Summary
holding that the trial court erred in refusing to direct a verdict finding there was good cause for plaintiff's discharge
Summary of this case from Diggs v. Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Co.Opinion
Docket No. 72340.
Decided November 7, 1984. Leave to appeal applied for.
Sharon S. Friedman, for plaintiff.
McGinty, Brown, Jakubiak, Frankland Hitch, P.C. (by Vittorio E. Porco), for defendant.
Plaintiff filed a complaint against defendant alleging breach of employment contract. After a trial in Oakland County Circuit Court a jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff and awarded $35,000 in damages. Defendant brought a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and for a new trial. The motions were denied. Defendant appeals to this Court as of right.
Plaintiff was employed by defendant as a salesman. Plaintiff's territory included the Caro School District, and he made a number of sales to the district through its Superintendent James Sutherland. Over a period of ten years, Sutherland approached plaintiff four times for personal favors. Sutherland said he had equipment he wanted to sell to the school district but he feared a direct sale. Purchase orders were drawn to Obey Associates (a business plaintiff had once operated). Obey Associates then invoiced the school district, checks were issued to Obey Associates and cashed. The proceeds were given to Sutherland, who had presumably delivered the equipment to the school district.
In May, 1978, information came to light indicating a possible criminal conspiracy, involving Sutherland, to defraud the school district of thousands of dollars. Through the above scheme and other transactions Sutherland apparently bilked the school district out of between $60,000 and $100,000 over a ten-year period.
A general investigation of Sutherland revealed the Obey transactions. Defendant McFadden Corporation suspended plaintiff in May, 1978, pending an investigation and to give plaintiff a chance to clear himself. In the letter suspending plaintiff defendant stated:
"The Board of Directors reluctantly took action this afternoon to suspend you immediately. This suspension will remain in effect until such time as the matter involving the account of Caro Community Schools and James Sutherland finds you clear of any responsible acts either willingly or knowingly.
"This does not affect any commissions you have earned to this date."
Plaintiff was never indicted, but was granted immunity in return for testifying against Sutherland. In March, 1979, after being suspended for almost eleven months, plaintiff was discharged by defendant. Plaintiff brought suit against defendant alleging, in pertinent part, breach of the employment contract between the parties and breach of an implied agreement which was created by the suspension letter.
Howard Messenger, owner and president of McFadden Corporation, testified that the company's employee policy manual was the corporation's "pledge" to its personnel. The "pledge" included statements that (1) employees would be treated with consideration and respect, (2) discharge would be avoided except as a last resort, (3) the company would maintain an open door policy in regards to employee problems and suggestions, and (4) employees would be informed of developments in the business which may affect them.
Messenger further testified that on May 9, 1978, plaintiff met with Messenger, Jan Squires (an administrative assistant at McFadden) and Michigan State Police Sergeant Sunday. During the meeting Messenger learned of a December 1, 1977, transaction for $1,382 between Obey and Sutherland along the lines described above. A second meeting later that day revealed two other transactions. Plaintiff told Messenger and Sunday that he did not make any money on the transactions but admitted that he had made an error in judgment.
The board of directors took action on the matter. Messenger reported the three transactions to the board and added that plaintiff had claimed to have made no money. Plaintiff was given the letter of suspension on May 9, 1978. No other terms of the suspension were discussed.
During the suspension period plaintiff's lawyer contacted defendant and defendant's lawyers were, in turn, in contact with plaintiff's lawyer. Direct contact between plaintiff and defendant was minimal. At the time the suspension began defendant was 60 years old and expected to retire at age 62.
In July, 1978, the board passed a resolution to discharge plaintiff. However, defendant's counsel advised the board that to discharge plaintiff at that time would be premature and any final decision to discharge plaintiff should await more complete facts from the office of the Michigan Attorney General. Plaintiff's attorney sent defendant a letter requesting a review of plaintiff's situation and an end of the suspension. The letter was forwarded to defendant's counsel for review and reply.
In October, 1978, a fourth transaction, which occurred in April, 1976, was disclosed to defendant through a transcript of a statement by plaintiff to the Attorney General.
Plaintiff testified that he expected his suspension would be short. Plaintiff said he understood that "cleared" meant "criminal clearance". He did not look for another job because he did not expect to be discharged.
Plaintiff was discharged by a letter dated March 27, 1979, which stated:
"The Board of Directors of McFadden Corporation, at their last Regular Meeting, having thoroughly reviewed your activities and involvement with James Sutherland, Superintendent, Caro Community Schools, has concluded your activities and conduct were contrary to the faithful and diligent performance of your responsibilities on behalf of McFadden Corporation, and therefore, feel that reinstatement cannot be justified with termination of employment becoming effective immediately."
Plaintiff received his pension benefits and outstanding commissions.
After the close of his proofs, plaintiff's counsel moved to amend the complaint to conform with the evidence under GCR 1963, 118.3, claiming a breach of the contract created by the suspension notice. The amendment was allowed over the objection of defense counsel.
Defendant moved for a directed verdict claiming that plaintiff had not shown an enforceable employment contract. The trial court reserved its ruling. Defendant recalled Messenger. He testified about the activities by defendant's board regarding plaintiff. He said that, at the time of the June 22, 1978, board meeting, defendant did not have the complete story regarding plaintiff. His situation was discussed at the July board meeting after receipt of the letter from plaintiff's attorney, and at a special meeting on August 2, 1978, at which the board discussed legal counsel's recommendation that plaintiff not be discharged at that time. Counsel had suggested that no disposition should be made until prosecution of Sutherland had been completed. At the regular August meeting the board was informed that there were no new developments in plaintiff's situation. At the September meeting the board was informed that the criminal action against Sutherland was continuing and that plaintiff had not testified at the preliminary examination.
No board meeting was held in October, 1978. During that month defendant received information about the fourth transaction between plaintiff and Sutherland, which had occurred in April, 1976. At the November meeting additional documents pertaining to the criminal case against Sutherland were given to the board for it to review. The board decided to resolve plaintiff's status at the next board meeting.
At the December 15, 1978, meeting the board was informed that Sutherland was to be sentenced December 18, 1978. For this reason the matter was held in abeyance until January, 1979. At the January 18, 1979, meeting the board voted to discharge plaintiff.
A proposed termination letter was offered to the board. The initial draft did not meet with the board's approval. A subsequent draft by defendant's counsel was approved and mailed to plaintiff in March, 1979.
Sergeant Sunday testified that plaintiff was never told that he was cleared of any criminal activity. Rebecca McClear, a former assistant attorney general, said plaintiff was not cleared of criminal charges but was given immunity from prosecution.
Defendant renewed its motion for a directed verdict at the close of proofs. The court reserved its ruling. Defendant insisted on a theory instruction and the parties agreed on a general verdict. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff.
As a preliminary observation, we note that much of the confusion in this case can be attributed to the ambiguities in plaintiff's theories. The plaintiff's theories were subject to frequent change as the trial progressed towards closing argument. In opening statement plaintiff's counsel stated to the jury that the plaintiff would show wrongful discharge and breach of contract. The jury was told that it would be shown that defendant breached the contract created by its written agreement with plaintiff which was supplemented by defendant's policy manual. Furthermore, plaintiff's counsel stated that defendant breached the obligation to plaintiff that was created by the suspension letter. Plaintiff's counsel stated:
"We're alleging three basic wrongs that were done by the defendant corporation to the plaintiff. The first is a wrongful discharge. The second is a breach of contract and the third is an interference with advantageous economic relationships."
Plaintiff's counsel continued:
"Now, the evidence is going to show that the parties had initially entered into a written contract way back when Mr. Obey started employment, that this contract was modified over the years by certain policy statements as they were called that were sent out by the McFadden Corporation. The McFadden Corporation will not deny that this contract and this policy applied to them as well as to Mr. Obey but I believe the evidence is going to show that they have breached these obligations imposed upon them when they suspended Mr. Obey. They told Mr. Obey and the evidence is going to show this, they said if you're cleared of criminal wrong-doing, you'll get your job back. There is no doubt that Mr. Obey was never charged with a thing in this case."
Plaintiff's counsel told the jury that the issue was whether the contract created by the policy manual and the suspension letter was breached by defendant.
At the close of proofs the court instructed the jury on contracts as follows:
"Now, the plaintiff has the burden of proof on each of the following points. First, he must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the was employed under a contract which required good cause for a termination. Second, he must show that his employer, the defendant McFadden, breached a contract by terminating him without good cause. And finally, if the plaintiff has shown both of the above, he must establish his damages. Your verdict will be for the plaintiff if you find that he has proven each of the above points by a preponderance of the evidence. Your verdict will be for the defendant McFadden if you find that the plaintiff has failed to prove each of the above points by a preponderance of the evidence.
"Now, if you find that the plaintiff has proven by a preponderance of the evidence that he had an employment contract under which he could be terminated only for good cause and if you find that McFadden did not have good reason to discharge the plaintiff, then you may award damages to the plaintiff."
The jury later requested clarification of the instructions. The court proposed the following instructions:
"The one that says the plaintiff has the burden of proof on each of the following, first, he must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he was employed under a contract which required good cause for termination. Second, he must show that his employer McFadden breached a contract by terminating him without good cause. And finally, if the plaintiff has shown both of the above, he must establish his damages. Your verdict will be for the plaintiff if you find he has proven each of the above points by a preponderance of the evidence. Your verdict will be for McFadden if you find that he has failed to prove each of the above points."
Plaintiff's counsel objected:
" Mr. Stein: That's not my claim.
" The Court: Pardon?
" Mr. Stein: That doesn't include one of my claims.
" The Court: Which one was that?
" Mr. Stein: It doesn't include the claim that — let's they had good cause to terminate him on May 9th. I argued that there was a contract created as of May 9th so even if they had good cause to terminate him, they certainly could not have left him there for five years under suspended status even if they had a good faith effort to terminate him. What I have argued is that they kept him on the string and dribbled out his commission."
Plaintiff's alternative theories confused the jury. A note from the jury to the court asked:
"Is `Defendant's Jury Instructions' the same content as the plaintiff's complaint? Is plaintiff claiming `breach of contract' because of the way they went about terminating him or `breach of contract' because of termination without cause. I think we need the complaint as stated by the plaintiff."
In reply the court told the jury:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have received this note and I think what I would like to say to you at this time, ladies and gentlemen, is that first, the court is of the belief that this is really not a very complicated case. It's really a relatively simple case. There's two counts in this case. The plaintiff has sued for breach of contract and the plaintiff has sued for wrongful discharge. We have given to you the plaintiff's claim, theory of the case and also the defendant's theory of the case and I've also given you the instruction which shows about the burden of proof and we've also given you the one about the breach of contract. I think that you ought to try to in your own mind simplify matters. I think you're probably reading too much into the case. It's just not a very complicated case and I think that you can resolve it if you just start simplifying the issues and answer questions, you know, was there a breach of contract, was it a wrongful discharge. If it was, you find damage. If it wasn't, you know and I think that's all you have to do, very frankly. But I'll ask you to again go back into the jury room and we'll give you back these theories of the parties and also the other paper that you had and then hope that you can reach a verdict and if you can't, then we'll do something else but right now, let's hope that takes care of it.
The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff. Defendant moved for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. The motion was denied.
From the facts and argument we have distilled two issues. First, did the trial court err in refusing to grant a directed verdict at the close of plaintiff's proofs because plaintiff had not established that a contract existed between the parties? Second, do the facts taken in the light most favorable to the plaintiff establish a breach of the second agreement created by the policy manual and suspension letter?
Addressing the first issue, we note that an employer's express agreement to discharge only for good cause or company policy statements to that effect can give rise to enforceable contract rights. Toussaint v Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, 408 Mich. 579, 614; 292 N.W.2d 880 (1980); Dudkin v Civil Service Comm, 127 Mich. App. 397; 339 N.W.2d 190 (1983); Damrow v Thumb Cooperative Terminal, Inc, 126 Mich. App. 354; 337 N.W.2d 338 (1983), lv den 418 Mich. 899 (1984). In this case we will assume that the statement in the policy manual pledging that discharge would be used only as a last resort established a "good cause" employment contract.
Having found an enforceable contract, the next question is whether there was good cause for defendant to discharge plaintiff. Defendant moved for a directed verdict on this issue. In reviewing a trial court's disposition of a motion for a directed verdict this Court views the facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Birou v Thompson-Brown Co, 67 Mich. App. 502; 241 N.W.2d 265 (1976), lv den 397 Mich. 808 (1976). If reasonable minds could differ on the meaning of evidence, then the motion for the directed verdict was properly denied. Bosca v J A Ferguson Construction Co, 79 Mich. App. 177; 261 N.W.2d 249 (1977). There must be sufficient evidence to create jury questions on the appropriate legal issues. Smith v Allendale Mutual Ins Co, 79 Mich. App. 351; 261 N.W.2d 561 (1977), aff'd 410 Mich. 685; 303 N.W.2d 702 (1981). Having shown a good cause contract, the question was whether sufficient reasons had been shown to justify termination. In opening statement plaintiff's counsel conceded that suspension of the plaintiff was proper. Plaintiff himself testified about the illegal transactions with Sutherland. The policy manual admitted as plaintiff's exhibit prohibits outside work for pay. Plaintiff's activities fall within the scope of such proscribed activities. These facts show there was sufficient evidence to support a directed verdict for defendant. The trial court erred in refusing to direct a verdict finding that there was good cause for plaintiff's discharge.
However, because the trial court allowed plaintiff to proceed on his claim that defendant violated its agreement by the manner in which plaintiff was discharged, we now turn to the second issue.
Defendant moved for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, claiming that plaintiff had not shown that defendant breached a contractual duty to discharge plaintiff in a timely manner. The trial court denied the motion. Defendant claims that the trial court erred. We agree.
We note that the facts taken in the light most favorable to the plaintiff could establish that the May 9, 1978, suspension letter and the policy manual created a contract between the parties. However, the facts do not establish that the contract was breached. Plaintiff's theory is that a breach occurred because defendant waited 11 months between suspension and ultimate discharge of plaintiff. But the substance of the contract was that plaintiff would be reinstated only if he were cleared of conduct in violation of the terms of his employment.
As noted above, plaintiff conceded that the suspension was proper. Furthermore, Sergeant Sunday testified that plaintiff was never cleared of criminal charges. Rebecca McClear also testified that plaintiff was given immunity in return for his cooperation. Plaintiff testified in rebuttal only that he was not aware that he was granted immunity. Giving plaintiff every reasonable inference which can be drawn from this evidence, it is clear that plaintiff did not "clear" himself of wrongdoing in his transactions with Sutherland. Therefore, the contract provision that plaintiff would be reinstated when cleared was not breached.
Plaintiff also stated an alternative theory in his opening and closing statements to the jury, suggesting that defendant breached its contract by failing to discharge plaintiff forthwith. Assuming this novel assertion could be considered a provision of the contract, we do not agree that the facts show a breach of that peculiar contractual duty.
The facts show that plaintiff was suspended in May, 1978, and discharged toward the end of March, 1979. The facts show that plaintiff's situation was addressed at every board meeting during that period. The record indicates that defendant was exceedingly cautious in handling plaintiff's situation. Plaintiff has not shown that defendant treated him unfairly or violated his contract by according his case this extensive consideration Clearly there was no breach. The board conscientiously informed itself about the case at every meeting. Indeed, a special meeting was held in August, 1978, solely for consideration of plaintiff's case. If defendant had swiftly discharged plaintiff it would have violated its promise to discharge only as a last resort. The extensive consideration given to plaintiff's case was consistent with defendant's pledge to treat employees with consideration and respect. We conclude that, as a matter of law, viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, there was no breach of the alleged contract created by the employment policy manual and the May 9, 1978, letter of suspension. Judgment notwithstanding the verdict should have been granted to the defendant.
Because our ruling disposes of this matter we do not address defendant's other issues raised on appeal.
Reversed.