HRM330 Devry Is an Adoptive Mother Entitled to Maternity Leave Case Study

Grievance Discussion Case 1: Is an Adoptive Mother Entitled to Maternity Leave?BACKGROUND
Carol Fern has been employed by Bainbridge Borough for 18 years as a tax clerk. The tax clerk position in
Bainbridge Borough is part of the bargaining unit represented by Local 10 of the American Federation of
State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
When Carol Fern and her husband found out that she was unable to conceive, they decided to adopt a
child. The Ferns were notified on April 22 that a three-month-old baby girl was available and they could
adopt her in three days. However, Carol Fern told the adoption agency that she thought it was unfair to
leave Bainbridge Borough on such short notice because April was a busy tax month. Adoption was
therefore delayed until May 2.
On April 27 Fern requested two weeks of paid vacation for May 2 to 17. This request was granted. The
day before she was to return from her paid vacation, Fern asked for six months of unpaid maternity
leave. This request had to be approved by the Bainbridge Borough Council, which rejected the request
by a 4–3 vote. However, the council did offer Fern two successive 90-day reasonable purpose leaves
(amounting to six months of leave). On June 1 the following grievance was filed:
According to Article X, Section 4.A—Unpaid Leaves 5. Maternity on page 13 of the final agreement
between Bainbridge Borough and Local Union 10—Maternity leaves not to exceed six months shall be
granted at the request of an employee. Maternity leaves shall, upon the request of the employee, be
extended or renewed for a period not to exceed six months. Relief or remedy sought: Granting of the
just and deserved leave requested.
POTENTIALLY RELEVANT CONTRACT PROVISIONS
ARTICLE X. LEAVES OF ABSENCE
Section 4.A: Unpaid Leaves
1. Reasonable Purpose
Leaves of absence for a limited period without pay—not to exceed 90 days—shall be granted for any
reasonable purpose. Extension to be granted with approval of Borough Council.
Reasonable purpose in each case shall be agreed upon by the union and the borough.
…
5. Maternity
Maternity leaves—not to exceed six months—shall be granted at the request of the employee.
Maternity leaves shall, upon the request of the employee, be extended or renewed for a period not to
exceed six months.
QUESTIONS
As an attorney for Bainbridge Borough, develop a case to support the council’s rejection of Carol Fern’s
unpaid maternity leave request.
As an attorney for AFSCME Local 10, develop an argument to support your client’s contention that the
council’s rejection of Carol Fern’s unpaid maternity leave request violated the collective bargaining
agreement.
As an arbitrator, how would you rule? Why?