OFFENSE

EMPLOYER’S PENALTY

RESULT ON APPEAL

DESCRIPTION

CASE NAME

Conduct Unbecoming, On Duty

45-Day Suspension

45-Day Suspension

Fire captain called a volunteer firefighter a “pussy” for volunteering for night fire calls, thereby diminishing the volunteer’s chances for a paid job. Civil Service Commission rejected captain’s defense that “jovial” comments were commonplace in the firehouse.

In re Lenhardt, 2010 WL 1753208 (N.J. Super. A.D. 2010).

Dishonesty

Termination

Reinstatement With Back Pay

Police officer terminated for making false statements during an official investigation. The key witness relied upon by the employer did not appear at the arbitration hearing, and the Arbitrator criticized the employer’s reliance on hearsay evidence.

Village of Biscayne Park, LAIG 6823 (Humphries, 2009).