employment-at-will doctrine (New Jersey) · Go Syfert
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employment-at-will doctrine in New Jersey

16 New Jersey opinions name it 2 courts 1979–2021 1 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by New Jersey courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (9)

CaseFollowedCited
English v. College of Medicine and Dentistry of NJgreen
nj · 1977 · cited in 4 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 1994–2020
2 sentences

2020Lipton, Inc., 136 N.J. 385, 397 (1994) (citing English v. Coll. of Med. & Dentistry, 73 N.J. 20, 23 (1977)).

2020Lipton, Inc., 136 N.J. 385, 397 (1994) (citing English v. Coll. of Med. & Dentistry, 73 N.J. 20, 23 (1977)).

24
Witkowski v. Thomas J. Lipton, Inc.green
nj · 1994 · cited in 4 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2001–2020
2 sentences

2020Lipton, Inc., 136 N.J. 385, 397 (1994) (citing English v. Coll. of Med. & Dentistry, 73 N.J. 20, 23 (1977)).

2020Lipton, Inc., 136 N.J. 385, 397 (1994) (citing English v. Coll. of Med. & Dentistry, 73 N.J. 20, 23 (1977)).

24
Wade v. Kessler Institutegreen
nj · 2002 · cited in 2 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2014–2021
2 sentences

2021An employment relationship remains terminable at the will of either an employer or employee, unless an agreement exists that provides otherwise." Wade v. Kessler Inst., 172 N.J. 327, 338 (2002) (quoting Witkowski v. Thomas J.

2014Analogizing plaintiffs' ICAs to employment contracts, "an employer may fire an employee for good reason, bad reason, or no reason at all under the employment-at-will doctrine." Wade v. Kessler Inst., 172 N.J. 327, 338 (2002).

22
Martin v. New York Life Insurancegreen
ny · 1895 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 2004–2004
2 sentences

2004Co., 148 N.Y. 117 , 42 N.E. 416, 417 (1895), and quickly took hold in other American jurisdictions at the end of the 19th Century.

2004Co., 148 N.Y. 117 , 42 N.E. 416, 417 (1895), and quickly took hold in other American jurisdictions at the end of the 19th Century.

11
Ingle v. Glamore Motor Sales, Inc.green
ny · 1989 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 1997–1997
2 sentences

1997See Ingle v. Glamore Motor Sales, Inc., 73 N.Y.2d 183 , 538 N.Y.S.2d 771 , 535 N.E.2d 1311, 1313 (1989).

1997See Ingle v. Glamore Motor Sales, Inc., 73 N.Y.2d 183 , 538 N.Y.S.2d 771 , 535 N.E.2d 1311, 1313 (1989).

11
McQuitty v. General Dynamics Corp.green
njsuperctappdiv · 1985 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 1994–1994
2 sentences

1994It recognizes that “as always, the employer and employee are free to contract for terms and conditions of employment, such as termination only ‘for cause.’ ” Donovan & Reilly, supra, 22 Seton Hall L.Rev. at 816; see also McQuitty v. General Dynamics Corp., 204 N.J.Super. 514, 520 , 499 A.2d 526 (App.Div.1985) (“Woolley is not ... ‘an exception to the at-will doctrine’ ... but, rather, a recognition of basic contract principles concerning acceptance of unilateral contracts.”).

1994It recognizes that “as always, the employer and employee are free to contract for terms and conditions of employment, such as termination only ‘for cause.’ ” Donovan & Reilly, supra, 22 Seton Hall L.Rev. at 816; see also McQuitty v. General Dynamics Corp., 204 N.J.Super. 514, 520 , 499 A.2d 526 (App.Div.1985) (“Woolley is not ... ‘an exception to the at-will doctrine’ ... but, rather, a recognition of basic contract principles concerning acceptance of unilateral contracts.”).

11
Coppage v. Kansasgreen
scotus · 1915 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 1993–1993
2 sentences

1993See Coppage v. Kansas, 236 U.S. 1 , 35 S.Ct. 240 , 59 L.Ed. 441 (1915) (striking down state laws that prohibited firing of union members as violative of due process); Adair v. United States, 208 U.S. 161 , 28 S.Ct. 277 , 52 L.Ed. 436 (1908) (striking down federal laws that prohibited firing of union members).

1993See Coppage v. Kansas, 236 U.S. 1 , 35 S.Ct. 240 , 59 L.Ed. 441 (1915) (striking down state laws that prohibited firing of union members as violative of due process); Adair v. United States, 208 U.S. 161 , 28 S.Ct. 277 , 52 L.Ed. 436 (1908) (striking down federal laws that prohibited firing of union members).

11
Sheets v. Teddy's Frosted Foods, Inc.green
conn · 1980 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 1986–1986
2 sentences

1986In Sheets v. Teddy's Frosted Foods, Inc., 179 Conn. 471 , 427 A. 2d 385, 387 (1980), the Connecticut Supreme Court cited cases of wrongful termination where employees exercised their right to (1) refuse to commit perjury, (2) file a workmen's compensation claim, and (3) engage in union activity.

1986In Sheets v. Teddy's Frosted Foods, Inc., 179 Conn. 471 , 427 A. 2d 385, 387 (1980), the Connecticut Supreme Court cited cases of wrongful termination where employees exercised their right to (1) refuse to commit perjury, (2) file a workmen's compensation claim, and (3) engage in union activity.

11
Harless v. First National Bank in Fairmontgreen
wva · 1978 · cited in 1 New Jersey opinions naming this issue, 1979–1979
1 sentence

1979See, e.g., Harless v. First Nat'l Bank in Fairmont, 246 S.E. 2d 270 (W.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in New Jersey. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (8)

CaseCitedYears
Pierce v. Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp. green
nj · 1980
2 sentences

2017Pierce, supra, 84 N.J. at 72 .

2017Pierce, supra, 84 N.J. at 72 .

32001–2017
Woolley v. Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. green
nj · 1985
2 sentences

2004Corp., 84 N.J. 58 , 417 A.2d 505 (1980) and Woolley v. Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc., 99 N.J. 284 , 491 A.2d 1257 (1985), Alabama still follows the ancient brightline rule that an at-will employee can be terminated for any or no reason, generally holding that any such change should come from its Legislature.

2004Corp., 84 N.J. 58 , 417 A.2d 505 (1980) and Woolley v. Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc., 99 N.J. 284 , 491 A.2d 1257 (1985), Alabama still follows the ancient brightline rule that an at-will employee can be terminated for any or no reason, generally holding that any such change should come from its Legislature.

12004–2004
Velantzas v. Colgate-Palmolive Co. green
nj · 1988
2 sentences

2001Lipton, *994 Inc., 136 N.J. 385, 397 , 643 A. 2d 546 (1994); Velantzas v. Colgate-Palmolive Co., 109 N.J. 189, 191 , 536 A. 2d 237 (1988); English v. College of Medicine & Dentistry, 73 N.J. 20, 23 , 372 A. 2d 295 (1977); Savarese v. Pyrene Manufacturing Co., 9 N.J. 595, 600 , 89 A. 2d 237 (1952).

2001Lipton, *994 Inc., 136 N.J. 385, 397 , 643 A. 2d 546 (1994); Velantzas v. Colgate-Palmolive Co., 109 N.J. 189, 191 , 536 A. 2d 237 (1988); English v. College of Medicine & Dentistry, 73 N.J. 20, 23 , 372 A. 2d 295 (1977); Savarese v. Pyrene Manufacturing Co., 9 N.J. 595, 600 , 89 A. 2d 237 (1952).

12001–2001
Lally v. Copygraphics green
nj · 1981
1 sentence

2001Ibid. (citing Pierce v. Ortho Pharmaceutical Corp., 84 N.J. 58, 66-73 , 417 A. 2d 505 (1980)).

12001–2001
Savarese v. Pyrene Manufacturing Co. green
nj · 1952
2 sentences

2001Lipton, *994 Inc., 136 N.J. 385, 397 , 643 A. 2d 546 (1994); Velantzas v. Colgate-Palmolive Co., 109 N.J. 189, 191 , 536 A. 2d 237 (1988); English v. College of Medicine & Dentistry, 73 N.J. 20, 23 , 372 A. 2d 295 (1977); Savarese v. Pyrene Manufacturing Co., 9 N.J. 595, 600 , 89 A. 2d 237 (1952).

2001Lipton, *994 Inc., 136 N.J. 385, 397 , 643 A. 2d 546 (1994); Velantzas v. Colgate-Palmolive Co., 109 N.J. 189, 191 , 536 A. 2d 237 (1988); English v. College of Medicine & Dentistry, 73 N.J. 20, 23 , 372 A. 2d 295 (1977); Savarese v. Pyrene Manufacturing Co., 9 N.J. 595, 600 , 89 A. 2d 237 (1952).

12001–2001
Shebar v. Sanyo Business Systems Corp. green
nj · 1988
2 sentences

1996She contends that under Shebar v. Sanyo Business Systems Corp., 111 N.J. 276 , 544 A. 2d 377 (1988), "oral representations that were made ... on which [s]he relied by foregoing a job opportunity can transform plaintiff's at-will employment claim into employment with termination for cause only." She insists that by moving from Boston to New Jersey and giving up her desktop publishing business consideration was given for the promise of employment which was subject to termination only for cause.

1996She contends that under Shebar v. Sanyo Business Systems Corp., 111 N.J. 276 , 544 A. 2d 377 (1988), "oral representations that were made ... on which [s]he relied by foregoing a job opportunity can transform plaintiff's at-will employment claim into employment with termination for cause only." She insists that by moving from Boston to New Jersey and giving up her desktop publishing business consideration was given for the promise of employment which was subject to termination only for cause.

11996–1996
Adair v. United States green
scotus · 1908
2 sentences

1993See Coppage v. Kansas, 236 U.S. 1 , 35 S.Ct. 240 , 59 L.Ed. 441 (1915) (striking down state laws that prohibited firing of union members as violative of due process); Adair v. United States, 208 U.S. 161 , 28 S.Ct. 277 , 52 L.Ed. 436 (1908) (striking down federal laws that prohibited firing of union members).

1993See Coppage v. Kansas, 236 U.S. 1 , 35 S.Ct. 240 , 59 L.Ed. 441 (1915) (striking down state laws that prohibited firing of union members as violative of due process); Adair v. United States, 208 U.S. 161 , 28 S.Ct. 277 , 52 L.Ed. 436 (1908) (striking down federal laws that prohibited firing of union members).

11993–1993
Kennard v. Louis Zimmer Communications, Inc. green
paed · 1986
2 sentences

1988A similar conclusion was reached in Kennard v. Louis Zimmer Communications, Inc., 632 F. Supp. 635 (E.D.Pa. 1986), where the court allowed a *445 discharged employee to bring a retaliatory discharge suit in federal court based on the Pennsylvania public policy tort exception to the employment-at-will doctrine where the employee alleged that her termination was in retaliation for having lodged a complaint with OSHA regarding work and health conditions.

1988Although the court recognized that the prevailing authority is that no private right of action for an unlawful discharge exists under 29 U.S.C. § 660 (c), it observed that the employee was not alleging a private right of action pursuant to this section, but rather, was seeking to recover damages for wrongful discharge under a tort theory. 632 F. Supp. at 637 n. 1.

11988–1988

Statutes the citing opinions construe

NJ § N.J. Stat. § 10:5-1 (5) NJ § N.J. Stat. § 34:19-1 (5)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

OH 249 (1984–2026) TX 138 (1986–2025) VA 47 (1987–2025) TN 45 (1994–2025) IN 37 (1986–2025) MO 37 (1985–2020) KS 36 (1985–2023) NC 33 (1987–2022) PA 30 (1985–2018) CT 28 (1992–2021) OK 27 (1989–2022) AR 26 (1984–2026) IA 23 (1989–2024) MS 22 (1992–2023) AL 21 (1984–2003) WI 21 (1982–2023) WA 19 (1986–2011) NY 18 (1989–2018) NJ 16 (1979–2021) IL 14 (1986–2008) SC 14 (1995–2016) DC 12 (1993–2018) MN 11 (1987–2017) SD 10 (1988–2024) UT 9 (1989–2007) LA 8 (1989–2020) ND 8 (1998–2021) DE 7 (2000–2026) CA 7 (1983–2000) VT 7 (1994–2023) MI 7 (1984–1995) KY 6 (1983–2021) ID 5 (1990–2009) NE 5 (1987–2025) AZ 4 (1980–1990) MA 4 (1993–2016) MD 4 (2003–2015) FL 3 (1986–2004) WY 3 (1990–2009)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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