Deposing & examining lay witnesses
| Author | Tod F. Schleier |
| Pages | 403-622 |
D&E: LAY WITNESSES
3-1
CHAPTER 3
DEPOSING & EXAMINING LAY WITNESSES
I. DEPOSING LAY WITNESSES
A. Plaintiff’s Supervisor
1. Surviving Summar y Judgment
§3:01 Shifting Burden of Proof in Employment Cases
§3:01.1 “Cat’s Paw” Liability
§3:02 Depose Witnesses With Summary Judgment in Mind
2. Tips and Strategies
§3:03 Review Documents Before Taking Deposition
§3:04 Goals of Deposition
§3:05 Order of Questions
3. Deposition Checklist
§3:06 Background Information
§3:07 Employment History With Defendant-Employer
§3:08 Plaintiff’s Job Performance
§3:09 Employer’s Written Policies
§3:10 Working Relationship With Plaintiff
§3:11 Adverse Employment Action
§3:12 Similarly Situated Employees
§3:13 Witnesses
[§§3:14 – 3:19 Reserved]
4. Additional Deposition Questions: [Sexual] Harassment Cases
§3:20 Unwelcome Conduct
§3:21 Plaintiff’s Workplace Conduct
§3:22 Harassment of Other Employees
§3:23 Conversations With Third Parties
§3:24 Notice to Employer
§3:25 Cross-Examination of CEO/Alleged Harasser in “He Said, She Said” Case in Arbitration
5. Additional Deposition Questions: Retaliation Cases
§3:26 Employer Policies re: EEO, Non-Retaliation
§3:27 Supervisor’s Knowledge of Law Governing Retaliation
§3:28 Plaintiff Engaged in Protected Activity
§3:29 Plaintiff Suffered Retaliation
[§3:30 Reserved]
6. Additional Deposition Questions: ADA Reasonable Accommodation Cases
§3:31 Knowledge of Plaintiff’s Disability
§3:32 Essential Job Functions
§3:33 Request for Accommodation
§3:34 Response to Accommodation Request
§3:35 Termination Decision
D&E: LAY WITNESSES
Deposing & Examining Employment Witnesses 3-2
7. Additional Deposition Questions: Age, Gender and ADA “Association Discrimination” Case
§3:36 Working Relationship With Plaintiff
§3:37 Knowledge of Spouse’s Health Issues and Discussions With Plaintiff
§3:38 Basis of Termination and Replacement with Another Worker
§3:39 Submission of Medical Claims by Other Employees
B. Human Resources Director
1. Goals, Tips, Strategies
§3:40 Function of H.R. Department
§3:41 H.R. Investigation of Harassment Complaints Determines Course of Litigation
§3:41.1 Attorney-Client Privilege—H.R. Director and In-House Counsel
2. Review Documents Before Taking Deposition
§3:42 Sexual Harassment Cases
§3:43 Reductions in Force (RIFs)
§3:44 Individual [Wrongful] Termination
§3:45 Electronically Stored Information
3. Deposition Checklists
§3:46 Sexual Harassment Cases
§3:46.1 Specialized Education & Training
§3:46.2 Before Commencing Investigation
§3:46.3 Documents and Witnesses
§3:46.4 Prompt Investigation?
§3:46.5 Logistics of Witness Interviews
§3:46.6 Immediate Response to Complaint
§3:46.7 Investigation Process, Generally
§3:46.8 Employer’s Sexual Harassment Policy
§3:46.9 Conduct of Investigation
§3:46.10 Results of Investigation
§3:46.11 Bias
§3:46.12 Retaliation
§3:46.13 EEOC Investigation
§3:46.14 Prior Bad Acts of Harasser
§3:47 RIF Cases
§3:47.1 Preparation for Deposition
§3:47.2 Training in Discrimination Issues
§3:47.3 RIF Policies and Practices
§3:47.4 Statistical Analysis
§3:47.4 Lay-Off Decisions
§3:47.5 Hiring Policy/Programs
§3:47.6 Age -Related Comments
§3:47.7 Redeployment Team
§3:47.8 Post-RIF Advertisements
§3:47.9 H.R. Director’s Compensation
§3:48 ADA Reasonable Accommodation Case
§3:48.1 ADA Training
§3:48.2 Knowledge of Plaintiff ’s Disability
§3:48.3 Essential Job Functions
§3:48.4 Notice of Disability
§3:48.5 Investigation Into Disability
§3:48.6 Request for Accommodation
§3:48.7 Result of Accommodation Request
§3:48.8 Plaintiff ’s Termination
§3:49 FMLA Case
§3:49.1 Knowledge of FMLA
§3:49.2 Employer and Employee Subject to FMLA
D&E: LAY WITNESSES
3-3 Deposing & Examining Lay Witnesses
§3:49.3 Notice Requirements When FMLA Requested
§3:49.4 Medical Certifications and Fitness-for-Dut y Reports
§3:49.5 Key Personnel
§3:50 Pregnancy Discrimination
§3:50.1 Knowledge of Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
§3:50.2 Knowledge of Plaintiff ’s Pregnancy
§3:50.3 Disciplinary Actions
§3:50.4 Plaintiff ’s Termination
§3:51 Religious Accommodation
§3:51.1 Plaintiff’s Religious Beliefs
§3:51.2 Request for Accommodation
§3;51.1 Plaintiff’s Termination
§3:52 Racial Harassment
§3:52.1 Background
§3:52.2 Knowledge of Racially Hostile Work Environment
[§§3:53 – 3:59 Reserved]
4. Sample Depositions
§3:60 Sexual Harassment Case
§3:60.1 Facts
§3:60.2 Strategy
§3:60.3 Checklist
§3:60.4 Model Deposition
§3:61 Spoliation of Evidence
§3:61.1 Factual Background
§3:61.2 Spoiled and Withheld Evidence
§3:62 Religious Discrimination—“Ministerial Exception”
§3:62.1 Facts
§3:62.2 Deposition Questions
[§§3:63 – 3:89 Reserved]
C. Plaintiff ’s Co-Workers
1. Governing Principles
§3:90 Value of Testimony
§3:91 Distinguish From Expert Opinion
§3:92 Case Examples
2. Deposition Checklist
§3:93 Employment With Employer
§3:94 Familiarity With Plaintiff’s Job Performance
§3:95 Familiarity With Plaintiff’s Supervisor
§3:96 Witness to Comments Made to Plaintiff
[§§3:97 – 3:99 Reserved]
D. Friends, Neighbors, Family Members
1. Purpose and Benefits of Testimony
§3:100 Validate Damages Claims
§3:101 Testimony Insulated from Cross
2. Deposition Preparation—Plaintiff ’s Counsel
§3:102 Governing Principles
§3:103 Caution: No Attorney-Client Privilege
3. Deposition Checklist
§3:104 Familiarity With Plaintiff
§3:105 Knowledge of Adverse Employment Action
§3:106 Post-Adverse Employment Action Observations
E. Apex Depositions
§3:107 What Is an “Apex” Deposition?
§3:108 Procedure; Burdens of Proof
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