Warren v. International Business MacHines Corp.
Michael Warren, a U.S. Army Reserve member, sued IBM for employment discrimination after his termination shortly after returning from a training mission. He alleged discrimination based on his military service, violating USERRA and New York Military Law. IBM moved for summary judgment, asserting Warren was fired for making a death threat and violating a zero-tolerance policy. The court found that a reasonable jury could determine IBM's stated reason was pretextual and that Warren's reservist status was a motivating factor in his dismissal. Consequently, the court denied IBM's motion for summary judgment on the core discrimination claims (§ 4311 and § 317 ¶ 4) but granted it for the reemployment claims (§ 4312 and § 317 ¶ 1) and the § 4316 claim, interpreting "period of service" as consecutive days.