Category: Human Resources Expert Witness
-
Expert Testimony on Human Resources Practices Limited
Plaintiff Brian Kniffen brought claims against Defendant East Wenatchee Water District under the Washington Law Against Discrimination, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Washington common law tort of wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. Kniffen was a Utility Field Inspector (“UFI”), and his job consisted, at least in part, of inspecting various…
-
Epidemiology Expert’s Opinions about the Risk of Breakthrough Infections Excluded
Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 21-14 (“the Proclamation”), which required state employees to be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021, to continue employment with the state. The Proclamation carved out an exception to the vaccination requirement for employees who were entitled to disability related accommodations or accommodations related to a sincerely held religious belief under…
-
Human Resources Expert Witness’ Testimony About Retaliation Excluded
Carol Stepien is a former employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) in Seattle. She worked at the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (“PMEL”), a lab within NOAA, an agency in the Department of Commerce. She contended that NOAA had discriminated against her based on her sex and age, subjected her to a hostile…
-
Economics Expert Witness’ Testimony on Disparities in Promotion Admitted
A district judge in Massachusetts admitted the findings of an expert economist meant to advance a theory of disparate impact. Plaintiffs Marc Savage (“Savage”) and Randolph Blake (“Blake”) (collectively referred to as “Plaintiffs”), a retired and current employee, respectively, of the Fire Department for the Defendant City of Springfield (“City” or “Springfield”), pursued claims of…
-
Testimony of Human Resources Expert Witness Rejected for Failure to Demonstrate how her Experience Informed her Conclusions
In the summer of 2020, Alexandria L. Erwin, the Plaintiff, was hired by OBI Seafoods, LLC, the Defendant, to work as a fish processor at its Egegik, Alaska fish processing plant. Erwin, who is Black, reported instances of racial harassment and discrimination in the workplace. She claimed that coworkers made explicit comments objectifying her and…
-
Human Resources Expert Witness Opinion on Retaliation Held to Lack Sound Methodological Basis
Plaintiff, Rohan Peters, an African-American Pilot sued his former employer, International Paper Company (“International Paper” or “Defendant”), alleging claims of wrongful termination and retaliation arising out of Defendant’s discrimination pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Defendant filed a Motion for Summary Judgement on May 31, 2023. The Court granted summary judgement in favor…
