Question

Ron was employed by Mass Co. in 1970. At that time, he was given an employee handbook that described the particular steps that had to be taken before an employee could be fired.

Later on, in 2000, Mass published a new handbook by which all workers status were changed to employment-at- will workers. Mass then fired Ron. Ron claimed he was terminated without cause and was not afforded procedures described in the 1970 handbook, such as an appeal
or review of the decision. He sued Mass under breach of contract based upon the 1970 employee handbook. Will he succeed?

Answer 1

Ron's success in the lawsuit depends on whether the 1970 employee handbook constituted a valid contract and if the new handbook made it clear that the employment-at-will policy superseded previous policies.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ron is claiming that Mass Co. breached the contract by terminating him without cause and without following the procedures outlined in the 1970 employee handbook. However, his success in the lawsuit will depend on a few factors.

Firstly, the court will consider whether the handbook constituted a valid contract. Employee handbooks are typically considered to be statements of company policies rather than legally binding contracts.

Additionally, the court will examine if Mass Co. made it clear in the new handbook that the employment-at-will policy superseded any previous policies or agreements. If it did, Ron's claim based on the 1970 handbook may be weakened.