Thompson v. St. Regis Paper Company

Does a terminable at will employee have a cause of action for wrongful discharge when his employer summarily discharges him and gives no reason for so doing? The trial court granted the employer's motion for summary judgment and dismissed the employee's action. We reverse and remand for trial.

Reviewing all the material submitted in a light most favorable to the appellant, the nonmoving party, Yakima Fruit & Cold Storage Co. v. Central Heating & Plumbing Co., 81 Wn.2d 528, 530, 503 P.2d 108 (1972), the record establishes the following.

The appellant, Kenneth L. Thompson, began working for St.…