Saliceti-Valdespino v. Wyndham Vacation Ownership
990 F. Supp. 2d 159
D.P.R.2014Background
- Wyndham moved for summary judgment; the court partly granted/denied and later addressed an outstanding issue on constructive discharge.
- Plaintiff conceded no tort claims under Articles 1802 & 1803; the remaining issue was whether the constructive discharge claim survived.
- The court previously found no hostile work environment and thus no constructive discharge under Title VII, and held that corrective measures were insufficient to sustain a constructive discharge claim.
- Plaintiff also sought a Law 69 retaliation claim; the court found no properly pleaded Law 69 claim.
- The court therefore dismissed Articles 1802 & 1803, the constructive discharge claim, and the Law 69 claim, while noting Title VII retaliation claim survival for other aspects and potential settlement-related issues.
- Maley’s transfer and Plaintiff’s resignation timing are discussed as part of evaluating the alleged hostile environment and constructive discharge.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survival of 1802/1803 claims | Plaintiff argues 1802/1803 claims may still survive | Wyndham contends those claims were disposed by summary judgment | Dismissed 1802/1803 claims |
| Constructive discharge survival | Constructive discharge claim survives summary judgment | Insufficient hostile environment to sustain constructive discharge | Dismissed constructive discharge claim |
| Law 69 retaliation claim viability | Law 69 retaliation claim pleaded and applicable | No properly pleaded Law 69 claim; insubstantial record | Dismissed Law 69 claim |
Key Cases Cited
- Pennsylvania State Police v. Suders, 542 U.S. 129 (Supreme Court 2004) (standard for hostile work environment and its link to constructive discharge)
- Meritor Savings Bank, FSB v. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57 (Supreme Court 1986) (hostile work environment framework)
- Marrero v. Goya of Puerto Rico, Inc., 304 F.3d 7 (1st Cir. 2002) (heightened standard for constructive discharge)
- Keeler v. Putnam Fid. Trust Co., 238 F.3d 5 (1st Cir. 2001) (comparative standard for hostile environment)
- Hernández-Torres v. Intercontinental Trading, Inc., 158 F.3d 43 (1st Cir. 1998) (link between hostile environment and retaliation claims)
- Smith v. Bath Iron Works Corp., 943 F.2d 164 (1st Cir. 1991) (standard for hostile work environment)
- Schwapp v. Town of Avon, 118 F.3d 106 (2d Cir. 1997) (constructive discharge reliance on hostile environment)
- Konstantopoulos v. Westvaco Corp., 112 F.3d 710 (3d Cir. 1997) (hostile environment prerequisite for constructive discharge)
- Godoy v. Maplehurst Bakeries, Inc., 747 F. Supp. 2d 298 (D.P.R. 2010) ( Puerto Rico discrimination/hostile work environment scope)
- Vargas v. Fuller Brush Co. Of Puerto Rico, 336 F. Supp. 2d 134 (D.P.R. 2004) (Law 17/69/100 statutory scheme; gender discrimination)
- Suarez Ruiz v. Figueroa Colon, 145 P.R. Dec. 142 (Puerto Rico Supreme Court 1998) (state-law discrimination guidance)
- Valentin-Almeyda v. Municipality Of Aguadilla, 447 F.3d 85 (1st Cir. 2006) (pari materia interpretation of Puerto Rico gender-discrimination statutes)