at-will doctrine (Virginia) · Go Syfert
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at-will doctrine in Virginia

10 Virginia opinions name it 7 courts 1992–2016 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Virginia 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 (3)

CaseFollowedCited
Bowman v. State Bank of Keysvillegreen
va · 1985 · cited in 5 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1992–2016
2 sentences

1992Moreover, while conceding that a narrow, “public-policy” exception to the at-will doctrine was recognized in Bowman v. State Bank of Keysville, 229 Va. 534, 331 S.E.2d 797 (1985), defendants insist that such exception does not apply to this case.

1992Moreover, while conceding that a narrow, “public-policy” exception to the at-will doctrine was recognized in Bowman v. State Bank of Keysville, 229 Va. 534, 331 S.E.2d 797 (1985), defendants insist that such exception does not apply to this case.

15
Lockhart v. Commonwealth Education Systems Corp.green
va · 1994 · cited in 2 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1995–1998
2 sentences

1998Id. at 540 .

1995Id. at 106 (emphasis added).

12
Stonega Coal & Coke Co. v. Louisville & Nashville Railroadgreen
va · 1906 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2008–2008
2 sentences

2008The oft-cited genesis of the reasonable notice requirement is a 1906 Virginia Supreme Court case, Stonega Coke & Coal Co. v. Louisville & Nashville RR., 106 Va. 223, 226 , 55 S.E. 551, 552 (1906): When a contract calls for the rendition of services, if it is so far incomplete as that the period of its intended duration cannot be determined by a fair inference from its provisions, either party is ordinarily at liberty to terminate it at will on giving reasonable notice of his intention to do so.

2008The oft-cited genesis of the reasonable notice requirement is a 1906 Virginia Supreme Court case, Stonega Coke & Coal Co. v. Louisville & Nashville RR., 106 Va. 223, 226 , 55 S.E. 551, 552 (1906): When a contract calls for the rendition of services, if it is so far incomplete as that the period of its intended duration cannot be determined by a fair inference from its provisions, either party is ordinarily at liberty to terminate it at will on giving reasonable notice of his intention to do so.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

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

Also cited on this issue (3)

CaseCitedYears
Progress Printing Co., Inc. v. Nichols green
va · 1992
2 sentences

1993In fact, the Court stated that “a termination for cause provision used to overcome the presumption of employment at will must be in an employee manual or other document which complies with the statute of frauds.” Id. at 341 , 421 S.E.2d at 430 .

1993In fact, the Court stated that “a termination for cause provision used to overcome the presumption of employment at will must be in an employee manual or other document which complies with the statute of frauds.” Id. at 341 , 421 S.E.2d at 430 .

11993–1993
Miller v. Sevamp, Inc. green
va · 1987
2 sentences

1992Similarly, the Plaintiff in Miller v. SEVAMP, Inc., 234 Va. 462 , 362 S.E.2d 915 (1987), asserted she had been promised employment with a non-profit agency as long as “adequate federal funding was available.” This understanding was too vague to constitute a fixed term employ-, ment contract or a promise not to fire without cause.

1992Similarly, the Plaintiff in Miller v. SEVAMP, Inc., 234 Va. 462 , 362 S.E.2d 915 (1987), asserted she had been promised employment with a non-profit agency as long as “adequate federal funding was available.” This understanding was too vague to constitute a fixed term employ-, ment contract or a promise not to fire without cause.

11992–1992
Addison v. Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union green
va · 1988
2 sentences

1992Thus, in Addison v. Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union of America, 236 Va. 233 , 372 S. E.2d 403 (1988), the employee alleged that his employer had agreed he could keep his job “as long as he wanted one and as long as one existed.” The court found this promise too indefinite to rebut the at-will presumption.

1992Thus, in Addison v. Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union of America, 236 Va. 233 , 372 S. E.2d 403 (1988), the employee alleged that his employer had agreed he could keep his job “as long as he wanted one and as long as one existed.” The court found this promise too indefinite to rebut the at-will presumption.

11992–1992

Where else courts name it

PA 69 (1985–2025) TX 43 (1986–2025) DC 26 (1991–2018) UT 22 (1989–2018) CA 22 (1988–2021) WA 21 (1989–2023) AR 20 (1983–2021) OH 19 (1986–2022) NY 17 (1983–2018) OK 17 (1987–2022) ND 16 (1987–2021) MN 14 (1983–2017) AZ 13 (1984–2001) NC 12 (1989–2011) NM 12 (1986–2005) IA 12 (1989–2024) WY 12 (1989–2010) MO 12 (1985–2020) CT 11 (1985–2016) MS 11 (1999–2023) MA 10 (1987–2025) VA 10 (1992–2016) WI 10 (1984–2023) NJ 8 (1985–2002) ID 7 (1988–2015) IN 7 (1997–2019) VT 7 (1985–2015) AL 7 (1987–2008) NV 7 (1984–2022) SD 7 (1988–2024) KY 7 (1998–2022) MD 6 (1995–2015) TN 6 (1997–2011) HI 5 (1982–2008) IL 5 (1990–2025) MI 4 (2009–2022) SC 4 (1984–2013) WV 4 (1996–2022) OR 4 (1989–2006) NE 3 (1983–1988) DE 3 (1996–2022) NH 3 (1988–2015) FL 2 (1989–1993) GA 2 (2004–2018)

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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