MonticelloLive

On April 24, 2008, the Arkansas Court of Appeals ruled that an employee of H & L Poultry in Warren was entitled to unemployment benefits after quitting her job for excessive harassment.

Sara M. Hartness of Monticello represented Connie Swain and won the appeal against the Department of Workforce Services. Hartness said, “This case was not a big financial gain, it was about restoring an employee’s reputation as a hard working reliable individual. I am very happy for her.” The employee was harassed by her supervisor at the plant to the point she could no longer remain there.

A case like this is usually remanded back to the board for reconsideration, but the Court of Appeals called this an “exceedingly rare” case and directed that the employee be awarded the retroactive benefits. In her brief to the Court, Ms. Hartness stated that “Surely, hardworking people, especially individuals, . . . who have a strong 40 (forty) year work-history, are entitled to more dignity and respect in the workplace than is reflected by this record . . .”