DECIDED IN THE COURT OF APPEALS APPELLANTVS. CIVIL ACTION NO. MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITYCOMMISSION AND APPELLEETHIS OPINION IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION AND MAY NOT BE CITED,
PURSUANT TO M.R.A.P. 35-B , TRIAL JUDGE: COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: ATTORNEY(S) FOR APPELLANT(S): ATTORNEY(S) FOR APPELLEE(S): NATURE OF THE CASE: TRIAL COURT DISPOSITION: CIVIL: UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITSCIRCUIT COURT VACATED DECISION OF MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITYCOMMISSION WHICH AWARDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO BEFORE , , AND , , , FOR THE COURT: filed a claim for unemployment benefits pursuant to the Mississippi Employment
Security Law. The claims examiner disqualified under Section 71-5-5 13A (a) (b)
on the grounds that was discharged for misconduct. appealed to the Board of
Review which awarded Banks benefits and held that there was not substantial clear and
convincing evidence provided by , 's employer, that committed any
misconduct. appealed to the County Circuit Court which reversed the Board of
Review's decision and denied 's claim. appeals to this Court and asserts the
following errors: I.THE STANDARD OF REVIEW OF DECISION OF MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT
SECURITY COMMISSION BOARD OF REVIEW.II. THE FINDINGS OF FACT OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW ARE SUPPORTED BY
SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE AND SHOULD NOT BE DISTURBED.
III.THE BOARD OF REVIEW APPLIED THE PROPER LEGAL STANDARD IN
CONCLUDING THAT THE CLAIMANT DID NOT ENGAGE IN MISCONDUCT. Finding that the circuit court was in error, we reverse and reinstate the Board of Review's
award of benefits. FACTS On , , United Auto Workers Local 1956 commenced a strike against
==== when collective bargaining failed. After the strike, alleged that , an employee
on strike, threw tacks under non-striking employees cars and kicked a vehicle. was
terminated due to this alleged conduct. On , , filed a claim for
unemployment benefits with the Mississippi Employment Security Commission. On
=, , the claims examiner disqualified under section 71-5-513A (a) (b) on the grounds
that Banks was discharged for misconduct. appealed to the appeals referee who awarded benefits and held that there
was not substantial clear and convincing evidence provided by , 's employer, that
=== committed any misconduct. appealed to the board of review which adopted the
findings of fact and opinion of the referee. appealed the board of review's decision to the
County Circuit Court which denied 's claim. Subsequently, appealed to this
Court.In awarding benefits to , the Board of Review adopted the findings of the appeals
referee who held as follows:The claimant was employed approximately years, last working as an Assembler A
with , , Mississippi. His/Her last day of work was on , . The
employees as of went on labor strike effective a.m./p.m. on ,
===. While on strike, the employees set up a picket line at the plant's entrances. The claimant
acted as a strike captain during this process. The employer began to receive complaints from
nonstriking employees that their vehicles were being vandalized. Some acts of vandalism
involved tacks in the tires of employees, broken windshields, as well as cut tires. To monitor the
striking workers, the employer had security guards video tape the picketers. During this tape
session, the employer witnessed the claimant bending down and motioning as to throw tacks in
the pathway of departing employees. Furthermore, the employer believed that the tapes showed
claimant kicking the vehicle of a nonstriking employee. In viewing the videotape, claimant does
bend down and he/she made a motion as if to throw tacks. However, there is no visible evidence
that claimant had tacks in his/her hand or that he/she threw tacks in the pathway of the vehicles.
In the incident where claimant allegedly kicked the vehicle, the tape does show that claimant
made a kicking motion at a passing vehicle. However, it is difficult to tell if claimant actually
struck the vehicle with this motion. If claimant did, in fact, come in contact with the vehicles, the
alleged kick was nothing more than a touch. There was no visible damage nor sound from the
alleged kick. Based upon the evidence in the tape, the employer dismissed claimant for
misconduct associated with the picket line and strike activities. . . In this case, the Referee is of
the opinion that there was not substantial clear and convincing evidence provided by the
employer to show that claimant threw tacks in the pathway of vehicles of the nonstriking
employees nor has it been shown the claimant maliciously or intentionally damaged a
nonstriking employee's vehicle with the kick. The testimony as well as recorded evidence does
show the claimant was dissatisfied with the fact that many of the employees chose not to stand
together with the striking union members. However, this dissatisfaction within itself would not
measure to the level of misconduct within the meaning of the law. The decision of the Claims
Examiner is, therefore, cancelled. In reversing the Board of Review the circuit court made three particular findings we need
to note for a review of the law applicable to this case. First, the circuit court held that "the
findings of fact as determined by the appeals referee are supported by the evidence and will not
be disturbed." Next, later in its option, the circuit court stated that "was found by the
commission to have engaged in conduct during the course of the strike designed to dissuade
employees and visitors from entering the employer's plant."Finally, the circuit court held that:The referee seems to place much weight on the fact that the proof is scant on the extent of
the actual damage caused by . The referee's approach misses the mark. It is not the damage
caused by the claimant's conduct, but the conduct itself that disqualifies him/her from receiving
benefits.The claimant's actions were meant to be intimidating gestures and threats of property
damage to non-striking fellow employees and visitors to the employer's plant. The actions were
designed to interfere with and otherwise injure the business of the employer; or in the language
of Wheeler, the conduct evidenced a willful and wanton disregard of the employer's interest and
a gross disregard for the standard of behavior that the employer had a right to expect from its
employee. LAW The three assignments of error argued here are interrelated and will be addressed
collectively. asserts that the scope of review by the circuit court is limited, and that if the facts
are supported by substantial evidence, absent fraud, then the jurisdiction in any judicial
proceeding is confined to questions of law. Mississippi Code Annotated Section 71-5-31, in
pertinent part, provides the standard of review for this Court:In any judicial proceedings under this section, the findings of the board of review as to
the facts, if supported by evidence and in the absence of fraud, shall be conclusive, and the
jurisdiction of said court shall be confined to questions of law. See Also Mississippi Employment Sec. Commission V. Percy, 641 So. 2d 1172 (Miss. 1994).
The board of review must be affirmed absent substantial evidence to support its factual
findings or misapplication of the law. is correct in this regard. agrees with this
scope of review.The Mississippi Supreme Court has defined misconduct as: Conduct evincing such willful and wanton disregard of the
employer's interest as is found in deliberate violations or disregard
the standards of behavior which the employer has a right to expect
from his employee. Also, carelessness and negligence of such
degree, or recurrence thereof, as to manifest culpability, wrongful
intent or evil design, and showing an intentional or substantial
disregard of the employer's interest or of the employee's duties and
obligations to his employer, came within the term. Mere
inefficiency, unsatisfactory conduct, failure in good performance
as the result of inability or incapacity, or inadvertences and
ordinary negligence in isolated incidents, and good faith errors in
judgment or discretion were not considered 'misconduct' within the
meaning of the statute.Shannon Eng'g & Constr. V. Mississippi Employment Sec. Comm.:, 549 So. 2d 446, 448-49
(Miss. 1989). The conduct "must be harmful to the employers interest." Wheeler v. Ariola, 408
So. 2d 1381 (Miss. 1982). The employer has the burden of establishing a claimants misconduct
by "substantial, clear, and convincing evidence." Shannon Eng'g & Construction, 549 So. 2d at
450. The circuit court held that the appeals referee's findings of fact were supported by the
evidence and would not be disturbed, but further held that the board incorrectly interpreted the
applicable law as to the definition of misconduct.No witness testified that had tacks on his/her person or attempted to throw them
under the wheels of passing vehicles. specifically denied the allegation. Likewise, no
witness testified that kicked any passing vehicle. Again, denied this allegation.The trial court's assertion in its opinion that the commission found to have
engaged in conduct designed to dissuade employees and visitors from entering the employer's
plant is not supported by a plain reading of the commission's findings. Although we agree with
the trial court's conclusion that conduct itself and not the amount of damage caused is what
disqualifies a claimant from receiving benefits, the commission did not find sufficient bad
conduct such as to evince a willful and wanton disregard of the employer's interest or a gross
disregard for the standard of behavior that the employer had right to expect from its employee.
Simply stated, although as the finder of fact our opinion may have differed from the commission,
neither the trial court nor this court is at liberty to substitute our conclusions as to the facts or
what the facts show.In reaching our decision, we need to address two other points raised in this appeal.
After the hearing before the appeals referee and before the opinion by the commission,
=== sought to have the record supplemented by an affidavit of one witness and the deposition of
another witness, both of whom would allegedly directly implicate in misconduct.
Supplementation was denied. This was well within the commission's discretion. As
correctly points out, Section 71-5-523 of the Mississippi Code gives the commission the power
to affirm, modify or set aside any decision based on evidence previously submitted or direct the
taking of additional evidence or permit the parties to initiate further action.After appealed the board's decision to the circuit court, one side of the four tapes
that were used to record the hearing before the appeals referee was missing. argues that
this testimony requires this Court to "affirm the circuit court, vacate the Mississippi Employment
Security Commission's determination and issue a determination of non-chargeability."
asserts that the part missing from the tape would only be significant if the proof that was missing
would have changed the decision of the board. also argues that failed to
demonstrate any specific missing proof which would make a difference in the board's decision.The missing testimony appears to have been limited to part of 's testimony. The
findings of facts were adopted by the circuit court and there does not appear to be any material
testimony or facts missing for resolution of this case. argues that because there is missing
testimony, this Court must affirm the circuit court's decision. cites Melody Manor
Convalescent Center V. Mississippi State Department of Health, 546 So. 2d 972 (Miss. 1989) for
the proposition that the board merely "rubber -stamped" the appeals referee's decision because
this portion of the record was missing and such action constitutes arbitrariness and
capriciousness. In that case, there was no discussion of missing portions of a record. The court
merely stated that an appellate court will overturn an administrative agency where it acts
arbitrarily or capriciously.The Mississippi Supreme Court has not specifically addressed this issue but similar cases
provide a guide. In Shelton V. Kindred, 279 So. 2d 642, 644 (Miss. 1973) the court held that in
the absence of a record, "it must be presumed that the rulings of the trial court were correct, and
such presumption will prevail, unless the actual record supports the contrary view." See also
Kirk V. Koch, 607 So. 2d 1220, 1223 (Miss. 1992) (appellate court will not disturb a judgment
based on allegations not supported by the record); Jackson Opera House Co. V. Cox, 192 So. 293
(Miss. 1939) (notes of stenographer stricken and thus Mississippi Supreme Court must presume
that the evidence warranted trial court's decision); Hume V. Inglis, 122 So. 535 (Miss. 1929) (see
below).The record must be adequate to show that reversible error was committed below. Queen
V. Queen, 551 So. 2d 197, 199 (Miss. 1989) (citing Moawad V. State, 531 So. 2d 632 (Miss.
1988); The commission in its brief requested that we strike that portion of 's brief wherein it
characterized the commission as a "rubber stamp." We agree wit the commission; consider it
done. Williams V. State, 522 So. 2d 201, 209 iss. 1988)). Failure to provide a transcript could
have the effect of requiring this Court to presume the evidence was legally adequate for the
decision below. Queen, 551 So. 2d at 199 (citing Wade V. Wade, 419 So. 2d 584, 585 (Miss.
1982). In Queen, the appellant failed to present the Supreme Court of Mississippi with a
transcript. Queen at 201. The Mississippi Supreme Court held that it could not consider on
appeal any objection to alimony as the Court could not determine whether the appellant properly
objected to consideration of alimony by the chancery court at trial or whether the chancery court
failed to sustain his objection, if any. 1-1In Williams, the appellant failed to present a transcript to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Williams V. State, 522 So. 2d 201, 209 (Miss. 1988). The Mississippi Supreme Court held that it
could not consider whether a statement made by the prosecutor in closing was improper. Moreover, where the record is absent or inadequate, the Mississippi Supreme Court has
held that there are three options: (1) "if it appears from the record that there is vital error in the
proceedings, regardless of and whatever may have been shown by" the portions missing then
reversal will result; (2) affirm the case upon the presumption that the trial court is correct and
that the portions of the record which are missing were necessary to support the judgment below;
and (3) reverse in order to conduct another trial so this Court can obtain a complete record.
Hume V. Inglis, [22 So. 535 (Miss. 1929). Thus, this Court could presume in the absence of a
record that the evidence presented to the trial court, which was sitting as an appellate court, was
sufficient to sustain the judgment of the commission.Since there appears to be no direct case law on this specific issue, the Mississippi
Employment Security Commission's brief cites Goodwill Industries, Inc. V. Industrial Claim
Industrial Claim Appeals Office, 862 P.2d 1042 (Cob. App. 1993) for the proposition that if the
relevant portions of the transcript are sufficient to allow review of the issue on appeal, then the
record is sufficient and remand is unnecessary. The Goodwill court further noted that the
employer failed to describe the nature of the testimony missing from the record and "the reason
why the failure to have this testimony included for review is prejudicial to its case." Goodwill
Industries of Colorado Springs, Inc. V. Industrial Claim Appeals Office, 862 P.2d at 1046. cites Harp V. Department of the Army, 791 F.2d 161 (Fed. Cir. 1986) for the
proposition that although the entire tape of the hearing was lost and there was no transcript, the
claimant failed to demonstrate any particular testimony which was not considered or misused
which might have caused a different result.We believe Goodwill and Harp to be good authority. The record before us, and before the
trial court below, and the commission is adequate to reader a decision, and fails to point
out any particular testimony, which could or would have caused the commission to reach a
difference result. We have considered 's other arguments and citations in its brief and need
not further address the same in view of our already state opinions. THE JUDGMENT OF THE CIRCUT COURT OF COUNTY IS REVERSED AND THE
BOARD OF REVIEW'S ORDER REINSTATED. APPELLEE IS TAXED WITH COSTS OF
APPEAL.
, , , , , , , AND , , . , NOT PARTICIPATING.