90 Pa. Commw. 219 | Pa. Commw. Ct. | 1985
Opinión by
This is an appeal by John F. Craven (petitioner) from a decision of the State Civil Service Commission (Commission), which ordered his reinstatement to the Department of Transportation (Department), but denied him back pay. The Commission found that petitioner was not entitled to back pay’because he did not effectively perform his duties as a Highway Equipment Manager III in the Allegheny County District. Since being hired in October, 1979, petitioner’s primary duty was to ensure that preventive maintenance was completed on Department equipment.
In January, 1982 and again in April, 1982, County Highway Equipment Manager Evaluations (CHEM) rated petitioner unsatisfactory on 8 of 35 categories. By letter dated May 4, 1982, petitioner was dismissed from his position. He filed a timely appeal with the Commission and the hearing was held in November, 1982.
The Commission found that the Department’s expectations were unreasonable because the District assigned to petitioner was too large and dispersed for him to effectively manage. It also found that some of the deficiencies had existed prior to petitioner assuming this position and that petitioner’s performance had improved to the point where removal was not for just cause. The Commission, therefore, ordered reinstatement. Petitioner, however, was denied back pay because the Commission also found that he was made aware of the need for improvement on several occasions and should have directed more time and energy into these matters.
On April 12, 1984, this Court vacated the order of the Commission which denied back pay and remanded the case for further findings of fact on that issue.
On appeal, petitioner contends that the denial of back pay .resulted from the application of an erroneous standard’of law by. the Commission and is not supported, by substantial competent evidence on the record. He argues that he inherited a crisis situation which brought with it difficult problems of equipment and staffing and which- were beyond his control. Because a denial of back pay must be based on criteria which are job-related and which touch in some way upon a person’s competency and ability, Elias v. Department of Public Welfare, Polk Center, 70 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 255, 452 A.2d 1127 (1982), petitioner alleges that the Commission erred here in basing a denial on evidence which is irrelevant to his capabilities-as a Highway Equipment Manager III. Peti
This Court has held that the Commission enjoys a wide discretion in granting reinstatement without back pay. Feigenberg v. Commonwealth, Department of Labor and Industry, 33 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 570, 382 A.2d 498 (1978). We will overturn the Commission’s denial of back pay only if its finding of job-related fault is unsupported by substantial evidence or if its conclusion is capricious in light of the evidence. Losieniecki v. Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, 39 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 194, 395 A. 2d 304 (1978). Even where facts on the record do not justify a suspension or removal, the Commission may reinstate a person without back pay if it believes that the facts warrant such action. Eash v. State Civil Service Commission, 17 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 199, 331 A.2d 601 (1975).
We find that the Commission did not err in- its adjudication. The evidence on the record amply supports the Commission’s conclusion that the Department’s problems were a result of petitioner’s administrative incompetence. Petitioner had knowledge of the problems and failed to take -steps to remedy them. The Commission was therefore, well within its discretion in denying back pay for an eleven (11) month period.
The Commission’s adjudication is, therefore, affirmed.
Order
And Now, June 19, 1985, the order of the Pennsylvania Civil Service Commission, No. 4009, dated June 20, 1984, is affirmed.
See opinion at 81 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 508, 473 A.2d 1145 (1984).