Paychex Inc. (PAYX:NASDAQ)

In an employment discrimination case, the plaintiff alleged violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, including retaliation. The case is now before the court on the defendant's motion for summary judgment. Paychex Inc. hired the plaintiff in January 2005 as a temporary employee. She worked as a human resources services specialist in the content management department at the company's John Street facility in Henrietta performing various clerical tasks, including data entry and scanning documents. The plaintiff's argument is that because the company knew of her son's autism and she took time off, and because the company suggested she apply for FMLA leave, the company must have known that the time she took off, particularly June 6, 7 and 8, 2007, pertained to her son's illness. The defendant's motion is granted. At the summary judgment stage, the plaintiff must show she gave sufficient notice of her need for FMLA leave. The plaintiff failed to produce evidentiary proof, in an admissible form, that she ever did so. The plaintiff did not establish a prima facie case of a FMLA violation. As to the retaliation claim, the plaintiff never was engaged in a protected activity since, despite being offered the opportunity to do so, she never exercised her rights under the FMLA.

Paychex Inc. announced new leadership roles for two long-time senior sales managers in its Human Resource Services division. Janice A. Nearen-Bell has been named the company's vice president of Human Resource Services (HRS) Sales for the Northern United States. Nearen-Bell, a 26-year veteran of Paychex, had served as area vice president of HRS Sales since 2006. Lonny C. Ostrander has been appointed vice president of Human Resource Services Sales for the Southern United States. Ostrander, who joined Paychex in 1990, most recently served as area vice president of HRS Sales, a position he assumed in 2005. Additionally, Nearen-Bell and Ostrander have been named officers of the company. Nearen-Bell and Ostrander succeed Tony Tortorella, who has left Paychex to pursue other opportunities.

Paychex Inc. announced new leadership roles for two long-time senior sales managers in its Human Resource Services division. Janice A. Nearen-Bell has been named the company's vice president of Human Resource Services (HRS) Sales for the Northern United States. Nearen-Bell, a 26-year veteran of Paychex, had served as area vice president of HRS Sales since 2006. Lonny C. Ostrander has been appointed vice president of Human Resource Services Sales for the Southern United States. Ostrander, who joined Paychex in 1990, most recently served as area vice president of HRS Sales, a position he assumed in 2005. Additionally, Nearen-Bell and Ostrander have been named officers of the company.