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Peterson Industries, Inc. v. Farmer
Citations: 288 Ark. 298; 705 S.W.2d 8; 1986 Ark. LEXIS 1782Docket: 85-246
Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas; March 3, 1986; Arkansas; State Supreme Court
The appeal involves the employment-at-will doctrine, affirming that without a specified term in an employment contract, either party may terminate the contract at will. Barbara Kaye Farmer was terminated by Peterson Industries for being absent without notification for over two days, which the company claimed violated its policy. Farmer was hospitalized during her absence due to a back injury for which she had received workers' compensation. She subsequently sued for wrongful discharge. At trial, the jury was instructed that if Farmer was fired in violation of company policy or in retaliation for pursuing a workers' compensation claim, they should rule in her favor. This instruction was based on previous rulings suggesting a potential modification to the employment-at-will doctrine. The jury awarded Farmer $10,000. Peterson Industries appealed, arguing that the trial court's instruction was erroneous, there was insufficient evidence of retaliation, and damages were improperly calculated. However, the appellate court found that Peterson Industries failed to provide a complete record necessary to evaluate these claims, including the employee handbook and relevant testimony. Consequently, the court affirmed the trial court's decision. Justice Purtle did not participate in the decision.