Russo v. State, Dep’t of Mental Health, Retardation and Hosps.

Plaintiff, a state employee, filed an action against the State Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals (MHRH) alleging that MRH violated the Rhode Island Whistleblowers’ Protection Act (WPA) when it placed him on administrative leave with pay and required that he undergo an independent medical examination (IME). The superior court found in favor of Plaintiff. The Supreme Court vacated the judgment of the superior court, holding that the decision of the MHRH to place Plaintiff on paid administrative leave with the requirement that he undergo an IME was not an adverse employment action, and therefore, as a matter of law, the MHRH did not “discharge, threaten, or otherwise discriminate” against Plaintiff in violation of the WPA.View "Russo v. State, Dep’t of Mental Health, Retardation and Hosps." on Justia Law