Edwin P. Brannan v. Wyeth Laboratories, Inc. and American Home Products Corporation, 526 So. 2d 1101

Summary

The former employee filed a claim against the former employer for breach of an employment contract, defamation, wrongful denial of stock option rights and dental benefits. The court of appeals affirmed the jury verdict that had been rendered in former employee's favor on all counts. On appeal, the court reversed as to the breach of contract claim, finding that the employment contract was terminable at will because former employee had been employed by defendant for 18 years, and by leaving a civil service job to take this higher paying job he had not given consideration. The court found that former employer had established just cause for termination, because former employee had not made calls on clients, falsified call reports, and was not adequately supplying company products to regular customers. The court reversed the court of appeals as to the defamation claim, holding that there was ample evidence from which to conclude that the statements actually made were true, and not ...