Fired DMV employee loses appeal

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Thursday, Feb. 29, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A former employee of the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety in Las Vegas, fired for being late for work 78 times, has lost her appeal to regain her job.

State Hearing Officer Gary Lang said there is substantial evidence to justify the dismissal of Lorie Like, a technician with the driver's license division.

Like worked for the state from 1990 to December 1995. She initially had high job ratings but later started to rack up absences and late arrivals without explanation.

The hearing officer said the agency made "gargantuan efforts" to help Like, including a transfer to an office closer to her home and counseling.

But Lang said Like "simply refused to comply with the job duties and severely abused sick leave, vacation time and report time (tardiness)."

Lang wrote in his decision that her behavior contributed to a lowering of morale in the office.

"She was unconcerned, too, that citizens of this state would be required to wait in long lines to keep their required contact with the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety," Lang said.