Challenging the discontinuation of benefits being received pursuant General Municipal Law §207-c disability benefits following a work-related accident

A deputy sheriff [Deputy] was injured in a work-related motor vehicle accident and while on leave for his injuries, began receiving pay and benefits pursuant to General Municipal Law §207-c. Deputy was subsequently notified by the County that his benefits were being terminated because a form provided by one of the Deputy's physicians indicated that Deputy was able to return to a modified work position and was simultaneously offered a light-duty assignment by the Sheriff's Office. Deputy was also advised that his declining the light duty assignment "may affect continuation of his General Municipal Law §207-c benefits."

Deputy declined the light duty assignment offer, citing his injuries, and requested a hearing as provided for in the applicable collective bargaining agreement. The Hearing Officer issued a report finding, among other things, that Deputy's benefits had been improperly terminated and recommended that they be reinstated retroactively. The Sheriff [Respondent] rejected the Hearing Officer's findings and recommendation, without providing any explanation or findings in support of the determination.

Deputy filed an action pursuant to CPLR Article 78 seeking, among other things, a court order annulling the Sheriff's determination. As the petition raised a question of substantial evidence, Supreme Court transferred the matter to the Appellate Division for further consideration.

Noting that the Hearing Officer had made findings of fact and concluded that Respondent had committed multiple procedural errors in terminating Deputy's benefits and that the Sheriff, in rejecting the Hearing Officer's recommendation, had not provided any explanation or factual findings, the Appellate Division commented that "Administrative findings of fact must be made in such a manner that the parties may be assured that the decision is based on the evidence in the record, uninfluenced by extralegal considerations, so as to permit intelligent challenge by an aggrieved party and adequate judicial review."

Explaining that it could not conduct a meaningful judicial review in view of  the Sheriff's failure to make any findings or otherwise specify any basis for the apparent continued termination of Deputy's General Municipal Law §207-c benefits, the Appellate Division annulled the Sheriff's determination and returned the matter to the Sheriff "to address the procedural issues and develop appropriate factual findings."

Citing Simpson v Wolansky, 38 NY2d 391, the court opined that "the issue is not whether the Hearing Officer's report and recommendation is supported by substantial evidence; rather, the issue is whether the Sheriff's determination is supported by substantial evidence."

The decision is posted on the Internet at:

http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2019/2019_04805.htm

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Some of the elements consider by the courts when an educator challenges his dismissal during his probationary period

The Appellate Division affirmed Supreme Court's denying a probationary employee's [Petitioner] CPLR Article 78 petition seeking a court order annulling a city school district's terminating Petitioner's* employment.

The court opined that:

1. It perceived no basis for finding that Petitioner's termination "was for a constitutionally impermissible purpose, violative of a statute, or done in bad faith," citing Matter of Mendez v New York City Dept. of Educ., 28 NY3d 993;

2.  Evidence in the record indicated that Petitioner received both "ineffective" and "developing" ratings on more than one occasion, supporting the conclusion that the determination to terminate him prior to the completion of his maximum  probationary period was not made in bad faith;

3. Petitioner was given timely notice of the possibility that his probationary employment would be terminated as mandated by Education Law §2573[1]*;

4. Petitioner was provided with support and any alleged deviations from internal procedures did not deprive him of a substantial right or undermine the fairness and integrity of the rating process followed by the school district; and

5. The record contained evidence of Petitioner's persistent and unresolved issues despite ongoing efforts by school administrators to help him improve his instructional methods.

* §2573[1] of the Education Law addresses the appointment and removal of probationary assistant, district or other superintendents,  teachers and other employees employed by a city school district having 125,000 or more inhabitants.

The decision is posted on the Internet at:

http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2019/2019_05090.htm

Courts impose stricter standards than required by CPLR Article 75 when considering a petition seeking to vacate an arbitration award promulgated pursuant to compulsory arbitration

The educator [Petitioner] in this CPLR Article 75 action appealed the Supreme Court's granting the appointing authority's motion to confirm an arbitration award terminating Petitioner's employment as a teacher, denied her petition seeking to vacate the award and dismissed the proceeding. Petitioner appealed but the Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the lower court's rulings.

Education Law §3020-a(5) provides that judicial review of a hearing officer's findings is limited to the grounds set forth in CPLR 7511(b), which provides that the court may vacate the award in the event it finds that the rights of the party challenging the award were prejudiced by:

(i) corruption, fraud or misconduct in procuring the award; or

(ii) partiality of an arbitrator appointed as a neutral, except  where  the award was by confession; or

(iii) an arbitrator, or agency or person making the award exceeded his power or so  imperfectly executed it that a final and definite award upon  the subject matter submitted was not made; or

(iv) failure to follow the CPLR Article 75 procedures, unless the party applying  to vacate the award continued with the arbitration with notice of the defect or defects and without objection.

Where, however, the parties have submitted to compulsory arbitration, as was here the case, judicial scrutiny is stricter in that the determination must be in accord with due process, supported by adequate evidence, be rational, and not arbitrary and capricious, the criteria required to be met in adjudicating final administrative disciplinary determinations in CPLR Article 78 proceedings.

The Appellate Division held that arbitrator's decision here being challenged was based on sufficient evidence, was rational, and was not arbitrary or capricious. Further, said the court, Petitioner did not dispute the absences and lateness noted in Specifications 1 through 6, which "the arbitrator properly found were excessive," and as to which the arbitrator noted that Petitioner failed to seek a medical accommodation until shortly before the charges were filed against her.

Further, noted the Appellate Division, Petitioner did not provide medical documentation supporting her claim that the absences and lateness were causally related to her medical condition.

Turning to the charges and specification alleging Petitioner had subjected a student to corporal punishment, the Appellate Division acknowledged the fact that the arbitrator had credited the student's testimony with respect to this element in the disciplinary action taken against Petitioner, and, citing Paul v NYC Department of Education, 146 AD3d 705, opined that a "hearing officer's determination of credibility is largely unreviewable."

Applying the Pell Doctrine set out in Matter of Pell v. Board of Educ. of Union Free School Dist. No. 1 of Towns of Scarsdale and Mamaroneck, 34 NY2d 22, the Appellate Division said that termination of Petitioner's employment does not shock the conscience given her repeated and prolonged attendance issues, which were the subject of two prior disciplinary proceedings, and her other substantial misconduct.

Citing Bolt v NYC Department of Education, 30 NY3d 1065, the court observed that although " .... reasonable minds might disagree over what the proper penalty should have been does not provide a basis for vacating the arbitral award or refashioning the penalty."

The decision is posted on the Internet at:

http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2019/2019_05088.htm