Kuhl became president of the First State Bank of Pinedale on June 1, 2007. In Ap
ID: 345633 • Letter: K
Question
Kuhl became president of the First State Bank of Pinedale on June 1, 2007. In April 2008, Wells Fargo's human resource manager, Brad Nations, came to First State Bank to deliver written employment offers to those employees Wells Fargo wanted to retain. Kuhl was among them, and at the end of the day, Nations provided him with a letter offering him employment with Wells Fargo. The letter set forth a base salary, retention bonus payments after six months and one year of employment, and other employment details. On the second page of the letter, text inside a box setting forth “Conditions of Employment at Wells Fargo” stated that Kuhl was hired under “employment at will.” Kuhl's employment with Wells Fargo was terminated on December 10, 2008 (a little over five months after he was hired). No reason was given. He sued for wrongful termination. If you were the court, how would you rule? Explain your reasoning. [Kuhl v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 281 P.3d 716 (2012).]
Explanation / Answer
The clause of "employment at will" was communicated to Kuhl in unambiguous and clear terms with proper interpretation of the conditions at the time of signing the contract. As Kuhl signed the document, he is expected to have understood the meaning of employment at will, I.e. the employment can be terminated by either party with or without giving notice or citing a reason for such termination.
In view of the facts related to the case, Kuhl's claims do not hold and are liable to be rejected.
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