Case: Labor Arbitration/Discharge (Arb.)

Arbitrator Shianne Scott ruled that Kaiser didn’t provide enough evidence to show that it had just cause to immediately discharge the grievant registered nurse for “inappropriate interactions” with a patient. While Kaiser was able to show that the grievant acted in an inappropriate and unethical manner that was clearly gross misconduct and worthy of discipline, there was insufficient evidence to show – as well as several mitigating circumstances that were present – that termination of employment, as opposed to a lesser penalty, was the appropriate course of action. As a result, Arbitrator Scott ordered that the grievant’s penalty be reduced ...