Goelzer v. Sheboygan County

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In Brief

The company’s decision to terminate a twenty-year employee two weeks before she was to begin FMLA leave led to a reversal of the District Court’s entry of summary judgment against her.

What Happened in Court

After two decades of employment with her county government, Dorothy Goelzer was fired from her job. Her supervisor informed her of the termination decision two weeks before she was scheduled to begin two months of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). After her termination, Goelzer filed suit for FMLA retaliation and interference. After losing at Summary Judgment before the District court, Goelzer appealed to the Seventh Circuit which found that her positive performance reviews and the timing of her termination were sufficient to bring the case before a jury.