Webb v. Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
346 S.W.3d 422
| Tenn. | 2011Background
- Pam Webb, former vice president of family services, was terminated by Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc. in February 2009.
- Webb alleged retaliatory discharge under the TPPA and Tennessee common law after raising concerns about discriminatory and illegal acts by Habitat management.
- Plaintiff claimed December 2008 written complaints about age discrimination and other unlawful policies; defendant gave “budgetary reasons” for termination, allegedly pretextual.
- Habitat moved to dismiss under Rule 12.02(6); the trial court granted dismissal; the Court of Appeals later vacated and held the amended complaint states a claim.
- TN Supreme Court decided not to adopt the federal Twombly/Iqbal plausibility standard and reaffirmed the Tennessee notice-pleading approach.
- Court concluded Webb’s amended complaint fairly states claims under the TPPA and common law retaliatory discharge.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether Tennessee adopts Twombly/Iqbal plausibility pleading | Webb argues federal plausibility standard should apply | Habitat argues Twombly/Iqbal should govern Tennessee 12.02(6) dismissals | Tennessee declines adopting plausibility; retains notice pleading standard |
| Whether the amended complaint states a TPPA retaliatory-discharge claim | Webb’s allegations show termination for refusing to participate in illegal acts | Habitat contends pleadings are insufficient | Amended complaint states a TPPA retaliatory-discharge claim |
| Whether the amended complaint states a common-law retaliatory-discharge claim | Webb alleges discharge for exercising protected rights and public policy | Habitat disputes elements or sufficiency | Amended complaint states a common-law retaliatory-discharge claim |
Key Cases Cited
- Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41 (U.S. 1957) (liberal notice pleading prior standard)
- Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (U.S. 2007) (retired Conley; plausibility standard announced)
- Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937 (U.S. 2009) (clarified plausibility standard applies to federal cases)
- Ladd v. Roane Hosiery, 556 S.W.2d 758 (Tenn. 1977) (adopted Conley-like standard; basis for Rule 12.02(6) analysis)
- Leach v. Taylor, 124 S.W.3d 87 (Tenn.2004) (liberal notice pleading; sufficiency standard)
- Abshure v. Methodist HealthCare-Memphis Hosp., 325 S.W.3d 98 (Tenn.2010) (pleadings must provide notice of claims and defenses)
- Stein v. Davidson Hotel Co., 945 S.W.2d 714 (Tenn.1997) (liberal construction of pleadings)
- Givens v. Mullikin ex rel. Estate of McElwaney, 75 S.W.3d 383 (Tenn.2002) (standard for pleading in tort claims)
- Riggs v. Burson, 941 S.W.2d 44 (Tenn.1997) (limitations on treating legal conclusions as true)
- Crews v. Buckman Labs. Int'l, 78 S.W.3d 852 (Tenn.2002) (12.02(6) standard; liberal notice pleading)