Business victory.California businesses won a major victory recently when the state Supreme Court upheld the "at-will" employment law that allows companies to terminate employees without cause. The case centered around an employee, Brook Dore, who in 1999 relocated re·lo·cate v. re·lo·cat·ed, re·lo·cat·ing, re·lo·cates v.tr. To move to or establish in a new place: relocated the business. v.intr. to the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. office of Boston-based advertising agency Arnold Worldwide Arnold Worldwide is an American advertising agency, owned by the French advertising and communications holding company Havas. It is part of Arnold Worldwide Partners, a network of agencies located in 6 countries around the world. Inc. The firm terminated Dore's employment without cause in August 2001. Dore sued, claiming that when he was hired, he was never told that he could be terminated without cause. Arnold Worldwide (formerly Arnold Communications) countered that it did inform Dore in its written job offer that his employment with the firm was "at will" and that the company "has the right to terminate your employment at any time just as you have the right to terminate your employment with Arnold Communications at any time." The trial court sided with the company, but the Court of Appeal ruled that just because the company said it could terminate Dore at any time did not mean he could be fired without cause. The Supreme Court overturned that opinion, saying that in the absence of any statements that Dore could only be fired with cause, the phrase "terminate your employment at any time" was unambiguous. Reacting to the ruling, the California Chamber of Commerce in a newsletter said that by rejecting Dore's bid to get out of the "at will employment" clause, "the Supreme Court believes that when an employer states in writing that it offers at-will employment At-will employment is a doctrine of American law that defines an employment relationship in which either party can terminate the relationship with no liability if there was no express contract for a definite term governing the employment relationship. , it means just that. So, check your employment applications, employee handbooks An employee handbook (or employee manual) details guidelines, expectations and procedures of a business or company to its employees. Employee handbooks are given to employees on one of the first days of his/her job, in order to acquaint them with their new company and , offer letters, etc. to be sure you are taking full advantage of the Court's decision." BY HOWARD FINE Howard Fine (November 28, 1958) is an American acting teacher, the founder of the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Hollywood, CA, and also a theatre director. Early Life Howard Fine was born on November 28, 1958 in Providence, Rhode Island. He is the youngest of 5 children. Staff Reporter Staff reporter Howard Fine can be reached by phone at (323) 549-5225, ext. 227, or by email at hfine@labusinessjournal.com. |
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