Paul Cronan Case
LEGAL ANALYSIS MODEL
1. RELEVANT FACTS:
Mr. Paul Cronan, a service technician, began his career with New England Telephone in June of 1973. Mr. Cronan's initial function was that of a file clerk at the Needham, Massachusetts facility. After eighteen months with the company, Mr. Cronan was then transferred to South Boston, where he was working at the time of the allegations in this case.1
During the first half of the year in 1985, Mr. Cronan found himself ill on an irregular basis. On a Thursday in early June, Mr. Cronan's supervisor, Mr. Charles O'Brian, refused Mr. Cronan's third request to leave work for a doctor's appointment. Mr. O'Brian denied the request unless Mr. Cronan told him the "nature of the ailment."2 Mr. Cronan stated that he was being "followed for an AIDS-related condition," noting that he did not have AIDS.3 According to Mr. Cronan, Mr. O'Brian stated that "nobody else would find out."4
Mr. O'Brian told his supervisor, Mr. Paul Cloran the reason for Mr. Cronan's doctor appointment, stating that "it was company practice to inform one's supervisor of? important matters?potentially affecting employee attendance."5 Mr. Cloran in turn told his supervisor. The company's attendance policy states, "If there is an indication that poor health?may be a factor [in the employee's absence,] an appointment shall be arranged for a medical examination of the employee."6 Per the company policy, Mr. Cronan met with the company doctor, during which time he revealed his AIDS-related condition (ARC).7
Two days after the medical examination, Mr. Cronan stated that he received a phone call from a co-worker stating she heard Mr. Cronan had AIDS. The caller stated that others at work wer ...