The Seventh Circuit held that the record showed: (1) that Jeffboat demoted Ani-Deng to a lower paid, less demanding welder job after she experienced two episodes of dizziness/nauseous symptoms while welding in confined spaces; and (2) the record further showed that Jeffboat later laid the plaintiff off as part of general reduction in force. Jeffboat issued a letter recalling her to her position, but required she notify Jeffboat of her intention to return within five working days. Her husband responded on the fifth day, but after the close of business, so her response was not timely.
The Seventh Circuit held that the plaintiff was demoted "because of the company’s safety concerns, which seem entirely legitimate given the dangerousness of the work and the incidence of safety violations." Furthermore, the Seventh Circuit noted that the only evidence to support plaintiff's discrimination and retaliation claims was an affidavit from co-worker, who made only general claims of discrimination and failed to include facts demonstrating personal knowledge. Thus, summary judgement was proper.