ÿWPC…W C<ï9ZG§ûÄeŠ«DË¿/Îd™Á(!DÃF¨¦ ñ'rzYÎ&ÁÀ‘“_boÙƒ HQyåÓm§(+Ѧ¨rMmGÂ7ì}ÆYÙŽXÊhŒ£â‰$6Ê ØÃÑ ¿¥ôˆ÷&NúÝ‹swbÚŠFªÊ%\…X,_'»žÁúŸFˆµ{HÈ?¡Kxk6žò%kZÇãõHPeÑâÈÀª¯”o:Ôëªë—‚!O³OtÏÎíV5LVŒ¹¢ð­ggìyrÛ¨Vz |Á¶cx7™ªÿšN®ž+ÎÚÕÝW”­è0µ)^ߣê¤Î"™@E>ˆh–H?Q쪔ÉW†ˆ pNcz…4šË[Á^ÎYø-*¤f‘üg„RúsÃÝq !÷Æ!Ò„²w¶YéÄk´/,{F1»££ˆ+h1]¸EˆØ©äûGì‹~¬ÿk\Í‚Ù$9Û/py-€= µ¶‚w¾Ò¶Â½÷áoà sÇ+?†×2û´¹KzX dªÑ·Ý%6J¥ê,{)¯+Åš£Ÿ»>™&ä݆—&Z°wÅÍ!ÍïX>H^Ÿ¸®£–_àhâLsõv·\“¥ N¿x|Óƒki ª„Gü·1fn¯6Z{#Áºö{ %q 0ˆwUNÿ^ MwY z]Ò×4©½NÌÎÆÐÆ–Æ\Æ" mèNÿÿ 0 DEEEKGGGA’ÓáÓò´´ 0U¦¦ 0ãû 0ÅÞ 0¿£ îb! 0¹P" 0³ # 0­¼# 0§i$ 0¡% 0ű% 0Ñv& 0³G'bú' 0­( 0§¯( 0¡V) 0›÷) 0•’* 0'+ 0´+ 0Îv, 0°D- 0ªô- 0¤ž.ž. 0žB/ 0˜à/ 0’x0 0Š 1É”1U@]3]3¤3ÍA5A5¹7 0²Ç9Ç9Ç9Ç9 0¾y: 0¾7; 0>õ; 0ø3<3< 0â+= 0â > 0âï> 0 ëÑ? 0â¼@ 0âžA 0º€B B:C 0ÒWC 0¤)D D3ÍD D-E 0K-E 02xE ASªEÆýE 0¤ÃF 0DgG A««G 0üVH 0:RI 0YŒI 0_åI 0 DJ 0‚NK 0ÐL B*ÖN D/O 0/O D/5Q 0ÎdQ 062R 0hR 0:pS 0^ªS 0<T 1eDTU6©TU>ßTU*U4GU 1u{V 72ðV 0c"W˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 Kilcreasepretextual P.J.VaughnAshworthpluggersChasinSkepnert]here Timst]his i]funwelcomed EEOC HCAServsArmoneitSeatonLeBonheur J.C.FloWarr CBLAssocsPendletonconclusoryPsillasMcCarleyAssnMilomConasterBirmanSeaversv.Hall SavsSpann CmtyBurdinePerlbergBrencorGlickmanGorence CtrsCommnSaffarLeggettMedlockOrtho SysO.ConnorSwierkiewiczSoremarebuttableAlbemarleincoherenciesGarrettCommrsMcNabolaO]nceFurncoThurstonCriswellHazenLoefflerKjellgrenDuganRobersonTurgeonPenmarkIntlKarpelInovaShumwayMcDonellGobellAlliedsignalPosnerKarlenFortierAmeritechBeattyunrebuttedhorriblesConatser UtilSattarPremarkHilleyMcKeehonMcKeehanGabell ATV»(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular&ƒf-s  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptš‚,-˜CÀáÀá]èÑ®3|xLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó AÝ ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThese€federal€precedents€are,€of€course,€not€binding€on€Tennessee€courts€and€do€not€limit€our€ability€to€giveÐ 8 Ðthe€fullest€possible€effect€to€the€Tennessee€Human€Rights€Act.€€òòBarnes€v.€Goodyear€Tire€&€Rubber€Co.óó,€48€S.W.3d€698,Ð üÄ Ð705€(Tenn.€2000);€òòParker€v.€Warren€County€Util.€Dist.óó,€2€S.W.3d€170,€173€(Tenn.€1999);€òòSpann€v.€Abrahamóó,€36€S.W.3dÐ Àˆ Ð452,€463€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999). 7Ý ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔBecause€this€is€an€appeal€from€a€summary€judgment,€we€are€relying€on€the€presently€undisputed€facts€offeredÐ 8 Ðby€Mr.€Wilson€regarding€his€relationship€with€Ms.€Gabell. öÝ ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAlan€Jackson,€òòChasinðð€That€Neon€Rainbowóó,€in€€òòHere€in€the€Real€World€óó(Arista€Records€1989)€(CD€Recording). ×Ý ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€automobile€Ms.€Gabell€had€purchased€using€Mr.€Wilsonððs€$3,000€as€her€down€payment. èÝ ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAs€it€turned€out,€Ms.€McKeehanððs€tenure€at€Sony/ATV€was€short„lived.€€In€May€1998,€Ms.€McKeehan€filedÐ 8 Ða€complaint€with€the€EEOC€alleging€a€hostile€work€environment€at€Sony/ATV€due€to€sexual€harassment€by€fellowÐ üÄ Ðemployees€and€superiors.€€Sony/ATV€fired€Ms.€McKeehan€approximately€two€weeks€after€she€filed€the€complaint.*+ ÿÿ(_26Ô2ÔÔ3  Ôà..à*G+G ÿÿ(_25Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó*8+8 ÿÿ(_24Ó  ÓÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÓ  Ó*5+5 ÿÿ(_23Ó ` ÓÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÓ ` Ó äÝ ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔLacy€J.€Dalton,€òò16th€Avenueóó,€in€òò16th€Avenue€óó(Columbia€Records€1982)€(33€rpm€LP€recording).*2+2 ÿÿ(_22Ó ¸ ÓÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÓ ¸ Ó*/+/ ÿÿ(_21Ó  ÓÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÓ  Ó*,+, ÿÿ(_20Ó h ÓÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÓ h Ó*)+) ÿÿ(_19Ó À ÓÓppÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓppÈ xÐ ÓÓ À Ó*&+& ÿÿ(_18Ó  ÓÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ôà..àÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÓ  Ó*AA ÿÿ(_17Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó*GG ÿÿ(_16Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó*88 ÿÿ(_15Ó  ÓÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÓ  Ó- ù-*55 ÿÿ(_14Ó ` ÓÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÓ ` Ó*22 ÿÿ(_13Ó ¸ ÓÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÓ ¸ Ó*// ÿÿ(_12Ó  ÓÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÓ  Ó*,, ÿÿ(_11Ó h ÓÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€Ó pÈ xÐ ÓÓ h Ó*)) ÿÿ(_10Ó À ÓÓppÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€ÓppÈ xÐ ÓÓ À Ó(&& ÿÿ&_9Ó  ÓÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  Ô€ÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÓ  Ó(AA ÿÿ&_8Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó(GG ÿÿ&_7Ó ¨ý ÓÓ ° ÓÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ/%` ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ /ÓÓ ¨ý ÓÓ ° Ó(88 ÿÿ&_6Ó  ÓÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ,"¸ ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ ,ÓÓ  Ó(55 ÿÿ&_5Ó ` ÓÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ) hÀpÈ xÐ )ÓÓ ` Ó(22 ÿÿ&_4Ó ¸ ÓÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ&hhÀpÈ xÐ &ÓÓ ¸ Ó(// ÿÿ&_3Ó  ÓÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ#ÀÀpÈ xÐ #ÓÓ  Ó(,, ÿÿ&_2Ó h ÓÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓ pÈ xÐ ÓÓ h Ó()) ÿÿ&_1Ó À ÓÓppÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓppÈ xÐ ÓÓ À Ó&&& ÿÿ$_Ó  ÓÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÔ2ÔÔ3  ÔÓÈÈ xÐ ÓÓ  Ó ¿Ý ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔDespite€Judge€Posnerððs€prediction,€the€expression€ð ðnew€bloodðð€has€apparently€not€disappeared€from€theÐ 8 Ðemployerððs€lexicon€despite€the€increasing€prevalence€of€age€discrimination€litigation.€€òòKarlen€v.€City€Colleges€ofÐ üÄ ÐChicagoóó,€837€F.2d€314,€316€(7th€Cir.€1988).€€(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman  šÝ ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòErickson€v.€Farmland€Indus.,€Inc.óó,€271€F.3d€718,€724€(8th€Cir.€2001)€(holding€that€direct€evidence€is€evidenceÐ 8 Ðof€conduct€or€statements€by€persons€involved€in€making€the€employment€decision€directly€manifesting€a€discriminatoryÐ üÄ Ðattitude). ÃÝ ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€United€States€Supreme€Court€characterized€its€òòMcDonnell€Douglas€óóopinion€as€establishing€ð ðan€allocationÐ 8 Ðof€the€burden€of€production€and€an€order€for€the€presentation€of€proof.ðð€€òòSt.€Maryððs€Honor€Ctr.€v.€Hicksóó,€509€U.S.€502,Ð üÄ Ð506,€113€S.€Ct.€2742,€2746€(1993).€€€ ¯Ý ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔSony/ATV€takes€vigorous€issue€with€Ms.€McKeehanððs€credibility€and€with€some€cause.€€However,€it€is€not€ourÐ 8 Ðprerogative€at€this€stage€of€the€proceeding€to€determine€what€weight,€if€any,€should€be€given€to€Ms.€McKeehanððsÐ üÄ Ðtestimony.€€At€this€juncture,€we€need€only€determine€whether€Ms.€McKeehanððs€testimony€regarding€the€statements€madeÐ Àˆ Ðto€her€by€Ms.€Hilley€and€Messrs.€Wilson€and€Cook€regarding€Mr.€Wilsonððs€termination€are€admissible.€€We€haveÐ „L Ðdetermined€that€they€are.0AAÿÿ.NormalÓ  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó<AAÿÿ:Definition TÓ  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó<AAÿÿ:Definition LÓ , ÓÓ5+Ü Ü` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5Ó8ÿÿ6Definitionòòóó(hhÿÿ&H1Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5Óò òÔ  ÔÔ‡°°°ÔÔ‡ôôôÔó óÔ  ÔÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó(]]ÿÿ&H2Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5Óò òÔ‡„„„ÔÔ‡ôôôÔó óÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó(]]ÿÿ&H3Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5Óò òÔ‡¼¼¼ÔÔ‡ôôôÔó óÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó(]]ÿÿ&H4Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5Óò òÔ‡XXXÔÔ‡ôôôÔó óÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó(|G2¨Ô$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€DÍ»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»Ô(]]ÿÿ&H5Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5Óò òÔ‡ôôôÔó óÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  ÓÔ‡ôôôÔ(]]ÿÿ&H6Ó  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5Óò òÔ‡ÔÔ‡ôôôÔó óÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó2DDÿÿ0AddressÓ  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓòòóóÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó d8MMÿÿ6BlockquoteÓ , ÓÓ , ÓÓ5+Ü Ü` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5Ó(|3 d$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€DÍ»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó,ÿÿ*CITEòòóó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3 d$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€DÍ»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK,dlÿÿ*CODEÔ‡ôôôÔÔK‡t<þ6X9`(‹Courier NewKÔÔ‡ôôôÔÔS‡uô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔ4ÿÿ2Emphasisòòóó6ÿÿ4HyperlinkóóòòÔ ÿ ÔóóÔ  Ô<ÿÿ:FollowedHypeóóòòÔ €€ ÔóóÔ  Ô4goÿÿ2Keyboardò òÔ‡ôôôÔÔK‡t<þ6X9`(‹Courier NewKÔÔ‡ôôôÔÔS‡uô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔó ó<Ÿ§ÿÿ:PreformattedÓ  ÓÓ/%° °Ïî ,KkŠ©È %#/ÓÔ‡ôôôÔÔK‡t<þ6X9`(‹Courier NewKÔÔ‡ôôôÔÔS‡uô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔÓ/%° °Ïî ,KkŠ©È %#/ÓÓ  Ó<Ûïÿÿ:z©Bottom of Ó7€j(€X7ÓÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÔ‡ÔÔ?‡v%ä2¼A`‹Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÔ‡ôôôÔÔS‡uô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔÓ7€Z(€X7ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ó&ÿÿ  d di)1dxd<Ûïÿÿ:z©Top of ForÓ7€l(€X7ÓÓ  ÓÓ  ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÔ‡ÔÔ?‡v%ä2¼A`‹Arial?ÔÓ  ÓÔ‡ôôôÔÔS‡uô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔÓ7€Z(€X7ÓÓ5+° °` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ 5ÓÓ  Ói)2dxd0KSÿÿ.SampleÔK‡t<þ6X9`(‹Courier NewKÔÔS‡uô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔ0ÿÿ.Strongò òó ó8dlÿÿ6TypewriterÔ‡ôôôÔÔK‡t<þ6X9`(‹Courier NewKÔÔ‡ôôôÔÔS‡uô\  `‹&Times New RomanSÔ4ÿÿ2Variableòòóó: ÿÿ8HTML MarkupÔB  ÔÔ ÿ ÔÔ  Ô2 ÿÿ0CommentÔB  Ô+,-/0123 ÿÿ35;AGMSY_11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.<þ6X9`(‹Courier Newô\  `‹&Times New Roman%ä2¼A`‹Arial *Ý ƒR¨Ô$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôó•ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWhen€asked€about€the€importance€of€determining€who€was€telling€the€truth,€Mr.€Cook€blithely€respondedÐ 8 Ðð ðWell,€you€know,€that€wasnððt€my€call.ðð€€3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)xi)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  àÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€DÍ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ8°ÑÑÀ°ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼DÍ»»»ÔÑ8€ ™XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îADÍÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ 8 Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼DÍ»îîA(#ԈР^& ÐÓ  ÓApril€16,€1999€SessionÐ „L ÐÔ‡X ™X»¼DÍÔÌò òÔ#†¼DÍ»XX ™#ÔDAN€B.€WILSON,€JR.€v.€LAWRENCE€H.€RUBIN,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X ™X»¼DÍÔó óÐ ‚J ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ‚ J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€96„3715„I€€€€€€Irvin€H.€Kilcrease,€Jr.,€ChancellorÐ n 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<1` AßÐ 2ú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M1998„00959„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€November€6,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ -õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThis€appeal€involves€the€termination€of€an€employee€by€a€music€publishing€company€after€one€of€itsÐ È  Ðsongwriters€complained€that€the€employee€had€stalked€and€harassed€her.€€The€employee€filed€suit€inÐ ì´ Ðthe€Chancery€Court€for€Davidson€County€alleging€gender€and€age€discrimination€in€violation€of€theÐ Ø  ÐTennessee€Human€Rights€Act.€€The€publishing€company€moved€for€a€summary€judgment€assertingÐ ÄŒ Ðthat€it€had€a€valid€non„discriminatory€ground€for€terminating€the€employee.€€The€employee€respondedÐ °x Ðthat€the€proffered€non„discriminatory€ground€was€pretextual.€€The€trial€court€granted€the€summaryÐ œd Ðjudgment€and€dismissed€the€employeeððs€complaint.€€On€this€appeal,€the€employee€asserts€thatÐ ˆP Ðgenuine€material€factual€disputes€regarding€the€publishing€companyððs€non„discriminatory€reasonsÐ t< Ðfor€terminating€him€should€have€prevented€the€trial€court€from€granting€the€summary€judgment.€€WeÐ `( Ðagree€and,€therefore,€vacate€the€order€dismissing€the€employeeððs€complaint.Ð L ÐÓÛÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Vacatedó óÐ $ì ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼DÍ»àX ™Š#ÔÔ‡X ™X.¼DÍÔWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòBen€H.€Ô_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,€P.J.,€M.S.,€óóÐ üÄ Ðand€òòWilliam€B.€Cain,€J.óó,€joined.Ð è° ÐÌW.€Gary€Blackburn,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Dan€B.€Wilson,€Jr.Ð À ˆ  ÐÌGail€Vaughn€Ashworth,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellees,€Lawrence€H.€Rubin€and€Sony/ATVÐ ˜"`" ÐMusic€Publishing€Company,€LLC.Ð „#L# ÐÓè ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼DÍ»XX ™ #ÔÐ \%$!% ÐÌÓ  ÓÔ€X ™X»¼DÍÔà@¬¬)ìàò òI.ó óˆÐ Z'"#' ÐÌà  àDan€B.€Wilson,€Jr.€has€worked€as€a€ð ðsong€pluggerðð€in€Nashville€ever€since€1972.€€He€joinedÐ 2)ú$) ÐSony/ATV€Music€Publishing€Company,€LLCððs€(ð ðSony/ATVðð)€legendary€predecessor,€TreeÐ *æ%* ÐPublishing,€in€1976.€€His€duties€included€working€with€new€songwriters€and€artists€to€develop€theirÐ  +Ò&+ Ðmaterial,€helping€them€record€demo€tapes€and€prepare€publicity€portfolios,€and€pitching€their€materialÐ ö+¾', Ðto€other€artists€and€record€producers.€€By€all€accounts,€Mr.€Wilson€was€a€very€successful€andÐ â,ª(- Ðeffective€song€plugger.€€He€was€reputedly€one€of€the€highest€paid€song€pluggers€in€Nashville,€earningÐ Î-–). Ð$106,000€per€year€in€salary€and€bonuses.€€Ð º.‚*/ý ÐÔ_Ô‡à  àMr.€Wilson€was€one€of€five€song€pluggers€working€in€Nashville€for€Sony/ATV€in€1995.€Ð 8 ÐEven€though€he€was€one€of€two€persons€in€Sony/ATVððs€Nashville€office€with€the€title€ð ðViceÐ $ì ÐPresident€for€Creative€Services,ðð€his€duties€remained€essentially€the€same€as€they€had€always€been.€Ð Ø ЀAll€five€of€Sony/ATVððs€song€pluggers€were€male€because€Sony/ATVððs€only€female€song€pluggerÐ üÄ Ðhad€recently€taken€a€job€with€a€record€label€and€had€been€replaced€by€a€male.€€Donna€Hilley,Ð è° ÐSony/ATVððs€president€and€chief€executive€officer,€made€clear€her€desire€to€employ€another€femaleÐ Ôœ Ðsong€plugger€but€had€not€made€clear€whether€she€intended€to€create€a€new€position€or€to€wait€untilÐ À ˆ Ðone€of€the€existing€song€plugger€positions€became€vacant.€Ð ¬ t ÐÌà  àIn€April€1995,€Chrissy€Gabell,€a€strikingly€beautiful€25„year„old€woman€from€Arizona,Ð „ L  Ðarrived€in€Nashville€to€ð ðchase€that€neon€rainbow.ðð׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Her€father€had€arranged€an€introduction€for€herÐ p 8  Ðwith€the€late€David€Skepner,€the€president€of€a€prominent€entertainment€management€company€andÐ \$  Ðadjunct€professor€in€the€music€business€program€at€Belmont€University.€€Mr.€Skepner,€acting€as€Ms.Ð H  ÐGabellððs€ð ðguidance€counselor,ðð€referred€her€to€Ms.€Hilley,€and€Ms.€Hilley,€in€turn,€asked€Mr.€WilsonÐ 4ü  Ðto€evaluate€Ms.€Gabellððs€potential€as€a€songwriter€or€performing€artist.Ð  è  ÐÌà  àAfter€listening€to€Ms.€Gabellððs€material,€Mr.€Wilson€thought€he€ð ðheard€a€sparkle€ofÐ øÀ Ðsomethingðð€and€decided€that€ð ð[t]here€was€some€talent€there.ðð׃T×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Mr.€Wilson€told€Ms.€Gabell€that€heÐ ä¬ Ðwould€begin€looking€for€suitable€material€for€her€and€that€he€would€assist€her€in€recording€a€demoРИ Ðtape.€€Later€in€the€year,€Ms.€Hilley€inquired€into€Ms.€Gabellððs€progress€after€receiving€anotherÐ ¼„ Ðtelephone€call€from€Mr.€Skepner.€€In€late€summer€1995,€Mr.€Wilson€helped€Ms.€Gabell€record€aÐ ¨p Ðdemo€tape€using€pre„recorded€music€tracks€and€told€her€that€he€would€begin€working€on€a€liveÐ ”\ Ðrecording€session€for€her.Ð €H ÐÌà  àWhen€Mr.€Wilson€first€met€Ms.€Gabell,€he€was€a€middle„aged€father€of€two€adult€childrenÐ X  Ðwho€had€been€divorced€for€twelve€years.€€By€November€1995,€he€came€to€believe€that€Ms.€GabellÐ D  Ðwas€physically€attracted€to€him€ð ðfor€some€reason.ðð€€During€lunch€on€November€14,€1995,€Mr.€WilsonÐ 0ø Ðand€Ms.€Gabell€decided€to€move€beyond€their€professional€relationship€to€a€much€more€intimate€one.Ð ä ÐThey€began€dating,€and€their€relationship€was€not€only€common€knowledge€at€Sony/ATV€but€wasÐ Ð Ðalso€the€subject€of€discussion€among€other€Sony/ATV€employees,€including€Ms.€Hilley.Ð ô¼ ÐÌà  àMr.€Wilson€traveled€to€Arizona€during€the€holidays€to€visit€Ms.€Gabell€and€her€family.€€OnÐ Ì ” Ðtheir€flight€back€to€Nashville,€Ms.€Gabell€revealed€that€she€was€sharing€her€apartment€with€MarkÐ ¸!€  ÐTims.€€Up€to€this€point,€she€had€led€Mr.€Wilson€to€believe€that€her€roommate€was€female.€€Upon€theirÐ ¤"l! Ðreturn€from€Arizona,€Ms.€Gabell€moved€into€the€apartment€Mr.€Wilson€shared€with€one€of€his€adultÐ #X" Ðdaughters.€€In€early€1996,€Ms.€Gabell€accompanied€Mr.€Wilson€on€a€trip€to€Europe€for€a€countryÐ |$D # Ðmusic€convention€and€shared€a€hotel€room€with€him.€€Following€the€trip,€Ms.€Gabell€told€Mr.€WilsonÐ h%0!$ Ðthat€€she€had€decided€to€move€back€into€her€apartment.€€When€Mr.€Wilson€asked€her€to€move€backÐ T&"% Ðin€with€him,€Ms.€Gabell€responded€that€ð ðshe€didnððt€feel€like€she€wanted€to€do€that€right€at€that€point.ðð€Ð @'#& ÐMr.€Wilson,€trying€to€be€a€ð ðman€of€the€nineties,ðð€did€not€press€the€issue.Ð ,(ô#' Їà  àAlthough€Mr.€Wilson€and€Ms.€Gabell€were€beginning€to€experience€some€ups€and€downs,Ð 8 Ðthey€continued€their€intimate€relationship€into€the€spring.€€Mr.€Wilson€helped€Ms.€Gabell€completeÐ $ì Ðanother€demo€tape€in€February€1996.€€He€had€already€used€his€own€money€to€pay€for€Ms.€GabellððsÐ Ø Ðbreast€augmentation€surgery€prior€to€their€trip€to€Europe,€and€his€generosity€toward€her€continued.€Ð üÄ ÐHe€paid€for€a€number€of€her€recording€sessions€and€for€her€publicity€portfolio.€€He€also€bought€Ms.Ð è° ÐGabell€clothes€and€gave€her€$3,000€for€a€down€payment€on€a€car.€€Finally,€in€April€1996,€Mr.€WilsonÐ Ôœ Ðobtained€Ms.€Hilleyððs€agreement€to€sign€Ms.€Gabell€to€a€one„year€contract€with€Sony/ATV€as€aÐ À ˆ Ðsongwriter.€€As€he€said€later,€ð ð[t]his€woman€could€have€had€anything€she€wanted€from€me€if€she€hadÐ ¬ t Ðjust€played€fair€and€honest.ððÐ ˜ ` ÐÌà  à€Mr.€Wilsonððs€ð ðbig€blowupðð€with€Ms.€Gabell€occurred€during€the€summer€of€1996€when€heÐ p 8  Ðdiscovered€that€she€had€made€over€$5,000€in€purchases€on€two€of€his€personal€credit€cards€withoutÐ \$  Ðtelling€him.€€He€left€a€message€on€her€answering€machine€to€the€effect€that€ð ð[i]f€you€donððt€get€theseÐ H  Ðcredit€cards€straightened€out,€you€are€going€to€have€to€figure€out€some€other€way€to€get€aroundÐ 4ü  Ðbecause€Iððm€coming€to€get€my€car,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€Iððll€get€them€straightened€out.ðð€€Ms.€Gabell€promised€toÐ  è  Ðreturn€the€credit€cards€in€two€days.€When€she€did€not,€Mr.€Wilson€decided€to€stop€by€her€apartmentÐ  Ô  Ðon€the€way€to€work€to€retrieve€them€and€left€a€message€on€her€answering€machine€that€he€wasÐ øÀ Ðcoming€to€pick€up€the€cards.€€Mr.€Wilson€was€able€to€enter€Ms.€Gabellððs€gated€apartment€complexÐ ä¬ Ðby€following€another€car€through€the€gate.€€He€left€a€short€time€later€after€he€discovered€that€Ms.РИ ÐGabell€was€not€home.Ð ¼„ Ѐ€Ð ¨p Ðà  àApproximately€two€weeks€later,€on€August€13,€1996,€Ms.€Hilley€called€Mr.€Wilson€into€herÐ ”\ Ðoffice.€€There,€in€the€presence€of€Don€Cook,€a€Sony/ATV€senior€vice€president,€and€Chris€WatersÐ €H ÐDunn,€a€Sony€ATV/vice€president,€Ms.€Hilley€informed€Mr.€Wilson€that€Ms.€Gabell€had€complainedÐ l4 Ðthat€he€had€threatened€to€kill€her€and€that€he€had€broken€into€her€apartment€complex.€€Ms.€Hilley€alsoÐ X  Ðrecounted€that€Ms.€Gabell€had€denied€having€consensual€sexual€relations€with€Mr.€Wilson€and€hadÐ D  Ðclaimed€that€Mr.€Wilson€was€stalking€her,€making€unwanted€sexual€advances€toward€her,€andÐ 0ø Ðthreatening€to€ruin€her€career€if€she€did€not€agree€to€continue€dating€him.Ð ä ÐÌà  àMr.€Wilson€was€surprised€by€Ms.€Gabellððs€allegations€and€denied€that€his€conduct€with€Ms.Ð ô¼ ÐGabell€had€been€inappropriate€or€unwelcomed.€€He€recounted€the€details€of€his€relationship€with€Ms.РਠÐGabell€for€Ms.€Hilley€and€Messrs.€Cook€and€Dunn€and€was€surprised€to€discover€that€they€did€notÐ Ì ” Ðappear€to€believe€him.€€Finally,€to€conclude€the€meeting,€Ms.€Hilley€told€Mr.€Wilson€that€he€wouldÐ ¸!€  Ðbe€allowed€to€resign€with€a€severance€package€from€Sony/ATV€but€that€he€would€be€fired€if€heÐ ¤"l! Ðdeclined€the€offer.Ð #X" ÐÌà  àOver€the€course€of€the€next€several€days,€Mr.€Wilson€provided€Ms.€Hilley€with€corroborationÐ h%0!$ Ðof€his€version€of€his€relationship€with€Ms.€Gabell,€including€her€love€notes€and€entries€on€herÐ T&"% Ðpersonal€calendar€where€she€had€drawn€hearts€on€the€days€commemorating€the€monthly€anniversaryÐ @'#& Ðof€their€first€romantic€encounter€in€November€1995.€€None€of€this€information€seemed€to€sway€Ms.Ð ,(ô#' Ðâ âHilley,€and€Mr.€Wilson€eventually€declined€to€accept€the€severance€package€by€telling€Sony/ATVÐ )à$( Ðthat€they€could€ð ðtake€their€money€and€.€.€.€give€it€to€the€poor€boysðð€home.ðð€€Shortly€thereafter,€Mr.Ð 8 ÐCook€ordered€Mr.€Wilson€to€pack€up€his€personal€belongings€and€to€leave€the€premises€permanently.Ð $ì Ðâ âÌà  àAfter€Mr.€Wilsonððs€departure,€Sony/ATV€promoted€Amy€McKeehan,€the€31„year„oldÐ üÄ Ðadministrative€assistant€to€the€song€pluggers,€to€take€his€place.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Sony/ATV€declined€to€renew€Ms.Ð è° ÐGabellððs€contract€when€it€expired,€and€she€returned€to€Arizona€without€making€any€further€noise€onÐ Ôœ ÐSixteenth€Avenue.׃%Ü×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀РÀ ˆ ÐÌà  àIn€November€1996,€Mr.€Wilson€filed€suit€in€the€Chancery€Court€for€Davidson€County,Ð ˜ ` Ðalleging€that€Sony/ATV€had€engaged€in€age€and€gender€discrimination€in€violation€of€the€TennesseeÐ „ L  ÐHuman€Rights€Act€by€firing€him€and€replacing€him€with€a€younger€employee.€€Sony/ATV€denied€theÐ p 8  Ðallegation€and,€following€discovery€by€both€sides,€moved€for€a€summary€judgment€on€the€ground€thatÐ \$  Ðit€had€a€legitimate,€non„discriminatory€reason€for€firing€Mr.€Wilson.€€Mr.€Wilson€responded€to€theÐ H  Ðmotion€by€asserting€that€Sony/ATVððs€proffered€reasons€for€firing€him€were€pretextual.€€He€supportedÐ 4ü  Ðhis€response€with€the€detailed€affidavit€of€Ms.€McKeehan€who€by€this€time€had€also€been€fired€byÐ  è  ÐSony/ATV.€€The€trial€court€granted€Sony/ATVððs€motion€for€summary€judgment,€and€Mr.€Wilson€hasÐ  Ô  Ðappealed€to€this€court.Ð øÀ ÐÌà@……)ìàò òII.ó óˆÐ И Ðà@hhìàòòò òThe€Standard€of€Reviewó óóóˆÐ ¼„ ÐÌà  àGranting€a€summary€judgment€is€warranted€in€virtually€any€civil€case€where€the€moving€partyÐ ”\ Ðdemonstrates€that€no€genuine€issues€of€material€fact€exist€and€that€it€is€entitled€to€a€judgment€as€aÐ €H Ðmatter€of€law.€€òòDoe€v.€HCA€Health€Servs.€of€Tenn.,€Inc.óó,€46€S.W.3d€191,€196€(Tenn.€2001);€òòArmoneitÐ l4 Ðv.€Elliott€Crane€Serv.óó,€65€S.W.3d€623,€627€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001).€€Because€a€summary€judgmentÐ X  Ðinvolves€an€issue€of€law€rather€than€an€issue€of€fact,€òòPlanters€Gin€Co.€v.€Federal€Compress€&Ð D  ÐWarehouse€Co.óó,€78€S.W.3d€885,€889€(Tenn.€2002),€an€order€granting€a€summary€judgment€is€notÐ 0ø Ðentitled€to€a€presumption€of€correctness€on€appeal.€€òòGuy€v.€Mutual€of€Omaha€Ins.€Co.óó,€79€S.W.3dÐ ä Ð528,€534€(Tenn.€2002).€€Ð Ð ÐÌà  àAppellate€courts€do€not€employ€the€standard€of€review€in€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(d)€whenРਠÐreviewing€an€order€granting€a€summary€judgment.€òò€Mason€v.€Seatonóó,€942€S.W.2d€470,€472€(Tenn.Ð Ì ” Ð1997);€òòEstate€of€Kirk€v.€Loweóó,€70€S.W.3d€77,€79„80€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001).€€Rather,€we€determineÐ ¸!€  Ðfor€ourselves€whether€the€moving€party€has€satisfied€the€requirements€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.€€òòHunterÐ ¤"l! Ðv.€Brownóó,€955€S.W.2d€49,€50„51€(Tenn.€1997);€òòCantrell€v.€DeKalb€Countyóó,€78€S.W.3d€902,€905Ð #X" Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001).€€In€this€process,€we€must€consider€the€evidence€in€the€light€most€favorableÐ |$D # Ðto€the€nonmoving€party€and€resolve€all€inferences€in€the€nonmoving€party's€favor.€€òòJohnson€v.Ð h%0!$ ÐLeBonheur€Childrenððs€Med.€Ctr.óó,€74€S.W.3d€338,€342€(Tenn.€2002);€òòWebber€v.€State€Farm€Mut.Ð T&"% ÐAuto.€Ins.€Co.óó,€49€S.W.3d€265,€269€(Tenn.€2001).Ð @'#& Їà  àLitigants€may€use€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€to€challenge€their€adversaries€to€put€upÐ 8 Ðor€shut€up€on€a€critical€issue€in€a€case.€€òòStreet€v.€J.C.€Bradford€&€Co.óó,€886€F.2d€1472,€1478€(6th€Cir.Ð $ì Ð1989).€€A€moving€party€will€be€entitled€to€a€summary€judgment€if€it€can€demonstrate€that€the€non„Ð Ø Ðmoving€party€will€be€unable€to€prove€an€essential€element€of€its€case€on€which€it€will€bear€the€burdenÐ üÄ Ðof€proof€at€trial.€€òòByrd€v.€Hallóó,€847€S.W.2d€208,€213€(Tenn.€1993);€òòSolomon€v.€FloWarr€Mgt.,€Inc.óó,Ð è° Ð777€S.W.2d€701,€706€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989).€€Customarily,€defendants€employ€this€strategy€eitherÐ Ôœ Ðto€negate€an€essential€element€of€the€plaintiffððs€claim€or€to€establish€an€affirmative€defense€to€theÐ À ˆ Ðplaintiffððs€claim.€€òòStaples€v.€CBL€&€Assocs.,€Inc.óó,€15€S.W.3d€83,€88€(Tenn.€2000);€òòPendleton€v.€Millsóó,Ð ¬ t Ð73€S.W.3d€115,€121€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001).€Ð ˜ ` ÐÌà  àOnce€a€party€seeking€a€summary€judgment€demonstrates€that€its€motion€complies€with€theÐ p 8  Ðrequirements€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56,€the€burden€of€going€forward€shifts€to€the€non„moving€party€toÐ \$  Ðdemonstrate€either€that€material€factual€disputes€exist€or€that€the€moving€party€is€otherwise€notÐ H  Ðentitled€to€a€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€€òòNelson€v.€Martinóó,€958€S.W.2d€643,€647€(Tenn.€1997);Ð 4ü  ÐòòCantrell€v.€DeKalb€Countyóó,€78€S.W.3d€at€905.€€Mere€conclusory€allegations€will€not€suffice€to€createÐ  è  Ða€material€factual€dispute.€€òòPsillas€v.€Home€Depot,€U.S.A.,€Inc.óó,€66€S.W.3d€860,€864€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð  Ô  Ð2001).€€Non„moving€parties€may€deflect€a€summary€judgment€motion€challenging€their€ability€toÐ øÀ Ðprove€an€essential€element€of€their€case€by€(1)€pointing€to€evidence€either€overlooked€or€ignored€byÐ ä¬ Ðthe€moving€party€that€creates€a€factual€dispute,€(2)€rehabilitating€evidence€challenged€by€the€movingРИ Ðparty,€(3)€producing€additional€evidence€that€creates€a€material€factual€dispute,€or€(4)€submitting€anÐ ¼„ Ðaffidavit€in€accordance€with€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.07€requesting€additional€time€for€discovery.€Ð ¨p ÐòòMcCarley€v.€West€Quality€Food€Serv.óó,€960€S.W.2d€585,€588€(Tenn.€1998);òò€Davis€v.€Campbellóó,€48Ð ”\ ÐS.W.3d€741,€747„48€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001).€€A€non„moving€party€who€fails€to€carry€its€burden€facesÐ €H Ðsummary€dismissal€of€the€challenged€claim€or€defense€because,€as€our€courts€have€repeatedlyÐ l4 Ðobserved,€the€failure€of€proof€concerning€an€essential€element€of€a€case€renders€all€other€factsÐ X  Ðimmaterial.€€òòAlexander€v.€Memphis€Individual€Practice€Assððnóó,€870€S.W.2d€278,€280€(Tenn.€1993);Ð D  ÐòòStrauss€v.€Wyatt,€Tarrant,€Combs,€Gilbert€&€Milomóó,€911€S.W.2d€727,€729€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995).Ð 0ø ÐÌÔ‡@X ™XXX ™Ôà  àA€summary€judgment€is€not€appropriate€when€a€caseððs€determinative€facts€are€in€dispute.€Ð Ð ÐThus,€courts€reviewing€an€order€granting€a€summary€judgment€must€determine€whether€factualÐ ô¼ Ðdisputes€exist€and€whether€these€disputes€are€material€to€the€claim€or€defense€implicated€by€theРਠÐsummary€judgment€motion.€òòByrd€v.€Hallóó,€847€S.W.2d€at€214;€òòCantrell€v.€DeKalb€Countyóó,€78€S.W.3dÐ Ì ” Ðat€905„06.€For€a€question€of€fact€to€exist,€reasonable€minds€must€be€able€to€differ€over€whether€someÐ ¸!€  Ðalleged€occurrence€or€event€did€or€did€not€happen€or€whether€a€particular€condition€did€or€did€notÐ ¤"l! Ðexist.€€òòConatser€v.€Clarksville€Coca„Cola€Bottling€Co.óó,€920€S.W.2d€646,€647€(Tenn.€1995);€òòDavisÐ #X" Ðv.€Campbellóó,€48€S.W.3d€at€747.€€òòóóIf€reasonable€minds€could€justifiably€reach€different€conclusionsÐ |$D # Ðbased€on€the€evidence€at€hand,€then€a€genuine€question€of€fact€exists.€€òòLouis€Dreyfus€Corp.€v.€AustinÐ h%0!$ ÐCo.óó,€868€S.W.2d€649,€655€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993).€€If,€on€the€other€hand,€the€evidence€and€theÐ T&"% Ðinferences€to€be€reasonably€drawn€from€the€evidence€would€permit€a€reasonable€person€to€reach€onlyÐ @'#& Ðone€conclusion,€then€there€are€no€material€factual€disputes€and€the€question€can€be€disposed€of€as€aÐ ,(ô#' Ðmatter€of€law.€€òòWebber€v.€State€Farm€Mut.€Auto.€Ins.€Co.óó,€49€S.W.3d€at€269;€òòBrown€v.€BirmanÐ )à$( ÐManaged€Care,€Inc.óó,€42€S.W.3d€62,€66€(Tenn.€2001);€òòSeavers€v.€Methodist€Med.€Ctr.óó,€9€S.W.3d€86,Ð *Ì%) Ð91€(Tenn.€1999).òòóó€Ð ð*¸&* Ðâ âÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðà  àNot€all€factual€disputes€warrant€denying€a€motion€for€summary€judgment.€€Many€factualÐ 8 Ðâ âdisputes€have€no€bearing€to€the€ultimate€outcome€of€the€partiesðð€dispute.€€Thus,€factual€disputesÐ $ì Ðwarrant€denying€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€only€when€they€are€material.€€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.Ð Ø Ð56.04€(requiring€the€moving€party€to€demonstrate€ð ðthat€there€is€no€genuine€issue€as€to€any€materialÐ üÄ Ðfactðð).€€A€factual€dispute€is€material€for€the€purposes€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56€if€it€must€be€decided€inÐ è° Ðorder€to€resolve€the€substance€of€the€claim€or€defense€being€tested€by€the€summary€judgment€motion.€Ð Ôœ ÐòòLuther€v.€Comptonóó,€5€S.W.3d€635,€639€(Tenn.€1999);€òòByrd€v.€Hallóó,€847€S.W.2d€at€215;€òòChambersÐ À ˆ Ðv.€City€of€Chattanoogaóó,€71€S.W.3d€281,€284€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001).Ð ¬ t ÐÌà@^^(ìàò òIII.ˆÐ „ L  Ðà@>>ìàòòGender€and€Age€Discrimination€Claims€Under€the€Tennessee€Human€Rights€Actóóó óˆÐ p 8  ÐÌÔ#†X ™XX@X ™šL#Ôà  àThe€Tennessee€Human€Rights€Act€is€a€comprehensive€anti„discrimination€law,€òòPhillips€v.Ð H  ÐInterstate€Hotels€Corp.óó,€974€S.W.2d€680,€683€(Tenn.€1998),€intended€to€further€the€policiesÐ 4ü  Ðembodied€in€the€similar€federal€laws€against€employment€discrimination.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„21„Ð  è  Ð101(a)(1)€(1998);€òòFrazier€v.€Heritage€Fed.€Bank€for€Savs.óó,€955€S.W.2d€633,€636€n.€1€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð  Ô  Ð1997).€€The€Act€proscribes€discriminatory€employment€practices€with€respect€to€the€compensation,Ð øÀ Ðterms,€conditions,€or€privileges€of€employment€based€on€considerations€of€race,€creed,€color,€religion,Ð ä¬ Ðsex,€age,€or€national€origin.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„21„101(a)(3).€€òòóóIn€light€of€the€intended€overlap€inРИ Ðpurpose€between€the€Tennessee€Human€Rights€Act€and€federal€anti„discrimination€laws,€TennesseeððsÐ ¼„ Ðcourts€regularly€consult€the€decisions€of€their€federal€counterparts€for€guidance€when€called€upon€toÐ ¨p Ðconstrue€and€apply€the€Tennessee€Human€Rights€Act.€€òòWeber€v.€Mosesóó,€938€S.W.2d€387,€390€(Tenn.Ð ”\ Ð1996);€òòFrazier€v.€Heritage€Fed.€Bank€for€Savs.óó,€955€S.W.2d€at€636€n.1.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р€H ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ X  Ðà@B B ìàò òMethods€For€Proving€Employment€Discrimination€Claimsó óˆÐ D  ÐÌà  àThe€burden€of€proving€the€ultimate€issue€of€unlawful€employment€discrimination€always€restsÐ ä Ðwith€the€employee.€òò€Texas€Depððt€of€Cmty.€Affairs€v.€Burdineóó,€450€U.S.€248,€253,€101€S.€Ct.€1089,Ð Ð Ð1093€(1981);€òòSpann€v.€Abrahamóó,€36€S.W.3d€at€464.€€Whether€the€claim€involves€discriminationÐ ô¼ Ðbased€on€gender€or€age,€the€framework€for€allocating€the€burden€of€production€and€the€order€of€theРਠÐpresentation€of€proof€is€the€same.€€òòóóEmployees€pursuing€an€employment€discrimination€claim€underÐ Ì ” Ðthe€Tennessee€Human€Rights€Act€may€carry€their€burden€of€proof€by€employing€either€the€direct€orÐ ¸!€  Ðthe€indirect€method€of€proof.€€òòMoore€v.€Nashville€Elec.€Power€Bd.óó,€72€S.W.3d€643,€651€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð ¤"l! ÐApp.€2001);€òòPerlberg€v.€Brencor€Asset€Mgt.,€Inc.óó,€63€S.W.3d€390,€394„95€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2001).Ð #X" ÐÌà  àIn€the€context€of€an€employment€discrimination€case,€the€direct€method€of€proof€focuses€onÐ h%0!$ Ðthe€motivation€of€the€employer€responsible€for€the€contested€decision.€€òòWalker€v.€Glickmanóó,€241€F.3dÐ T&"% Ðâ â884,€888€(7th€Cir.€2001).€€Direct€evidence€of€discrimination€consists€of€evidence€of€an€employerððsÐ @'#& Ðconduct€or€statements׃B×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€which,€if€believed,€requires€a€conclusion€that€unlawful€discrimination€wasÐ 8 Ðâ âa€substantial€motivating€factor€for€the€employerððs€actions.€€òòClearwater€v.€Independent€Sch.€Dist.€No.Ð $ì Ð166óó,€231€F.3d€1122,€1126€(8th€Cir.€2000);€òòJacklyn€v.€Schering„Plough€Healthcare€Prods.€SalesÐ Ø ÐCorp.óó,€176€F.3d€921,€926€(6th€Cir.€1999);€òòBrown€v.€East€Miss.€Elec.€Power€Assððnóó,€989€F.2d€858,€861Ð üÄ Ð(5th€Cir.€1993).€€Evidence€that€can€be€interpreted€as€an€acknowledgment€of€discriminatory€intent€willÐ è° Ðsuffice€as€direct€evidence€even€if€it€stops€short€of€a€virtual€admission€of€illegality.€€òòGorence€v.€EagleÐ Ôœ ÐFood€Ctrs.,€Inc.óó,€242€F.3d€759,€762€(7th€Cir.€2001);€òòMiller€v.€Borden,€Inc.óó,€168€F.3d€308,€312€(7thÐ À ˆ ÐCir.€1999).Ð ¬ t ÐÌà  àPersons€relying€on€the€direct€method€of€proof€may€use€both€direct€and€circumstantialÐ „ L  Ðevidence€to€support€their€claim.€€òòGoodman€v.€Pennsylvania€Turnpike€Commððnóó,€293€F.3d€655,€664Ð p 8  Ð(3d€Cir.€2002);€òòSattar€v.€Motorola,€Inc.óó,€138€F.3d€1164,€1168„69€(7th€Cir.€1998);€òòSpann€v.€Abrahamóó,Ð \$  Ð36€S.W.3d€at€464.€€The€evidence€must€satisfy€two€conditions€to€be€probative.€€First,€it€must€relateÐ H  Ðto€conduct€or€statements€by€persons€directly€involved€in€the€decision„making€process.€€òòKerns€v.Ð 4ü  ÐCapital€Graphics,€Inc.óó,€178€F.3d€1011,€1017€(8th€Cir.€1999).€€Statements€by€persons€who€are€not€partÐ  è  Ðof€the€decision„making€process€will€not€suffice.€€òòSmith€v.€Leggett€Wire€Co.óó,€220€F.3d€752,€759€(6thÐ  Ô  ÐCir.€2000).€€Second,€the€conduct€or€statements€must€relate€to€the€particular€employment€decisionÐ øÀ Ðbeing€challenged.€€òòMedlock€v.€Ortho€Biotech,€Inc.óó,€164€F.3d€545,€550€(10th€Cir.€1999);€òòThomas€v.Ð ä¬ ÐNational€Football€League€Players€Assððnóó,€131€F.3d€198,€204€(D.C.€Cir.€1997).€€Stray€remarks€in€theРИ Ðworkplace,€statements€made€long€before€the€contested€employment€action,€and€statements€otherwiseÐ ¼„ Ðunrelated€to€the€action€at€issue€will€not€suffice.€€òòMarkel€v.€Board€of€Regents€of€Univ.€of€Wis.€Sys.óó,€276Ð ¨p ÐF.3d€906,€910€(7th€Cir.€2002);€òòSmith€v.€Leggett€Wire€Co.óó,€220€F.3d€at€760;òò€Fast€v.€Southern€UnionÐ ”\ ÐCo.óó,€149€F.3d€885,€890€(8th€Cir.€1998).Ð €H ÐÌà  àDirect€evidence€of€intentional€employment€discrimination€is€often€hard€to€come€by.€€òòPriceÐ X  ÐWaterhouse€v.€Hopkinsóó,€490€U.S.€228,€271,€109€S.€Ct.€1775,€1802€(1989)€(O.Connor,€J.,€concurring);Ð D  ÐòòMoore€v.€Nashville€Elec.€Power€Bd.óó,€72€S.W.3d€at€651.€€Accordingly,€employees€who€cannot€proveÐ 0ø Ðunlawful€discrimination€using€the€direct€method€resort€to€the€indirect€method€of€proof.€€This€methodÐ ä Ðemploys€the€familiar€framework€for€allocating€the€burden€of€production€and€the€order€of€presentationÐ Ð Ðof€proof׃CÜ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€set€out€in€òòMcDonnell€Douglas€Corp.€v.€Greenóó,€411€U.S.€792,€93€S.€Ct.€1817€(1973).€€TheÐ ô¼ Ðgoal€of€this€approach€is€to€progressively€sharpen€the€inquiry€into€the€elusive€factual€question€ofРਠÐintentional€discrimination.€€òòTexas€Depððt€of€Cmty.€Affairs€v.€Burdineóó,€450€U.S.€at€255€n.8,€101€S.€Ct.Ð Ì ” Ðat€1094€n.€8.€Ð ¸!€  ÐÌà  àTennessee€courts€regularly€employ€the€òòMcDonnell€Douglasóó€approach€in€discrimination€cases.€Ð #X" ÐòòSee,€e.g.,€Barnes€v.€Goodyear€Tire€&€Rubber€Co.óó,€48€S.W.3d€at€708;€òòSpann€v.€Abrahamóó,€36€S.W.3dÐ |$D # Ðat€465.€€Under€this€approach,€the€employee€has€the€initial€burden€of€presenting€evidence€establishingÐ h%0!$ Ða€prima€facie€case€of€discrimination.€€òòReeves€v.€Sanderson€Plumbing€Prods.,€Inc.óó,€530€U.S.€133,€142,Ð 8 Ð120€S.€Ct.€2097,€2106€(2000);€òòSmith€v.€Bridgestone/Firestone,€Inc.óó,€2€S.W.3d€197,€200€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð $ì ÐApp.€1999).€€This€is€an€evidentiary€standard,€not€a€pleading€requirement.€€òòSwierkiewicz€v.€Soremaóó,Ð Ø Ð534€U.S.€506,€510„11,€122€S.€Ct.€992,€997€(2002).€€Ð üÄ ÐÌà  àEstablishing€a€prima€facie€case€of€discrimination€creates€a€rebuttable€presumption€that€theÐ Ôœ Ðemployer€unlawfully€discriminated€against€the€employee.€€òòSt.€Maryððs€Honor€Ctr.€v.€Hicksóó,€509€U.S.Ð À ˆ Ðat€506,€113€S.€Ct.€at€2747;€òòGonzalez€v.€El€Dia,€Inc.óó,€304€F.3d€63,€68„69€(1st€Cir.€2002).€€The€effectÐ ¬ t Ðof€the€presumption€is€to€place€on€the€employer€the€burden€of€producing€evidence€that€the€challengedÐ ˜ ` Ðemployment€action€was€taken€for€legitimate,€non„discriminatory€reasons.€€òòTexas€Depððt€of€Cmty.Ð „ L  ÐAffairs€v.€Burdineóó,€450€U.S.€at€254,€101€S.€Ct.€at€1094;€òòMoore€v.€Nashville€Elec.€Power€Bd.óó,€72Ð p 8  ÐS.W.3d€at€652.€€This€burden€is€one€of€production,€not€persuasion.€€òòReeves€v.€Sanderson€PlumbingÐ \$  ÐProds.,€Inc.óó,€530€U.S.€at€142,€120€S.€Ct.€at€2106.€€It€requires€the€employer€to€clearly€set€forth,€throughÐ H  Ðthe€introduction€of€admissible€evidence,€reasons€for€its€actions€which,€if€believed€by€the€trier€of€fact,Ð 4ü  Ðwould€support€a€finding€that€unlawful€discrimination€was€not€the€cause€of€the€employment€actionòò.€Ð  è  ÐBauer€v.€Albemarle€Corp.óó,€169€F.3d€962,€966€(5th€Cir.€1999).Ð  Ô  ÐÌà  àIf€the€employer€succeeds€in€carrying€its€burden€of€production,€the€presumption€ofÐ ä¬ Ðdiscrimination€drops€out€of€the€picture,€and€the€trier€of€fact€proceeds€to€decide€the€ultimate€questionРИ Ðof€whether€the€employee€has€proved€that€the€employer€unlawfully€discriminated€against€him€or€her.€Ð ¼„ ÐòòReeves€v.€Sanderson€Plumbing€Prods.,€Inc.óó,€530€U.S.€at€142,€120€S.€Ct.€at€2106;€òòSt.€Maryððs€HonorÐ ¨p ÐCtr.€v.€Hicksóó,€509€U.€S.€at€510„11,€113€S.€Ct.€at€2749.€€At€this€stage,€the€employee€must€have€a€fullÐ ”\ Ðand€fair€opportunity€to€demonstrate€that€the€employerððs€proffered€reasons€are€pretextual€and€thatÐ €H Ðunlawful€discrimination€was€the€true€reason€for€the€challenged€employment€action.òò€€Texas€Depððt€ofÐ l4 ÐCmty.€Affairs€v.€Burdineóó,€450€U.S.€at€256,€101€S.€Ct.€at€1095;€òòVersa€v.€Policy€Studies,€Inc.óó,€45Ð X  ÐS.W.3d€575,€580€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000).Ð D  ÐÌà  àAn€employee€may€demonstrate€that€an€employerððs€proffered,€non„discriminatory€reasons€forÐ ä Ðan€adverse€employment€action€are€pretextual€by€revealing€the€ð ðweaknesses,€implausibilities,Ð Ð Ðinconsistencies,€incoherencies,€or€contradictionsðð€in€the€employerððs€explanation.€€òòGarrett€v.€Hewlett„Ð ô¼ ÐPackard€Co.óó,€305€F.3d€1210,€1217€(10th€Cir.€2002).€€Three€of€the€most€common€ways€to€undermineРਠÐan€employerððs€proffered€reasons€include:€€(1)€establishing€that€the€proffered€reasons€have€no€basisÐ Ì ” Ðin€fact,€(2)€establishing€that€the€proffered€reasons€did€not€actually€motivate€the€adverse€employmentÐ ¸!€  Ðaction,€or€(3)€establishing€that€the€proffered€reasons€were€insufficient€to€motivate€the€adverseÐ ¤"l! Ðemployment€action.€€òòDews€v.€A.B.€Dick€Co.óó,€231€F.3d€1016,€1021€(6th€Cir.€2000);€òòCliff€v.€Board€ofÐ #X" ÐSch.€Commððrsóó,€42€F.3d€403,€412€(7th€1994);€òòMcNabola€v.€Chicago€Transit€Auth.óó,€10€F.3d€501,€513Ð |$D # Ð(7th€Cir.€1993);€òòBarnes€v.€Goodyear€Tire€&€Rubber€Co.óó,€48€S.W.3d€at€708.€€Proof€that€an€employerððsÐ h%0!$ Ðexplanation€is€unworthy€of€credence€is€a€persuasive€way€to€prove€unlawful€discrimination.€€AsÐ T&"% ÐJustice€OððConnor€has€pointed€out:Ð @'#& ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€appropriate€circumstances,€the€trier€of€fact€can€reasonably€inferÐ )à$( Ðfrom€the€falsity€of€the€explanation€that€the€employer€is€dissemblingÐ *Ì%) Ðto€cover€up€a€discriminatory€purpose.€.€.€.€[O]nce€the€employerððsÐ ð*¸&* Ðjustification€has€been€eliminated,€discrimination€may€well€be€the€mostÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðlikely€alternative€explanation,€especially€since€the€employer€is€in€theÐ È,(, Ðbest€position€to€put€forth€the€actual€reason€for€its€decision.€.€.€.€Thus,Ð 8 Ða€plaintiffððs€prima€facie€case,€combined€with€sufficient€evidence€toÐ $ì Ðfind€that€the€employerððs€asserted€justification€is€false,€may€permit€theÐ Ø Ðtrier€of€fact€to€conclude€that€the€employer€unlawfully€discriminated.ÐüÄ` x` x ÐÌòòReeves€v.€Sanderson€Plumbing€Prods.,€Inc.óó,€530€U.S.€at€147„48,€120€S.€Ct.€at€2108„09.Ð Ôœ ÐÌà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ ¬ t Ðà@ÙÙìàò òPrima€Facie€Discrimination€Claims€Under€the€òòMcDonnell€Douglas€óóFrameworkó óˆÐ ˜ ` ÐÌà  àThe€precise€requirements€of€a€prima€facie€case€of€unlawful€discrimination€can€vary€dependingÐ p 8  Ðon€the€context.€€òòóóThey€were€ð ðnever€intended€to€be€rigid,€mechanized,€or€ritualistic.ðð€€òòFurnco€Constr.Ð \$  ÐCorp.€v.€Watersóó,€438€U.S.€567,€577,€98€S.€Ct.€2943,€2949€(1978).€€Thus,€the€elements€of€a€primaÐ H  Ðfacie€case€using€the€direct€method€of€proof€may€differ€from€the€elements€of€a€prima€facie€case€usingÐ 4ü  Ðthe€indirect€method.€€òòSwierkiewicz€v.€Soremaóó,€534€U.S.€at€511„12,€122€S.€Ct.€at€997;€òòMcDonnellÐ  è  ÐDouglasóó.€€òòTrans€World€Airlines,€Inc.€v.€Thurstonóó,€469€U.S.€111,€121,€105€S.€Ct.€613,€621„22€(1985)Ð  Ô  Ð(holding€that€the€òòMcDonnell€Douglas€óótest€is€inapplicable€where€the€plaintiff€presents€direct€evidenceÐ øÀ Ðof€discrimination).Ð ä¬ ÐÌà@O O ìàò òPrima€Facie€Age€Discrimination€Claimsó óˆÐ ¼„ ÐÌà  àThe€Tennessee€Human€Rights€Act€prohibits€employers€from€discriminating€against€theirÐ ”\ Ðemployees€who€are€forty€years€old€or€older€because€of€their€age.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„21„101(a)(3),Ð €H Ð(b).€€The€Actððs€goal€is€to€require€employers€to€evaluate€the€performance€of€their€older€employees€onÐ l4 Ðtheir€real,€demonstrable€merits€rather€than€on€the€stereotypes€often€associated€with€aging.€€òòWesternÐ X  ÐAir€Lines,€Inc.€v.€Criswellóó,€472€U.S.€400,€423,€105€S.€Ct.€2743,€2756€(1985).€€Accordingly,€Tenn.Ð D  ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€4„21„401(a)(1),€(2)€specifically€prohibits€age€discrimination€in€hiring,€firing,€fixingÐ 0ø Ðcompensation,€or€defining€the€terms€and€conditions€of€employment.Ð ä ÐÌà  àAn€employee€seeking€to€recover€for€unlawful€age€discrimination€must€prove€thatÐ ô¼ Ðconsiderations€of€age€not€only€played€a€role€in€but€determinatively€influenced€the€employerððsРਠÐdecision.€òòHazen€Paper€Co.€v.€Bigginsóó,€507€U.S.€604,€610,€113€U.S.€1701,€1706€(1993);€òòLoeffler€v.Ð Ì ” ÐKjellgrenóó,€884€S.W.2d€463,€469€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1994);€òòBruce€v.€Western€Auto€Supply€Co.óó,€669Ð ¸!€  ÐS.W.2d€95,€97€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984).€€To€establish€a€prima€facie€case€of€age€discrimination€usingÐ ¤"l! Ðthe€indirect€method€of€proof,€an€employee€who€has€been€terminated€must€demonstrate€(1)€that€he€orÐ #X" Ðshe€is€a€member€of€the€protected€class€of€persons€forty€years€of€age€or€older,€(2)€that€his€or€her€workÐ |$D # Ðperformance€satisfied€the€employerððs€reasonable€expectations,€(3)€that€he€or€she€was€actually€orÐ h%0!$ Ðconstructively€terminated,€and€(4)€that€the€termination€occurred€under€circumstances€giving€rise€toÐ T&"% Ðan€inference€of€discrimination€based€on€age.òò€€Collins€v.€New€York€City€Transit€Auth.óó,€305€F.3d€113,Ð @'#& Ð118€(2d€Cir.€2002).€€The€fourth€element€of€a€prima€facie€age€discrimination€claim€may€be€satisfiedÐ ,(ô#' Ðby€presenting€proof€that€the€employee€was€replaced€by€someone€substantially€younger.òò€€OððConnorÐ )à$( Ðv.€Consolidated€Coin€Caterers€Corp.óó,€517€U.S.€308,€311„12,€116€S.€Ct.€1307,€1310€(1996)€(holdingÐ *Ì%) Ðthat€an€inference€of€discrimination€cannot€be€drawn€from€the€replacement€of€one€worker€with€anotherÐ ð*¸&* Ðworker€insignificantly€younger);€òòDugan€v.€Albemarle€County€Sch.€Bd.óó,€293€F.3d€716,€721€(4th€Cir.Ð Ü+¤'+ Ð2002);€òòNorton€v.€Samððs€Clubóó,€145€F.3d€114,€118€(2d€Cir.€1998);€òòsee€also€Moore€v.€Nashville€Elec.Ð È,(, ÐPower€Bd.óó,€72€S.W.3d€at€651„52€(holding€that€a€prima€facie€case€of€age€discrimination€requires€proofÐ 8 Ðthat€an€employee€was€replaced€by€a€ð ðyounger€personðð).€Ð $ì ÐÌò òó óà@´ ´ ìàò òPrima€Facie€Gender€Discrimination€Claimsó óˆÐ üÄ ÐÌà  àThe€Tennessee€Human€Rights€Act€also€prohibits€employers€from€discriminating€against€theirÐ Ôœ Ðemployees€because€of€their€gender.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„21„101(a)(3);€òòRoberson€v.€University€ofÐ À ˆ ÐTenn.óó,€829€S.W.2d€149,€150€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1992).€€Its€purpose€is€to€prohibit€all€genderÐ ¬ t Ðdiscrimination€in€the€workplace€no€matter€whether€the€discrimination€disadvantages€women€or€men.€Ð ˜ ` ÐòòNewport€News€Shipbuilding€&€Dry€Dock€Co.€v.€EEOCóó,€462€U.S.€669,€682,€103€S.€Ct.€2622,€2630Ð „ L  Ð(1983).€€The€Act€specifically€outlaws€gender€discrimination€in€hiring,€firing,€setting€wages€andÐ p 8  Ðbenefits,€and€other€conditions€of€employment.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„21„401(a)(1),€(2).€Ð \$  ÐÌà  àAn€employee€seeking€to€recover€for€unlawful€gender€discrimination€must€present€evidenceÐ 4ü  Ðdirectly€showing€or€raising€a€reasonable€inference€that€his€or€her€employerððs€actions€were€based€inÐ  è  Ða€determinative€way€on€considerations€of€the€employeeððs€gender.€€òòPrice€Waterhouse€v.€Hopkinsóó,€490Ð  Ô  ÐU.S.€at€241„42,€109€S.€Ct.€at€1786;€òòTurgeon€v.€Premark,€Intððl,€Inc.óó,€87€F.3d€218,€221€(7th€Cir.€1996).€Ð øÀ ÐTo€establish€a€prima€facie€case€of€gender€discrimination€using€the€indirect€method€of€proof,€anÐ ä¬ Ðemployee€who€has€been€terminated€must€present€evidence€(1)€that€he€or€she€belongs€to€a€protectedРИ Ðclass,€(2)€that€he€or€she€was€performing€at€a€level€that€met€the€employerððs€reasonable€expectations,Ð ¼„ Ð(3)€that€he€or€she€was€actually€or€constructively€terminated,€and€(4)€that€the€termination€occurredÐ ¨p Ðunder€circumstances€giving€rise€to€an€inference€of€unlawful€gender€discriminationòò.€€Lim€v.€TrusteesÐ ”\ Ðof€Ind.€Univ.óó,€297€F.3d€575,€580€(7th€Cir.€2002);€òòKarpel€v.€Inova€Health€Sys.€Serv.óó,€134€F.3d€1222,Ð €H Ð1228€(4th€Cir.€1998);€òòShumway€v.€United€Parcel€Serv.óó,€118€F.3d€60,€63€(2d€Cir.€1997);€òòJohnson€v.Ð l4 ÐBaptist€Med.€Ctr.óó,€97€F.3d€1070,€1072€(8th€Cir.€1996).Ð X  ÐÌà@dd)ìàò òIV.ó óˆÐ 0ø Ðà@q q ìàò òòòMr.€Wilsonððs€Proof€of€Employment€Discriminationóóó óˆÐ ä ÐÌà  àMr.€Wilson€does€not€insist€on€this€appeal€that€he€established€a€prima€facie€case€of€eitherÐ ô¼ Ðgender€or€age€discrimination€using€the€direct€method€of€proof.€€Accordingly,€our€task€is€limited€toРਠÐdetermining€whether€he€presented€sufficient€evidence€to€establish€a€prima€facie€case€of€gender€andÐ Ì ” Ðage€discrimination€using€the€indirect€method€of€proof€and€whether€he€presented€evidence€that€wouldÐ ¸!€  Ðpermit€the€trier€of€fact€to€conclude€that€Sony/ATVððs€reasons€for€terminating€him€were€pretextual.€Ð ¤"l! ÐWe€answer€both€questions€in€the€affirmative.Ð #X" ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òA.ó óˆÐ h%0!$ Ðà@¹¹ìàò òMr.€Wilsonððs€Prima€Facie€Caseó óˆÐ T&"% ÐÌà  àThe€parties€do€not€dispute€that€Mr.€Wilson€presented€evidence€that€he€belonged€to€a€protectedÐ ,(ô#' Ðclass€of€employees€and€that€his€performance€was€consistent€with€his€employerððs€reasonableÐ )à$( Ðexpectations.€€However,€Sony/ATV€asserts€that€Mr.€Wilson€failed€to€establish€a€prima€facie€case€ofÐ *Ì%) Ðeither€age€or€gender€discrimination€because€he€failed€to€present€proof€that€he€had€been€subjected€toÐ ð*¸&* Ðâ âan€adverse€employment€action€and€that€he€had€been€replaced€as€Vice€President€of€Creative€Services.€Ð Ü+¤'+ ÐAfter€considering€the€evidence€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€Mr.€Wilson,€we€have€determined€thatÐ 8 Ðhe€has€established€a€prima€facie€case€of€both€gender€and€age€discrimination.Ð $ì Ðâ âÌà  àSony/ATVððs€first€argument€that€Mr.€Wilson€failed€to€demonstrate€that€he€was€subjected€toÐ üÄ Ðan€adverse€employment€action€is€premised€on€its€insistence€that€Mr.€Wilson€resigned€from€his€job.€Ð è° ÐNotwithstanding€Ms.€Hilleyððs€belief€that€Mr.€Wilson€had€resigned€during€their€August€13,€1996Ð Ôœ Ðmeeting,€Mr.€Wilson€has€staunchly€denied€that€he€resigned€during€this€meeting€or€at€any€other€time.€Ð À ˆ ÐIn€his€words,€Sony/ATV€ð ðturned€on€me€like€a€pack€of€dogs.ðð€€He€insists€that€he€rejected€Sony/ATVððs€Ð ¬ t Ðseverance€package€and€that€he€continued€to€come€to€work€following€the€August€13,€1996€meetingÐ ˜ ` Ðuntil€Mr.€Cook€finally€ordered€him€to€clean€out€his€desk€and€leave€the€building.Ð „ L  ÐÌà  àMr.€Wilsonððs€version€of€the€event€surrounding€the€August€13,€1996€meeting€is€corroboratedÐ \$  Ðby€Ms.€McKeehanððs€testimony€regarding€the€partiesðð€contemporaneous€statements.׃E×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€her€AugustÐ H  Ð3,€1998€affidavit,€Ms.€McKeehan€states€that,€as€he€left€Mr.€Cookððs€office,€Mr.€Wilson€told€her€thatÐ 4ü  Ðð ðI€just€got€fired.€€I€canððt€believe€it,€after€twenty€years.ðð€€She€also€recounted€that€Mr.€Cook€later€toldÐ  è  Ðher€ð ðDan€has€been€let€goðð€and€that€Ms.€Hilley€likewise€told€her€that€Mr.€Wilson€ð ðhas€gotten€fired.ðð€Ð  Ô  ÐFor€summary€judgment€purposes,€Mr.€Wilsonððs€actions€immediately€following€the€August€13,€1996Ð øÀ Ðmeeting€and€the€partiesðð€characterizations€of€what€had€occurred€at€the€meeting€provide€an€adequateÐ ä¬ Ðbasis€for€concluding€that€Sony/ATV€terminated€Mr.€Wilson€and,€therefore,€that€he€had€beenРИ Ðsubjected€to€an€adverse€employment€action.Ð ¼„ ÐÌà  àSony/ATVððs€second€argument€is€that€Mr.€Wilson€has€failed€to€establish€a€prima€facie€caseÐ ”\ Ðof€gender€or€age€discrimination€because€he€has€failed€to€demonstrate€that€he€was€terminated€underÐ €H Ðcircumstances€that€give€rise€to€an€inference€of€unlawful€gender€or€age€discrimination.€€Specifically,Ð l4 ÐSony/ATV€asserts€that€Mr.€Wilsonððs€prima€facie€case€fails€because€he€did€not€produce€evidence€thatÐ X  Ðit€hired€another€Vice€President€for€Creative€Services€to€replace€him.€€We€attach€far€less€legalÐ D  Ðsignificance€to€Mr.€Wilsonððs€official€title€than€does€Sony/ATV.Ð 0ø ÐÌà  àMr.€Wilsonððs€testimony€regarding€his€duties€and€his€job€title€is€essentially€undisputed.€€HeÐ Ð Ðstated€that€he€had€always€been€a€song€plugger€and€that€the€title€of€Vice€President€for€CreativeÐ ô¼ ÐServices€was€simply€an€honorific€bestowed€on€him€because€of€his€long€tenure€with€Sony/ATV.€€HeРਠÐalso€stated€that€the€title€carried€no€additional€compensation€and€did€not€change€his€duties€as€a€songÐ Ì ” Ðplugger.€€It€is€likewise€undisputed€that€Sony/ATV€hired€a€female€song€plugger€twenty€years€Mr.Ð ¸!€  ÐWilsonððs€junior€immediately€after€Mr.€Wilsonððs€departure.€€In€light€of€these€circumstances,€it€isÐ ¤"l! Ðimmaterial€that€Sony/ATV€did€not€bestow€the€title€of€Vice€President€for€Creative€Services€on€Mr.Ð #X" ÐWilsonððs€replacement.€€A€song€plugger€by€any€other€name€remains€a€song€plugger.€€Accordingly,€weÐ |$D # Ðfind€that€Mr.€Wilson€presented€evidence€that€Sony/ATV€had€replaced€him€with€a€substantiallyÐ h%0!$ Ðyounger€woman€and€that€this€circumstance€was€sufficient€to€establish€a€prima€facie€case€of€genderÐ T&"% Ðand€age€discrimination.Ð @'#& Їà@)ìàò òB.ó óˆÐ 8 Ðà@½½ìàò òMr.€Wilsonððs€Proof€That€Sony/ATVððs€Reasons€for€Terminating€Him€Were€Pretextualó óˆÐ $ì ÐÌà  àUnder€the€òòMcDonell€Douglas€óóframework,€Mr.€Wilsonððs€prima€facie€case€gave€rise€to€aÐ üÄ Ðrebuttable€presumption€that€Sony/ATV€terminated€him€because€of€his€gender€and€age.€€Accordingly,Ð è° Ðthe€burden€shifted€to€Sony/ATV€to€produce€evidence€that€its€decision€to€terminate€Mr.€Wilson€wasÐ Ôœ Ðmade€for€legitimate,€non„discriminatory€reasons.€€Sony/ATV€successfully€carried€this€burden€byÐ À ˆ Ðpresenting€evidence€that€it€terminated€Mr.€Wilson€because€its€Nashville€executives€believed€that€heÐ ¬ t Ðhad€sexually€harassed€Ms.€Gabell.Ð ˜ ` ÐÌà  àSony/ATVððs€evidence€regarding€its€innocent,€nondiscriminatory€reasons€for€terminating€Mr.Ð p 8  ÐWilson€assumed€pivotal€importance€at€this€stage€of€the€proceeding.€€Not€only€did€it€dispel€theÐ \$  Ðpresumption€that€Sony/ATV€had€engaged€in€unlawful€gender€and€age€discrimination,€but€it€alsoÐ H  Ðshifted€the€burden€of€production€back€to€Mr.€Wilson€to€demonstrate€that€Sony/ATVððs€profferedÐ 4ü  Ðreasons€for€terminating€him€were€pretextual€and€that€unlawful€discrimination€was€the€true€reason€forÐ  è  Ðterminating€him.€€At€this€stage€of€the€proceeding,€had€Mr.€Wilson€been€unable€to€produce€or€pointÐ  Ô  Ðto€some€evidence€that€Sony/ATVððs€proffered€reasons€were€pretextual,€Sony/ATV€would€have€beenÐ øÀ Ðentitled€to€a€summary€judgment€dismissing€Mr.€Wilsonððs€discrimination€claims€because€the€evidenceÐ ä¬ Ðregarding€its€legitimate,€non„discriminatory€reasons€for€terminating€Mr.€Wilson€would€have€beenРИ Ðundisputed.€€òòSt.€Maryððs€Honor€Ctr.€v.€Hicksóó,€509€U.S.€at€507„08,€113€S.€Ct.€at€2747;€òòFoster€v.Ð ¼„ ÐAlliedsignal,€Inc.óó,€293€F.3d€1187,€1196€(10th€Cir.€2002);€òòMoore€v.€Nashville€Elec.€Power€Bd.óó,€72Ð ¨p ÐS.W.3d€at€652.Ð ”\ ÐÌà  àWe€have€concluded€that€the€evidence€in€the€current€record,€viewed€in€the€light€most€favorableÐ l4 Ðto€Mr.€Wilson,€could€provide€the€trier€of€fact€with€a€factual€basis€for€concluding€that€the€innocentÐ X  Ðreasons€articulated€by€Sony/ATV€for€terminating€Mr.€Wilson€were€pretextual.€€The€evidenceÐ D  Ðsupporting€this€conclusion€falls€into€three€categories€ð!ð€the€comments€of€Ms.€Hilley€and€Mr.€CookÐ 0ø Ðregarding€Mr.€Wilson€shortly€before€he€was€terminated,€Sony/ATVððs€investigation€of€Ms.€GabellððsÐ ä Ðharassment€allegations,€and€Sony/ATVððs€apparently€laxity€in€enforcing€its€sexual€harassment€policiesÐ Ð Ðwith€regard€to€other€employees.Ð ô¼ ÐÌà  àWe€turn€first€to€the€comments€of€Ms.€Hilley€and€Mr.€Cook€in€June€and€July€1996€before€Mr.Ð Ì ” ÐWilsonððs€termination.€€Mr.€Wilson€testified€that€Ms.€Hilley€made€no€secret€of€her€desire€to€employÐ ¸!€  Ða€female€song€plugger.€€According€to€Ms.€McKeehan,€both€Ms.€Hilley€and€Mr.€Cook€told€her€thatÐ ¤"l! ÐSony/ATV€needed€ð ðnew€bloodðð€and€ð ðyounger€people€on€the€job.ðð€€In€addition,€Ms.€McKeehan€statedÐ #X" Ðthat€Ms.€Hilley€told€her€that€she€would€have€an€opportunity€to€take€Mr.€Wilsonððs€song€pluggerððs€jobÐ |$D # Ðif€he€left€and€that€Ms.€Hilley€made€repeated€derogatory€comments€regarding€a€man€of€Mr.€WilsonððsÐ h%0!$ Ðage€dating€a€young€woman€like€Ms.€Gabell.Ð T&"% ÐÌà  àThe€comments€attributed€to€Ms.€Hilley€and€Mr.€Cook€would€not€suffice€as€direct€evidenceÐ ,(ô#' Ðof€discriminatory€intent€using€the€direct€method€of€proof€because€they€do€not€relate€directly€to€Mr.Ð )à$( ÐWilsonððs€termination.€€Expressions€of€a€desire€to€employ€a€female€song€plugger€or€to€have€ð ðyoungerÐ *Ì%) Ðpeople€on€the€jobðð€do€not€necessarily€reflect€a€settled€intent€to€terminate€an€older€male€employee€toÐ ð*¸&* Ðâ âmake€room€for€a€younger€female€employee.€€Even€the€reference€to€needing€ð ðnew€bloodðð€isÐ Ü+¤'+ Ðambiguous.׃?×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€While€the€term€frequently€connotes€the€replacement€of€older€workers€with€youngerÐ 8 Ðâ âones,€it€also€connotes€replacing€existing€employees€with€new€ones.€€òòFortier€v.€Ameritech€MobileÐ $ì ÐCommunications,€Inc.óó,161€F.3d€1106,€1113€(7th€Cir.€1998).€€Thus,€while€a€reference€to€needing€ð ðnewÐ Ø Ðbloodðð€standing€alone€does€not€raise€an€inference€of€age€discrimination,€òòBeatty€v.€Woodóó,€204€F.3dÐ üÄ Ð713,€716„17€(7th€Cir.€2000),€it€can,€when€viewed€in€the€context€of€other€statements,€support€anÐ è° Ðinference€of€discriminatory€intent.€€òòBuckley€v.€Hospital€Corp.€of€Am.,€Inc.óó,€758€F.2d€1525,€1530€(11thÐ Ôœ ÐCir.€1985).Ð À ˆ ÐÌà  àThese€comments,€however,€provide€a€framework€for€considering€Ms.€Hilleyððs€and€Mr.Ð ˜ ` ÐCookððs€actions€after€receiving€Ms.€Gabellððs€complaint€about€Mr.€Wilson.€€To€the€extent€that€theyÐ „ L  Ðreflect€a€settled€intent€to€replace€Mr.€Wilson€with€a€younger€woman,€the€comments€provide€someÐ p 8  Ðinsight€into€why€Ms.€Hilley€and€Mr.€Cook€might€have€decided€against€thoroughly€investigating€theÐ \$  Ðtruth€of€Ms.€Gabellððs€complaint.€€As€long€as€Ms.€Gabellððs€allegations€of€sexual€harassment€remainedÐ H  Ðunrebutted,€they€provided€Sony/ATV€with€a€facially€appropriate€reason€to€terminate€Mr.€Wilson.Ð 4ü  ÐÌà  àMr.€Wilson€also€argues€that€Sony/ATVððs€failure€to€investigate€the€truth€of€Ms.€GabellððsÐ  Ô  Ðsexual€harassment€allegations€provides€additional€support€for€concluding€that€the€companyððs€relianceÐ øÀ Ðon€Ms.€Gabellððs€claims€was€pretextual.€€While€Ms.€Hilley€and€Mr.€Cook€insist€that€they€conductedÐ ä¬ Ðan€appropriate€inquiry€into€Ms.€Gabellððs€allegations,€a€reasonable€trier€of€fact€could€conclude€to€theРИ Ðcontrary.€€While€it€is€undisputed€that€Sony/ATV€officials€heard€both€Ms.€Gabellððs€and€Mr.€WilsonððsÐ ¼„ Ðaccounts€of€their€relationship,€there€is€little€indication€that€they€were€concerned€about€who€wasÐ ¨p Ðtelling€the€truth.׃wÜ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€After€Mr.€Wilson€produced€Ms.€Gabellððs€love€notes,€calendar€marked€with€hearts,Ð ”\ Ðand€the€cancelled€checks€to€corroborate€his€version€of€his€relationship€with€Ms.€Gabell,€noÐ €H ÐSony/ATV€official€required€Ms.€Gabell€to€respond€or€to€corroborate€her€allegations€against€Mr.Ð l4 ÐWilson.Ð X  ÐÌà  àSony/ATVððs€sexual€harassment€policy€required€the€company€to€ð ðthoroughly€and€promptlyÐ 0ø Ðinvestigate€all€claims€of€harassment.ðð€€After€reviewing€the€evidence€regarding€Sony/ATVððsÐ ä Ðinvestigation€of€Ms.€Gabellððs€allegations€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€Mr.€Wilson,€we€haveÐ Ð Ðconcluded€that€a€trier€of€fact€could€conclude€that€Sony/ATV€did€not€conduct€a€thorough€investigationÐ ô¼ Ðinto€the€truth€of€Ms.€Gabellððs€allegations€because€it€was€not€interested€in€determining€whether€Mr.РਠÐWilson€had€actually€harassed€Ms.€Gabell.€€A€trier€of€fact€could€conclude€that€Sony/ATV€viewed€Ms.Ð Ì ” ÐGabellððs€complaint€as€a€convenient€pretext€for€terminating€him€in€order€to€hire€a€significantlyÐ ¸!€  Ðyounger€woman.€Ð ¤"l! ÐÌà  àFinally,€Mr.€Wilson€argues€that€he€presented€evidence€demonstrating€that€Sony/ATVððsÐ |$D # Ðprofessed€concern€about€sexual€harassment€in€its€workplace€was€not€genuine€and€that€he€wasÐ h%0!$ Ðterminated€for€conduct€far€less€serious€than€other€employeesðð€conduct€that€was€apparently€condonedÐ T&"% Ðby€Sony/ATV.€€This€evidence€is€found€in€Ms.€McKeehonððs€August€3,€1998€affidavit€which€sets€outÐ 8 Ða€veritable€parade€of€sexual€harassment€horribles€occurring€at€Sony/ATV€both€before€and€after€Mr.Ð $ì ÐWilsonððs€termination.€€The€affidavit€also€alludes€to€a€systematic€cover„up€orchestrated€byÐ Ø ÐSony/ATVððs€management€during€the€discovery€phase€of€this€case.Ð üÄ ÐÌà  àNot€surprisingly,€Sony/ATV€has€launched€a€furious€attack€on€Ms.€McKeehonððs€affidavit.€€ItÐ Ôœ Ðasserts€that€Ms.€McKeehon€did€not€have€personal€knowledge€of€many€of€the€facts€recounted€in€herÐ À ˆ Ðaffidavit,€that€many€of€the€events€Ms.€McKeehon€describes€in€her€affidavit€are€not€relevant€to€Mr.Ð ¬ t ÐWilsonððs€discrimination€claims,€and€that€Ms.€McKeehonððs€testimony€should€be€disregarded€becauseÐ ˜ ` Ðshe€conceded€that€she€did€not€respond€truthfully€to€all€the€questions€posed€to€her€in€an€earlierÐ „ L  Ðdeposition.€€We€find€these€arguments€unpersuasive€at€the€summary€judgment€stage.€€There€is€littleÐ p 8  Ðquestion€that€Ms.€McKeehon€has€personal€knowledge€of€most€of€the€conduct€described€in€herÐ \$  Ðaffidavit€because€she€witnessed€it.€€Her€affidavit€is€relevant€because€it€provides€corroboration€for€Mr.Ð H  ÐWilsonððs€claim€that€Sony/ATVððs€concern€about€sexual€harassment€was€pretextual.€€Finally,€Ms.Ð 4ü  ÐMcKeehanððs€credibility€goes€to€the€weight,€not€the€admissibility,€of€her€testimony.€€Ð  è  ÐÌà  àAfter€reviewing€the€record€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€Mr.€Wilson,€we€have€concluded€thatÐ øÀ Ðhe€has€created€a€triable€issue€on€the€question€of€pretext.€€Sony/ATV€asserts€that€he€forfeited€his€jobÐ ä¬ Ðbecause€he€violated€its€policy€against€sexual€harassment.€€Mr.€Wilsonððs€evidence€tends€to€show€thatРИ ÐSony/ATV€was€not€genuinely€concerned€about€sexual€harassment€of€female€employees€and€thatÐ ¼„ ÐSony/ATV€did€not€seriously€investigate€Ms.€Gabellððs€harassment€claim.€€On€this€evidence€aÐ ¨p Ðreasonable€trier€of€fact€could€disbelieve€the€companyððs€proffered€reason€for€terminating€Mr.€WilsonððsÐ ”\ Ðemployment€and€could€believe€that€he€was€pushed€out€specifically€to€make€his€position€available€forÐ €H Ða€younger€female.€€Accordingly,€the€trial€court€erred€by€granting€Sony/ATVððs€motion€for€summaryÐ l4 Ðjudgment.Ð X  ÐÌà@‹‹)ìàò òV.ó óˆÐ 0ø ÐÌà  àWe€vacate€the€order€granting€the€summary€judgment€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€courtÐ Ð Ðfor€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€We€tax€the€costs€of€this€appeal€to€Sony/ATVÐ ô¼ ÐMusic€Publishing,€LLC€for€which€execution,€if€necessary,€may€issue.РਠÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_____________________________Ð #X" Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGE