David McConnell v. Anixter, Inc.

Summary

The Eighth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for Anixter on USERRA discrimination and retaliation claims, holding that McConnell failed to show his military status was a "motivating factor" in his termination. The court found that ambiguous comments about his service, the four-year gap between his military retirement and hiring, and his admitted temperament issues undermined any inference of unlawful motive. Additionally, alleged adverse actions such as ridicule, a written warning, a manual labor order, and denial of a service dog were not materially adverse under USERRA.

Holdings

1. Summary judgment was appropriate because McConnell failed to show a genuine dispute of material fact that his military status was a motivating factor in Anixter's decision to fire him.

Questions Presented

1. Whether McConnell demonstrated a genuine dispute of material fact that his military status was a motivating factor in Anixter's decision to fire him.

Disposition

affirmed