Carnes v. Dept. of Taxation

**What Happened** A state employee sued the Ohio Department of Taxation after being placed on involuntary disability separation. This means the employer forced the worker to leave their job, claiming they were unable to perform their duties due to a disability. The employee disagreed with this decision and challenged it through the state's personnel review process, then took the matter to court. **What the Court Decided** The court sided with the Department of Taxation. The judges upheld the employer's decision to place the employee on involuntary disability separation. The court found that the State Personnel Board of Review had properly evaluated the case and that the employer followed the correct procedures under Ohio's administrative rules when removing the employee from their position. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling shows that government employers in Ohio can force employees to leave their jobs if they determine the worker cannot perform essential job functions due to a disability. However, employers must follow proper procedures and state regulations when making these decisions. Workers facing similar situations should understand they have the right to challenge such decisions through the state personnel review process, though success isn't guaranteed.