Whether or not Barrow’s at-will employment was terminated in violation of public policy?.
The right of an employer to terminate employment at will, for any reason is limited. Greeley v. Miami Valley Maintenance Contractors, Inc. According to the public policy warrant, the exception to the employment at-will doctrine takes place when an employer terminates, or disciplines an employee based on a reason which is prohibited by statute. Greeley.
To prove wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, the plaintiff must show: 1) ‘sufficiently clear public policy’, 2) dismissal of an employee should jeopardize the public policy, 3) an employee acted according to the public policy, 4) an employer lacked of lawful reasons for a dismissal. Stephenson v. Litton Sys. In Stephenson, the main goal of the public policy is to prevent drunk driving by taking all reasonable steps. Moreover, the drunk driving hotline was made with intention to rely on information from citizens, and the plaintiff having a reasonable basis for her suspicious, called the hotline to say that her boss iwas going to drive after drinking. Stephenson. AlsFurthermo re,the reason for the plaintiff’s dismissal was her dishonest refusal to verify her voice as the police informant. Stephenson.