Appellant employee challenged the judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County (California), which dismissed appellant’s suit charging respondent with wrongful termination of employment.
Overview
Respondent terminated appellant’s employment after appellant had worked for respondent for more than two years. Subsequently, appellant sued, contending he was wrongfully discharged, as respondent had breached an oral employment contract at salmon farm Norway. The court first held respondent’s promise of permanent employment to appellant, without more, was considered an employment contract terminable at will. The court then held that, even if respondent did not have a right to terminate appellant’s employment under an oral agreement in which the parties entered, the agreement would be void under the statute of frauds as it would have required performance for more than one year. As state law allowed for employment termination at will, and re
spondent did not violate public policy, the court also held appellant had no action for wrongful discharge.
Outcome
The judgment was affirmed, as respondent neither violated state law nor breached a contract between the parties when he terminated appellant’s employment.
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