments
that were made to me by coworkers. I felt unsupported and vulnerable that David
continued to dismiss and disregard my concerns.
128 Id.
129 Rec. Doc. 32-8 at 14–15 (May 20, 2022 EEO Affidavit of Plaintiff).
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On June 2, 2021, Nicele contacted me on my cell phone on my day off to notify me
that the Agency was conducting an investigation regarding my concerns and that I
would be reassigned once again to Pre Op/Post Op Department until the
investigation was over. During this phone call, Nicele made several inappropriate
comments to me stating that “I have never seen David do anything wrong,” to which
I replied, “Ms. Shine you heard the “pity party” comment David made about me
during our meeting.” Ms Shine responded by stating, “that was only one instance.”
Ms. Shine later implied during the phone call that I was lying about the
discriminatory comments made to me by my coworkers when she stated, “I don’t
believe it.” This constant theme of dismissiveness, disregarding and minimizing
what I have experienced by nursing management is absolutely unacceptable and
deeply hurtful.
For over a year now, I have been subjected to repeated hurtful and harmful
actions/comments and retaliatory animus and disregard for my safety and physical
and mental well-being by nursing management and nursing administration.130
In Johnson v. Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University, the Fifth Circuit found
that an investigation commenced 11 days after the plaintiff’s report to HR was a prompt remedial
action because the defendant immediately separated the plaintiff from the alleged harasser and the
investigation was not alleged to be deficient.131 Unlike Johnson, the VA’s investigation did not
commence until two months after Plaintiff reported the harassment and Plaintiff testified to
deficiencies in the investigation. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, a
reasonable factfinder could conclude that Defendant knew of the harassment and failed to take
prompt remedial action. Therefore, because Plaintiff has made a prima facie showing in all five
130 Id.
131 Johnson, 90 F.4th at 456 (distinguishing Smith v. Rock-Tenn Servs., Inc., 813 F.3d 298 (6th Cir. 2016)).
25
elements, Defendant’s motion for summary judgment must be denied as to the hostile work
environment claim based on Plaintiff’s race, religion, and national origin.
B. Discrimination/Retaliation Claims
Plaintiff claims she was discriminated and/or retaliated against when she was not
interviewed or selected for a new position (Events 7, 8, and 10) and denied leave requests (Events
11, 13, 14, and 18). The burden-shifting framework established in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v.
Green governs claims alleging retaliation and discrimination under Title VII.132 To survive
summary judgment under this framework, a plaintiff must first establish a prima facie case of
discrimination or retaliation.133 If the plaintiff can establish a prima facie case, the burden then
shifts to the defendant to articulate a legitimate, nondiscriminatory purpose for the action.134 The
defendant must point to admissible evidence in the record, but the burden is one of production, not
persuasion.135 Defendants need not show that the employer’s decisions were proper or justified,
but only that they were not discriminatory.136 “[E]ven an incorrect belief that an employee’s
performance is inadequate constitutes a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason” for an adverse
132 McDonnell Douglas, 411 U.S. at 802 (creating the McDonnell Douglas burden shifting framework).
133 Id. at 802; see also Mendoza v. Helicopter, 548 F. App’x 127, 129 (5th Cir. 2013) (applying the
McDonnell Douglas framework to discrimination and retaliation claims).
134 McDonnell Douglas, 411 U.S. at 802.
135 Russell v. McKinney Hosp. Venture, 235 F.3d 219, 222 (5th Cir. 2000).
136 LeMaire v. La. Dep’t of Transp. & Dev., 480 F.3d 383, 390 (5th Cir. 2007). See also Perez v. Region 20
Educ. Serv. Ctr., 307 F.3d 318, 325 (5th Cir. 2002); Mayberry v. Vought Aircraft Co., 55 F.3d 1086, 1091 (5th Cir.
1995) (“The question is not whether an employer made an erroneous decision; it is whether the decision was made
with discriminatory motive.”).
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employment action.137 If the defendant satisfies its burden of production, the burden shifts back
to the plaintiff to show any nondiscriminatory purpose offered by the defendant are merely a
pretext for discrimination.138 A plaintiff can do this by presenting evidence of disparate treatment
or demonstrating that the proffered explanation is false.139
1. Non-Selection Claim (Events 7, 8, and 10)
Plaintiff claims that VA management failed to interview or offer her a position she was
qualified for due to discrimination.140 Under the above McDonnell Douglas framework, Plaintiff
must first make out a prima facie case of discrimination by showing that: (1) she belongs to a
protected category; (2) she applied and was qualified for a position for which the employer was
seeking applicants; (3) despite her qualifications, she was not selected; and (4) after her rejection,
the position remained open and the employer continued to seek applicants from persons with
Plaintiff’s qualifications.141 Then, the burden shifts to Defendant to produce a legitimate, non-
discriminatory reason for not selecting Plaintiff.142 Last, the burden shifts back to Plaintiff to prove
that the reason offered by Defendant was a pretext for discrimination.143
137 Little v. Republic Refin. Co., 924 F.2d 93, 97 (5th Cir. 1991).
138 Laxton v. Gap Inc., 333 F.3d 572, 578 (5th Cir. 2003).
139 Id.
140 Rec. Doc. 36 at 17.
141 Johnson v. Maestri-Murrell Prop. Mgmt., LLC, 487 F. App’x 134, 138 (5th Cir. 2012) (citing McDonnell
Douglas, 411 U.S. at 802).
142 Id. at 138.
143 Id.
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Plaintiff belongs to a protected category as a Middle Eastern, Muslim woman. Plaintiff has
also shown that she applied for the position of Registered Nurse Pre Access Admission
Reviewer.144 However, Plaintiff has not made a prima facie showing that Plaintiff was qualified
for the position. In evaluating candidates, Dr. Whitney-Jones created a grid system that scored
candidates in particular areas of relevant experience.145 Dr. Whitney-Jones then compared the total
summed scores of each applicant to determine who to interview.146 Plaintiff claims, based on the
preferred experience listed in the job posting on the USA Staffing website, she should have
received the same total summed score as the candidate who eventually received the job.147 But as
evidenced by Defendant’s grid chart,148 there were additional criteria included by the VA in
evaluating candidates that Plaintiff did not have a strong showing in, leading her to have a total
summed score of 7, the lowest out of the candidates reflected on the grid chart and 6 points lower
than the candidate who was eventually hired.149 While Plaintiff claims the website job listing did
not include those extra criteria, Plaintiff cites no evidence to support a finding that the inclusion
of those additional criteria was improper or based on animus towards Plaintiff or her protected
characteristics. Thus, Plaintiff has not made a prima facie showing that she was qualified for the
144 Rec. Doc. 32-6 (Deposition of Dr. Whitney-Jones).
145 Id. at 20.
146 Id. at 22.
147 Rec. Doc. 36 at 18.
148 Rec. Doc. 32-15 (Chart of Applicants).
149 See id.
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job.
Assuming that Plaintiff could make a prima facie showing that she was qualified for the
job, the burden would shift to Defendant to provide a non-discriminatory, legitimate reason for
failing to hire Plaintiff.150 Defendant has made such a showing. Defendant asserts that Plaintiff
was deficient in two key areas and in the total summed score, which is supported by the data
contained in the grid chart of applicants.151 Additionally, Plaintiff has not presented any facts to
demonstrate Defendant’s procedure of scoring candidates was pretext for discrimination.152
Accordingly, there are no material facts in dispute and Defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter
of law on the non-selection claim.
2. Denial of Leave Requests (Events 11, 13, 14, and 18)
As discussed above, Plaintiff alleges the denials of leave were part of the hostile work
environment. It is unclear from the briefing whether Plaintiff was also seeking to raise a standalone
discrimination or retaliation claim with respect to the denials of leave. Assuming that she is raising
such a claim, the Court addresses whether there are any facts in dispute regarding such a claim.
Specifically, Plaintiff alleges:
11. On unspecified dates, Ronnenburg did not approve [Plaintiff's] request for
schedule changes as his favored nurses, who are mostly white nurses and males.
150 McDonnell Douglas, 411 U.S. at 802.
151 See Rec. Doc 32-1 at 10.
152 Plaintiff alleges that Ronnenburg, the manager who made the “pity party” comments to Plaintiff, was
involved in the hiring process. Rec. Doc. 36 at 19. It is true that Ronnenburg was at least part of the interview panel.
Rec. Doc. 36-15 at 26. However, there is no evidence Ronnenburg created the criteria the interview panel used to
select candidates to interview or that he was involved in choosing candidates to interview in any capacity, leading to
the conclusion his involvement cannot constitute pretext because he was not involved in the decision not to interview
Plaintiff.
29
13. On January 14, 2022, Ronnenburg disapproved [Plaintiff's] request for leave
for February 25 and 26, 2022, but approved the white nurses and male nurses to
take leave that day.
14. On January 17, 2022, Ronnenburg disapproved [Plaintiff's] request to work
holiday hours and approved two white male nurses to work that day.
18. On December 1, 2022 and December 5, 2022, David Ronnenburg denied
[Plaintiff’s] VATAS annual leave request for the months of March and April 2023,
for fasting for religious purposes during the month of Ramadan.153
It is unclear to the Court whether Plaintiff is raising these claims under a retaliation or
discrimination theory. Therefore, the Court addresses both potential theories.
Under a retaliation theory, Plaintiff must make a prima facie showing that she: (1) engaged
in protected activity, (2) an adverse employment action occurred, and (3) a causal connection
existed between the protected activity and the adverse employment action.154 While Plaintiff is
not clear in what they allege the protected activity was, for the purposes of this analysis, the Court
will assume the protected activity was the March 18, 2021 meeting between Plaintiff and
management, where Plaintiff shared the discriminatory comments that were made at her expense.
The Court will also assume that all of the events listed above occurred after this meeting. However,
Plaintiff fails to make a prima facie case under prong three. Plaintiff has not demonstrated a causal
connection between the protected activity and the adverse employment action.
To survive a motion for summary judgment, a plaintiff must show “a conflict in substantial
153 Rec. Doc. 32-2 at 2–5 (Defendant’s Statement of Undisputed Facts); Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 2–4 (Plaintiff’s
Statement of Undisputed Facts).
154 McDaniel v. Shell Oil Co., 350 F. App'x 924, 927 (5th Cir. 2009).
30
evidence on the question of whether the employer would not have taken the adverse employment
action but for the protected activity.”155 Evidence is considered “substantial” “if it is of such
quality and weight that reasonable and fair-minded men in the exercise of impartial judgment
might reach different conclusions.”156 While other nurses being granted leave and not Plaintiff is
potentially unfair, Plaintiff provides no evidence to support the argument the VA would not have
denied the leave requests but for Plaintiff reporting the discriminatory comments. For that reason,
Plaintiff has not made a prima facie showing of retaliation when it comes to the leave requests.
Under a discrimination theory, Plaintiff must show that: (1) she is a member of a protected
group; (2) she is qualified for the position at issue; (3) she suffered some adverse employment
action by the employer; and (4) she was treated less favorably than other similarly situated
employees outside the protected group.157 As far as Event 11, Plaintiff does not address these
unspecified leave denials in the Opposition.158 Therefore, it is unclear if Plaintiff was treated less
favorably than other employees in those leave requests, so Plaintiff has failed to satisfy prong four.
For Event 13, Plaintiff claims Ronnenburg disapproved Plaintiff’s request for leave on
February 25 and 26, 2022, but approved white nurses’ leave on those dates.159 With respect to
155 Brown v. Wal-Mart Stores E., L.P., 969 F.3d 571, 577 (5th Cir. 2020), as revised (Aug. 14, 2020) (internal
citations and quotation marks omitted).
156 Id. (internal citations and quotations omitted).
157 Terry v. Fed. Bureau of Prisons, No. 23-50130, 2023 WL 4196865 at *4 (5th Cir. June 27, 2023) (internal
citations and quotations omitted).
158 See Rec. Doc. 36.
159 Rec. Doc. 36-1 at 20.
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February 25, 2022, the Leave Record indicates that Plaintiff was granted sick leave for that date.160
The Leave Record does not reflect the individuals Plaintiff claims were given leave over her were
actually granted leave that day.161 Plaintiff has demonstrated no evidence to corroborate her
testimony, and, in the face of a Leave Record that reports Plaintiff’s leave but not the individuals
Plaintiff named, “no reasonable jury could return a verdict for the [Plaintiff]” on this issue.162
Therefore, Plaintiff has not made a prima facie showing they were treated less favorably than other
similarly situated employees.
Similarly, for Event 14, a day for which Plaintiff’s testifies she requested to work, the
Agency’s Weekly Time Schedule reflects a “D” under Plaintiff’s name for January 17, 2022.163
Defendant claims and Plaintiff does not dispute that a “D” means “do not schedule.”164 Thus,
again, other than Plaintiff’s own testimony, Plaintiff has presented no corroborating evidence that
she requested to work on January 17, 2022, and in the face of a Weekly Time Schedule reflecting
she requested to take the day off, “no reasonable jury could return a verdict for the [Plaintiff]” on
this issue.165 Again, Plaintiff has not made a prima facie showing she was treated less favorably
than other similarly situated employees.
160 Rec. Doc. 32-17 (Leave Record).
161 Id. These individuals were Amaila Zarak and Kyle Kruse.
162 Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986).
163 Rec. Doc 32-16 at 16 (Weekly Schedule).
164 Rec. Doc. 32-1 at 10.
165 Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248.
32
For Event 18 (denial of leave during Ramadan), Plaintiff mentions in passing at the end of
the Opposition the standard for granting religious accommodations in the workplace.166 Plaintiff
suggests that to justify the denial of her request for leave during Ramadan Defendant would have
to show that the granting of this accommodation would impose an undue hardship.167 No further
briefing was provided on this issue. Thus, the Court does not have sufficient information to rule
on this issue and denies the motion to the extent that it seeks dismissal of any claim related to
Event 18.
V.Conclusion
For the reasons discussed above, Plaintiff abandoned any claim for sex discrimination and
any claim related to Events 1, 9, 12, 16, or 17 by not addressing them in the opposition to the
instant motion. Therefore, the Court grants summary judgment and dismisses those claims. The
Court also finds that there are no material facts in dispute with respect to Plaintiff’s standalone
discrimination/retaliation claims for non-selection (Events 7, 8, and 10) and the denial of leave
requests (Events 11, 13, and 14). Therefore, the Court grants summary judgment and dismisses
those claims. The Court finds that there are genuine issues of material fact in dispute regarding
Plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim based on her race, national origin and religion. The
Court has not been presented with sufficient information to rule on a claim that Plaintiff’s religious
166 Rec. Doc. 36 at 24.
167 Id.
33
freedoms were violated when she was denied leave for Ramadan (Event 18). Therefore, the Court
denies summary judgment as to those claims.
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment □□ is
GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART. The motion for summary judgment is granted as
to Plaintiff's sex discrimination claim, any claim related to Events 1, 9, 12, 16, or 17, and any
standalone discrimination/retaliation claims for non-selection (Events 7, 8, and 10) and the denial
of leave requests (Events 11, 13, and 14). The motion is denied in all other respects.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, this 30th day of July, 2024.
NANNETTE JOLIVETTE BROWN
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
168 Rec. Doc. 32.
34